CA2070620A1 - Method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks - Google Patents

Method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks

Info

Publication number
CA2070620A1
CA2070620A1 CA 2070620 CA2070620A CA2070620A1 CA 2070620 A1 CA2070620 A1 CA 2070620A1 CA 2070620 CA2070620 CA 2070620 CA 2070620 A CA2070620 A CA 2070620A CA 2070620 A1 CA2070620 A1 CA 2070620A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tank
helium
contents
bulk
tanks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2070620
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stefano Bruzzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2070620A1 publication Critical patent/CA2070620A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0033—Other features
    • B01D5/0039—Recuperation of heat, e.g. use of heat pump(s), compression
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • 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
    • F25J1/0047—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
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/0052—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 vaporising a liquid refrigerant 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
    • F25J1/006—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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0258—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines vertical layout of the equipments within in 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
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F17C2265/033—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling
    • 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
    • F25J2210/90—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
    • 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

Summary Helium is transported and distributed in mobile bulk storage tanks (1) and filled at filling stations (3) into smaller consumer tanks (11). The contents of the tank takes up heat continuously from the surroundings, which leads to a contin-uous rise in temperature and pressure of the contents of the tank, so that the original liquid helium above a critical pressure turns into a singlephase supercritical fluid. The bulk storage tank (5) may at need be brought to a recooling station (2) which by a recooler group (4) which exhibits a closed cooling circuit cools a heat-exchanger (29) which cools the contents of the bulk storage tank (5). Through the extraction of heat the contents of the bulk storage tank (5) may be cooled as often as desired to a usually standardized temperature.

(Figure 1)

Description

2~7~2~

The invention is concerned with a method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks and a reduced number of filling stations for small consumer tanks as well as an equipment for the performance of the method Helium is distributed worldwide in liquid form at a temperature of a~out 4 degrees Kelvin in large specially constructed vacuum-insulated tanks with a typical carrylng capacity of 44,000 litres. In spite of the exceptional in-sulation of the tanks, at ambient temperature about 3W of heat energy penetrates into the contents of che tank and brings about evaporation of the liquid helium. During transport of the tanks the~ are closed, which brings a~out a rise in pressure of the contents of the tank. Typical transport times between the filling of the tanks with helium and arrival at a filling station for small consumer tanks ~
are 2 to 4 weeks. Pressure and temperature usually rise in such a way that the helium upon arrival i5 above critical pressure and exists as a singlephase supercritical fluid.
:
At the filling station the helium is distributed, liquid helium being required, for example, for applications in hospitals as NMR (~uclear ~agnetic Resonance), and gaseous helium, for e~ample, for welding installations.

The simplest method of unloading a larse helium tank con-sists in collecting the liquid helium in a smaller inter-mediate tank via a vacuum insulated transfer pipe, whilst the gaseous portions are sucked off, heated and compressed into steel cylinders. By this simple method of unloadlng, dependlng upon the dwell time of the helium in the bulk storage tank, about 40% to 50% of the original amount of helium can be taken off again in llquid form.

Liquid helium is enjoying worldwide an increasin~ demand, whereas the turnover of gaseous helium is stagnating or declining. Hence at filling stations for small consumer 2~7~2~

tanks there is a tendency for too much helium gas or too little liquid helium to be available, with the short term demand ~or the two products ~luctuating. This problem is solved today by often storing at a filling station three to four bulk stora$e tanks which usually have been filled at different times with helium and the Gontents of the tanks consequently differ as regards pressure and temperature.
The operating personnel empty the tanks to correspond with the demand for liquid or gaseous helium.

A further known solution feeds the gaseous helium from the intermediate tank to a helium liquefying plant which returns the liquid helium into the intermediate tank again. ~ut this method is very clumsy since the intermediate tanks usually take only 500 to 2000 litres and the need of liquid helium is not foreseeable. Takins additionally into consideration the time delay which is needed for setting the liquefying plant into operation, this method is very inefficient.

The problem of the present invention is therefore to improve the yield of llquid helium as well as to make large amounts of llquid helium available. In ac,_ordance with the invention the problem is solved if the bulk tanks exhibit at least one pipe connection for circula-tion of the tank contents and if the ~ontents of a bulk tank ~ay ~e cooled at recoolin~ sta-tlons thrDugh at least temporarily existing connecting lines to a recooler group, and if the recooler group forms with a heatexchanger a closed cooling circuit and the heatexchanger cools with a cooler the contents of the bulk tank.

The dependent Claims refer to advantaseous further develop-ments of the invention.

Hence the contents of a bulk storage tank may be cooled even a number of times depending on the need. Usually the bulk storage tank is connected temporarily to a recooler sroup and the contents of the tank are brought to customary con-ditions, meaning for helium, for example, into a saturated 2~7~
liquid at 1.2 bar pressure. The recoolln~ of the contents usually last.s one to two days.

Conversion of the contents of the tank to standard condi-tions facilitates the emptying of the tank because standard procedures may therefore be employed. At any time liquid helium ls available in larger amounts in the bulk storage tank. The filling up of smaller vessels is thereby facili-tated. With the method in accordance with the invention the losses of helium are low. In the case of a long dwell tlme in the bulk storage tank gaseous helium hith.erto escaped from overpressure valves; in addition the storage time of helium in the bulk storage tanks was limited because of the heating. Hence longer travelling times of the bulk storage tanks ars possible.

In what follows the lnvention is described with the aid of embodiments. There is shown in:
igure 1 - a diagrammatic representation of the method ln accordance with the invention with a recooling station;
igure 2 - a diagrammatic representation of a known method of emptying bulk storag~ tanks;
igure 3 - a diagrammatic representation of a further known method of emptying bulk storage tanks with the employment of a helium liquefier; and igure ~ - a diagrammatic representation of the arran~ement of a heatexchanger on a bulk storage tank.

Helium is transported and distributed in mobile bulk stora~e tanks 1 and filled at filling stations 3 into smaller consu-mer tanks 11. The tank contents continuously take up heat from the surroundin~s, which leads to a continuous rise in temperature and pressure of the contents of the tank so that 2~7~20 the original llquid helium above a critical pressure turns into a singlephase supercritical fluid. The bulk storage tank 5 may at need be brou~ht to a recooling station 2 which by a recooler group 4 exhibiting a closed cooling circuit cools a heat exchanger 29 which cools the contents of the bulk stora~e tank 5. Through the extraction of heat the contents of the bulk storage tank 5 may be cooled as often as desired to a usually standardi~ed temperature.

Figure 1 shows a mobile bulk storage tank 1 with the bulk storage tank 5 bein~ transportable, for example, by means of wheels 8 by a motor vehicle. Further possibilities of transport such, e.g., as by shi.p or rail are possible. The bulk storage tank 5 in the executIon shown exhibits two pipe connections 6, 7. At a filling station 3 a consumer tank 11 is connected by a connecting pipe 9 as well as a valve 10 to one tank opening, for example, to the pipe connection 7 and helium is taken from the bulk storage tank 5.

The contents of the bulk storage tank 5 may be c~oled at a recooling station 2. A recooler group 4 which consists of a compressor 20 with two heat-exchangers 17 and 19 and an:
expansion machine 18 as well as a valve 16, char~es the heat exchan~er 29 via connectin~ lines 27, 28 in a closed coolant circuit with helium, which in the heat exchanger 29 exists as li~uid helium 15 and also as gaseous helium 23.

The heat exchan~er 29 comprises in the present embodiment a precooler 12 and a circulatin~ pump 14 as well as an after cooler 13, which together with the connectin~ 11nes 21, 22 and the pipe connections 6, 7 to the bulk stora~e -tank 5 orm a closed circuit for the contents of the tank.
`
Figure 2 shows a fillin~ station 3 with a method o~ emptyinS.
bulk storage tanks 5 which is usual today, by the consumer tank 11 bein~ filled with helium via a pipe connection 7 and a connecting pipe 9 as well as a valve 10. The ratio of llquid helium 15 to gaseous helium 23 is dependent upon 2~7~2~
pressure and temperature in the bulk storage tank 5. The gaseous helium escapes or is compressed via a cooler 24 as well as a compressor 25 into cylinders 26. The recooling of the contents of the bulk storage tank 5 in accordance with the inventi~n enables a considerably higher yield of liquid helium, ~he filling stations 3 usual today may still be employed without modification.

Figure 3 shows another method usual today for emptying bulk storage tanks 5, by feeding -the contents of the tank and~or the gaseous helium 23 from the consumer tank 11 to a recool-er ~roup 4, which allows a complete yield oi` liquid helium.
But this method assumes the presence of a consumer tank.

The method in accordance with the invention employs two separate cooling circuits with helium. It thereby becomes possible without the necessity of Gonsumer tanks 11 to cool the whole contents of the bulX storage tank 5, It further works out advantageous that the rates of flow of the two heIium flows may be set independently of one another. ~he rate of flow throush the recooler group 4 ls usually kept constant in order to achieve an optimum cooling capacity, whereas the rate of flow exchanged with the bulk stora,se tank 5 chan~es in dependence upon conditlons of pressure and te~peratùre of the contents of the tan~. The circulating pumps 14 offer the advantage o* enabling circulation of the contents of the tank with little power and low cost, In comparison with the method in accordance with Figure 3, by the method in accordance with ~igure 1 smaller structural sizes are necessary ~or the main components of the recooler group 4, since it works continuously by the method in accordance wlth the invention'.

Besides the arrangement represented in Figure 1 of heat e~changers 29 wlth connectinS lines 21, 22 as well as the pipe connections 6, 7 there are further advantageous arrangements. For example, the heat exchanger 29 may be . , 2~7~

located at the bulk s-torage tank 5, with short connecting lines 21 and 22 as well as lon~er connecting lines 27 and 28 -to the recooler group 4. Figure 4 shows an example of an advantageous arrangement.

~he heat exchanger 29 ls mounted directly on the pipe con-nection 7 on the bulk storage tank 5, the pipe connection 7 consistlng of two concentric pipes. The heat exchanger 29, supplied through the connecting lines 27 and 28 with cooling helium, comprises only a cooler 12 the vertical arrangement of which because of gravity guarantees a natural circulation of the contents of the tank, so that the circulating pump 14 is omitted. This execution of the heat e~Echan~er 29 might even be arranged inside the tank, in which case connections have to be provided on the bulk storage tank 5 for the connecting lines 27 and 28 to the recooler group 4.

Claims (13)

1. A helium transport and distribution system consisting of a plurality of mobile bulk tanks (1) and a reduced number of filling stations (3) for small consumer tanks (11) characterized in that the bulk tanks (5) exhibit at least one pipe connection (7) for circulation of the tank contents that the contents of a bulk tank (5) may be cooled at re-cooling stations (2) through at least temporarily existing connecting lines (21, 22), (27, 28) to a recooler group (4), that the recooler group (4) forms a closed cooling circuit with a heatexchanger (29) and that the heatexchanger (29) cools with a cooler (12) the contents of the bulk tank (5).
2. An equipment as in Claim 1, characterized in that the pipe connection (7) on the bulk tank (5) consists of a pipe with two separate lines of flow.
3. An equipment as in Claim 1, characterized in that the bulk tank (5) exhibits two pipe connections (7) for cooling the contents of the tank.
4. An equipment as in one of the Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the heatexchanger (29) is contained in the bulk tank (5).
5. An equipment as in Claim 1, characterized in that the heatexchanger (29) may be introduced into the bulk tank (5) from time to time through the pipe connection (7).
6. An equipment as in one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heatexchanger (29) is fitted directly to the bulk tank (5) during cooling.
7. An equipment as in one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heatexchanger (29) is a component of the recooler group (4).
8. An equipment as in one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heatexchmnager (29) contains a second cooler (13) as well as a circulating pump (14).
9. An equipment as in Claim 1, characterized in that the cooled helium in the return line (22) may be fed through a branch directly to a consumer tank (11).
10. A method of transporting and distributing helium by means of mobile bulk tanks (5) and a reduced number of filling stations (3) for small consumer tanks (11), characterized in that the bulk tank (5) laden with helium is transported to or is available at filling stations (3) for the removal of the contents of the tank, whilst at times which may be freely chosen the bulk tanks (5) may be delivered to recooling stations (2) at which heat is extracted from the contents of the tank.
11. A method as in Claim 10, characterized in that the closed cooling circuit of the cooler group (4) exhibits a constant rate of flow through it, whereas the rate of flow through the tank varies in dependence upon the temperature and/or pressure of the tank contents.
12. Mobile bulk tanks for the transport and distribution of helium, characterized in that operation of them is effected according to one of the methods of Claims 10 to 11 with one of the equipments of Claims 1 to 9.
13. Cooler groups for cooling mobile buIk tanks for helium, characterized in that operation of them is effected according to one of the methods of Claims 10 to 11 and with an equipment as in one of the Claims 1 to 9.
CA 2070620 1991-06-06 1992-06-05 Method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks Abandoned CA2070620A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1889/91-5 1991-06-06
CH1889/91A CH683368A5 (en) 1991-06-26 1991-06-26 Method and apparatus for transporting and distributing helium.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2070620A1 true CA2070620A1 (en) 1992-12-07

Family

ID=4220976

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2070620 Abandoned CA2070620A1 (en) 1991-06-06 1992-06-05 Method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0520937B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05187599A (en)
CA (1) CA2070620A1 (en)
CH (1) CH683368A5 (en)
DE (1) DE59200460D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2752050B1 (en) * 1996-08-05 1998-09-11 Air Liquide PROCESS AND PLANT FOR RELIQUEFACTION OF HELIUM GAS
DE19720451A1 (en) * 1997-05-15 1998-11-19 Linde Ag Storage vessel for liquid air
DE10242159B4 (en) * 2002-09-11 2006-08-03 Air Liquide Deutschland Gmbh Mobile gas filling station
DE102008007923A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-08-13 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method for cooling a storage container
GB2469084B (en) * 2009-04-01 2011-02-09 Dominion Technology Gases Ltd Gas cylinder filling system
DE102010010108B4 (en) * 2010-02-23 2012-01-26 Institut für Luft- und Kältetechnik gGmbH Method of storing and storing natural gas
DE102009020138B3 (en) * 2009-05-06 2010-12-02 Institut für Luft- und Kältetechnik gGmbH Method for storing industrial gas in thermally insulated, pressure-tight storage tank of motor vehicle, involves using accumulator to store gas at temperature close to critical point and at pressure higher than given critical pressure
FR2970563B1 (en) * 2011-01-19 2017-06-02 Air Liquide INSTALLATION AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HELIUM
FR3106874B1 (en) * 2020-02-05 2022-07-01 Air Liquide Liquefied gas delivery method
DE102020204186B4 (en) 2020-03-31 2022-06-09 Bruker Switzerland Ag Mobile liquefaction plant for liquefying helium, associated system and associated use of the system

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1601874A1 (en) * 1968-01-12 1971-02-04 Waggon Und Maschinenfabriken G Cool container
US3602002A (en) * 1969-06-02 1971-08-31 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid handling and storing of make-up refrigerant
CH592280A5 (en) * 1975-04-15 1977-10-14 Sulzer Ag
US4187689A (en) * 1978-09-13 1980-02-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Apparatus for reliquefying boil-off natural gas from a storage tank
EP0290432A4 (en) * 1986-11-19 1989-03-07 Pubgas Internat Pty Ltd Storage and transportation of liquid co 2?.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59200460D1 (en) 1994-10-13
EP0520937B1 (en) 1994-09-07
JPH05187599A (en) 1993-07-27
CH683368A5 (en) 1994-02-28
EP0520937A1 (en) 1992-12-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
RU2767239C2 (en) Container unit of natural gas liquefaction and method for producing lns using this unit
JP2020079641A (en) Method and equipment for storing and distributing liquefied hydrogen
CN108916643A (en) Liquid hydrogen storage hydrogenation stations
WO2009107743A1 (en) Device for re-liquefaction of liquefied gas, liquefied gas storage facility and liquefied gas carrying vessel equipped with the device, and method of re-liquefaction of liquefied gas
CA2070620A1 (en) Method of transport and distribution of helium by means of mobile bulk storage tanks
CN108036582A (en) A kind of method and its device for producing liquid hydrogen
AU774450B2 (en) Cryogenic liquid heat exchanger system with fluid ejector
DE68908197T2 (en) Method and apparatus for storing cryogenic liquids.
EP0523871A1 (en) Vacuum vessel having a cooled member
BG65377B1 (en) Method and plant for discharging liquefied gas between a mobile supply tank and a storage container
US5402648A (en) Sealed dewar with separate circulation loop for external cooling at constant pressure
WO2004018951A1 (en) Apparatus and method for refrigeration system
US6532750B1 (en) Method and system for densifying cryogenic propellants
EP0254778A1 (en) Liquid nitrogen distribution system
JP2023517802A (en) Device and method for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids
KR20230005849A (en) Liquefied gas storage facility
US20090224862A1 (en) Magnetic apparatus and method
US5829269A (en) Method of and plant for reliquefying gaseous helium
US20230184386A1 (en) Method for extracting a liquid phase of a cryogen from a storage dewar
US3023588A (en) Method of and apparatus for chilling foodstuffs and the like
KR102682897B1 (en) System for storage and transport of cryogenic material
Vander Arend et al. Superconducting accelerator magnet cooling systems
RU2133403C1 (en) Method of filling reservoir with compressed gas
US12163627B2 (en) Method for delivering liquefied gas
GB2563426A (en) Cryostat precooler interface

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead