Development of 400-μW cryogen-free dilution refrigerators for quantum experiments

We have successfully developed cryogen-free dilution refrigerators with medium cooling power that can be applied to quantum experiments. Breakthroughs have been made in some key technologies and components of heat switches and dilution units. Our prototype has been running continuously and stably for more than 100 hours below 10 m K, with a minimum temperature of 7.6 m K and a cooling power of 450 μW at 100 m K. At the same time, we have also made progress in the application of dilution refrigerators, such as quantum computing, low-temperature detector, and magnet integration. These indicators and test results indicate good prospects for application in physics, astronomy, and quantum information.

Performance optimization on finite-time quantum Carnot engines and refrigerators based on spin-1/2 systems driven by a squeezed reservoir

We investigate the finite-time performance of a quantum endoreversible Carnot engine cycle and its inverse operation-Carnot refrigeration cycle,employing a spin-1/2 system as the working substance.The thermal machine is alternatively driven by a hot boson bath of inverse temperatureβ_(h)and a cold boson bath at inverse temperatureβ_(c)(>βh).While for the engine model the hot bath is constructed to be squeezed,in the refrigeration cycle the cold bath is established to be squeezed,with squeezing parameter r.We obtain the analytical expressions for both efficiency and power in heat engines and for coefficient of performance and cooling rate in refrigerators.We find that,in the high-temperature limit,the efficiency at maximum power is bounded by the analytical valueη_(+)=√sech(2r)(1-η_(C)),and the coefficient of performance at the maximum figure of merit is limited byε_(+)=√sech(2r)(1+ε_(C))/sech(2r)(1+ε_(C))-εC)-1,whereη_(C)=1-β_(h)/β_(c)andε_(C)=β_(h)/(β_(c)-β_(h))are the respective Carnot values of the engines and refrigerators.These analytical results are identical to those obtained from the Carnot engines based on harmonic systems,indicating that the efficiency at maximum power and coefficient at maximum figure of merit are independent of the working substance.

Effect of Temperature on Frost-Free Days and Length of Crop Growing Season across Southern Ontario

Climate change has an impact on various climatic variables. In this study our focus is mainly on temperature characteristics of climate parameter. In temperate and humid regions like southern Ontario, the effect of climate change on Frost-free days in winter is distinctive. The average annual temperature is going upward but the extreme increase is in the winter temperature. Winter average temperature is going up by about 2˚C. However, extreme daily minimum temperature is going up by more than 3˚C. This climate effect has a great impact on the nature of precipitation and length of frost-free days. The snowfall over winter months is decreasing and the rainfall is increasing. However, the number of frost-free days during late fall months, early winter months, late winter months and early spring months are increasing. This result reveals an increase in length of the growing season. This research focuses on the effect of change in climatic variables on Frost-free days in Southern Ontario. Therefore, special attention should be given to the effect of change in climate Frost-free conditions on length of crop growing in winter season for potential investigation.

A Review on Technologies for the Use of CO2 as a Working Fluid in Refrigeration and Power Cycles

The use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid has been the subject of extensive studies in recent years, particularly in the field of refrigeration where it is at the heart of research to replace CFC and HCFC. Its thermodynamic properties make it a fluid of choice in the efficient use of energy at low and medium temperatures in engine cycles. However, the performance of transcritical CO2 cycles weakens under high temperature and pressure conditions, especially in refrigeration systems;On the other hand, this disadvantage becomes rather interesting in engine cycles where CO2 can be used as an alternative to the organic working fluid in small and medium-sized electrical systems for low quality or waste heat sources. In order to improve the performance of systems operating with CO2 in the field of refrigeration and electricity production, research has made it possible to develop several concepts, of which this article deals with a review of the state of the art, followed by analyzes in-depth and critical of the various developments to the most recent modifications in these fields. Detailed discussions on the performance and technical characteristics of the different evolutions are also highlighted as well as the factors affecting the overall performance of the systems studied. Finally, perspectives on the future development of the use of CO2 in these different cycles are presented.

Cooling High Power Dissipating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Using Refrigerant

High power dissipating artificial intelligence (AI) chips require significant cooling to operate at maximum performance. Current trends regarding the integration of AI, as well as the power/cooling demands of high-performing server systems pose an immense thermal challenge for cooling. The use of refrigerants as a direct-to-chip cooling method is investigated as a potential cooling solution for cooling AI chips. Using a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS), the coolant temperature will be sub-ambient thereby increasing the total cooling capacity. Coupled with the implementation of a direct-to-chip boiler, using refrigerants to cool AI server systems can materialize as a potential solution for current AI server cooling demands. In this study, a comparison of 8 different refrigerants: R-134a, R-153a, R-717, R-508B, R-22, R-12, R-410a, and R-1234yf is analyzed for optimal performance. A control theoretical VCRS model is created to assess variable refrigerants under the same operational conditions. From this model, the coefficient of performance (COP), required mass flow rate of refrigerant, work required by the compressor, and overall heat transfer coefficient is determined for all 8 refrigerants. Lastly, a comprehensive analysis is provided to determine the most optimal refrigerants for cooling applications. R-717, commonly known as Ammonia, was found to have the highest COP value thus proving to be the optimal refrigerant for cooling AI chips and high-performing server applications.

Variations of Frost-free Period and Its Impact on Grain Yields in Henan Province during 1961-2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the responses of frost dates to global warming and its influences on grain yields. In this study, based on the frost date series defined by daily minimum ground temperature, the spatial and temporal characteristics of first frost date （FFD）, last frost date （LFD） and frost-free period （FFP） were analyzed. The impact of extending FFP on major crop yields was also studied. The results were as follows： FFD showed a significantly delaying trend of 2.2 d/10 y, and LFD presented an advancing trend of 2.4 d/10 y. FFP extended at a rate of 4.5 d/10 y due to the later FFD and earlier LFD. The most obvious trend of FFD was in westem Henan, while the most significant trend of LFD and FFP oc- curred in south central parts of the study area. However, in eestem region, the trends of FFD, LFD and FFP were not so obvious. Major crop yield showed a sig- nificant correlation with frost-free period for Henan during 1961-2013. The yields of grain, rice, wheat, and maize increased by 79.5, 90.0, 79.5 and 70.5 kg/hm2 with FFP extending by one day.

Analysis of the Change Trends of Temperature and Frost-free Period in Xingtai in Recent 53 Years

[Objective] The changes trend of temperature and frost-free period in Xingtai in recent 53 years were studied.[Method] According to the climate data of Xingtai City and Nangong County in 1958-2010,the changes trend of the temperature,the first and the last frost day,and the frost-free days in Xingtai were studied.The characteristics of the changes of temperature and frost-free days in Xingtai in recent 53 years were studied.[Result] No matter in city or countryside,the annual average temperature was increasing.The climate tendency rates in Xingtai and Nangong were about 0.5 and 0.2 ℃/10 a respectively.Especially,since 1996,the annual average temperature increasing trend was about 1.0 ℃/10 a.The average temperature of the four seasons was also climbing and was similar to the increasing span of the annual average temperature.The annual average temperature increasing span was the largest in winter.And the increase of the annual average temperature in winter was the largest and the increase of the annual average temperature was caused by the increase of the average temperature in winter.The urban annual average temperature was obviously higher than that of the countryside,which reflected the characteristics of tropical island effect.No matter in the city or the countryside,the early frost day,final frost day and frost-free day showed same tendency,namely,the delay of early frost day,advance of final-frost day,extension of frost-free day;the day of urban early frost was late than that of the countryside,and the final frost day was earlier than that of the countryside,the frost-free days were longer than that of countryside and indirectly influenced by urban heat effect.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the development and application of thermal resources in Xingtai.

Evaluating the treatment of E-waste──a case study of discarded refrigerators

Disassembly and recycling of E-waste creates a series of environmental problems. The selection of a technologically reliable, environmentally friendly, economically affordable and socially acceptable recycling technology for E-waste is a significant question. This study establishes a Monte-Carlo mathematical model of cost minimization, given the constraints of environmentally sound handling of the e-waste, in the context of Crystal Ball risk assessment and evaluation software. By following the streams of the different treatment processes, which consist of various technologies including disassembly, recycling and disposal, the econom-ics of various possibilities were identified and the optimal recycling technology proposed. The key factors of the proposed scenarios were determined by using sensitivity analysis. The results of this study show that, for discarded refrigerators, the operating life span plays the key role. The model supports maintenance and resale of the short lived refrigerators. For the longer lived refrigerators material recycling is recommended by the model. Sensitivity analysis shows that purchase cost, plastic sale price, condenser sale price and disassembly costs are the main effects. This study provides a significant technical support for policy making in E-waste management.

Global Stability Characteristics of Irreversible Refrigerators

The dynamic stability analysis of an irreversible refrigerator working at the minimum power input P for given cooling load R was investigated.An irreversible refrigerator model was established based on coupled differential equations.The global asymptotic stability characteristics were proved by constructing Lyapunov function based on Lyapunov stability theory and analyzed by sketching global phase portraits.The influence of parameters such as initial and operating parameters were studied for different values.It was found that an equilibrium point of nonlinear system was the global stability point,and the temperature of the working fluids converged to the stability value as time t approximated to positive infinite.Besides,numerical integrations were carried out to corroborate the global asymptotic stability properties of the system.Finally,the dynamic stability and the thermodynamic properties of the system were analyzed.It was found that the energetic characteristics and the dynamic stability properties were deteriorated as the dimensionless cooling load R~* and the thermal conductance ratio b increased.

Magnetocaloric properties of phenolic resin bonded La(Fe,Si)13-based plates and its use in a hybrid magnetic refrigerator

We present a simple hot press-based method for processing La(Fe,Si)13-based compounds consisting of La–Fe–Co–Si–C particles and phenolic resin. The magnetic entropy change △S per unit mass for the La Fe_(10.87)Co_(0.63)Si_(1.5)C_(0.2)/phenolic resin compounds have nearly the same magnitude with the base materials. With the content of phenolic resin of 5.0 wt%, the compound conductivity is 3.13 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1). In order to measure the cooling performance of La(Fe,Si)13-based compounds,the La(Fe_(11.6-x)Co_(x))Si_(1.4)C_(0.15)(x =0.60, 0.65, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85)/phenolic resin compounds were pressed into thin plates and tested in a hybrid refrigerator that combines the active magnetic refrigeration effect with the Stirling cycle refrigeration effect. The test results showed that a maximum cooling power of 41 W was achieved over a temperature span of 30 K.

Effect of Refrigerant on the Performance of a C3/MRC Liquefaction Process

The Mixed Refrigerant(MR)component is an important factor influencing the performances of natural gas lique-faction processes.However,there is a lack of systematic research about the utilization of propane pre-cooled(C3/MRC).In this paper,this mixed refrigerant cycle liquefaction process is simulated using the HYSYS software and the main influential parameters involved in the process are varied to analyze their influence on the liquefaction rate and power consumption.The results show that an effective way for lowering the power consumption of the compressor consists of reducing the flow through the compressor through optimization of the percentage of mixed refrigerant.The power consumption of the compressor in the hybrid refrigeration process is affected by both flow and pressure ratios.Its specific power consumption can be reduced by increasing the flow and decreasing the pressure ratio at the same time.The increase in refrigerant pressure at the high-pressure end can significantly mitigate the energy loss of the heat exchanger and compressor.

Effect of an Internal Heat Exchanger on the Performances of a Double Evaporator Ejector Refrigeration Cycle

A theoretical investigation is presented about a double evaporator ejector refrigeration cycle(DEERC).Special attention is paid to take into account the influence of the sub-cooling and superheating effects induced by an internal heat exchanger(IHX).The ejector is introduced into the baseline cycle in order to mitigate the throttling process losses and increase the compressor suction pressure.Moreover,the IHX has the structure of a concentric counter-flow type heat exchanger and is intentionally used to ensure that the fluid at the compressor inlet is vapor.To assess accurately the influence of the IHX on the DEERC performance,a mathematical model is derived in the frame of the dominant one-dimensional theory for ejectors.The model also accounts for the friction effect in the ejector mixing section.The equations of this model are solved using an Engineering Equation Solver(EES)for different fluids.These are:R134a as baseline fluid and other environment friendly refrigerants used for comparison,namely,R1234yf,R1234ze,R600,R600a,R290,R717 and R1270.The simulation results show that the DEERC with an IHX can achieve COP(the coefficient of performance)improvements from 5.2 until 10%.

Refrigerators Enter a New Era of Health Preservation Frestech initiates the establishment of China's first standard for household sterilization refrigerators

On November 30, 2007, the China Association for Standardization (CAS) held a press conference at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest House. Leaders from the China Household Electric Appliance Research Institute, the China Household Electric Appliance Association, and the China Consumers' Association attended and made speeches.……

Performance Analysis of a Solar Continuous Adsorption Refrigeration System

A study is conducted on the performances of a solar powered continuous-adsorption refrigerator considering two particular days as references cases,namely,the summer solstice(June 21st)and the autumn equinox(September 21st).The cooling capacity,system performance coefficient and the daily rate of available cooling energy are assessed.The main goal is to compare the performances of a solar adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank(HWT)with an equivalent system relying on solar collectors with no heat storage module.The daily cooling rates for the solar refrigerator are found to be 102.4 kWh and 74.3 kWh,respectively,on June 21st and on September 21st,using a total collector’s area of 43.47 m2.The corresponding values for the adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank of 2 m3(and using a total collector’s area of 72.45 m2),are 127.1 kWh and 106.13 kWh,respectively.

Establishment of a Model for the Calculation of the COP of a Solar Adsorption Refrigerator

This paper deals with the evaluation of the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of solar adsorption refrigeration. In the literature, simulation models to predict the thermal behaviour and the coefficient of performance of these systems are uncommon. This is why we suggest a model to simulate the operation of the machine in a typical hot and dry climate of the city of Ouagadougou. The objective is to provide a model for calculating the COP from the measurement of the ambient temperature and the irradiation of a given site. Starting from mathematical modelling, a resolution and simulation were made with COMSOL software based on the Dubinin-Astakhov adsorption model, the heat transfer balance equations, and the Linear Driving Force (LDF) model to describe the thermal behaviour of the system. A one-week measurement sequence on the adsorption solar refrigerator at the Albert Schweitzer Ecological Centre (CEAS) validated the numerical results. The measurement shows that for the days with high sunshine, the temperature of the reaction medium reaches 110°C, and the pressure reaches 500 mbar. This leads to a production of cold that allows it to reach the temperature of -5°C at the evaporator. Under these conditions, the COP is worth 14%. These results are obtained both by numerical simulation using the COMSOL 5.1 software and after a measurement session on the solar refrigerator available to the CEAS. We obtained an experimental and theoretical coefficient of performance varying between 9% and 14% with a difference of between 0% and 3%. We conclude that our model is suitable to estimate the COP of any device based on its thermal properties, the ambient temperature and the irradiation of a given site.

欧盟PFAS限制提案解读及其对制冷空调行业影响与应对

在《〈关于消耗臭氧层物质的蒙特利尔议定书〉基加利修正案》的履约和“双碳”目标的双重驱动下,制冷剂替代是制冷空调领域最为关注的热点之一。采用热物性相近的低GWP的HFOs制冷剂和天然制冷剂作为替代品,实现HFCs的削减被认为是较为合适的替代技术路线;但随着2023年2月欧盟出台的PFAS限制提案,引发了对HFOs制冷剂替代前景的担忧,这可能影响全球制冷剂替代发展。因此,首先对PFAS物质进行了介绍,分析了含氟制冷剂与PFASs的关系,并对PFAS法案的形成脉络和关键内容进行了解读,总结了不同领域对此的观点,希望对未来制冷剂替代方案的制定提供一定思辨意义和参考价值。

氦低温透平膨胀机热力性能数值模拟与实验测试

为了深入研究氦透平膨胀机在降温过程及低温条件下的热力学特性,依托ADS 500 W/4.5 K低温制冷机建设了80 K温区的实验系统,进行了氦透平膨胀机的低温变工况测试。测试的氦透平膨胀机主轴轴径为12.00 mm,采用动压氦气体轴承支承,最高转速可以达到252130 r·min^(-1)。在膨胀比为1.88时,膨胀机最大出口温降达到8.1 K;在膨胀比为2.07时,等熵效率达到最高值71.2%。以实验用氦透平膨胀机尺寸及测试工况为基础,建立了透平的数值模型。采用商业软件ANSYS CFX对透平的热力性能及降温特性进行了数值模拟,得到了相应的理论温降曲线。研究结果表明:所建数值模型能够较好地预测该氦透平膨胀机的温降过程,膨胀机出口温度的实验值和计算值结果最大相对偏差为0.45%;所测试的低温氦透平具有优良的热力性能和降温特性,测试的动压氦气体轴承表现出良好的支承稳定性,数值计算和实验结果可为后续相关研究和大科学装置的应用提供参考。

港口大规模冷箱负荷群用电的一致性分层优化调度方法

为解决港口大量冷藏集装箱负荷群优化调度面临的优化效果与计算效率难题,该文提出冷箱集群分层迭代调度架构及多智体制冷效率一致性优化策略。建立考虑热动态过程的冷箱负荷用电模型,并根据用电特性将冷箱聚类为集群,降低冷箱控制维度与信息交互量级。建立冷箱动态电价与集群用电功率迭代优化的预调度模型,提出冷箱制冷效率主从一致性的功率动态分配算法,冷箱个体根据电价、温度、制冷限值主动响应预调度策略,实现大规模冷箱自趋优运行和负荷功率有序转移。以日照港为算例,所提方法可将用电成本降低12.5%,计算效率提升4倍,优化结果与全局优化的偏差仅为0.5%,实现了大规模冷箱群高效优化。

基于不同流动时间占比的紧凑式室温磁制冷系统实验研究

磁制冷因高效、环保、结构简单等特点,正有望成为替代传统蒸气制冷的新型室温制冷技术之一.当前针对单一影响因子对磁制冷样机的影响作用规律研究较为丰富,但对磁场-流场时序中流动时间占比工况的研究较少,且影响规律尚不明晰.本文以前期研制的紧凑型室温磁制冷系统为基础,在固定的磁场时序情况下开展不同流动时间占比的实验研究,探索制冷温跨、制冷量、压降及性能系数与流动时间占比之间的关联.以磁场时序1:4:1:4与频率0.45 Hz的工况为例,开展了固定磁场时序的不同流动时间占比(100%,80%,60%)的实验研究.结果表明:1)小利用系数和高流动时间的组合可获得较大温跨,大利用系数和高流动时间占比的组合可获得较大冷量,其中当利用系数为0.42、流动时间占比为100%时,获得最大无负荷制冷温跨26.2 K;2)对比研究了利用系数与流动时间占比对回热器压降及性能系数的影响,流动时间占比的增大和利用系数的减小均会造成流体速度的减小,会使压降进一步减小,性能系数进一步增大.本研究阐明了制冷温跨、制冷量、压降及性能系数与流动时间占比之间的影响规律,为进一步提升室温磁制冷机的性能奠定基础.

热电制冷/热泵教学实验装置的研制

为了让学生掌握热电制冷的工作原理及研究应用,研制了热电制冷/热泵实验装置用于本科实验教学。该实验装置在能量利用方面可实现一系列能量的存储与转换;在制冷/供热形式方面可实现供冷(热)水及冷(热)风功能;在热端散热方式方面可实现自然对流散热、水冷散热及强制风冷散热或水冷加风冷组合散热模式。同时,该实验装置可进行现象演示及散热器端/散冷器端自然对流、强制对流热电性能、冷却水流量及输入电压对热电性能的影响和太阳能光伏发电系统对热电性能影响的研究。