EP0968387A1 - Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure - Google Patents

Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure

Info

Publication number
EP0968387A1
EP0968387A1 EP98910804A EP98910804A EP0968387A1 EP 0968387 A1 EP0968387 A1 EP 0968387A1 EP 98910804 A EP98910804 A EP 98910804A EP 98910804 A EP98910804 A EP 98910804A EP 0968387 A1 EP0968387 A1 EP 0968387A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
intermediate container
tank
pressure
container
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP98910804A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0968387B1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Bravais
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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 Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP0968387A1 publication Critical patent/EP0968387A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0968387B1 publication Critical patent/EP0968387B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/002—Automated filling apparatus
    • F17C5/007—Automated filling apparatus for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles
    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/02—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases
    • F17C5/04—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. filling with helium or hydrogen
    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • 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
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0388—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters
    • F17C2205/0394—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure vessel
    • F17C2205/0397—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure vessel on both sides of the pressure vessel
    • 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
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • 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
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0304—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using an electric heater
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
    • F17C2227/0374—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in the liquid
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/047—Methods for emptying or filling by repeating a process cycle
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0194—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space for use under microgravity conditions, e.g. space
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0197—Rockets
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/923—Inert gas
    • Y10S62/925—Xenon or krypton

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas.
  • the invention aims to propose a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks of known techniques and allows reliable filling, which can be implemented, on a launch pad for launchers, without risk of pollute xenon.
  • the invention relates to a method for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it consists of:
  • the intermediate container serves as a thermal compressor, that is to say allows the pressure of the gas to be raised relative to its pressure in a source such as a mother bottle.
  • This thermal compressor is light, efficient compared to other solutions, and does not include a moving part, which is a guarantee of good reliability.
  • the method also consists in heating the quantity of gas in the intermediate container, after the intermediate communication between the intermediate container and the reservoir. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, when the intermediate container and the reservoir have been placed in communication, the maintenance of the heating leads to a heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, which makes it possible to discharge continuously this quantity of gas which is then under high pressure towards the reservoir.
  • the transfer of gas from the intermediate container to the tank takes place at substantially constant pressure.
  • the refrigeration liquid used with the process of the invention is advantageously liquid nitrogen, the industrial production of which is well controlled.
  • the invention also relates to an installation making it possible to implement the method of the invention and, more specifically, an installation which comprises at least one compressor thermal formed by an intermediate container disposed between a gas source and the reservoir, this thermal compressor comprising means of liquefaction by cooling a quantity of the gas being introduced into the intermediate container and means of heating this quantity gas inside the intermediate container.
  • the liquefaction means comprise a tube for circulating a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen.
  • a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen.
  • the means for heating the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container comprise an electric heating element.
  • an electric heating element allows rapid heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, and therefore a substantial reduction in the cycle time of a filling operation compared to known techniques.
  • the circulation tube and the electric heating element are placed inside the intermediate container. Thus, only a small part of the thickness of the wall of the thermal compressor sees its temperature decrease or increase as a function of that of the fluid that it contains, so that the thermal inertia of the compressor is reduced.
  • the intermediate container comprises a gas inlet in its lower part and a gas outlet in its upper part. This allows the gas to be drawn off in the part of the intermediate container in which the temperature of the gas is highest.
  • the intermediate container may contain a cup for receiving the liquefied gas, this cup being spaced from the internal wall of the container. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the thermal inertia of the compressor is also reduced.
  • the invention also relates to an installation which comprises two thermal compressors capable of operating in opposition, one working on the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works on the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas. This makes it possible to carry out the liquefaction operations in masked time, and therefore to reduce the total duration of a tank filling operation.
  • the invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a tank filling installation in accordance with its principle and its process of implementation, given only by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a fluid block diagram of a filling installation according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a thermal compressor used in the installation of Figure 1.
  • a mother bottle 1 contains an amount of xenon, for example 50 kg, under a pressure of the order of 60 bars at 20 ° C.
  • the role of the installation is to fill a tank 2 made of titanium, steel or carbon, intended to be carried on a satellite, at a pressure of between 80 and 300 bars approximately, for example of the order of 180 bars.
  • the installation comprises an intermediate container 3 whose inlet 3a. is connected, by a line 4 through a valve 5, to the mother bottle 1.
  • a line 6 connects the outlet 3b of the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 through a valve 7.
  • the container 3 comprises an enclosure 3ç_ defining an interior volume 3d of the exchanger 3, of the order of a few liters, for example about 4 liters.
  • a tube 10 In this interior volume 3d is placed a tube 10 inside which circulates liquid nitrogen coming from a source 11 such as a bottle of liquid nitrogen.
  • a valve 12 is provided for controlling the supply of the tube 10 from the source 11.
  • a collecting member 13 is provided for receiving the liquid or gaseous nitrogen after it has circulated in the tube 10.
  • An electric heater such as for example a heating resistor 15, is also arranged inside. volume 3d and connected to a potential source 16 by being controlled by a switch 17.
  • the heating element 15 is also wound in the form of a spiral inside the volume 3d_ around the same axis.
  • a cup 20 is disposed inside the intermediate container 3 around the tube 10 while being kept away from the internal wall of the enclosure 3ç_ by spacers 21.
  • This cup 20 is intended to receive the liquefied gas, such so that it is kept at a distance from the enclosure 3ç_, which makes it possible to reduce the heat exchanges and therefore the thermal inertia of the container 3.
  • the arrival 3a. xenon is disposed in the lower part of the intermediate container 3, while the outlet 3b is arranged in the upper part.
  • the arrows LN 2 indicate the direction of circulation of the nitrogen
  • the arrows X e indicate the direction of circulation of the xenon
  • the arrow Q e indicates the quantity of electricity supplied to the resistor 15.
  • the valve 7 When it is desired to fill the reservoir 2 from the cylinder 1 containing xenon, the valve 7 being closed, the valve 5 is opened to put the mother bottle 1 and the intermediate container 3 into communication, so that the gas is discharged from the cylinder 1 to the reservoir 3.
  • the latter At fr and as the gas arrives in the reservoir 3, the latter is liquefied by contact with the tube 10 in which circulates liquid nitrogen at approximately -180 ° vs.
  • the diameter of the tube 10 and the flow speed of the liquid nitrogen in this tube are calculated so that the consumption of liquid nitrogen is not too great and so that the nitrogen leaves the intermediate container 3 at a temperature close to the saturation temperature of xenon, i.e. 165K at 1 bar.
  • the flow of liquid nitrogen in the tube 10 is between 2 and 20 g / s.
  • the valve 5 and the switch 17 are then closed, so that the flow of current inside the resistor 15 results in a rapid rise in the temperature of the xenon contained in the container 3.
  • This induces vaporization liquefied gas, then compression of this gas inside the container 3, this compression making it possible to quickly reach a pressure of the order of 180 bars.
  • the intermediate container 3 therefore constitutes a "thermal compressor” making it possible to raise the pressure of a gas and comprising no moving part.
  • valve 7 When a pressure of the order of 180 bars is reached, the valve 7 is opened so as to put the container 3 and the tank in fluid communication. The gas then discharges into the tank 2.
  • the switch 17 is kept closed, so that the heating continues inside the intermediate container 3, which tends to increase the pressure inside the tank 3, the gas then being gradually evacuated.
  • the discharge of gas from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 takes place while the pressure inside the intermediate container is kept substantially constant, or even slightly increases.
  • the tests carried out have made it possible to show that, during the isochoric compression of the quantity of gas by heating in the container 3, the temperature of the xenon goes from approximately 210 K to approximately 245 K. Maintaining the heating after the opening of the valve 7 makes it possible to increase the temperature of the xenon vaporized from approximately 245 K to approximately 310 K.
  • An exchanger 22 with high thermal inertia is arranged around the pipe 6. This exchanger, which can be formed of a block of aluminum, is able to receive, at the inlet, a gas between -30 ° C and 40 ° c and to deliver, at the outlet, a gas at approximately 5 ° C. This makes it possible to supply the tank 2 at a temperature above 5 ° C and to avoid any risk of condensation in or on the external surface of the tank 2.
  • the thermal compressor or intermediate container 3 must be able to withstand low temperatures when the gas is liquefied, but also be sized according to the pressure at which the tank 2 must be filled.
  • the thickness of the enclosure 3c is determined by based on these criteria.
  • the thermal inertia of the compressor must be as low as possible so as not to penalize the performance of the process and, in particular, the cycle time.
  • the volume of the compressor must be large enough to accommodate the tube 10 and the heating element 15, but not too large so as to limit the thermal inertia.
  • the wall of the thermal compressor 3 may have a thickness of around 10 mm, its total mass being around 30 kg.
  • the compressor is equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, which are not shown in the figures, in order to check the correct operation of the device.
  • the thermal compressor 3 can be installed on a scale.
  • the power dissipated by the heating element 15 is not necessarily very large insofar as the quantity of fluid to be heated for each cycle is relatively small.
  • the heating element 15 could be replaced by a water exchanger or any other fluid with high heat capacity.
  • the arrangement of the inputs 3a. and 3b, as well as the arrangement of the inlet and outlet of the tube 10 and of the inlet and outlet of the heating element 15 could be modified.
  • a refrigeration system with a fluid having a vaporization temperature close to 200K could be used in place of the tube 10 containing liquid nitrogen.
  • the invention has been presented with a tank filling installation with xenon. It is understood that it is applicable with other gases at relatively high critical temperature and, in particular, with krypton.
  • a preferred field of application of the invention is the filling on the ground of a xenon tank having to have a purity greater than 99.995, this xenon being used for the plasma propulsion of satellites. It is understood that the installation of the invention can constitute a light and compact assembly which can be easily moved on the launch pads of these satellites.
  • the invention can also be used in xenon or krypton recovery installations, for example in the lamp industry.

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for filling a tank under pressure with a gas, characterised in that it consists in: introducing an amount of said gas into an intermediate container (3); gradually liquefying said amount of gas as it is being introduced into said intermediate container by heat transfer (10) with a refrigerating liquid; heating said amount of gas in said intermediate container by thermal contact with a heat source (15); placing in fluid communication said intermediate container and said tank when the pressure in said intermediate container becomes higher than said tank pressure. The installation is characterised in that it comprises at least a heat compressor formed of an intermediate container (3) which includes means (10) for liquefying and for heating (15) the amount of gas it receives.

Description

PROCEDE ET INSTALLATION DE REMPLISSAGE D'UN RESERVOIR SOUS PRESSION METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR FILLING A PRESSURE TANK
L'invention a trait à un procédé et à une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un gaz.The invention relates to a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas.
Dans le domaine spatial, il est connu d'utiliser un réservoir rempli de xénon pour la propulsion plasmigue des satellites, un tel réservoir devant être rempli, pour des raisons de sécurité, juste avant le lancement du satellite. Ce réservoir est rempli à une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars. L'installation permettant un tel remplissage, parfois dénommé "skid de remplissage", doit être légère et peu encombrante, car elle est transportée sur les pas de tir à proximité des lanceurs .In the space field, it is known to use a tank filled with xenon for the plasma propulsion of satellites, such a tank having to be filled, for safety reasons, just before the launch of the satellite. This reservoir is filled at a pressure of the order of 180 bars. The installation allowing such filling, sometimes called "filling skid", must be light and not bulky, since it is transported on launch pads near the launchers.
Pour remplir un réservoir de xénon à haute pression, il existe plusieurs procédés connus. On peut procéder au remplissage avec un compresseur mécanique, de préférence du type à membrane, pour éviter toute pollution. Les compresseurs à membranes sont très lourds et autorisent seulement de faibles débits αe gaz, de sorte que le remplissage d'un réservoir peut s'avérer très long. Il est également possible de procéder au remplissage avec un surpresseur hydropneumatique. Cependant, de tels surpresseurs présentent des risques de pollution du gaz, ce qui n'est pas admissible pour certaines applications envisagées, notamment dans le domaine spatial. Il pourrait être envisagé de remplir le réservoir en le trempant dans un bain d'azote liquide de façon a liquéfier le xénon. Cette méthode n'est pas adaptée pour les réservoirs en composite ou en acier brut, ni pour les réservoirs αéjà intégrés au sein d'une structure telle que, par exemple, un satellite. On peut également envisager de chauffer la bouteille mère contenant le gaz, mais cette méthode est applicable si le volume au réservoir à remplir est bien plus faible que celui de la bouteille mère.To fill a high pressure xenon tank, there are several known methods. Filling can be carried out with a mechanical compressor, preferably of the membrane type, to avoid any pollution. Diaphragm compressors are very heavy and allow only low gas flow rates, so filling a tank can be very long. It is also possible to fill with a hydropneumatic booster. However, such boosters present risks of gas pollution, which is not admissible for certain envisaged applications, in particular in the space field. It could be envisaged to fill the reservoir by soaking it in a bath of liquid nitrogen so as to liquefy the xenon. This method is not suitable for composite or raw steel tanks, nor for tanks already integrated within a structure such as, for example, a satellite. One can also consider heating the mother bottle containing the gas, but this method is applicable if the volume in the tank to be filled is much lower than that of the mother bottle.
L'invention vise à proposer un procédé et une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression qui obvie aux inconvénients précités des techniques connues et permet un remplissage fiable, pouvant être mis en oeuvre, sur un pas de tir de lanceurs, sans risque de polluer le xénon.The invention aims to propose a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks of known techniques and allows reliable filling, which can be implemented, on a launch pad for launchers, without risk of pollute xenon.
Dans cet esprit, l'invention concerne un procédé de remplissage de réservoir sous pression avec un gaz, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à :In this spirit, the invention relates to a method for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it consists of:
- introduire une quantité dudit gaz dans un récipient intermédiaire ,- introduce a quantity of said gas into an intermediate container,
- liquéfier ladite quantité de gaz au fur et à mesure de son introduction dans ledit récipient intermédiaire, par échange thermique avec un fluide de réfrigération,- liquefying said quantity of gas as it is introduced into said intermediate container, by heat exchange with a refrigerating fluid,
- réchauffer et vaporiser ladite quantité de gaz dans ledit récipient intermédiaire par contact thermique avec une source chaude, - mettre en communication fluidique ledit récipient intermédiaire et ledit réservoir lorsque la pression dans le récipient intermédiaire devient supérieure à la pression du réservoir.- Heating and vaporizing said quantity of gas in said intermediate container by thermal contact with a hot source, - putting in fluid communication said intermediate container and said reservoir when the pressure in the intermediate container becomes greater than the pressure of the reservoir.
Grâce à l'invention, le récipient intermédiaire sert de compresseur thermique, c'est-à-dire permet d'élever la pression du gaz par rapport à sa pression dans une source telle qu'une bouteille mère. Ce compresseur thermique est léger, performant par rapport aux autres solutions, et ne comprend pas de pièce en mouvement, ce qui est un gage de bonne fiabilité. Selon un premier aspect avantageux de l'invention, le procédé consiste également à chauffer la quantité de gaz dans le récipient intermédiaire, postérieurement à la mise en communication fluidique du récipient intermédiaire et du réservoir. Grâce à cet aspect de l'invention, lorsque la mise en communication du récipient intermédiaire et du réservoir a été effectuée, le maintien du chauffage conduit à un échauffe- ment de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire, ce qui permet de décharger continûment vers le réservoir cette quantité de gaz qui est alors sous haute pression. Selon un autre aspect avantageux, le transfert de gaz du récipient intermédiaire vers le réservoir a lieu à pression sensiblement constante.Thanks to the invention, the intermediate container serves as a thermal compressor, that is to say allows the pressure of the gas to be raised relative to its pressure in a source such as a mother bottle. This thermal compressor is light, efficient compared to other solutions, and does not include a moving part, which is a guarantee of good reliability. According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the method also consists in heating the quantity of gas in the intermediate container, after the intermediate communication between the intermediate container and the reservoir. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, when the intermediate container and the reservoir have been placed in communication, the maintenance of the heating leads to a heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, which makes it possible to discharge continuously this quantity of gas which is then under high pressure towards the reservoir. According to another advantageous aspect, the transfer of gas from the intermediate container to the tank takes place at substantially constant pressure.
Le liquide de réfrigération utilisé avec le procédé de l'invention est avantageusement de l'azote liquide dont la production industrielle est bien maîtrisée.The refrigeration liquid used with the process of the invention is advantageously liquid nitrogen, the industrial production of which is well controlled.
L'invention concerne également une installation permettant de mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention et, plus précisément, une installation qui comprend au moins un compresseur thermique formé d'un récipient intermédiaire disposé entre une source du gaz et le réservoir, ce compresseur thermique comportant des moyens de liquéfaction par refroidissement d'une quantité du gaz en cours d'introduction dans le récipient intermédiaire et des moyens de chauffage de cette quantité de gaz à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire.The invention also relates to an installation making it possible to implement the method of the invention and, more specifically, an installation which comprises at least one compressor thermal formed by an intermediate container disposed between a gas source and the reservoir, this thermal compressor comprising means of liquefaction by cooling a quantity of the gas being introduced into the intermediate container and means of heating this quantity gas inside the intermediate container.
Selon un premier aspect avantageux, les moyens de liquéfaction comprennent un tube de circulation d'un liquide de refroidissement tel que, notamment, de l'azote liquide. Ces moyens de liquéfaction sont connus en soi et relativement faciles à mettre en oeuvre.According to a first advantageous aspect, the liquefaction means comprise a tube for circulating a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen. These liquefaction means are known per se and relatively easy to implement.
Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, les moyens de chauffage de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire comprennent un élément électrique chauffant. L'utilisation d'un élément électrique chauffant permet un chauffage rapide de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire, et donc une diminution substantielle du temps de cycle d'une opération de remplissage par rapport aux techniques connues . Selon un autre aspect avantageux, le tube de circulation et l'élément électrique chauffant sont placés à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire. Ainsi, seule une faible partie de l'épaisseur de la paroi du compresseur thermique voit sa température diminuer ou augmenter en fonction de celle du fluide qu'elle contient, de sorte que l'inertie thermique du compresseur en est diminuée.According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the means for heating the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container comprise an electric heating element. The use of an electric heating element allows rapid heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, and therefore a substantial reduction in the cycle time of a filling operation compared to known techniques. According to another advantageous aspect, the circulation tube and the electric heating element are placed inside the intermediate container. Thus, only a small part of the thickness of the wall of the thermal compressor sees its temperature decrease or increase as a function of that of the fluid that it contains, so that the thermal inertia of the compressor is reduced.
Avantageusement, le récipient intermédiaire comprend une arrivée de gaz dans sa partie inférieure et un départ de gaz dans sa partie supérieure. Ceci permet un soutirage du gaz dans la partie du récipient intermédiaire dans laquelle la température du gaz est la plus élevée.Advantageously, the intermediate container comprises a gas inlet in its lower part and a gas outlet in its upper part. This allows the gas to be drawn off in the part of the intermediate container in which the temperature of the gas is highest.
Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, le récipient intermédiaire peut renfermer une coupelle de réception du gaz liquéfié, cette coupelle étant distante de la paroi interne du récipient. Grâce à cet aspect de l'invention, l'inertie thermique du compresseur est également diminuée.According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the intermediate container may contain a cup for receiving the liquefied gas, this cup being spaced from the internal wall of the container. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the thermal inertia of the compressor is also reduced.
L'invention concerne également une installation qui comprend deux compresseurs thermiques aptes à fonctionner en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz. Ceci permet de réaliser les opérations de liquéfaction en temps masqué, et donc de diminuer la durée totale d'une opération de remplissage d'un réservoir. L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement à la lumière de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de réalisation d'une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir conforme à son principe et de son procédé de mise en oeuvre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :The invention also relates to an installation which comprises two thermal compressors capable of operating in opposition, one working on the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works on the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas. This makes it possible to carry out the liquefaction operations in masked time, and therefore to reduce the total duration of a tank filling operation. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a tank filling installation in accordance with its principle and its process of implementation, given only by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est un schéma fluide de principe d'une installation de remplissage conforme à l'invention ; - la figure 2 est une coupe verticale d'un compresseur thermique utilisé dans l'installation de la figure 1.- Figure 1 is a fluid block diagram of a filling installation according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a vertical section of a thermal compressor used in the installation of Figure 1.
A la figure 1, une bouteille mère 1 contient une quantité de xénon, par exemple 50 kg, sous une pression de l'ordre de 60 bars à 20°C. Le rôle de l'installation est de remplir un réservoir 2 en titane, en acier ou en carbone, destiné à être embarqué sur un satellite, à une pression comprise entre 80 et 300 bars environ, par exemple de l'ordre de 180 bars.In FIG. 1, a mother bottle 1 contains an amount of xenon, for example 50 kg, under a pressure of the order of 60 bars at 20 ° C. The role of the installation is to fill a tank 2 made of titanium, steel or carbon, intended to be carried on a satellite, at a pressure of between 80 and 300 bars approximately, for example of the order of 180 bars.
Pour ce faire, l'installation comprend un récipient intermédiaire 3 dont l'entrée 3a. est reliée, par une conduite 4 à travers une vanne 5, à la bouteille mère 1. De la même manière, une conduite 6 relie la sortie 3b du récipient intermédiaire 3 au réservoir 2 à travers une vanne 7. Le récipient 3 comprend une enceinte 3ç_ définissant un volume intérieur 3d de 1 ' échangeur 3, de l'ordre de quelques litres, par exemple 4 litres environ. Dans ce volume intérieur 3d est disposé un tube 10 à l'intérieur duquel circule de l'azote liquide en provenance d'une source 11 telle qu'une bonbonne d'azote liquide. Une vanne 12 est prévue pour la commande de l'alimentation du tube 10 à partir de la source 11. Un organe de collecte 13 est prévu pour recevoir l'azote liquide ou gazeux après qu'il a circulé dans le tube 10.To do this, the installation comprises an intermediate container 3 whose inlet 3a. is connected, by a line 4 through a valve 5, to the mother bottle 1. Likewise, a line 6 connects the outlet 3b of the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 through a valve 7. The container 3 comprises an enclosure 3ç_ defining an interior volume 3d of the exchanger 3, of the order of a few liters, for example about 4 liters. In this interior volume 3d is placed a tube 10 inside which circulates liquid nitrogen coming from a source 11 such as a bottle of liquid nitrogen. A valve 12 is provided for controlling the supply of the tube 10 from the source 11. A collecting member 13 is provided for receiving the liquid or gaseous nitrogen after it has circulated in the tube 10.
Un réchauffeur électrique, tel que par exemple une résistance chauffante 15, est également disposé à l'intérieur du volume 3d et relié à une source de potentiel 16 en étant commandé grâce à un interrupteur 17.An electric heater, such as for example a heating resistor 15, is also arranged inside. volume 3d and connected to a potential source 16 by being controlled by a switch 17.
Comme il ressort plus clairement de la figure 2, le tubeAs can be seen more clearly from FIG. 2, the tube
10 est enroulé en forme de spirale avec un axe globalement vertical, alors que l'élément chauffant 15 est également enroulé en forme de spirale à l'intérieur du volume 3d_ autour du même axe .10 is wound in the form of a spiral with a generally vertical axis, while the heating element 15 is also wound in the form of a spiral inside the volume 3d_ around the same axis.
Une coupelle 20 est disposée à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3 autour du tube 10 tout en étant maintenue à distance de la paroi interne de l'enceinte 3ç_ par des écarteurs 21. Cette coupelle 20 est destinée à recevoir le gaz liquéfié, de telle sorte que celui-ci est maintenu à distance de l'enceinte 3ç_, ce qui permet de réduire les échanges thermiques et donc l'inertie thermique du récipient 3. On note que l'arrivée 3a. du xénon est disposée dans la partie inférieure du récipient intermédiaire 3 , alors que la sortie 3b est disposée dans la partie supérieure.A cup 20 is disposed inside the intermediate container 3 around the tube 10 while being kept away from the internal wall of the enclosure 3ç_ by spacers 21. This cup 20 is intended to receive the liquefied gas, such so that it is kept at a distance from the enclosure 3ç_, which makes it possible to reduce the heat exchanges and therefore the thermal inertia of the container 3. It is noted that the arrival 3a. xenon is disposed in the lower part of the intermediate container 3, while the outlet 3b is arranged in the upper part.
Sur la figure 2, les flèches LN2 indiquent le sens de circulation de l'azote, les flèches Xe indiquent le sens de circulation du xénon et la flèche Qe indique la quantité d'électricité fournie à la résistance 15.In FIG. 2, the arrows LN 2 indicate the direction of circulation of the nitrogen, the arrows X e indicate the direction of circulation of the xenon and the arrow Q e indicates the quantity of electricity supplied to the resistor 15.
Le fonctionnement de l'installation résulte des explications qui précèdent. Lorsqu'on souhaite remplir le réservoir 2 à partir de la bonbonne 1 contenant du xénon, la vanne 7 étant fermée, on ouvre la vanne 5 pour mettre en communication la bouteille mère 1 et le récipient intermédiaire 3 , de telle sorte que le gaz est déchargé de la bouteille 1 vers le réservoir 3. Au f r et à mesure de 1 ' arrivée du gaz dans le réservoir 3 , celui-ci est liquéfié par contact avec le tube 10 dans lequel circule de l'azote liquide à environ -180°C. Le diamètre du tube 10 et la vitesse d'écoulement de l'azote liquide dans ce tube sont calculés pour que la consommation d'azote liquide ne soit pas trop importante et pour que l'azote sorte du récipient intermédiaire 3 à une température proche de la température de saturation du xénon, soit 165K à 1 bar. En pratique, le débit d'azote liquide dans le tube 10 est compris entre 2 et 20 g/s.The operation of the installation results from the foregoing explanations. When it is desired to fill the reservoir 2 from the cylinder 1 containing xenon, the valve 7 being closed, the valve 5 is opened to put the mother bottle 1 and the intermediate container 3 into communication, so that the gas is discharged from the cylinder 1 to the reservoir 3. At fr and as the gas arrives in the reservoir 3, the latter is liquefied by contact with the tube 10 in which circulates liquid nitrogen at approximately -180 ° vs. The diameter of the tube 10 and the flow speed of the liquid nitrogen in this tube are calculated so that the consumption of liquid nitrogen is not too great and so that the nitrogen leaves the intermediate container 3 at a temperature close to the saturation temperature of xenon, i.e. 165K at 1 bar. In practice, the flow of liquid nitrogen in the tube 10 is between 2 and 20 g / s.
On obtient ainsi une quantité de xénon liquéfié recueilli dans la coupelle 20 à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3.This gives a quantity of liquefied xenon collected in the cup 20 inside the intermediate container 3.
On ferme alors la vanne 5 et l'interrupteur 17, de telle sorte que la circulation du courant à l'intérieur de la résistance 15 résulte dans une élévation rapide de la tempéra- ture du xénon contenu dans le récipient 3. Ceci induit une vaporisation du gaz liquéfié, puis une compression de ce gaz à l'intérieur du récipient 3, cette compression permettant d'atteindre rapidement une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars. Le récipient intermédiaire 3 constitue donc un "compresseur thermique" permettant d'élever la pression d'un gaz et ne comportant pas de pièce en mouvement.The valve 5 and the switch 17 are then closed, so that the flow of current inside the resistor 15 results in a rapid rise in the temperature of the xenon contained in the container 3. This induces vaporization liquefied gas, then compression of this gas inside the container 3, this compression making it possible to quickly reach a pressure of the order of 180 bars. The intermediate container 3 therefore constitutes a "thermal compressor" making it possible to raise the pressure of a gas and comprising no moving part.
Lorsqu'une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars est atteinte, on ouvre la vanne 7 de façon à mettre en communication fluidique le récipient 3 et le réservoir 2. Le gaz se décharge alors dans le réservoir 2.When a pressure of the order of 180 bars is reached, the valve 7 is opened so as to put the container 3 and the tank in fluid communication. The gas then discharges into the tank 2.
On maintient l'interrupteur 17 fermé, de telle sorte que le chauffage continue à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3, ce qui a tendance à faire augmenter la pression à l'intérieur du réservoir 3, le gaz étant alors progressivement évacué. Ainsi, la décharge du gaz du récipient intermédiaire 3 vers le réservoir 2 a lieu alors que la pression à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire est maintenue sensiblement constante, voire augmente légèrement.The switch 17 is kept closed, so that the heating continues inside the intermediate container 3, which tends to increase the pressure inside the tank 3, the gas then being gradually evacuated. Thus, the discharge of gas from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 takes place while the pressure inside the intermediate container is kept substantially constant, or even slightly increases.
Les essais conduits ont permis de montrer que, lors de la compression isochore de la quantité de gaz par chauffage dans le récipient 3, la température du xénon passe d'environ 210 K à environ 245 K. Le maintien du chauffage après l'ouverture de la vanne 7 permet d'augmenter la température du xénon vaporisé d'environ 245 K à environ 310 K. Un échangeur 22 a forte inertie thermique est disposé autour de la conduite 6. Cet échangeur, qui peut être formé d'un bloc d'aluminium, est apte à recevoir, en entrée, un gaz entre -30°C et 40°c et à délivrer, en sortie, un gaz à environ 5°C. Ceci permet d'alimenter le réservoir 2 à une température supérieure à 5°C et d'éviter tout risque de condensation dans ou sur la surface externe du réservoir 2.The tests carried out have made it possible to show that, during the isochoric compression of the quantity of gas by heating in the container 3, the temperature of the xenon goes from approximately 210 K to approximately 245 K. Maintaining the heating after the opening of the valve 7 makes it possible to increase the temperature of the xenon vaporized from approximately 245 K to approximately 310 K. An exchanger 22 with high thermal inertia is arranged around the pipe 6. This exchanger, which can be formed of a block of aluminum, is able to receive, at the inlet, a gas between -30 ° C and 40 ° c and to deliver, at the outlet, a gas at approximately 5 ° C. This makes it possible to supply the tank 2 at a temperature above 5 ° C and to avoid any risk of condensation in or on the external surface of the tank 2.
En outre, le maintien du chauffage lorsque le récipient 3 est en communication avec le réservoir 2 conduit à la création d'un gradient de température relativement important à l'intérieur du compresseur thermique, le gaz le plus chaud ayant tendance à s'accumuler à proximité de l'orifice de sortie ou de départ 3b qui est situé en partie haute, ce qui facilite son transfert vers le réservoir 2.In addition, maintaining the heating when the container 3 is in communication with the tank 2 leads to the creation a relatively large temperature gradient inside the thermal compressor, the hottest gas tending to accumulate near the outlet or outlet 3b which is located in the upper part, which facilitates its transfer to tank 2.
Le compresseur thermique ou récipient intermédiaire 3 doit être capable de supporter des basses températures lorsque le gaz est liquéfié, mais également être dimensionné en fonction de la pression à laquelle doit être rempli le réservoir 2. L'épaisseur de l'enceinte 3ç_ est déterminée en fonction de ces critères. L'inertie thermique du compresseur doit être la plus faible possible pour ne pas pénaliser les performances du procédé et, en particulier, le temps de cycle.The thermal compressor or intermediate container 3 must be able to withstand low temperatures when the gas is liquefied, but also be sized according to the pressure at which the tank 2 must be filled. The thickness of the enclosure 3c is determined by based on these criteria. The thermal inertia of the compressor must be as low as possible so as not to penalize the performance of the process and, in particular, the cycle time.
Le volume du compresseur doit être suffisamment grand pour permettre d'y loger le tube 10 et l'élément chauffant 15, mais pas trop important de façon à limiter l'inertie thermique. Un volume de quelques litres, notamment de 4 à 6 litres, permet de remplir un réservoir de quelques centaines de litres en quelques dizaines de cycles. Dans ce cas, la paroi du compres- seur thermique 3 peut avoir une épaisseur de l'ordre de 10 mm environ, sa masse totale étant de l'ordre de 30 kg environ.The volume of the compressor must be large enough to accommodate the tube 10 and the heating element 15, but not too large so as to limit the thermal inertia. A volume of a few liters, in particular from 4 to 6 liters, makes it possible to fill a reservoir of a few hundred liters in a few tens of cycles. In this case, the wall of the thermal compressor 3 may have a thickness of around 10 mm, its total mass being around 30 kg.
Avantageusement, le compresseur est équipé d'un capteur de pression et d'un capteur de température, qui ne sont pas représentés sur les figures, afin de vérifier le bon fonction- nement du dispositif. Dans un même but, le compresseur thermique 3 peut être installé sur une balance.Advantageously, the compressor is equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, which are not shown in the figures, in order to check the correct operation of the device. For the same purpose, the thermal compressor 3 can be installed on a scale.
La puissance dissipée par l'élément chauffant 15 n'est pas nécessairement très importante dans la mesure où la quantité de fluide devant être chauffé pour chaque cycle est relativement faible. En pratique, un élément chauffant avec une puissance nominale de l'ordre de quelques kilowatts, par exemple entre 2 et 4 kW, est suffisant.The power dissipated by the heating element 15 is not necessarily very large insofar as the quantity of fluid to be heated for each cycle is relatively small. In practice, a heating element with a nominal power of the order of a few kilowatts, for example between 2 and 4 kW, is sufficient.
Par ailleurs, plusieurs compresseurs peuvent être utilisés en parallèle pour augmenter le débit total de l'installation. Notamment, on peut utiliser deux compresseurs thermiques fonctionnant en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz. Selon une variante non représentée de l'invention, l'élément chauffant 15 pourrait être remplacé par un échangeur à eau ou tout autre fluide à forte capacité calorifique. Bien entendu, la disposition des entrées 3a. et 3b, de même que la disposition des entrée et sortie du tube 10 et des entrée et sortie de l'élément chauffant 15 pourrait être modifiée. De même, un système de réfrigération avec un fluide ayant une température de vaporisation proche de 200K pourrait être utilisé à la place du tube 10 contenant de l'azote liquide. L'invention a été présentée avec une installation de remplissage de réservoir avec du xénon. Il est bien entendu qu'elle est applicable avec d'autres gaz à température critique relativement élevée et, notamment, avec du krypton.In addition, several compressors can be used in parallel to increase the total throughput of the installation. In particular, it is possible to use two thermal compressors operating in opposition, one working for the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works for the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas. According to a variant not shown of the invention, the heating element 15 could be replaced by a water exchanger or any other fluid with high heat capacity. Of course, the arrangement of the inputs 3a. and 3b, as well as the arrangement of the inlet and outlet of the tube 10 and of the inlet and outlet of the heating element 15 could be modified. Likewise, a refrigeration system with a fluid having a vaporization temperature close to 200K could be used in place of the tube 10 containing liquid nitrogen. The invention has been presented with a tank filling installation with xenon. It is understood that it is applicable with other gases at relatively high critical temperature and, in particular, with krypton.
Un domaine d'application privilégié de l'invention est le remplissage au sol d'un réservoir de xénon devant avoir une pureté supérieure à 99,995, ce xénon étant utilisé pour la propulsion plasmique des satellites. On comprend que l'installation de l'invention peut constituer un ensemble léger et compact pouvant être aisément déplacé sur les pas de tir de ces satellites.A preferred field of application of the invention is the filling on the ground of a xenon tank having to have a purity greater than 99.995, this xenon being used for the plasma propulsion of satellites. It is understood that the installation of the invention can constitute a light and compact assembly which can be easily moved on the launch pads of these satellites.
L'invention peut également être utilisée dans des installation de récupération de xénon ou de krypton, par exemple dans l'industrie des lampes. The invention can also be used in xenon or krypton recovery installations, for example in the lamp industry.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un gaz, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à :1. Method for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it consists of:
- introduire une quantité dudit gaz dans un récipient intermédiaire (3),- introduce a quantity of said gas into an intermediate container (3),
- liquéfier ladite quantité de gaz, au fur et à mesure de son introduction dans ledit récipient intermédiaire, par échange thermique (10) avec un fluide de réfrigération,- liquefying said quantity of gas, as it is introduced into said intermediate container, by heat exchange (10) with a refrigerating fluid,
- réchauffer et vaporiser ladite quantité de gaz dans ledit récipient intermédiaire par contact thermique avec une source chaude (15),- reheating and vaporizing said quantity of gas in said intermediate container by thermal contact with a hot source (15),
- mettre en communication fluidique ledit récipient intermédiaire et ledit réservoir (2) lorsque la pression dans ledit récipient intermédiaire devient supérieure à la pression dudit réservoir.- placing said intermediate container and said reservoir (2) in fluid communication when the pressure in said intermediate container becomes greater than the pressure of said reservoir.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste également à chauffer (15) ladite quantité de gaz dans ledit récipient intermédiaire postérieurement à la mise en communication fluidique dudit récipient intermédiaire (3) et dudit réservoir (2) .2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also consists in heating (15) said quantity of gas in said intermediate container after the fluid communication of said intermediate container (3) and said tank (2).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le transfert de gaz dudit récipient intermédiaire (3) vers ledit réservoir (2) a lieu à pression sensiblement constante.3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer of gas from said intermediate container (3) to said tank (2) takes place at substantially constant pressure.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit liquide de réfrigération est de l'azote liquide.4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said refrigerating liquid is liquid nitrogen.
5. Installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un gaz, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins un compresseur thermique formé d'un récipient intermédiaire (3) disposé entre une source (1) dudit gaz et ledit réservoir (2), ledit compresseur thermique comportant des moyens (10) de liquéfaction par refroidissement d'une quantité dudit gaz en cours d'introduction dans ledit récipient intermédiaire et des moyens de chauffage (15) de ladite quantité de gaz à l'intérieur dudit récipient intermédiaire.5. Installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it comprises at least one thermal compressor formed by an intermediate container (3) disposed between a source (1) of said gas and said tank (2 ), said thermal compressor comprising means (10) for liquefying by cooling an amount of said gas being introduced into said intermediate container and means (15) for heating said amount of gas inside said intermediate container .
6. Installation selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de liquéfaction de ladite quantité de gaz comprennent un tube (10) de circulation d'un fluide de refroidissement tel que, notamment, de l'azote liquide.6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for liquefying said quantity of gas comprise a tube (10) for circulating a cooling fluid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen.
7. Installation selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractéri- sée en ce que lesdits moyens de chauffage de ladite quantité de gaz comprennent un élément électrique chauffant (15).7. Installation according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said means for heating said quantity of gas comprise an electric heating element (15).
8. Installation selon les revendication 6 et 7 , caractérisée en ce que ledit tube de circulation (10) et ledit élément électrique chauffant (15) sont placés à l'intérieur dudit récipient intermédiaire.8. Installation according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said circulation tube (10) and said electric heating element (15) are placed inside said intermediate container.
9. Installation selon l'une des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisée en ce que ledit récipient intermédiaire (3) comprend une arrivée de gaz (3a.) dans sa partie inférieure et un départ de gaz (3b) dans sa partie supérieure. 10. Installation selon l'une des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisée en ce que ledit récipient intermédiaire renferme une coupelle (20) de réception du gaz liquéfié, ladite coupelle étant distante de la paroi interne dudit récipient (3) .9. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said intermediate container (3) comprises a gas inlet (3a . ) In its lower part and a gas outlet (3b) in its upper part. 10. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said intermediate container contains a cup (20) for receiving the liquefied gas, said cup being spaced from the internal wall of said container (3).
11. Installation selon l'une des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend deux compresseurs thermiques aptes à fonctionner en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz. 11. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two thermal compressors capable of operating in opposition, one working for the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works for the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas.
REVENDICATIONS MODIFIEESAMENDED CLAIMS
[reçues par le Bureau international le 19 août 1998 (19.08.98); revendications 1-11 remplacées par les revendications 1-12 modifiées (2 pages)][received by the International Bureau on 19 August 1998 (19.08.98); claims 1-11 replaced by claims 1-12 amended (2 pages)]
1. Procédé de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un gaz, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes :1. Method for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- introduire une quantité dudit gaz dans un récipient intermédiaire (3),- introduce a quantity of said gas into an intermediate container (3),
5 _- liquéfier ladite quantité de gaz dans le récipient intermédiaire, par échange thermique (10) avec un fluide de réfrigération,5 _- liquefying said quantity of gas in the intermediate container, by heat exchange (10) with a refrigerating fluid,
- réchauffer et vaporiser ladite quantité de gaz dans le récipient intermédiaire par apport thermique dans le récipient intermédiaire, puis- reheat and vaporize the said quantity of gas in the intermediate container by thermal contribution in the intermediate container, then
- mettre en communication fluidique le récipient intermédiaire et le 10 réservoir (2) lorsque la pression dans le récipient intermédiaire devient supérieure à la pression du réservoir.- put the intermediate container and the reservoir (2) in fluid communication when the pressure in the intermediate container becomes greater than the pressure in the reservoir.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que l'apport thermique dans le récipient intermédiaire est prolongé temporairement postérieurement à la mise en communication fluidique du récipient2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat input in the intermediate container is temporarily extended after the fluid communication of the container
15 intermédiaire (3) et du réservoir (2).15 intermediate (3) and tank (2).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le transfert de gaz du récipient intermédiaire (3) vers le réservoir (2) a lieu à pression sensiblement constante.3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer of gas from the intermediate container (3) to the tank (2) takes place at substantially constant pressure.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que 20 l'échange thermique s'effectue avec un flux d'azote liquide circulant dans le récipient intermédiaire (3).4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat exchange takes place with a flow of liquid nitrogen circulating in the intermediate container (3).
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le gaz est le Xénon.5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gas is Xenon.
6. Installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un 25 gaz, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins un compresseur thermique formé d'un récipient intermédiaire (3) connectable sélectivement à une source (1 ) dudit gaz et au réservoir (2), le compresseur thermique comportant, dans une enceinte (3c), des moyens (10) de liquéfaction par refroidissement d'une quantité dudit gaz introduit dans le récipient intermédiaire, et des moyens de 30 chauffage (15) de la quantité de gaz à l'intérieur dudit récipient intermédiaire. 6. Installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas, characterized in that it comprises at least one thermal compressor formed by an intermediate container (3) selectively connectable to a source (1) of said gas and to the tank (2), the thermal compressor comprising, in an enclosure (3c), means (10) for liquefaction by cooling an amount of said gas introduced into the intermediate container, and means (15) for heating the amount of gas inside said intermediate container.
7. Installation selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liquéfaction comprennent un circuit (10) de circulation d'un fluide de refroidissement.7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the liquefaction means comprise a circuit (10) for circulating a cooling fluid.
8. Installation selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de chauffage comprennent un élément électrique chauffant (15).8. Installation according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the heating means comprise an electric heating element (15).
9. Installation selon les revendication 7 et 8, caractérisée en ce que le circuit de circulation (10) et l'élément électrique chauffant (15) sont disposés concentriquement dans le récipient intermédiaire.9. Installation according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the circulation circuit (10) and the electric heating element (15) are arranged concentrically in the intermediate container.
10. Installation selon l'une des revendications 6 à 9, caractérisée en ce que le récipient intermédiaire (3) comprend, dans sa partie inférieure, un accès10. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the intermediate container (3) comprises, in its lower part, an access
(3a) de raccordement à une source dudit gaz (1 ) et dans sa partie supérieure un passage de raccordement au réservoir (3b).(3a) for connection to a source of said gas (1) and in its upper part a passage for connection to the reservoir (3b).
11. Installation selon l'une des revendications 6 à 10, caractérisée en ce que le récipient intermédiaire renferme une coupelle (20) de réception du gaz liquéfié, ladite coupelle étant écartée de la paroi interne de l'enceinte (3c) dudit récipient (3).11. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the intermediate container contains a cup (20) for receiving the liquefied gas, said cup being spaced from the internal wall of the enclosure (3c) of said container ( 3).
12. Installation selon l'une des revendications 6 à 10, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend deux compresseurs thermiques aptes à fonctionner en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz. 12. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two thermal compressors capable of operating in opposition, one working for the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works for the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas.
EP98910804A 1997-10-06 1998-02-20 Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure Expired - Lifetime EP0968387B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9712433 1997-10-06
FR9712433A FR2769354B1 (en) 1997-10-06 1997-10-06 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR FILLING A PRESSURE TANK
PCT/FR1998/000341 WO1999018387A1 (en) 1997-10-06 1998-02-20 Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0968387A1 true EP0968387A1 (en) 2000-01-05
EP0968387B1 EP0968387B1 (en) 2008-10-01

Family

ID=9511872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98910804A Expired - Lifetime EP0968387B1 (en) 1997-10-06 1998-02-20 Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6029473A (en)
EP (1) EP0968387B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001507435A (en)
CN (1) CN1086457C (en)
DE (1) DE69840068D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2769354B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999018387A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5979440A (en) * 1997-06-16 1999-11-09 Sequal Technologies, Inc. Methods and apparatus to generate liquid ambulatory oxygen from an oxygen concentrator
KR20050058416A (en) * 2002-09-25 2005-06-16 다이요 닛산 가부시키가이샤 Apparatus and method for filling fuel
JP4554966B2 (en) * 2004-03-25 2010-09-29 株式会社豊田自動織機 Hydrogen gas filling method and hydrogen gas filling device
FR2872228A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-30 Europ D Electricite Automatism EQUIPMENT FOR RECYCLING AND PRESSURIZING A CONDENSABLE GAS, IN PARTICULAR XENON IN A CLOSED CIRCUIT
US7938149B2 (en) * 2006-04-13 2011-05-10 Honda Motor Co, Ltd Supplemental heat exchange for high pressure gas tank
NO330021B1 (en) * 2009-02-11 2011-02-07 Statoil Asa Installations for storage and supply of compressed gas
CN102235767A (en) * 2010-05-07 2011-11-09 中国科学院工程热物理研究所 Refrigeration method and device by using low-grade heat energy
CN101865167B (en) * 2010-06-10 2013-04-03 上海交通大学 Double effect device being capable of gas boosting, transferring and recycling
US9752727B2 (en) * 2012-11-30 2017-09-05 Chart Inc. Heat management system and method for cryogenic liquid dispensing systems
CN105402596B (en) * 2015-10-23 2018-12-21 北京控制工程研究所 A kind of transferring device for the filling of satellite electric propulsion system xenon
HRP20220955T1 (en) * 2018-04-26 2022-10-28 Chart Inc. Cryogenic fluid dispensing system having a chilling reservoir
CN111473247A (en) * 2018-10-17 2020-07-31 兰溪市艺飞土蜂养殖专业合作社 CNG decompression prying method for natural gas

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE447106C (en) * 1925-09-01 1927-07-18 Meier & Weichelt Eisen Und Sta Welding machine for electrical welding, especially of chains
DE683735C (en) * 1936-05-12 1939-11-14 Paul Hadamovsky Process for cooling, liquefying and storing chlorine and other aggressive gases
US2291288A (en) * 1939-08-10 1942-07-28 Air Reduction Apparatus for dispensing gas
GB987019A (en) * 1962-11-21 1965-03-24 Saunders Roe & Nuclear Entpr Improvements in or relating to the filling of containers with gas
FR2379018A1 (en) * 1976-12-23 1978-08-25 Air Liquide CRYOGENIC PROCESS AND PLANT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF GAS UNDER PRESSURE
NL8400990A (en) * 1984-03-29 1985-10-16 Philips Nv METHOD FOR LIQUEIFICATION OF A GAS AND LIQUEIFICATION PLANT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
FR2572162B1 (en) * 1984-10-19 1988-02-26 Air Liquide CONTAINER FOR CRYOGENIC MIXTURE AND LIQUID DRAWING METHOD
JPH0726784B2 (en) * 1992-09-25 1995-03-29 岩谷産業株式会社 Simple liquid nitrogen production equipment
DE4417106A1 (en) * 1994-05-16 1995-11-23 Hermeling Werner Dipl Ing Gas compression process for gases kept in liquefied form under low pressure in tank
CZ288387B6 (en) * 1995-05-02 2001-06-13 Linde Gas Aktiengeselschaft Supply of high-pressure gas

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9918387A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1086457C (en) 2002-06-19
JP2001507435A (en) 2001-06-05
DE69840068D1 (en) 2008-11-13
CN1241253A (en) 2000-01-12
US6029473A (en) 2000-02-29
FR2769354B1 (en) 1999-11-05
WO1999018387A1 (en) 1999-04-15
EP0968387B1 (en) 2008-10-01
FR2769354A1 (en) 1999-04-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0968387B1 (en) Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure
EP1931911B1 (en) Method and device for filling a tank with a pressurised gas
EP0634603B1 (en) Installation for supplying high pressure gas
FR2993342A1 (en) INSTALLATION AND METHOD FOR FILLING PRESSURE GAS BOTTLES FROM A LIQUEFIED GAS RESERVOIR
WO2008101920A1 (en) Device and method for cooling beverages
EP2143988A1 (en) Cryogenic liquid storage system for space vehicle
EP0628723B1 (en) Self-cooling integrated pump for cryogenic liquid
EP3350501A1 (en) Liquefied-fluid storage tank
FR2533270A1 (en) PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR THE RAPID REGENERATION OF AUTONOMOUS CRYOGENIC PUMPS
FR2672882A1 (en) TANK FILLING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATING WITH CRYOGENIC HYDROGEN.
FR2785034A1 (en) PROCESS FOR ELIMINATE THE EVAPORATION OF A LIQUEFIED GAS STORED IN A WATERPROOF AND ISOTHERMAL TANK, AND DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION
FR2716952A1 (en) Refueling process for cryogenic liquids.
CA1219224A (en) Refrigeration device, and cooling element including said device
FR2937115A1 (en) METHOD FOR REGAZEIFYING NATURAL GAS WITH AMBIENT AIR PRECAUTIVELY DEHUMIDIFIED
EP2103565B1 (en) Beverage-dispensing appliance equipped with a heat-conductor element
EP3645934B1 (en) Station and method for filling pressurised gas tanks
EP2584294B1 (en) Cold-gas supply device for a nmr-appliance
FR2829745A1 (en) Fire control system that suppresses fire initiation and inhibits propagation of combustion in vehicles that use turbine engines, and especially aircraft engines
EP1737989A1 (en) Gas quenching method
EP2618038B1 (en) Facility and method for supplying liquid xenon
FR2931222A1 (en) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VAPORIZING A CRYOGENIC FLUID, IN PARTICULAR LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, BASED ON CO2
EP0177416B1 (en) Cryostatic apparatus for radiation detectors
WO2021233964A1 (en) Device and method for transferring cryogenic fluid
EP0823603A1 (en) Process and apparatus for the reliquefaction of gaseous helium
EP0767081B1 (en) Device for the recovery of heat from the exhaust gases of a vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19991015

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, S.A. A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SUR

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'E

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'E

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69840068

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20081113

Kind code of ref document: P

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20090702

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090220

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090220

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20160219

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20160218

Year of fee payment: 19

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69840068

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170220