EP2444759A2 - Method and device for low-temperature cooling/liquefaction - Google Patents

Method and device for low-temperature cooling/liquefaction Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2444759A2
EP2444759A2 EP11184054A EP11184054A EP2444759A2 EP 2444759 A2 EP2444759 A2 EP 2444759A2 EP 11184054 A EP11184054 A EP 11184054A EP 11184054 A EP11184054 A EP 11184054A EP 2444759 A2 EP2444759 A2 EP 2444759A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compression
refrigerator
liquefier
station
type
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
EP11184054A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2444759A3 (en
EP2444759B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Bernhardt
Franck Delcayre
David Grillot
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.)
Air Liquide SA
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
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Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP2444759A2 publication Critical patent/EP2444759A2/en
Publication of EP2444759A3 publication Critical patent/EP2444759A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2444759B1 publication Critical patent/EP2444759B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
    • F25B9/002—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0065—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0067—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0269—Arrangement of liquefaction units or equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple "trains" concept
    • F25J1/0271—Inter-connecting multiple cold equipments within or downstream of the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
    • F25J1/0276—Laboratory or other miniature devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0294—Multiple compressor casings/strings in parallel, e.g. split arrangement
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/06—Several compression cycles arranged in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/912—Liquefaction cycle of a low-boiling (feed) gas in a cryocooler, i.e. in a closed-loop refrigerator

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a low temperature cooling / liquefaction plant.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a method and a cooling / liquefaction plant at very low temperature (for example up to 4.5K).
  • the invention relates in particular to a low temperature refrigeration process in which a low molecular weight gas (for example hydrogen or helium) is used as a coolant to reach very low refrigeration temperatures (for example 4.5 K for helium).
  • a low molecular weight gas for example hydrogen or helium
  • Obtaining refrigeration at temperatures of 30 K and lower generally requires the use of a refrigerant such as helium.
  • Helium is compressed at a hot end of a loop or circuit, then cooled and expanded in the cold part of the loop. Most of the refrigerant is heat exchanged and recycled to the compression stage. In some applications, a fraction of the working gas can be liquefied.
  • Compression of liquefaction / refrigeration cycles using helium as the working gas is generally performed via one or more lubricated screw type compressor stages.
  • the compressed gas is then treated in a deoiling system.
  • the low molecular weight gas After compression and de-oiling the low molecular weight gas is cooled and expanded in cryogenic expansion turbines to reach the required temperature level. Frigories not used by the user of the refrigerator / liquefier are then transmitted to the working fluid at a high temperature. pressure to cool it in the heat exchangers. The working gas at low and medium pressure of the circuit returns to the suction of the compressors.
  • Requirement FR2919716A1 describes the use of centrifugal type compressors to replace all or part of the screw type compressors lubricated in these compressor stations.
  • the compression ratio of the centrifugal type compressors is however limited. For example, it is difficult to exceed a pressure of 17 bar with only two multi-stage compressors.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.
  • the method according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the compression step selectively uses at least one compression machine belonging to a compressor station of a second refrigerator / liquefier separate from said first refrigerator / liquefier, the second refrigerator / liquefier using a working fluid of the same kind as that of the first refrigerator / liquefier.
  • the invention also relates to an installation comprising two separate refrigerators / liquefiers for supplying frigories to two different consumer applications, the two refrigerators / liquefiers using a working gas of the same nature having a low molecular weight, that is to say having an average overall molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising its own working gas compression station and its own cold box for cooling the working gas leaving the station compressor, the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprising lubricated screw-type compression machines, the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier comprising at least one centrifugal compression type compression machine, the output of the station of compression of the first refrigerator / liquefier being connected fl uidically, via a bypass loop, to a compression stage of the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier comprising at least one centrifugal compression type compression machine, so that the centrifugal compression type compression machine of the second
  • the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate possible examples of refrigerators / liquefiers for implementing the solution described in the application FR2919716A1 .
  • These refrigerators / liquefiers 1 combine, within their compression station 2, screw type screw compressors EC1, EC2 and compressors type centrifugal compression EC3. These two types of compressors can operate independently or combined.
  • the suction fluid of the centrifugal compression type compressor is always oil-free.
  • the compression station 2 comprises two compression stages (the gas is compressed in the first stage of the low pressure LP at an average pressure MP and then the gas is compressed in the second stage of compression from the mean pressure MP to the high pressure HP).
  • the first stage comprises two compressors connected in parallel (a centrifugal type compressor EC3 and a screw type compressor EC1).
  • the centrifugal compressor EC3 is preferably multi-stageed to allow a compression ratio similar to the existing pressure levels (generally from 1.05 bar to 4 to 5 bar). This solution makes it possible to reduce the electrical power consumed from the low pressure portion of the compression cycle
  • the second compression stage comprises a lubricated screw type EC2 compressor.
  • a deoiling member 8 purifies the gas before it enters the cold box 3.
  • the compression station 2 comprises two lubricated screw type compression stages EC1, EC2 in series with a compressor EC3 of the centrifugal type.
  • a de-oiling member 8 is disposed between on the one hand the two lubricated screw compression stages EC1, EC2 and, on the other hand, the centrifugal type compressor EC3.
  • the centrifugal EC3 compressor is for example single-stage or multi-stage depending on the compression ratio required. If it is desired to increase the capacity of the liquefier / refrigerator, the compression ratio of the additional centrifugal stage EC3 may be low and a single compression stage may be sufficient. If, on the other hand, it is desired to reduce the electrical consumption, the compression ratio will be chosen according to the investment price and energy gain on the whole combination of the two types of compression (screw + centrifugal). Indeed, at equal refrigerator power, the addition of a centrifugal compression stage requires a reduction in the compression ratio of the screw compression stage. The existing components of the screw compressor station being optimized for a specific use, the possibility of reducing the compression ratio of this floor can be limited.
  • centrifugal type compressors are thus preferably installed either after the final deoiling of the lubricated screw compressor station or before the first lubricated screw compression stage in order to prevent any migration of the oil to the centrifugal compression system. .
  • a compressor EC3 centrifugal type can be installed in parallel or in addition to a screw-type compression stage. This reduces the power consumption of the unit. Indeed, the overall efficiency of the compression is much better with centrifugal type compression.
  • the installation represented at figure 3 comprises two separate refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 for supplying frigories to two different consumer applications.
  • both refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 operate at different temperatures, pressures and flow rates.
  • Both refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 use a working gas of the same kind, for example pure helium.
  • Each refrigerator / liquefier 1, 11 comprising its own station 2, 12 for compressing the working gas and its own cold box 3, 4.
  • the compressor station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 comprises, for example, two compression stages using compression machines of the lubricated screw type EC1, EC2.
  • a de-oiling system 8 is provided at the outlet of the second compression stage EC2.
  • the compressor station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 comprises at least one compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type.
  • the compression station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 is fluidically connected in series, via a bypass loop, to the compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • a first pipe 5 fluidly connects the outlet of the de-oiling member 8 to an inlet of a compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • a second pipe 6 connects the output of said centrifugal compression type compression machine EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 to the inlet of the cold box 3 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1.
  • a system of controlled valves 7 arranged on the lines 5, 6 selectively regulates the flow of working gas to said centrifugal compression type compression machine EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11. In this way, the use of the EC3 compression machine is checked. centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 in the working cycle of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1.
  • This architecture makes it possible to reduce the number of compressors required, particularly with respect to the architecture of the Figures 1 and 2 because no compressor is added, only the size of a pre-existing compressor is possibly increased.
  • the screw compressor station 2 (of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1) can thus be optimized for a compression ratio lower than that which would be required without the use of the booster provided by the compressor EC3 of the refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • the first compression stage requires a compression ratio of four or five (EC1, compression from LP low pressure to medium pressure MP) and the second compression stage requires a compression ratio of three and a half to four on (EC2 compression of the medium pressure MP to the high pressure HP).
  • EC1 compression from LP low pressure to medium pressure MP
  • EC2 compression of the medium pressure MP to the high pressure HP
  • the centrifugal compressor EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 then provides the additional compression with the compression ratio set by the application.
  • the embodiment of the figure 4 is different from that of the figure 3 only in that an additional compression machine EC4 buffer is arranged in series between the compression station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 and the compression station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • an additional compression machine EC4 buffer is arranged in series between the compression station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 and the compression station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • the elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals and are not described a second time.
  • the EC4 buffer compression machine is preferably of the centrifugal compression type.
  • the inlet of the EC4 buffer compression machine is connected to the first pipe 5.
  • the output of the EC4 buffer compression machine is connected to the second pipe 6.
  • This configuration makes it possible to produce a centrifugal compression station (second refrigerator / liquefier 11) in series with the screw-type compression station of the first liquefier / refrigerator 1.
  • This configuration makes it possible to provide compressor sizes and compression ratios that are compatible with refrigerator / liquefier to another.
  • the two centrifugal type compressors EC3, EC4 are independent. If the EC3 refrigerator of the second refrigerator / liquefier has to reduce its load, the compression ratio of the screw compressor stations EC1, EC2 and the centrifugal compressor EC4 can be adjusted. The compression station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 remains independent of the operation of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1.
  • the centrifugal compressor EC4 buffer may subsist to that of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11, for example the time of repair.
  • the invention thus advantageously combines two types of compression on the same cycle: lubricated screw compression and centrifugal compression.
  • the invention allows an improvement in the overall performance of the compression station 2 with a reasonable investment.
  • screw compressor station 2 and centrifuge 12 on the same site provided for different applications allows to add one or more stages of centrifugal compression to a refrigerator / liquefier 1 using screw type compressors.
  • the invention makes it possible to replace a screw compression stage of a first refrigerator / liquefier 1 with one or more centrifugal compression stages of a second refrigerator / liquefier 11.
  • the centrifugal compression station thus used allows a discharge pressure control simpler and faster than the screw technology and allows the refrigerator / liquefier to respond more quickly to pulsed loads of the application that requires frigories.
  • the invention can be applied in particular to any refrigeration / liquefaction unit of high liquefaction or refrigeration capacity using helium or a rare gas.

Abstract

The method involves compressing working gas in a compression station (2) according to compression stages that utilize lubricated screw compressors (EC1, EC2) and centrifugal compressor (EC3). The compressed gas is cooled in a cold box (3) until a determined cold temperature. The centrifugal compressor belonging to another compression station (12) of refrigerator or liquefier (11) distinct from another refrigerator or liquefier (1) is selectively used, where the former refrigerator or liquefier utilizes working fluid having same nature as that of the latter refrigerator or liquefier. An independent claim is also included for an installation comprising distinct refrigerators or liquefiers to provide frigories to distinct consumer applications.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé et une installation de refroidissement/liquéfaction à basse température.The present invention relates to a method and a low temperature cooling / liquefaction plant.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un procédé et une installation de refroidissement/liquéfaction à très basse température (par exemple jusqu'à 4,5K).The invention relates more particularly to a method and a cooling / liquefaction plant at very low temperature (for example up to 4.5K).

L'invention concerne notamment un procédé de réfrigération à basse température dans lequel un gaz de faible masse molaire (par exemple l'hydrogène ou l'hélium) est utilisé comme fluide réfrigérant pour atteindre des températures de réfrigération très basses (par exemple 4,5 K pour l'hélium). L'obtention d'une réfrigération à des températures de 30 K et plus basses nécessite généralement l'utilisation d'un réfrigérant tel que l'hélium. L'hélium est comprimé à une extrémité chaude d'une boucle ou circuit, puis refroidi et détendu dans la partie froide de la boucle. La majeure partie du réfrigérant est réchauffée par échange et recyclée dans l'étage de compression. Dans certaines applications, une fraction du gaz de travail peut être liquéfiée.The invention relates in particular to a low temperature refrigeration process in which a low molecular weight gas (for example hydrogen or helium) is used as a coolant to reach very low refrigeration temperatures (for example 4.5 K for helium). Obtaining refrigeration at temperatures of 30 K and lower generally requires the use of a refrigerant such as helium. Helium is compressed at a hot end of a loop or circuit, then cooled and expanded in the cold part of the loop. Most of the refrigerant is heat exchanged and recycled to the compression stage. In some applications, a fraction of the working gas can be liquefied.

L'invention concerne en particulier un procédé de refroidissement/liquéfaction à basse température d'un gaz de travail à faible masse molaire, c'est-à-dire ayant une masse molaire globale moyenne inférieure à 10g/mol tel que l'hélium gazeux pur, le procédé utilisant un premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant une station de compression du gaz de travail et une boîte froide destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station de compression, le procédé comportant :

  • une étape de compression durant laquelle le gaz de travail est comprimé dans la station de compression selon plusieurs étages de compression) utilisant chacun une ou plusieurs machines de compression,
  • une étape de refroidissement du gaz de travail comprimé lors de l'étape de compression dans la boîte froide jusqu'à une température froide déterminée,
    l'étape de compression utilisant à la fois des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées et de machines de compression de type centrifuge.
In particular, the invention relates to a low-temperature cooling / liquefying process of a low molecular weight working gas, that is having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as helium gas. pure, the method using a first refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas and a cold box for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compressor station, the method comprising:
  • a compression step during which the working gas is compressed in the compression station in several compression stages) each using one or more compression machines,
  • a step of cooling the compressed working gas during the compression step in the cold box to a predetermined cold temperature,
    the compression step using both lubricated screw type compression machines and centrifugal type compression machines.

La compression des cycles de liquéfaction/réfrigération utilisant l'hélium comme gaz de travail est généralement réalisée via un ou plusieurs étages de compresseur de type à vis lubrifiées. Le gaz comprimé est ensuite traité dans un système de déshuilage.Compression of liquefaction / refrigeration cycles using helium as the working gas is generally performed via one or more lubricated screw type compressor stages. The compressed gas is then treated in a deoiling system.

Après sa compression et son déshuilage le gaz de faible masse molaire est refroidi et détendu dans des turbines de détente cryogéniques pour atteindre le niveau de température requis. Les frigories non utilisées par l'utilisateur du réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur sont ensuite transmises au fluide de travail à haute pression pour le refroidir dans les échangeurs de chaleur. Le gaz de travail à basse et moyenne pression du circuit retourne à l'aspiration des compresseurs.After compression and de-oiling the low molecular weight gas is cooled and expanded in cryogenic expansion turbines to reach the required temperature level. Frigories not used by the user of the refrigerator / liquefier are then transmitted to the working fluid at a high temperature. pressure to cool it in the heat exchangers. The working gas at low and medium pressure of the circuit returns to the suction of the compressors.

La demande FR2919716A1 décrit l'utilisation de compresseurs de types centrifuges pour remplacer tout ou partie des compresseurs du type à vis lubrifiées dans ces stations de compressions.Requirement FR2919716A1 describes the use of centrifugal type compressors to replace all or part of the screw type compressors lubricated in these compressor stations.

Le taux de compression des compresseurs de type centrifuge est cependant limité. Par exemple, il est difficile de dépasser une pression 17 bar avec uniquement deux compresseurs multi-étagés.The compression ratio of the centrifugal type compressors is however limited. For example, it is difficult to exceed a pressure of 17 bar with only two multi-stage compressors.

De plus, le coût d'un compresseur multi-étagé est relativement important ce qui limite son utilisation aux très grands systèmes de liquéfaction/réfrigération. Certains liquéfacteurs/réfrigérateurs de grande taille existants ont cependant des pressions de fonctionnement autour de 20 à 21 bar. La régulation en débit et en pression d'un compresseur de type centrifuge est par ailleurs limitée en amplitude. Ceci peut être pénalisant en ce qui concerne la consommation d'énergie lors des fonctionnements à marche réduite.In addition, the cost of a multi-stage compressor is relatively high which limits its use to very large liquefaction / refrigeration systems. Some existing large liquifiers / refrigerators, however, have operating pressures around 20 to 21 bar. The flow rate and pressure control of a centrifugal type compressor is also limited in amplitude. This can be a disadvantage with regard to energy consumption during reduced walking operations.

Un but de la présente invention est de pallier tout ou partie des inconvénients de l'art antérieur relevés ci-dessus.An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

A cette fin, le procédé selon l'invention, par ailleurs conforme à la définition générique qu'en donne le préambule ci-dessus, est essentiellement caractérisé en ce que l'étape de compression utilise sélectivement au moins une machine de compression appartenant à une station de compression d'un second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur distinct dudit premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur, le second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur utilisant un fluide de travail de même nature que celui du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur.For this purpose, the method according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the compression step selectively uses at least one compression machine belonging to a compressor station of a second refrigerator / liquefier separate from said first refrigerator / liquefier, the second refrigerator / liquefier using a working fluid of the same kind as that of the first refrigerator / liquefier.

Par ailleurs, des modes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprend des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées, la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant au moins une machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge,
  • la sortie de la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur est reliée fluidiquement sélectivement avec l'entrée et avec la sortie d'un étage de compression de la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur via un système de conduites et de vannes,
  • l'étape de compression utilise sélectivement au moins une machine de compression tampon disposé en série entre la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur et la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
  • the compressor station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprises lubricated screw-type compression machines, the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier comprising at least one centrifugal compression type compression machine,
  • the outlet of the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier is selectively fluidically connected with the inlet and with the outlet of a compression stage of the compression station of the second refrigerator / liquefier via a system of pipes and valves,
  • the compression step selectively uses at least one buffer compression machine arranged in series between the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier and the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier,

L'invention concerne également une installation comprenant deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs distincts destinés à fournir des frigories à deux applications consommatrices distinctes, les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs utilisant un gaz de travail de même nature ayant une faible masse molaire, c'est-à-dire ayant une masse molaire globale moyenne inférieure à 10g/mol tel que l'hélium gazeux pur, chaque réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant sa propre station de compression du gaz de travail et sa propre boîte froide destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station de compression, la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées, la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant au moins une machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge, la sortie de la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur étant reliée fluidiquement, via une boucle de dérivation, à un étage de compression de la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprenant au moins une machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge, de sorte que la machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur est disposée en série avec les machines de compression de la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur, pour suppléer sélectivement la compression réalisée par la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur avant l'entrée du gaz de travail dans la boîte froide du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur.The invention also relates to an installation comprising two separate refrigerators / liquefiers for supplying frigories to two different consumer applications, the two refrigerators / liquefiers using a working gas of the same nature having a low molecular weight, that is to say having an average overall molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising its own working gas compression station and its own cold box for cooling the working gas leaving the station compressor, the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprising lubricated screw-type compression machines, the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier comprising at least one centrifugal compression type compression machine, the output of the station of compression of the first refrigerator / liquefier being connected fl uidically, via a bypass loop, to a compression stage of the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier comprising at least one centrifugal compression type compression machine, so that the centrifugal compression type compression machine of the second refrigerator / liquefier is arranged in series with the compression machines of the compressor station of the first refrigerator / liquefier, to selectively supplement the compression performed by the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier before the input of the working gas into the box cold of the first refrigerator / liquefier.

Par ailleurs, des modes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • une première conduite relie fluidiquement la sortie de la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur à une entrée d'une machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur, une seconde conduite reliant la sortie de ladite machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur à l'entrée de la boîte froide du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur, l'installation comprenant un système de vannes commandés pour utiliser sélectivement ladite machine de compression du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur dans le cycle de travail du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
  • l'installation comprend une machine de compression tampon disposée en série entre la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur et la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
  • l'entrée de la machine de compression tampon est raccordée à la première conduite, la sortie de la machine de compression tampon étant raccordée à la seconde conduite,
  • la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprend un premier étage de compression du gaz de travail ayant un taux de compression compris entre quatre et cinq et un second étage de compression ayant un taux de compression compris entre trois et quatre,
  • les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs sont dimensionnés pour fonctionner à des températures de réfrigération/liquéfaction différentes,
  • la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprend uniquement des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées,
  • la station de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur comprend un appareil de déshuilage du gaz de travail, ledit appareil de déshuilage étant situé dans le cycle, en aval des machines de compression de type à vis lubrifiées du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur et en amont de la machine de compression de la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
  • chaque réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur soumet son gaz de travail à cycle comprenant une étape de refroidissement à basse température d'au moins un organe utilisateur respectif par échange thermique entre le gaz de travail refroidi, le gaz de travail ayant échangé thermiquement avec son organe utilisateur étant ensuite renvoyé au moins en partie vers la station de compression correspondante,
  • la machine de compression tampon comprend une ou des machines de compression du type à compression centrifuge.
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
  • a first pipe fluidly connects the outlet of the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier to an inlet of a centrifugal compression type compression machine of the second refrigerator / liquefier, a second pipe connecting the outlet of said compression machine of the type centrifugally compressing the second refrigerator / liquefier at the cold box inlet of the first refrigerator / liquefier, the installation comprising a valve system controlled to selectively utilize said centrifugal compression type compression machine of the second refrigerator / liquefier in the working cycle of the first refrigerator / liquefier,
  • the installation comprises a buffer compression machine arranged in series between the compressor station of the first refrigerator / liquefier and the compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier,
  • the inlet of the buffer compression machine is connected to the first pipe, the output of the buffer compression machine being connected to the second pipe,
  • the compressor station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprises a first stage of compression of the working gas having a compression ratio of between four and five and a second compression stage having a compression ratio of between three and four,
  • both refrigerators / liquefiers are sized to operate at different refrigeration / liquefaction temperatures,
  • the compression station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprises only lubricated screw type compression machines,
  • the compressor station of the first refrigerator / liquefier comprises a de-oiling apparatus of the working gas, said de-oiling apparatus being located in the cycle, downstream of the lubricated screw-type compression machines of the first refrigerator / liquefier and upstream of the compressor compressor station of the second refrigerator / liquefier compressor,
  • each refrigerator / liquefier submits its cycle working gas comprising a low temperature cooling step of at least one respective user member by heat exchange between the cooled working gas, the working gas having thermally exchanged with its user member being then returned at least in part to the corresponding compression station,
  • the buffer compression machine comprises one or more compression machines of the centrifugal compression type.

L'invention peut concerner également tout dispositif ou procédé alternatif comprenant toute combinaison des caractéristiques ci-dessus ou ci-dessous.The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.

D'autres particularités et avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description ci-après, faite en référence aux figures dans lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un premier exemple de réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
  • la figure 2 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un second exemple de réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur,
  • la figure 3 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un premier exemple d'installation de réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs selon l'invention,
  • la figure 4 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un seconde exemple d'installation de réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs selon l'invention.
Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the following description, made with reference to the figures in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a first example of a refrigerator / liquefier,
  • the figure 2 is a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a second example of a refrigerator / liquefier,
  • the figure 3 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a first example of installation of refrigerators / liquefiers according to the invention,
  • the figure 4 is a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a second example of installation of refrigerators / liquefiers according to the invention.

Les figures 1 et 2 illustrent des exemples possibles de réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs de mise en oeuvre de la solution décrite dans la demande FR2919716A1 . Ces réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs 1 combinent, au sein de leur station de compression 2, des compresseurs de type à vis lubrifiées EC1, EC2 et des compresseurs de type à compression centrifuge EC3. Ces deux types de compresseurs pouvant fonctionner de manière indépendante ou combinée. Le fluide en aspiration du compresseur de type à compression centrifuge est toujours exempt d'huile.The Figures 1 and 2 illustrate possible examples of refrigerators / liquefiers for implementing the solution described in the application FR2919716A1 . These refrigerators / liquefiers 1 combine, within their compression station 2, screw type screw compressors EC1, EC2 and compressors type centrifugal compression EC3. These two types of compressors can operate independently or combined. The suction fluid of the centrifugal compression type compressor is always oil-free.

Dans l'exemple de la figure 1, la station 2 de compression comprend deux étages de compression (le gaz est comprimé dans le premier étage de la pression basse LP à une pression moyenne MP puis le gaz est comprimé dans le second étage de compression de la pression moyenne MP à la pression haute HP). Le premier étage comprend deux compresseurs montés en parallèle (un compresseur de type centrifuge EC3 et un compresseur de type à vis EC1). Le compresseur centrifuge EC3 est de préférence multi-étagé pour permettre un taux de compression similaire aux niveaux de pression existants (en général de 1,05 bar jusqu'à 4 à 5 bar). Cette solution permet de réduire la puissance électrique consommée de la partie basses pression du cycle de compressionIn the example of the figure 1 , the compression station 2 comprises two compression stages (the gas is compressed in the first stage of the low pressure LP at an average pressure MP and then the gas is compressed in the second stage of compression from the mean pressure MP to the high pressure HP). The first stage comprises two compressors connected in parallel (a centrifugal type compressor EC3 and a screw type compressor EC1). The centrifugal compressor EC3 is preferably multi-stageed to allow a compression ratio similar to the existing pressure levels (generally from 1.05 bar to 4 to 5 bar). This solution makes it possible to reduce the electrical power consumed from the low pressure portion of the compression cycle

Le deuxième étage de compression comprend un compresseur EC2 de type à vis lubrifiées. En sortie du second étage de compression un organe 8 de déshuilage purifie le gaz avant son entrée dans la boîte froide 3.The second compression stage comprises a lubricated screw type EC2 compressor. At the outlet of the second compression stage, a deoiling member 8 purifies the gas before it enters the cold box 3.

Dans l'exemple de la figure 2, la station 2 de compression comprend deux étages de compression de type à vis lubrifiées EC1, EC2 en série avec un compresseur EC3 du type centrifuge. Un organe 8 de déshuilage est disposé entre d'une part les deux étages de compression à vis lubrifiées EC1, EC2 et, d'autre part, le compresseur du type centrifuge EC3.In the example of the figure 2 the compression station 2 comprises two lubricated screw type compression stages EC1, EC2 in series with a compressor EC3 of the centrifugal type. A de-oiling member 8 is disposed between on the one hand the two lubricated screw compression stages EC1, EC2 and, on the other hand, the centrifugal type compressor EC3.

Le compresseur EC3 centrifuge est par exemple à simple étage ou multi-étagé en fonction du taux de compression requis. Si l'on souhaite augmenter la capacité du liquéfacteur/réfrigérateur, le taux de compression de l'étage supplémentaire centrifuge EC3 peut être faible et un seul étage de compression peut être suffisant. Si l'on souhaite en revanche réduire la consommation électrique, le taux de compression sera choisit en fonction du prix d'investissement et gain énergétique sur l'ensemble combinant les deux types de compression (vis+ centrifuge). En effet, à puissance de réfrigérateur égale, l'ajout d'un étage de compression centrifuge nécessite une réduction du taux de compression de l'étage de compression à vis. Les composants existants de la station de compression à vis étant optimisés pour une utilisation déterminée, la possibilité de réduction du taux de compression de cet étage peut donc être limitée.The centrifugal EC3 compressor is for example single-stage or multi-stage depending on the compression ratio required. If it is desired to increase the capacity of the liquefier / refrigerator, the compression ratio of the additional centrifugal stage EC3 may be low and a single compression stage may be sufficient. If, on the other hand, it is desired to reduce the electrical consumption, the compression ratio will be chosen according to the investment price and energy gain on the whole combination of the two types of compression (screw + centrifugal). Indeed, at equal refrigerator power, the addition of a centrifugal compression stage requires a reduction in the compression ratio of the screw compression stage. The existing components of the screw compressor station being optimized for a specific use, the possibility of reducing the compression ratio of this floor can be limited.

Il est également possible d'ajouter un compresseur de type centrifuge en parallèle avec de la partie haute pression de la station de compression existante. Ceci nécessite cependant un compresseur centrifuge multi-étagé avec un taux de compression élevé et l'ajout d'un système de déshuilage sur la sortie des compresseur de type à vis de la partie basse pression. Cette dernière possibilité semble cependant plus coûteuse en terme investissement que les précédentes solutions.It is also possible to add a centrifugal type compressor in parallel with the high pressure part of the existing compression station. This however requires a multi-stage centrifugal compressor with a high compression ratio and the addition of a de-oiling system on the output of the screw-type compressor of the low pressure part. This last possibility seems however more expensive in term investment than the previous solutions.

Les compresseurs de type centrifuge sont ainsi installés de préférence soit après le déshuilage final de la station de compression à vis lubrifiées, soit avant le premier étage de compression à vis lubrifiées afin d'éviter toute migration de l'huile vers le système de compression centrifuge.The centrifugal type compressors are thus preferably installed either after the final deoiling of the lubricated screw compressor station or before the first lubricated screw compression stage in order to prevent any migration of the oil to the centrifugal compression system. .

Comme visible aux figures 1 et 2, un compresseur EC3 de type centrifuge peut donc être installé en parallèle ou en supplément d'un étage de compression de type à vis. Ceci permet de réduire la consommation électrique de l'unité. En effet, le rendement global de la compression est bien meilleur avec la compression de type centrifuge.As visible to Figures 1 and 2 , a compressor EC3 centrifugal type can be installed in parallel or in addition to a screw-type compression stage. This reduces the power consumption of the unit. Indeed, the overall efficiency of the compression is much better with centrifugal type compression.

L'installation représentée à la figure 3 comprend deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs 1, 11 distincts destinés à fournir des frigories à deux applications consommatrices distinctes. Par exemple, les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs 1, 11 fonctionnent à des températures, pressions et débits différents. Les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs 1, 11 utilisent un gaz de travail de même nature, par exemple de l'hélium pur.The installation represented at figure 3 comprises two separate refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 for supplying frigories to two different consumer applications. For example, both refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 operate at different temperatures, pressures and flow rates. Both refrigerators / liquefiers 1, 11 use a working gas of the same kind, for example pure helium.

Chaque réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1, 11 comprenant sa propre station 2, 12 de compression du gaz de travail et sa propre boîte froide 3, 4.Each refrigerator / liquefier 1, 11 comprising its own station 2, 12 for compressing the working gas and its own cold box 3, 4.

La station 2 de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1 comprend par exemple deux étages de compression utilisant des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées EC1, EC2. Un système de déshuilage 8 est prévu à la sortie du second étage de compression EC2.The compressor station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 comprises, for example, two compression stages using compression machines of the lubricated screw type EC1, EC2. A de-oiling system 8 is provided at the outlet of the second compression stage EC2.

La station de compression 12 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 comprend quant à elle au moins une machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge.The compressor station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 comprises at least one compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type.

Selon une particularité avantageuse, la station de compression 2 du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1 est reliée fluidiquement en série, via une boucle de dérivation, à la machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11.According to an advantageous feature, the compression station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 is fluidically connected in series, via a bypass loop, to the compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.

Par exemple, une première conduite 5 relie fluidiquement la sortie de l'organe 8 de déshuilage à une entrée d'une machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11.For example, a first pipe 5 fluidly connects the outlet of the de-oiling member 8 to an inlet of a compression machine EC3 of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11.

Une seconde conduite 6 relie quant à elle la sortie de ladite machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 à l'entrée de la boîte froide 3 du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1. Un système de vannes 7 commandées disposées sur les conduites 5, 6 permet de réguler sélectivement le flux de gaz de travail vers ladite machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11. De cette façon, on contrôle l'utilisation de la machine de compression EC3 du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 dans le cycle de travail du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1.A second pipe 6 connects the output of said centrifugal compression type compression machine EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 to the inlet of the cold box 3 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1. A system of controlled valves 7 arranged on the lines 5, 6 selectively regulates the flow of working gas to said centrifugal compression type compression machine EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11. In this way, the use of the EC3 compression machine is checked. centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 in the working cycle of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1.

Cette architecture permet de réduire le nombre de compresseurs nécessaires, notamment par rapport à l'architecture des figures 1 et 2 car aucun compresseur n'est ajouté, seule la taille d'un compresseur préexistant est éventuellement augmentée.This architecture makes it possible to reduce the number of compressors required, particularly with respect to the architecture of the Figures 1 and 2 because no compressor is added, only the size of a pre-existing compressor is possibly increased.

La station 2 de compression à vis (du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1) peut ainsi être optimisée pour un taux de compression plus faible que celui qui serait requis sans l'utilisation de l'appoint fourni par le compresseur EC3 du réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11.The screw compressor station 2 (of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1) can thus be optimized for a compression ratio lower than that which would be required without the use of the booster provided by the compressor EC3 of the refrigerator / liquefier 11.

Habituellement le premier étage de compression nécessite un ratio de compression de quatre ou cinq (EC1, compression de la basse pression LP à la moyenne pression MP) et le second étage de compression nécessite un ratio de compression de trois et demi à quatre sur (EC2, compression de la moyenne pression MP à la haute pression HP).Usually the first compression stage requires a compression ratio of four or five (EC1, compression from LP low pressure to medium pressure MP) and the second compression stage requires a compression ratio of three and a half to four on (EC2 compression of the medium pressure MP to the high pressure HP).

Le compresseur centrifuge EC3 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 assure alors le complément de compression avec le taux de compression fixé par l'application.The centrifugal compressor EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 then provides the additional compression with the compression ratio set by the application.

Cette solution bien qu'avantageuse présente un inconvénient lorsque le point de fonctionnement ne nécessite pas l'appoint du compresseur centrifuge EC3 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 (en cas de réduction du débit de gaz de travail par exemple).This solution although advantageous has a disadvantage when the operating point does not require the addition of the centrifugal compressor EC3 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 (in case of reduction of the flow of working gas for example).

Le mode de réalisation de la figure 4 se distingue de celui de la figure 3 uniquement en ce qu'une machine de compression EC4 tampon supplémentaire est disposée en série entre la station de compression 2 du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1 et la station de compression 12 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11. Par soucis de concision, les éléments identiques à ceux décrits ci-dessus sont désignés par les mêmes références numériques et ne sont pas décrits une seconde fois.The embodiment of the figure 4 is different from that of the figure 3 only in that an additional compression machine EC4 buffer is arranged in series between the compression station 2 of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1 and the compression station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11. For the sake of brevity, the elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals and are not described a second time.

La machine de compression EC4 tampon est de préférence du type à compression centrifuge. L'entrée de la machine de compression EC4 tampon est raccordée à la première conduite 5. La sortie de la machine de compression EC4 tampon est raccordée à la seconde conduite 6.The EC4 buffer compression machine is preferably of the centrifugal compression type. The inlet of the EC4 buffer compression machine is connected to the first pipe 5. The output of the EC4 buffer compression machine is connected to the second pipe 6.

Cette configuration permet de réaliser une station de compression centrifuge (second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11) en série avec la station de compression de type à vis du premier liquéfacteur/réfrigérateur 1. Cette configuration permet de prévoir des tailles compresseurs et des taux de compression compatibles d'un réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur à l'autre.This configuration makes it possible to produce a centrifugal compression station (second refrigerator / liquefier 11) in series with the screw-type compression station of the first liquefier / refrigerator 1. This configuration makes it possible to provide compressor sizes and compression ratios that are compatible with refrigerator / liquefier to another.

Dans cette solution, les deux compresseurs de type centriguge EC3, EC4 sont indépendants. Si le réfrigérateur EC3 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur doit réduire sa charge, le taux de compression des stations de compression de type vis EC1, EC2 et du compresseur tampon EC4 centrifuge peuvent être ajustés. La station de compression 12 du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11 reste indépendante du fonctionnement du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1.In this solution, the two centrifugal type compressors EC3, EC4 are independent. If the EC3 refrigerator of the second refrigerator / liquefier has to reduce its load, the compression ratio of the screw compressor stations EC1, EC2 and the centrifugal compressor EC4 can be adjusted. The compression station 12 of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11 remains independent of the operation of the first refrigerator / liquefier 1.

En revanche, si un problème survient sur la station de compression du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11, le compresseur centrifuge tampon EC4 peut se subsister à celui du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11, par exemple le temps de la réparation.On the other hand, if a problem occurs on the compression station of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11, the centrifugal compressor EC4 buffer may subsist to that of the second refrigerator / liquefier 11, for example the time of repair.

L'invention permet ainsi de combiner avantageusement deux types de compression sur un même cycle : une compression à vis lubrifié et une compression centrifuge.The invention thus advantageously combines two types of compression on the same cycle: lubricated screw compression and centrifugal compression.

L'invention permet une amélioration du rendement globale de la station 2 de compression avec un investissement raisonnable.The invention allows an improvement in the overall performance of the compression station 2 with a reasonable investment.

La combinaison de station de compression à vis 2 et centrifuge 12 sur un même site prévues pour des applications différentes permet d'ajouter un ou plusieurs étages de compression centrifuge à un réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1 utilisant des compresseurs du type à vis.The combination of screw compressor station 2 and centrifuge 12 on the same site provided for different applications allows to add one or more stages of centrifugal compression to a refrigerator / liquefier 1 using screw type compressors.

De même, l'invention permet de remplacer un étage de compression à vis d'un premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 1 par un ou plusieurs étages de compression centrifuge d'un second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur 11.Similarly, the invention makes it possible to replace a screw compression stage of a first refrigerator / liquefier 1 with one or more centrifugal compression stages of a second refrigerator / liquefier 11.

La station de compression centrifuge ainsi utilisée permet une régulation de pression de refoulement plus simple et plus rapide que la technologie à vis et permet au réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur de répondre plus rapidement à des charges pulsées de l'application qui nécessite les frigories.The centrifugal compression station thus used allows a discharge pressure control simpler and faster than the screw technology and allows the refrigerator / liquefier to respond more quickly to pulsed loads of the application that requires frigories.

L'invention peut s'appliquer notamment à toute unité de réfrigération/liquéfaction de grande capacité de liquéfaction ou de réfrigération utilisant de l'hélium ou un gaz rare.The invention can be applied in particular to any refrigeration / liquefaction unit of high liquefaction or refrigeration capacity using helium or a rare gas.

Claims (10)

Procédé de refroidissement/liquéfaction à basse température d'un gaz de travail à faible masse molaire, c'est-à-dire ayant une masse molaire globale moyenne inférieure à 10g/mol tel que l'hélium gazeux pur, le procédé utilisant un premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) comprenant une station (2) de compression du gaz de travail et une boîte froide (3) destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station (2) de compression, le procédé comportant : - une étape de compression durant laquelle le gaz de travail est comprimé dans la station (2) de compression selon plusieurs étages de compression (EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4) utilisant chacun une ou plusieurs machines de compression, - une étape de refroidissement du gaz de travail comprimé lors de l'étape de compression dans la boîte froide (3) jusqu'à une température froide déterminée,
l'étape de compression utilisant à la fois des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées (EC1, EC2) et de machines de compression de type centrifuge (EC3, EC4), le procédé étant caractérisé en ce que l'étape de compression utilise sélectivement au moins une machine de compression (EC3) appartenant à une station de compression (12) d'un second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) distinct dudit premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1), le second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) utilisant un fluide de travail de même nature que celui du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1). Process for the low temperature cooling / liquefaction of a low molecular weight working gas, that is to say having an average overall molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, the process using a first refrigerator / liquefier (1) comprising a station (2) for compressing the working gas and a cold box (3) for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compressor station (2), the method comprising: a compression step during which the working gas is compressed in the compression station (2) in a plurality of compression stages (EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4) each using one or more compression machines, a step of cooling the compressed working gas during the compression step in the cold box (3) to a predetermined cold temperature,
the compression step using both lubricated screw type compression machines (EC1, EC2) and centrifugal type compression machines (EC3, EC4), the method being characterized in that the compression step uses selectively at least one compression machine (EC3) belonging to a compression station (12) of a second refrigerator / liquefier (11) separate from said first refrigerator / liquefier (1), the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) using a fluid similar to that of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1). Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) comprend des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées (EC1, EC2), la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) comprenant au moins une machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge.Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) comprises lubricated screw type compression machines (EC1, EC2), the compression station (12) of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) comprising at least one compression machine (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la sortie de la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) est reliée fluidiquement sélectivement avec l'entrée et avec la sortie d'un étage de compression (EC3) de la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) via un système de conduites (5, 6) et de vannes (7).Process according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet of the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) is selectively fluidically connected to the inlet and the outlet of a compression stage (EC3 ) the compression station (12) of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) via a system of pipes (5, 6) and valves (7). Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de compression utilise sélectivement au moins une machine de compression (EC4) tampon disposé en série entre la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) et la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11).Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the compression step selectively uses at least one compression machine Buffer (EC4) arranged in series between the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) and the compressor station (12) of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11). Installation comprenant deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (1, 11) distincts destinés à fournir des frigories à deux applications consommatrices distinctes, les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (1, 11) utilisant un gaz de travail de même nature ayant une faible masse molaire, c'est-à-dire ayant une masse molaire globale moyenne inférieure à 10g/mol tel que l'hélium gazeux pur, chaque réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1, 11) comprenant sa propre station (2, 12) de compression du gaz de travail et sa propre boîte froide (3, 4) destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station (2, 12) de compression, la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) comprenant des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées (EC1, EC2), la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) comprenant au moins une machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge, caractérisée en ce que la sortie de la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) est reliée fluidiquement, via une boucle de dérivation, à un étage de compression (EC3) de la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) comprenant au moins une machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge, de sorte que la machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) est disposée en série avec les machines de compression (EC1, EC2) de la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1), pour suppléer sélectivement la compression réalisée par la station (2, 12) de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) avant l'entrée du gaz de travail dans la boîte froide (3) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1).An installation comprising two separate refrigerators / liquefiers (1, 11) for supplying frigories to two different consumer applications, the two refrigerators / liquefiers (1, 11) using a working gas of the same nature having a low molecular weight, it is that is, having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier (1, 11) comprising its own station (2, 12) for compressing the working gas and its own cold box (3, 4) for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station (2, 12), the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) comprising compression machines of the type lubricated screw (EC1, EC2), the compressor station (12) of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) comprising at least one compression machine (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type, characterized in that the outlet of the station compression (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) is fluidically connected, via a bypass loop, to a compression stage (EC3) of the compressor station (12) of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) comprising at least one compression machine (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type, such that the compression compressor (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) is arranged in series with the compression machines (EC1, EC2) of the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1), for selectively supplementing the compression carried out by the compression station (2, 12) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) before the entry of the working gas into the cold box (3) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1). Installation selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce qu'une première conduite (5) relie fluidiquement la sortie de la station (2) de compression du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) à une entrée d'une machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11), une seconde conduite (6) reliant la sortie de ladite machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) à l'entrée de la boîte froide (3) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1), l'installation comprenant un système de vannes (7) commandés pour utiliser sélectivement ladite machine de compression (EC3) du type à compression centrifuge du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11) dans le cycle de travail du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1).Plant according to Claim 5, characterized in that a first pipe (5) fluidly connects the outlet of the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) to an inlet of a compression machine (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11), a second pipe (6) connecting the outlet of said compression compressor (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) to the inlet of the box cold (3) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1), the installation comprising a system of valves (7) controlled to selectively use said compression machine (EC3) of the centrifugal compression type of the second refrigerator / liquefier (11) in the working cycle of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1). Installation selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une machine de compression (EC4) tampon disposée en série entre la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) et la station de compression (12) du second réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (11).Plant according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a buffer compression machine (EC4) arranged in series between the compression station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) and the compression station (12) the second refrigerator / liquefier (11). Installation selon les revendications 6 et 7, caractérisée en ce que l'entrée de la machine de compression (EC4) tampon est raccordée à la première conduite (5), la sortie de la machine de compression (EC4) tampon étant raccordée à la seconde conduite (6).Installation according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the inlet of the compression machine (EC4) buffer is connected to the first pipe (5), the output of the compression machine (EC4) buffer being connected to the second driving (6). Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisée en ce que la station de compression (2) du premier réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (1) comprend un premier étage de compression du gaz de travail ayant un taux de compression compris entre quatre et cinq et un second étage de compression ayant un taux de compression compris entre trois et quatre.Plant according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the compressor station (2) of the first refrigerator / liquefier (1) comprises a first stage of compression of the working gas having a compression ratio of between four and four. five and a second compression stage having a compression ratio of between three and four. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisée en ce que les deux réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (1, 11) sont dimensionnés pour fonctionner à des températures de réfrigération/liquéfaction différentes.Plant according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the two refrigerators / liquefiers (1, 11) are sized to operate at different refrigeration / liquefaction temperatures.
EP11184054.2A 2010-10-22 2011-10-06 Method and device for low-temperature cooling/liquefaction Active EP2444759B1 (en)

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FR2966577B1 (en) 2012-10-26
FR2966577A1 (en) 2012-04-27
EP2444759B1 (en) 2017-04-19

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