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
  • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
  • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
  • F25J1/001—Hydrogen
• • 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
  • F25J1/0047—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 an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
  • F25J1/005—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 an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by expansion of a gaseous refrigerant stream with extraction of work
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
  • F25J1/0065—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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
  • F25J1/0067—Hydrogen
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
  • F25J1/0072—Nitrogen
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
  • F25J1/0075—Oxygen
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
  • F25J1/0077—Argon
• • 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
  • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
  • F25J1/0095—Oxides of carbon, e.g. CO2
• • 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
  • F25J1/0203—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 a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
  • F25J1/0205—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 a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a dual level SCR refrigeration cascade
• • 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
  • F25J1/0211—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 a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
  • F25J1/0214—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 a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle
• • 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
  • F25J1/0211—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 a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
  • F25J1/0214—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 a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle
  • F25J1/0215—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 a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle with one SCR cycle
• • 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
• • 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
  • F25J1/0254—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation controlling particular process parameter, e.g. pressure, temperature
• • 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
  • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
  • F25J1/0281—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc. characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
  • F25J1/0284—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
• • 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
  • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
  • F25J1/0285—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
  • F25J1/0288—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion of the refrigerant, so-called companders
• • 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
  • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
  • F25J1/029—Mechanically coupling of different refrigerant compressors in a cascade refrigeration system to a common driver
• • 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
  • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
  • F25J1/0298—Safety aspects and control of the refrigerant compression system, e.g. anti-surge control
• • 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
  • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
  • F25J2230/20—Integrated compressor and process expander; Gear box arrangement; Multiple compressors on a common shaft
• • 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
  • F25J2270/14—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
  • F25J2270/16—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with mutliple gas expansion loops of the same refrigerant

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device and a method for liquefying a fluid such as hydrogen and/or helium.
• the invention relates more particularly to a device for liquefying a fluid such as hydrogen and/or helium comprising a fluid circuit to be cooled having an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gaseous fluid and a downstream end intended to be connected to a liquefied fluid collection member, the device comprising a set of heat exchanger(s) in thermal exchange with the circuit (3) of fluid to be cooled, the device comprising a pre-cooling system in heat exchange with at least part of the set of heat exchanger(s) configured to lower the temperature of the fluid to be cooled to a first temperature, for example between 30 and 110K, the device further comprising a cooling system in heat exchange with at least part of the set of heat exchanger(s) and configured to lower the temperature of the fluid to be cooled from the first temperature to a second temperature, for example between 15 and 25K, in which the system cooling system comprises a first refrigerator with a refrigeration cycle of a first cycle gas comprising helium and/or hydrogen, said first refrigerator comprising, arranged
• Devices for liquefying cryogenic fluids, in particular hydrogen generally include a pre-cooling system using a cold source such as a reserve of liquid nitrogen or a refrigerator with a closed or semi-closed nitrogen cycle.
• a cold source such as a reserve of liquid nitrogen or a refrigerator with a closed or semi-closed nitrogen cycle.
• the lowest pressure of the pre-cooling cycle determines the lowest temperature the pre-cooling cycle gas reaches (cut-off temperature).
• this low pressure of the pre-cooling cycle is imposed at the lowest possible value, to lower the cut-off temperature at the cold end of this pre-cooling cycle and thus effectively pre-cool the flow of gas to be liquefied before that -there is no thermal exchange with the refrigerator cycle gas lowering the temperature to a liquefaction temperature.
• This architecture generally uses multi-stage compression stations comprising a gear wheel or speed increasing device between the speed provided by the electric motor typically at 50 or 60 Hz and the rotating shafts, carrying the multiple compression stages, which in turn require a very high shaft rotation speed for energy efficiency reasons.
• This architecture does not allow a great capacity for flexibility in the liquefaction process as described below.
• a known solution consists of using the so-called mobile “IGV” technology (“Inlet Guide Vanes”) which makes it possible to vary the gas flow rates at the suction typically of the first compression stage of the cycle which includes these IGVs. .
• IGV Inlet Guide Vanes
• this technology is only installed at the input of the first compression stage of the refrigeration cycle concerned for cost aspects and limitation of moving parts which could generate a potential failure on the entire plant.
• This solution is only partially satisfactory.
• the overall efficiency and performance of the installation are not satisfactory.
• this solution does not make it possible to adapt the installation to intermittent energies or with unsatisfactory efficiency.
• Another solution is to use a refrigeration cycle using mixed refrigerants (“MR”).
• MR mixed refrigerants
• these solutions provide a higher cut-off temperature (mixture of hydrocarbon and nitrogen type constituents whose mixture induces cut-off temperatures 20 to 50 degrees higher than pre-cooling cycles with pure nitrogen) which more constrains the cycle final cooling from a thermodynamic point of view.
• the mixture to be reconstituted is complex for operators (need to determine the component(s) which are preferentially leaking and to readjust the mixture step by step).
• the device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that at least one of the turbines is coupled to the same shaft as at least one stage compression so as to provide the compression stage with mechanical work produced during expansion and in that the pre-cooling system comprises a second refrigerator with a refrigeration cycle of a second cycle gas, said second refrigerator comprising, arranged in series in a cycle circuit: a cycle gas compression mechanism, at least one cycle gas cooling member, a cycle gas expansion mechanism and at least a member for heating the expanded cycle gas, in which the compression mechanism comprises several compression stages in series composed of a set of centrifugal type compressor(s), the compression stages being mounted on shafts driven in rotation by a set of motor(s), the expansion mechanism comprising one or more expansion stages composed of a set of centripetal type turbine(s) of which at least one is coupled to the same shaft as at least one compression stage of so as to provide the compression stage with the mechanical work produced during expansion.
• embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics: the cycle gas of the second refrigerator comprises at least one of: nitrogen, neon, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide, the first refrigerator and the second refrigerator comprise respective motors of the same type and/or respective compressors of the same type, and/or respective turbines of the same type, the first refrigerator and the second refrigerator comprise at least one common motor whose shaft is coupled to one or more compressors and/or one or more turbines of the first refrigerator and also coupled to one or more compressors of the second refrigerator and /or one or more turbines of the second refrigerator, the assembly of motor(s) of the first and/or the second refrigerator comprises at least one electric motor with variable speed controlled by an electrical signal, for example by frequency variation, the set of motor(s) of the second refrigerator comprises at least one electric motor with variable speed controlled by an electrical signal, for example by frequency variation and in that the cold power supplied by the second refrigerator determines the first temperature and is a function of the rotation speed of said at least motor, the assembly of motor(s)
• the invention also relates to a process for liquefying a fluid such as hydrogen and/or helium using a device according to any of the characteristics above or below, the process comprising a step of cooling the fluid to be cooled to the first temperature, for example between 30 and 110K via the second refrigerator then a step of cooling the fluid to be cooled from the first temperature to the second temperature, for example between 15 and 25K.
• the method comprises a step of controlling the value of the first temperature via controlling the speed of at least one of the motors of the set of motor(s) of the second refrigerator, the circuits of cycle of the first refrigerator and the second refrigerator contain the same cycle gas and are interconnected via at least one valve.
• the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the characteristics above or below within the scope of the claims.
• FIG. 1 is a partial and schematic view illustrating an example of structure and operation of an example of liquefaction device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic and partial view of a detail of such a device in an alternative embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a schematic and partial view of another detail of such a device in another alternative embodiment.
• the device 1 for liquefying a fluid such as hydrogen and/or helium illustrated in [Fig. 1] comprises a circuit 3 of fluid to be cooled having an upstream end intended to be connected to a source 2 of gaseous fluid and a downstream end 23 intended to be connected to a member 4 for collecting the liquefied fluid.
• Source 2 may include a distribution (network) and/or gas production unit (for example hydrogen).
• Source 2 may in particular comprise an electrolyzer or a steam reforming unit.
• the collection member 4 may comprise, for example, at least one cryogenic liquid storage. Upstream of the storage 4, the circuit 3 of fluid to be cooled preferably comprises a valve, for example an expansion valve 12 and/or an expansion turbine.
• the liquefaction device 1 comprises a set of heat exchanger(s) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 arranged in series and/or in parallel in thermal exchange with the circuit 3 of fluid to be cooled and a system 20 of pre -cooling in thermal exchange with at least part of the set of heat exchanger(s) 6.
• This pre-cooling system is typically configured to lower the temperature of the fluid to be cooled to a first temperature, for example between 30 and 110K, for example 80K.
• the liquefaction device 1 further comprises a cooling system 21 in thermal exchange with at least part of the set of heat exchanger(s) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
• This cooling system is for its part configured to further lower the temperature of the fluid to be cooled from the first temperature to a second temperature, for example between 15 and 25K, for example 20K to allow its liquefaction.
• the cooling system comprises a first refrigerator 21 with a refrigeration cycle of a first cycle gas comprising helium and/or hydrogen.
• This first refrigerator 21 comprises, arranged in series in a cycle circuit 14: a cycle gas compression mechanism 15, at least one cycle gas cooling member, a cycle gas expansion mechanism 17 and at least one expanded cycle gas heating member. That is to say that the first refrigerator 21 subjects the cycle gas to a thermodynamic cycle in which the cycle gas reaches at a cold end a very low temperature (cryogenic) constituting a cold power and which is put into thermal exchange with the fluid to be liquefied.
• the fluid to be liquefied is a fluid which is preferably distinct from the fluid of the cycle gas (e.g. helium and possibly other component(s)).
• the set of heat exchanger(s) which cools the fluid to be liquefied preferably comprises one or more counter-current heat exchangers 6, 7, 8, 9 arranged in series and in which two distinct portions of the cycle circuit 14 circulate simultaneously against the current (respectively for the cooling and heating of separate flows of the cycle gas).
• this plurality of counter-current heat exchangers forms both a member for cooling the cycle gas (after compression and after one or more expansion stages, for example) and a member for cooling the cycle gas. reheating of the cycle gas (after expansion and before returning to the compression mechanism).
• the compression mechanism comprises several compression stages 15 in series composed of a set of compressor(s) 15 of centrifugal type.
• the compression mechanism comprises at least four compression stages 15 composed of a set of centrifugal type compressors arranged in series (and possibly in parallel).
• a compression stage 15 can be composed of a wheel of a motorized centrifugal compressor.
• the compression stages 15 i.e. the compressor wheels
• the compression stages 15 are mounted on shafts 19 rotated by a set of motor(s) 18 (at least one motor).
• all compressors 15 are of the centrifugal type.
• the expansion mechanism preferably comprises several expansion stages composed of a set of turbine(s) 17 of centripetal type, in which at least one of the turbines 17 is coupled to the same shaft 19 as at least one compression stage 15 of so as to provide the compression stage 15 with mechanical work produced during expansion.
• the expansion mechanism comprises three or more expansion stages formed by turbines 17 of the centripetal type arranged at least partly in series.
• the number of compression stages (for example the number of compression wheels) is greater than the number of expansion stages (for example number of compression wheels). relaxation).
• all the turbines 17 are of the centripetal type and are mainly arranged in series.
• the device 1 may include a member 8, 9 for cooling the cycle gas configured to cool the cycle gas at the outlet of at least one of the turbines 17. That is to say, after expansion in a turbine 17, the cycle gas can be cooled by a value typically between 2K and 30K.
• At least one of the turbines 17 is coupled to the same shaft 19 as a compression stage 15 of a compressor so as to provide the compressor with mechanical work produced during expansion.
• This architecture makes it possible to de-correlate (make independent) the heat transfer fluid process (helium-based cycle gas for example) from the delivery temperature of the fluid to be liquefied (hydrogen for example).
• This makes it possible in particular, in cycle circuit 14, to increase the value of the low pressure level of the cycle gas to pressures which are higher than in known devices. This is possible despite a relatively low overall compression ratio of the cycle gas.
• This centrifugal compression technology was generally not recommended for hydrogen liquefaction in the prior art due to the limitation of the compression rate per stage.
• the device 1 can include one or more Moto-Turbo-Compressors on part of the compression station.
• a Moto-Turbo-Compressor is an assembly comprising an engine whose shaft directly drives a set of compression stage(s) (wheel(s)) and a set of expansion stage(s) (turbine(s) ). This enhances the mechanical work of expansion directly on one or more compressors 15 of the cycle gas.
• the pre-cooling system 21 comprises a second refrigerator 20 with a refrigeration cycle of a second cycle gas.
• This second refrigerator 20 also comprises, arranged in series in a cycle circuit 140: a mechanism 150 for compressing the cycle gas, at least one member 160 for cooling the cycle gas, a mechanism 170 for expanding the cycle gas and at least one member 6 for heating the expanded cycle gas.
• the compression mechanism comprises several compression stages 150 in series composed of a set of compressor(s) 150 of centrifugal type.
• the compression stages 150 are mounted on shafts 190 rotated by a set of motor(s) 180.
• the expansion mechanism comprising one or more expansion stages composed of a set of turbine(s) 170 of centripetal type.
• at least one of the turbines 170 is coupled to the same shaft 190 as at least one compression stage 150 so as to provide the compression stage 150 with mechanical work produced during expansion.
• first 21 and second 20 refrigerators preferably have the same general structure and technology.
• This pre-cooling system 20 architecture makes it possible to lower the cut-off temperature of the pre-cooling system 20 compared to known devices and offers improved flexibility.
• the cycle gas of the second refrigerator 20 may include at least one of: nitrogen, neon, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide.
• the cycle gas of this second refrigerator ensuring pre-cooling is composed of a mixture of helium and neon or helium and nitrogen for example.
• the device only uses rare and/or inert gases in the cycles.
• At least one exchanger 6 can be common to the following flows: circuit 3 of fluid to be cooled, circuit 14 of the first refrigerator (in particular two flows: after and before compression) and circuit 140 of the second refrigerator (for example two flows: before and after relaxation).
• the first 21 and second 20 refrigerators preferably have the same general structure and the same technology.
• these two refrigerators 20, 21 preferably comprise components of the same nature or identical.
• identical or “of the same nature” we mean components (engine, turbine wheel, compressor wheel, bearings, casing, etc.) of the same technology but not necessarily strictly identical.
• components of the same nature can be of different sizes.
• first refrigerator 21 and the second refrigerator 20 comprise for example respective motors of the same type and/or respective compressors of the same type, and/or respective turbines of the same type and/or bearings of the same type (magnetic or gas).
• the two cycles 14, 140 include for example centripetal turbines and centrifugal compressors coupled on the same shafts. These components of the same nature allow a pooling of components or sub-components: for example same electric motors, same electrotechnical chain for motor-compressors and motor-turbo-compressors, same wheels, same dimensions, same designs. . .This makes it possible to pool supplies and in particular to reduce the references of components or organs of device 1 (example: motor, bearings on the entire liquefaction unit, etc.).
• cryogenic components can be housed in separate thermally insulated (preferably vacuum) cold boxes or in the same cold box (for example with separate volumes, independent or not).
• the first refrigerator 21 and the second refrigerator 20 may include a motor 18, 180 common to the rotary shaft 19, 190 to which the wheels of the two refrigerators 20, 21 are coupled.
• the shaft 19, 190 of a motor 18, 180 is coupled to at least one compressor wheel 15 and/or turbine wheel 17 of the first 21 refrigerator and also coupled to at least one compressor wheel 150 and/or one turbine wheel 170 of the second 20 refrigerator.
• motors of the two refrigerators 20, 21 may share common components, for example the same power circuitry and/or the same electronic speed variator (“VFD”).
• VFD electronic speed variator
• At least part of the assembly of motor(s) 18, 180 of the first and/or second refrigerator 21, 20 are electric motors with variable speed controlled by an electrical signal, for example by frequency variation.
• each refrigerator 20, 21 is preferably a function of the rotation speed of the motor(s), for example the cold power supplied is proportional to the rotation speed of the motors.
• the rotation speed of the motor(s) 180 of the second refrigerator 20 determines the lowest temperature provided by the second refrigerator 20 (cut-off temperature). This determines the second temperature in the process of cooling and liquefying the fluid to be liquefied.
• the device 1 preferably comprises an electronic member 11 for controlling at least one motor(s) 18, 180.
• the electronic member 11 comprises for example a microprocessor or computer or any other appropriate system.
• the electronic member 11 can control at least one motor(s) 18 of the first refrigerator 21 and at least one motor 180 of the second refrigerator 20.
• This control member 11 can in particular be configured to jointly control the setpoint of speed of the motors of the first and second refrigerators 20, 21. That is to say that the control of one of the refrigerators 20 or 21 determines (is dependent) on the control of the other refrigerator 21 or 20.
• control member 11 can be configured to increase or decrease in an identical manner (in percentage) the speed instructions of the motors 18, 180 of the first 21 and second 20 refrigerators.
• the temperature conditions of the liquefied fluid can be controlled via the speed of the motors 18, 180.
• the speed of the motors 20 of the second refrigerator is also lowered (or increased) by 30%. This can be achieved via a single control instruction (an identical or unique signal).
• the pre-cooling cycle is closed and the cooling cycle is also closed.
• the two cycles could be connected via a balancing valve (and a valve control system). This makes it possible to distribute the cold powers produced by the two refrigerators 20, 21 without changing the speed of the corresponding motors.
• the device 1 presents great flexibility for controlling the cold powers of the pre-cooling 20 and cooling 21 systems.
• Device 1 also makes it possible to increase the cold production capacity at the cooling level by keeping the same architecture, that is to say a liquefied gas at a lower temperature than at the nominal operating point. In fact, it is possible to occasionally lower the cut-off temperature of the pre-cooling system. This makes it possible to reduce the thermal load for the cooling system and therefore to further subcool the liquefied fluid leaving the liquefier. Changing the cut-off temperature is possible over a wider temperature range.

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• 2022
  • 2022-07-08 FR FR2207003A patent/FR3137746B1/fr active Active
• 2023
  • 2023-06-20 AU AU2023303660A patent/AU2023303660A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-06-20 CN CN202380049754.3A patent/CN119452224A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-06-20 CA CA3259083A patent/CA3259083A1/fr active Pending
  • 2023-06-20 KR KR1020257002913A patent/KR20250034107A/ko active Pending
  • 2023-06-20 JP JP2024577376A patent/JP2025523619A/ja active Pending
  • 2023-06-20 WO PCT/EP2023/066537 patent/WO2024008434A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2023-06-20 EP EP23733348.9A patent/EP4551876A1/de active Pending

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