Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
  • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
  • F25J1/0007—Helium
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
  • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
  • F25J1/0035—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work
  • F25J1/0037—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work of a return stream
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
  • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
  • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0201—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration
  • F25J1/0202—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration in a quasi-closed internal refrigeration loop
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
  • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
  • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
  • F25J1/0247—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control start-up of the process
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
  • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
  • F25J1/0269—Arrangement of liquefaction units or equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple "trains" concept
  • F25J1/0271—Inter-connecting multiple cold equipments within or downstream of the cold box
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
  • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
  • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
  • F25J2210/02—Multiple feed streams, e.g. originating from different sources
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
  • F25J2220/02—Separating impurities in general from the feed stream
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
  • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
  • F25J2270/04—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
  • F25J2270/06—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with multiple gas expansion loops
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
  • F25J2290/60—Details about pipelines, i.e. network, for feed or product distribution
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
  • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an installation and a method for producing helium.
• the invention relates more particularly to a liquid helium production installation comprising a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the refrigeration / liquefaction device comprising a working circuit subjecting a helium enriched working fluid to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium, the circuit comprising at least one working fluid compression member and a plurality of heat exchangers for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle, the installation comprising a plurality of fluid recovery lines having respective upstream ends for selectively connecting to respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from the reservoirs to the refrigerating / liquefying device, the installation comprising a first collecting conduit having an upstream end connected to the recovery lines and a downstream end connected to a receiving member capable of supplying the working circuit with working fluid.
• the invention relates in particular to the production and distribution of liquid helium.
• Helium a noble gas
• the invention relates in particular to the production and distribution of liquid helium.
• Helium a noble gas
• the helium distribution generally requires a helium cooling at a temperature below 4.5 K (liquid state), then its transport and distribution in mobile tanks, for example on semi-trailers. These tanks, which can be isolated with nitrogen, should generally be kept at a temperature not exceeding 50 to 60 K. For this reason, it is not recommended to completely empty these tanks of their helium.
• these tanks In practice, after delivery, these tanks "emptied" return to the filling stations at temperatures of the order of 150 K and more. Thus, when the tank returns after delivery of the customer and before filling it with helium, it must be cooled to 4.5 K because otherwise the liquid helium introduced would evaporate.
• the cooling of the tanks is usually carried out in the filling stations by circulating (in loop) helium of the station through the tank to be cooled to thereby lower the temperature. Due to potential evaporation, it is sometimes necessary to purify this gas and re-liquefy it.
• gaseous helium possibly produced during cooling may exceed the capacity of the helium liquefaction plants equipping the installation.
• the "hot" gas returns from the tanks are returned to the refrigerator / liquefier at different levels in the refrigerator.
• the refrigerator / liquefier For example, these recovered hot gases are re-injected at specific locations in the working circuit of the refrigeration / liquefaction device between the "cold" and “hot” ends, that is to say, at predetermined levels of temperature. helium in the working circuit.
• the fluid of the different tanks is either sent into the system of recovery and purification of the installation (when it has impurities) or is collected in a common manifold before being injected into the working circuit of the system. liquefier / refrigerator (when the fluid is relatively pure).
• This mixture of pure fluids collected in the various tanks concerned is sent into the working circuit at a pressure / temperature level corresponding to the temperature level of the fluid mixture.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.
• the installation according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least a second and a third collecting duct each having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the downstream ends of the second and third collecting pipes being connected to specific determined positions of the working circuit respectively corresponding to different temperature levels of the working fluid; in the work circuit.
• the Applicant has found a significant increase in the energy efficiency of the installation.
• the vapors that come from the different tanks are not necessarily the same temperatures and their mixture results in an average temperature.
• the differentiated recovery of "clean” (pure) vapors according to their temperature makes it possible to best use the cold energy conveyed by the recovered fluid.
• embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
• At least the downstream end of a collecting duct comprises a bypass so that the collector duct concerned is selectively connectable to at least two determined distinct positions of the working circuit corresponding respectively to different levels of working fluid temperature in the work circuit,
• the recovery lines each comprise an upstream end connectable to a reservoir and a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end, said downstream ends being respectively connected to the different collecting pipes, the downstream ends of the recovery pipes being provided with respective valves for distributing the reservoir fluid selectively to the collection line or lines,
• the installation comprises a working fluid supply pipe having an upstream end connected to at least one source of fluid and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the supply pipe comprising at least one purification element for enriching helium fluid from the source or sources to supply the circuit with a working fluid enriched in helium, the receiving member being disposed upstream of the purification member and constituting a source of fluid,
• the installation comprises a liquid helium supply pipe having an upstream end connected to the working circuit and at least one downstream end selectively connected to at least one storage intended to selectively feed liquid helium to at least one tank,
• the installation comprises a buffer tank selectively connected to the working circuit for storing working fluid, the buffer tank being further connected to a purge pipe selectively connectable to at least one reservoir.
• the invention also relates to a process for producing liquid helium from an installation comprising a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the refrigeration / liquefaction device comprising a submitting work circuit.
• a working fluid enriched in helium with a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium the circuit comprising at least one working fluid compression member and a plurality of heat exchangers for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined at during the cycle
• the installation comprising a plurality of recovery lines having respective upstream ends to be selectively connected to respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from the reservoirs to the circuit, the method comprising:
• the fluids of the different reservoirs are transferred independently of one another into the working circuit at respective temperature levels determined according to the respective fluid temperatures in the reservoirs under consideration.
• the installation comprising a working fluid supply pipe having an upstream end connected to at least one fluid source and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the supply pipe comprising at least one purification element for enriching helium the fluid from the at least one source and supply the circuit with a working fluid enriched in helium, when the fluid of one or more tanks has a concentration of impurities greater than a threshold, the contents of the tanks concerned being transferred to a source, upstream of the purification member,
• the contents of the reservoirs considered are transferred to a source, upstream of the purification member, and when the fluid of one or more reservoirs has a temperature above a first determined threshold, the contents of the tanks considered is transferred to at least a first position of the working circuit corresponding to the first temperature levels, when the fluid of one or more tanks has a temperature less than said first determined threshold, the contents of the reservoirs considered being transferred at the level of at least a second position of the working circuit corresponding to second temperature levels,
• the contents of the reservoirs considered are transferred to a source, upstream of the purification member, and when the fluid of one or more several tanks has a temperature above a first determined threshold, the contents of the tanks considered is transferred to at least a first position of the working circuit corresponding to the first temperature levels, when the fluid of one or more tanks present a temperature below said first predetermined threshold, the contents of the reservoirs considered being transferred to at least a second position of the working circuit corresponding to second temperature levels,
• the step of transferring the fluid contained in a tank (6) to the installation comprises at least one of:
• the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.
• the liquid helium production facility shown in the figure conventionally comprises a refrigeration / liquefaction device 1, that is to say an apparatus capable of refrigerating and / or liquefying helium at very low temperature, by example up to 4 to 5 K or below.
• a refrigeration / liquefaction device 1 that is to say an apparatus capable of refrigerating and / or liquefying helium at very low temperature, by example up to 4 to 5 K or below.
• the refrigeration / liquefaction device 1 thus comprising a working circuit 2 subjecting a helium-enriched working fluid to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium.
• the circuit 2 of work comprises at least one member 3 for compressing the working fluid such as compressors and several heat exchangers 4 for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle.
• the working circuit 2 may also conventionally comprise one or more fluid expansion members such as turbines (not shown for the sake of simplification).
• the working fluid (usually helium) thus undergoes a cycle in the working circuit between a hot end (compression) and a cold end where it is liquefied (by expansion and cooling).
• the installation comprises several lines 5 of fluid recovery.
• Each fluid recovery line 5 comprises an upstream end intended to be connected selectively to a reservoir 6 or a fluid inlet.
• the installation also comprises a first fluid-collecting pipe 7 having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes 5 and a downstream end connected to a receiving member 8 capable of storing gas in order to feed the working circuit 2 with fluid job.
• the installation comprises a second collecting duct 9 and a third collecting duct 10 each having an upstream end connected to the recovery ducts 5.
• the downstream end of the second collecting duct 9 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a first determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.
• the downstream end of the third collecting duct 10 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a second determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.
• downstream end of the third collecting duct 10 is connected to the working circuit 2 at a relatively hotter location of the working circuit 2 than the downstream end of the second collecting duct 9.
• the second 9 and third collecting ducts 10 are fluidly connected at different locations in the work cycle, i.e. at locations in the work circuit 2 where the working fluid has different thermodynamic conditions, especially in terms of temperature.
• each tank 6 may be selectively connected to either the receiving member 8, the second collecting duct 9 or the third collecting duct 10.
• each tank 6 can be connected, independently of the other tanks 6, to different levels of the working circuit 2 and in particular to a level of cycle temperature adapted to the fluid temperature of the tank 6. This is that is to say that when the fluid of the reservoir 6 is more or less "hot", it is fed back to more or less hot levels of the circuit 2 working to disturb as little as possible the performance of said circuit 2 work.
• the downstream end of the second and third collecting ducts 9, 10 may comprise shunts 1 10, 109 so that each collecting duct 9, 10 concerned is selectively connectable to several distinct determined positions of the circuit 2 work. In this way, the installation makes it possible to multiply the injection possibilities in the working circuit 2 (and thus to multiply the temperature levels of the cycle).
• the second and third collecting ducts 9, 10 may comprise respective dispensing valves.
• the recovery lines 5 each comprise an upstream end connectable to a reservoir 6 and a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end.
• the downstream ends of each recovery pipe 5 are respectively connected to the different collecting pipes 7, 9, 10, for example via respective valves 11.
• the working circuit 2 can be powered with a helium enriched working fluid via a working fluid supply pipe 13 having an upstream end connected to at least one fluid source 8, 14 and a connected downstream end. at work circuit 2.
• the feed pipe 13 may comprise at least one purification member 12 for enriching helium fluid from the source or sources 8, 14.
• a source 14 may include, for example, a power supply in treated natural gas.
• Another source 8 may for example store the impure gas recovered from the tanks 6 via the first pipe 7 collector.
• the gas from one or both sources 8, 14 can be compressed (compressors 21) and then purified in the purification member 12 (for example of the adsorption type) to supply the operating circuit 2 with helium.
• the installation may comprise a buffer tank 17 connected selectively to the circuit 2 of work to store working fluid from the compressor station (hot end of the circuit 2 work ).
• This buffer tank 17 is connected to a pipe 1 17 purge selectively connectable to at least one tank 6 (in the figure the first tank left being in purge).
• the installation may also include a pipe 16 for supplying liquid helium having an upstream end connected to the end 2.
• the liquid stores 15 are intended to supply liquid helium or the tanks 6.
• the third tank 6 (from left to right) is schematically represented in a cooling situation: a helium circulation is made from a storage 15 to the tank 6 and then this helium is reinjected into the working circuit via the third collecting pipe 10 ( at a relatively "hot" temperature, see arrows with solid lines).
• the fourth tank 6 (from left to right) is schematically represented in a filling situation: a helium circulation loop is made from the working circuit 2 to the storage 15 and then to the tank 6 (see the arrows with solid lines). The excess helium of the tank 6 is fed back into the working circuit via the second collecting ducts 9 (at a relatively "cold" temperature level).
• the second tank 6 (from left to right) is schematically shown in the gas transfer situation from the tank 6 to the source 8 via the first pipe 7 collector (see the arrows with solid lines).
• the installation according to the invention thus makes it possible to connect the vapors contained in the "empty" tanks 6 selectively and independently to three collecting pipes:
• the second 9 for directing the relatively cold pure vapors in a relatively cold zone of the working circuit 2 with a view to the re-liquefaction of these vapors
• the third 10 for directing the relatively hot pure vapors in a relatively hot zone of the working circuit 2 for the re-liquefaction of these vapors.
• This distribution of vapors is carried out according to the nature and in particular the temperature of the vapors contained in each of the tanks 6.
• the Applicant has found that by independently treating the various contents of the tanks 6 (without mixing between the contents of tanks 6 at different temperatures before injection into the circuit 2 working), optimizes the recovery of frigories vapors in the refrigeration / liquefaction device. This improves the efficiency of the latter and especially its performance with respect to its energy consumption.
• the invention is not limited to the example described above.
• the number of recovery lines that can be connected to tanks 6 is not limited to four but may be less than or greater than four.
• the number of manifolds may be smaller or larger than the number of lines 7, 9, 10 described above.
• the vapors recovered from the tanks can come from stationary applications that use liquid helium for cooling (for example for cooling superconducting cables).
• one or more movable reservoirs 6 of the figure are replaced by a fluid connection which brings back heat-exchanged helium with an application to be cooled.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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• 2011
  • 2011-01-19 FR FR1150416A patent/FR2970563B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-01-12 EP EP12704863.5A patent/EP2665979B1/de active Active
  • 2012-01-12 RU RU2013138460/06A patent/RU2578508C2/ru active
  • 2012-01-12 US US13/980,178 patent/US9657986B2/en active Active
  • 2012-01-12 AU AU2012208462A patent/AU2012208462B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2012-01-12 WO PCT/FR2012/050079 patent/WO2012098326A2/fr not_active Ceased

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