EP0198988B1 - Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications - Google Patents

Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0198988B1
EP0198988B1 EP19850430014 EP85430014A EP0198988B1 EP 0198988 B1 EP0198988 B1 EP 0198988B1 EP 19850430014 EP19850430014 EP 19850430014 EP 85430014 A EP85430014 A EP 85430014A EP 0198988 B1 EP0198988 B1 EP 0198988B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
exchanger
installation
inert gas
liquefied gas
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.)
Expired
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EP19850430014
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0198988A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Gallo
Edmond Almirall
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Geco International Sa SA
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Geco International Sa SA
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Priority to FR8317509A priority Critical patent/FR2554212B1/en
Application filed by Geco International Sa SA filed Critical Geco International Sa SA
Priority to DE8585430014T priority patent/DE3566656D1/en
Priority to EP19850430014 priority patent/EP0198988B1/en
Publication of EP0198988A1 publication Critical patent/EP0198988A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/22—Safety features
    • B65D90/30—Recovery of escaped vapours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B57/00—Tank or cargo hold cleaning specially adapted for vessels
    • B63B57/04—Tank or cargo hold cleaning specially adapted for vessels by ventilating
    • 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
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • 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
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F25J1/0025—Boil-off gases "BOG" from storages
    • 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
    • F25J1/0221—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 the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open 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
    • F25J1/0251—Intermittent or alternating process, so-called batch process, e.g. "peak-shaving"
    • 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
    • F25J1/0277—Offshore use, e.g. during shipping
    • 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
    • F25J2210/42—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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/34—Details about subcooling of liquids
    • 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 a process for emptying tanks that have contained liquefied gas from petroleum and / or the chemical or petrochemical industry, an installation for the implementation of this process and its applications (known for example from the document FR -A-1577152).
  • the present invention therefore proposes to provide a method for recovering the gases to be evacuated without thereby simultaneously losing the inert gas used to drive them.
  • the invention provides an installation for the implementation of such a process, installation which can itself also be used for filling the enclosures with liquefied gas for a new cargo.
  • the method according to the invention consists in entraining the gas to be evacuated from its enclosure by means of a current of an inert gas, in admitting the resulting mixture under pressure into an exchanger with a large exchange surface and counter-current by compared to the same inert but liquefied gas admitted into the same exchanger and to use this gas after it has given up its frigories as entrainment gas admitted again into the enclosure to be degassed, the gas to be recovered being collected at the outlet of said exchanger in the liquid state to be in turn admitted into a storage enclosure or into the enclosure of an appropriate transporter.
  • the installation for the implementation of such a process will therefore comprise a source of supply of liquid inert gas, a cryogenic exchanger with a very large frigory exchange surface, a pipe for discharging the inert gas from said exchanger leading to the degassing tank, a pipe leaving the latter and terminating, via a booster pump, in said exchanger with a circulation mode against the current with respect to that of the inert liquid gas which is admitted thereto, at least a gas-liquid separator, and a device for drawing off the liquefied gas resulting from the condensation in said exchanger for its admission into any suitable storage device.
  • Such an installation comprising these simple means can in turn be used for loading a new cargo from a storage tank for the liquefied gas which it is desired to load. Indeed, from a reserve of the liquefied gas to be loaded, it suffices to introduce the latter into said cryogenic exchanger against the current with respect to a liquid inert gas, to collect the resulting sub-cooled liquefied gas and to admit the latter into the tank, tank or assembly to be loaded, which will usually include its own devices for maintaining the desired temperature and pressure of the cargo.
  • a stream of inert gas admitted at 1a is admitted for example into the tank of a ship 1.
  • said inert gas is nitrogen.
  • This gaseous nitrogen serves as a carrier gas to move the heel of gas to be recovered contained in the bottom of the tank in the liquefied state or in the volume of said tank in the gaseous state.
  • the latter is designed and produced appropriately to constitute a cryogenic exchanger with a very large frigory exchange surface.
  • the inlet pipe for the gas to be recovered (2a) mixed with the purge gas (nitrogen) comprises a booster 2 opening at one end of the exchanger 3.
  • a liquid inert gas in this case liquid nitrogen (at -196 ° C)
  • the outlet pipe of this exchanger (3b) withdraws the inert gas in the gaseous state (nitrogen gas). The latter then serves as a source of nitrogen gas which is admitted into the tank 1.
  • liquefied gas (which is the gas to be recovered) is extracted by the extraction pump 4 to be sent by a pipe 4a into a tank, a tank or any other means of storage or transport (5) maintained at the desired temperature.
  • a gas return line (6) can be provided for recycling to the inlet line 2a in 3d of the exchanger 3.
  • the gas from tank 1 is recovered at 5, which is thus not lost, and, on the other hand, a carrier gas (nitrogen) is used which does not is also not lost.
  • the gas to be charged, stored at 7, (for example at 25 ° C. and under 10 bars) is admitted, via the pump 4 and the line 2a, into the exchanger 3 against the current with respect to a stream of liquid nitrogen (3a) coming from an appropriate source illustrated schematically in 3e.
  • the nitrogen gas is evacuated via line 3b to be optionally taken up and recovered by any suitable means.
  • the liquefied and sub-cooled gas is taken up via line 4a to be admitted into the tank or the ship 5.
  • a bypass 9 can be provided to directly admit the gas coming from the tank 7 into the current flowing in the pipe 4a.
  • the method and the installation according to the invention are applicable to all gases such as those already mentioned, namely: propane, butane, methane, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl chloride, anhydrous ammonia, etc.
  • the invention also makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks resulting from a possible degassing, either on the high seas or at a certain distance from the ports, as is also the case today.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour la vidange de cuves ayant contenu du gaz liquéfié issu du pétrole et/ou de l'industrie chimique ou pétrochimique, une installation pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé et ses applications (connus par exemple du document FR-A-1577152).The present invention relates to a process for emptying tanks that have contained liquefied gas from petroleum and / or the chemical or petrochemical industry, an installation for the implementation of this process and its applications (known for example from the document FR -A-1577152).

On sait que le transport en grandes quantités de gaz liquéfié comme par exemple le propane, le butane, le méthane, l'éthylène, le propylène, le butadiène, le chlorure de vinyle, l'ammoniac, se fait par voie terrestre ou maritime. Dans le cas d'un transport maritime, on peut estimer sans faire trop d'erreur que les volumes transportés sont presque aussi importants que ceux du pétrole brut.It is known that the transport in large quantities of liquefied gas such as for example propane, butane, methane, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl chloride, ammonia, is done by land or sea. In the case of maritime transport, it can be estimated without making too many errors that the volumes transported are almost as large as those of crude oil.

Une des particularités du trafic maritime des gaz liquéfiés réside dans le fait que les navires destinés à ce transport sont conçus pour charger alternativement et/ou indifféremment des qualités différentes de matières premières. Or à chaque changement de cargaison, il est impératif d'éliminer les restes de la cargaison précédente; ainsi, par exemple, un navire ayant transporté du propane peut être affrété ensuite pour charger de l'éthylène. Une opération de dégazage poussé s'impose donc pour éviter tout risque d'accident. A l'heure actuelle, une telle opération fait appel à un gaz inerte d'entraînement du gaz à évacuer vers une torchère à l'extrémité de laquelle les gaz évacués sont brûlés. Il s'ensuit manifestement une perte économique en produits de valeur. En effet, on estime que chaque navire contient en général un talon de gaz liquide variant de 10 à 12 tonnes pour un volume de cuves de 2500 m3 à 100 tonnes pour les gros méthaniers de 100000 m3.One of the particularities of liquefied gas maritime traffic is that the ships intended for this transport are designed to load alternately and / or indifferently different qualities of raw materials. However, with each change of cargo, it is imperative to eliminate the remains of the previous cargo; thus, for example, a ship having transported propane may then be chartered to load ethylene. A thorough degassing operation is therefore necessary to avoid any risk of accident. At present, such an operation calls for an inert gas entraining the gas to be evacuated to a flare at the end of which the evacuated gases are burned. This obviously results in an economic loss in valuable products. In fact, it is estimated that each vessel generally contains a heel of liquid gas varying from 10 to 12 tonnes for a tank volume of 2,500 m 3 to 100 tonnes for large LNG carriers of 100,000 m 3 .

Etant donné ces volumes importants, il serait intéressant de les récupérer au lieu de les brûler chaque fois qu'une opération de changement de cargaison est nécessaire. Cette nécessité est d'autant plus sensible en raison des fréquences de rotation des navires entre leur port d'attache et les autres coins du monde.Given these large volumes, it would be interesting to recover them instead of burning them each time a cargo change operation is necessary. This need is all the more sensitive due to the frequency of rotation of ships between their home port and other corners of the world.

Une telle récupération devient par conséquent indispensable entre les changements de cargaison.Such recovery therefore becomes essential between changes of cargo.

Les dégazages d'enceintes contenant les gaz liquifiés à évacuer se faisant comme rappelé ci- dessus au moyen d'un gaz de purge inerte comme l'azote, le gaz carbonique ou autres gaz inertes, on conçoit aussi que ces produits soient perdus en totalité en raison du fait qu'ils sont eux-mêmes entraînés vers la torchère en même temps que les gaz à brûler.The degassing of enclosures containing the liquid gases to be evacuated taking place as recalled above by means of an inert purge gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or other inert gases, it is also conceivable that these products are completely lost due to the fact that they are themselves drawn towards the flare together with the gases to be burned.

La présente invention se propose par conséquent de fournir un procédé permettant la récupération des gaz à évacuer sans pour cela perdre simultanément le gaz inerte servant à leur entraînement.The present invention therefore proposes to provide a method for recovering the gases to be evacuated without thereby simultaneously losing the inert gas used to drive them.

Par ailleurs, l'invention fournit une installation pour la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé, installation pouvant elle-même également servir au remplissage des enceintes en gaz liquéfiés en vue d'une nouvelle cargaison.Furthermore, the invention provides an installation for the implementation of such a process, installation which can itself also be used for filling the enclosures with liquefied gas for a new cargo.

Le procédé selon l'invention consiste à entraîner le gaz à évacuer de son enceinte au moyen d'un courant d'un gaz inerte, à admettre le mélange résultant sous pression dans un échangeur à grande surface d'échange et à contre-courant par rapport au même gaz inerte mais liquéfié admis dans le même échangeur et à se servir de ce gaz après qu'il ait cédé ses frigories comme gaz d'entraînement admis à nouveau dans l'enceinte à dégazer, le gaz à récupérer étant recueilli à la sortie dudit échangeur à l'état liquide pour être à son tour admis dans une enceinte de stockage ou dans l'enceinte d'un transporteur approprié.The method according to the invention consists in entraining the gas to be evacuated from its enclosure by means of a current of an inert gas, in admitting the resulting mixture under pressure into an exchanger with a large exchange surface and counter-current by compared to the same inert but liquefied gas admitted into the same exchanger and to use this gas after it has given up its frigories as entrainment gas admitted again into the enclosure to be degassed, the gas to be recovered being collected at the outlet of said exchanger in the liquid state to be in turn admitted into a storage enclosure or into the enclosure of an appropriate transporter.

L'installation pour la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé comportera donc une source d'alimentation en gaz inerte liquide, un échangeur cryogénique à très grande surface d'échange de frigories, une conduite d'évacuation du gaz inerte dudit échangeur aboutissant à la cuve à dégazer, une conduite partant de cette dernière et aboutissant, par l'intermédiaire d'un surpresseur, dans ledit échangeur avec un mode de circulation à contre-courant par rapport à celui du gaz inerte liquide qui y est admis, au moins un séparateur gaz-liquide, et un dispositif de soutirage du gaz liquéfié résultant de la condensation dans ledit échangeur pour son admission dans tout dispositif de stockage approprié.The installation for the implementation of such a process will therefore comprise a source of supply of liquid inert gas, a cryogenic exchanger with a very large frigory exchange surface, a pipe for discharging the inert gas from said exchanger leading to the degassing tank, a pipe leaving the latter and terminating, via a booster pump, in said exchanger with a circulation mode against the current with respect to that of the inert liquid gas which is admitted thereto, at least a gas-liquid separator, and a device for drawing off the liquefied gas resulting from the condensation in said exchanger for its admission into any suitable storage device.

Une telle installation comportant ces moyens simples peut à son tour servir au chargement d'une nouvelle cargaison à partir d'une cuve de stockage du gaz liquéfié que l'on désire charger. En effet, à partir d'une réserve du gaz liquéfié à charger, il suffit d'introduire ce dernier dans ledit échangeur cryogénique à contre-courant par rapport à un gaz inerte liquide, à recueillir le gaz liquéfié sous-refroidi en résultant et à admettre ce dernier dans la citerne, la cuve ou l'ensemble à charger, lequel comportera de manière habituelle ses propres dispositifs de maintien à la température et à la pression voulues de la cargaison.Such an installation comprising these simple means can in turn be used for loading a new cargo from a storage tank for the liquefied gas which it is desired to load. Indeed, from a reserve of the liquefied gas to be loaded, it suffices to introduce the latter into said cryogenic exchanger against the current with respect to a liquid inert gas, to collect the resulting sub-cooled liquefied gas and to admit the latter into the tank, tank or assembly to be loaded, which will usually include its own devices for maintaining the desired temperature and pressure of the cargo.

La description qui va suivre fera mieux comprendre la portée et l'intérêt de l'invention en se référant aux figures annexées sur lesquelles:

  • - la figure 1 est un schéma illustrant une installation de mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention dans son application au dégazage d'une cuve, et
  • - la figure 2 est une vue de la même installation dans son application au chargement d'une cargaison.
The description which follows will make the scope and interest of the invention better understood by referring to the appended figures in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an installation for implementing the method of the invention in its application to the degassing of a tank, and
  • - Figure 2 is a view of the same installation in its application to the loading of a cargo.

En se référant à ces figures, on décrira l'installation qui y est illustrée en même temps que son utilisation.Referring to these figures, the installation which is illustrated therein will be described at the same time as its use.

C'est ainsi que dans le cas de la figure 1 qui est celui de la mise en oeuvre du procédé de dégazage et de récupération, on admet par exemple dans la cuve d'un navire 1 un courant de gaz inerte admis en 1a. Dans l'exemple considéré ici, ledit gaz inerte est de l'azote. On en verra ultérieurement la source ou sa provenance. Cet azote gazeux sert de gaz vecteur pour déplacer le talon de gaz à récupérer contenu dans le fond de la cuve à l'état liquéfié ou dans le volume de ladite cuve à l'état gazeux (1 b-1 c) vers un échangeur 3. Ce dernier est conçu et réalisé de façon appropriée pour constituer un échangeur cryogénique à très grande surface d'échange de frigories. La conduite d'admission du gaz à récupérer (2a) en mélange avec le gaz de purge (azote) comporte un surpresseur 2 débouchant à une extrémité de l'échangeur 3. Un gaz inerte liquide, en l'occurence de l'azote liquide (à -196°C), est admis par la conduite 3a dans ledit échangeur 3 à contre-courant par rapport au courant du mélange de gaz de purge et des gaz à récupérer. La conduite de sortie de cet échangeur (3b) soutire le gaz inerte à l'état gazeux (azote gazeux). Ce dernier sert alors de source d'azote gazeux qui est admise dans la cuve 1. A la sortie 3c de l'échangeur 3 et du séparateur gaz-liquide 3f, du gaz liquéfié (qui est le gaz à récupérer) est extrait par la pompe d'extraction 4 pour être envoyé par une canalisation 4a dans une citerne, une cuve ou tout autre moyen de stockage ou de transport (5) maintenu à la température voulue. Eventuellement, une conduite de retour de gaz (6) peut être prévue pour un recyclage vers la conduite 2a d'admission en 3d de l'échangeur 3.Thus, in the case of FIG. 1 which is that of the implementation of the degassing and recovery process, a stream of inert gas admitted at 1a is admitted for example into the tank of a ship 1. In the example considered here, said inert gas is nitrogen. We will see later the source or its source. This gaseous nitrogen serves as a carrier gas to move the heel of gas to be recovered contained in the bottom of the tank in the liquefied state or in the volume of said tank in the gaseous state. (1 b-1 c) to an exchanger 3. The latter is designed and produced appropriately to constitute a cryogenic exchanger with a very large frigory exchange surface. The inlet pipe for the gas to be recovered (2a) mixed with the purge gas (nitrogen) comprises a booster 2 opening at one end of the exchanger 3. A liquid inert gas, in this case liquid nitrogen (at -196 ° C), is admitted via line 3a into said exchanger 3 against the current with respect to the current of the mixture of purge gases and gases to be recovered. The outlet pipe of this exchanger (3b) withdraws the inert gas in the gaseous state (nitrogen gas). The latter then serves as a source of nitrogen gas which is admitted into the tank 1. At the outlet 3c of the exchanger 3 and of the gas-liquid separator 3f, liquefied gas (which is the gas to be recovered) is extracted by the extraction pump 4 to be sent by a pipe 4a into a tank, a tank or any other means of storage or transport (5) maintained at the desired temperature. Optionally, a gas return line (6) can be provided for recycling to the inlet line 2a in 3d of the exchanger 3.

En procédant de la sorte, on récupère, d'une part, en 5 le gaz de la cuve 1 qui n'est ainsi pas perdu, et d'autre part, on utilise en circuit fermé un gaz vecteur (azote) qui n'est également pas perdu.By proceeding in this way, on the one hand, the gas from tank 1 is recovered at 5, which is thus not lost, and, on the other hand, a carrier gas (nitrogen) is used which does not is also not lost.

En se référant à la figure 2, on utilise l'installation qui vient d'être décrite de la façon suivante, dans le cas du chargement d'un navire par exemple:Referring to FIG. 2, the installation which has just been described is used as follows, in the case of loading a ship for example:

Le gaz à charger, stocké en 7, (par exemple à 25°C et sous 10 bars) est admis, par l'intermédiaire de la pompe 4 et de la conduite 2a, dans l'échangeur 3 à contre-courant par rapport à un courant d'azote liquide (3a) provenant d'une source appropriée illustrée schématiquement en 3e. L'azote gazeux est évacué par la conduite 3b pour être éventuellement repris et récupéré par tout moyen approprié. Le gaz liquéfié et sous-refroidi est repris par la conduite 4a pour être admis dans la citerne ou le navire 5.The gas to be charged, stored at 7, (for example at 25 ° C. and under 10 bars) is admitted, via the pump 4 and the line 2a, into the exchanger 3 against the current with respect to a stream of liquid nitrogen (3a) coming from an appropriate source illustrated schematically in 3e. The nitrogen gas is evacuated via line 3b to be optionally taken up and recovered by any suitable means. The liquefied and sub-cooled gas is taken up via line 4a to be admitted into the tank or the ship 5.

Une dérivation 9 peut être prévue pour admettre directement le gaz provenant de la cuve 7 dans le courant circulant dans la conduite 4a.A bypass 9 can be provided to directly admit the gas coming from the tank 7 into the current flowing in the pipe 4a.

On peut de la sorte, grâce à l'installation selon l'invention, abaisser la température d'un gaz provenant de sa cuve de stockage à 25°C et sous 10 bars absolus jusqu'à une température de par exemple -43°C sous une pression de 1 bar absolu, permettant ainsi le transport de ce gaz dans des enceintes frigorifiques spécialement conçues pour ce transport.In this way, thanks to the installation according to the invention, it is possible to lower the temperature of a gas coming from its storage tank to 25 ° C. and under 10 bar absolute up to a temperature of for example -43 ° C. under a pressure of 1 bar absolute, thus allowing the transport of this gas in refrigeration chambers specially designed for this transport.

Le procédé et l'installation selon l'invention sont applicables à tous les gaz tels que ceux déjà cités, à savoir: propane, butane, méthane, éthylène, propylène, butadiène, chlorure de vinyle, ammoniac anhydre, etc.The method and the installation according to the invention are applicable to all gases such as those already mentioned, namely: propane, butane, methane, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl chloride, anhydrous ammonia, etc.

L'homme de l'art appréciera l'intérêt d'une telle installation quant à l'économie d'énergie et la récupération de quantités appréciables de gaz qui jusqu'à présent étaient perdus puisque brûlés dans les torchères.Those skilled in the art will appreciate the advantage of such an installation as regards saving energy and recovering appreciable amounts of gas which until now have been lost since burnt in flares.

En outre, étant donné la simplicité de conception d'une telle installation, il n'y a pas lieu de prévoir des installations portuaires fixes comme cela est nécessaire actuellement du fait de la sujétion d'avoir à brûler les gaz au moment du dégazage.In addition, given the simplicity of design of such an installation, there is no need to provide fixed port installations as is currently necessary due to the subjection of having to burn the gases at the time of degassing.

L'invention permet également de pallier les inconvénients résultant d'un dégazage éventuel, soit en haute mer, soit à une certaine distance des ports comme cela se fait également à l'heure actuelle.The invention also makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks resulting from a possible degassing, either on the high seas or at a certain distance from the ports, as is also the case today.

L'homme de l'art appréciera également l'économie résultant de la récupération de l'azote (ou de tout autre gaz vecteur) servant habituellement au dégazage des navires.Those skilled in the art will also appreciate the economy resulting from the recovery of nitrogen (or any other carrier gas) usually used for degassing ships.

Claims (3)

1. A process for emptying containers (1) which have contained liquefied gas derived from petrol and/or the chemical or petrochemical industry, characterized in that it consist of admitting under pressure the gas to be removed (1b, 1c) from these containers into an exchanger (3) with a large exchange surface in counterflow to a liquefied inert gas (3a) introduced into this exchanger and injecting this inert gas, after it has yielded up its cooling power, into the said containers to re-introduce it, at the same time as the gas which is to be recovered, into the said exchanger, thus forming a circulation loop, then to recover at the oulet (3c) of the said exchanger a liquid phase of the gas desired, to be introduced, in its turn, into a storage container (5) or into the container of an appropriate transporter.
2. An installation for carrying out the process according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a supply of liquid inert gas (3a), a cryogenic exchanger (3) with a very large cooling surface, a pipe (3b) for removing inert gas from the said exchanger, a pipe (2a) leading through a compressor (2-4) into the said exchanger (3) with a mode of circulation in counterflow to that of the liquid inert gas, a gas-liquid separator (3f), and a device for withdrawing (4-4a) the liquefied gas resulting from condensation in the said exchanger to introduce it through a pipe (4a) into any appropriate storage device.
3. Application of the installation according to Claim 2 to the loading of a container designed to contain under-cooled liquefied gas derived from an appropriate source of gas at a higher temperature.
EP19850430014 1983-11-02 1985-04-25 Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications Expired EP0198988B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8317509A FR2554212B1 (en) 1983-11-02 1983-11-02 PROCESS FOR THE DRAINING OF TANKS CONTAINING LIQUEFIED GAS FROM PETROLEUM AND / OR THE CHEMICAL OR PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, PLANT FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
DE8585430014T DE3566656D1 (en) 1985-04-25 1985-04-25 Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications
EP19850430014 EP0198988B1 (en) 1983-11-02 1985-04-25 Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8317509A FR2554212B1 (en) 1983-11-02 1983-11-02 PROCESS FOR THE DRAINING OF TANKS CONTAINING LIQUEFIED GAS FROM PETROLEUM AND / OR THE CHEMICAL OR PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, PLANT FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
EP19850430014 EP0198988B1 (en) 1983-11-02 1985-04-25 Process and installation for emptying tanks having contained therein liquefied gas originating from mineral oil and/or from the chemical or petrochemical industry, and its applications

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EP0198988A1 EP0198988A1 (en) 1986-10-29
EP0198988B1 true EP0198988B1 (en) 1988-12-07

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Cited By (2)

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DE4306064A1 (en) * 1993-02-27 1994-09-01 Gfd Ingenieur Und Beratungsges Method and plant for the residual emptying and degassing of tank wagons and tanks for the transport or storage of liquefied gas and for the recovery of the liquefied gas
CN109625669A (en) * 2018-10-30 2019-04-16 国核电力规划设计研究院有限公司 Ammonium hydroxide storage device

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FR2554212B1 (en) * 1983-11-02 1989-01-06 Gallo Michel PROCESS FOR THE DRAINING OF TANKS CONTAINING LIQUEFIED GAS FROM PETROLEUM AND / OR THE CHEMICAL OR PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, PLANT FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
DE3903938A1 (en) * 1989-02-10 1990-08-23 Peter Weil METHOD FOR DISPOSING THE GAS SPACE CONTENT OF LARGE-VOLUME CONTAINERS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS
DE10247511A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-22 Linde Ag Petrochemical barge tank residual vapors expelled with a scavenging gas for cryogenic recovery of vapors and return of scavenging nitrogen to tank
DE102005001277A1 (en) * 2005-01-11 2006-07-20 Linde Ag Plant and process for the recondensation of cold gas
FR3004514B1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2015-04-03 Gaztransp Et Technigaz IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AND DELIVERING NATURAL GAS COMPRISING A CIRCUIT FOR HEATING THE TANK
FR3054285B1 (en) * 2016-07-21 2019-05-24 Engie ANTICIPATED PURGE OF A CRYOGENIC RESERVOIR
CN108870069A (en) * 2018-07-20 2018-11-23 上海惠生海洋工程有限公司 It is a kind of without pump pressurizing processes system and its application method
GB2580927A (en) * 2019-01-30 2020-08-05 Linde Ag Method and filling device for filling a transport tank

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NO119088B (en) * 1967-12-20 1970-03-23 Liquid Gas Anlagen Union
GB1582955A (en) * 1976-07-28 1981-01-21 Boc Ltd Condensation of the vapour of a volatile liquid
CH653262A5 (en) * 1980-03-24 1985-12-31 Buse Kohlensaeure METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISCHARGING GAS LEAKING IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY FALLS FROM A STORAGE CONTAINER OR LIQUIDATING VEGETABLES DURING THE DRAINING.
US4422301A (en) * 1980-05-07 1983-12-27 Robert H. Watt Evaporative loss reduction
FR2554212B1 (en) * 1983-11-02 1989-01-06 Gallo Michel PROCESS FOR THE DRAINING OF TANKS CONTAINING LIQUEFIED GAS FROM PETROLEUM AND / OR THE CHEMICAL OR PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, PLANT FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4306064A1 (en) * 1993-02-27 1994-09-01 Gfd Ingenieur Und Beratungsges Method and plant for the residual emptying and degassing of tank wagons and tanks for the transport or storage of liquefied gas and for the recovery of the liquefied gas
CN109625669A (en) * 2018-10-30 2019-04-16 国核电力规划设计研究院有限公司 Ammonium hydroxide storage device

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EP0198988A1 (en) 1986-10-29
FR2554212A1 (en) 1985-05-03
FR2554212B1 (en) 1989-01-06

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