EP2758724B1 - Refrigeration installation - Google Patents

Refrigeration installation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2758724B1
EP2758724B1 EP12756777.4A EP12756777A EP2758724B1 EP 2758724 B1 EP2758724 B1 EP 2758724B1 EP 12756777 A EP12756777 A EP 12756777A EP 2758724 B1 EP2758724 B1 EP 2758724B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compression
pressure
level
machines
fluid
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.)
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Application number
EP12756777.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2758724A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Bernhardt
Cindy Deschildre
Eric Fauve
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Publication of EP2758724A1 publication Critical patent/EP2758724A1/en
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    • 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
    • F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
    • F25B5/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity 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
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F25B43/02—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat for separating lubricants from 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
    • 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
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0065—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • 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
    • F25J1/0272—Multiple identical heat exchangers 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0201—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration
    • 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
    • F25J1/027—Inter-connecting multiple hot equipments upstream 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
    • F25J1/0269—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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/20—Integrated compressor and process expander; Gear box arrangement; Multiple compressors on a common shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/24—Multiple compressors or compressor stages 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
    • 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
    • F25J5/00—Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigeration plant.
  • the invention relates in particular to a low temperature refrigeration plant in which a low molecular weight gas (for example hydrogen or helium) is used as a refrigerant 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 (cold box). 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.
  • the compression of the liquefaction / refrigeration helium cycles generally uses one or more stages of compression machines (compressors) with lubricated screws followed by a deoiling system.
  • each refrigerator is connected to its own compressor station.
  • each compression level can be divided into several compressors in parallel.
  • Primary oil management and cooling systems can be common to multiple compressors or dedicated to each.
  • the low molecular weight gas After compression and de-oiling the low molecular weight gas is cooled and expanded in cryogenic expansion turbines of a cold box to reach the required temperature level. Frigories not used by the user of the refrigerator / liquefier are then passed to the high-pressure working fluid for cooling in the heat exchangers. The working gas at low and medium pressure of the circuit returns to the suction of the compressors.
  • Refrigeration cycles (which generate cold) are typically "closed” at each refrigerator.
  • An associated facility is known to US-B1-7278,280 . That is, the cycle rate of working fluid that enters the cold box is predominantly from the same cold box.
  • these cycle rates are "open” or combined at the level of the application to be cooled (the flow of working fluid supplied by the refrigerators is pooled for the application to be cooled and then returned to each refrigerator by a distribution system respective).
  • An object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration installation of an application by means of several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel which solves all or part of the above problems.
  • an object of the invention may be to provide a less expensive refrigeration installation and / or more compact and / or more efficient and / or more flexible use than known systems.
  • the refrigeration plant of the same application means comprises several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the refrigerators / liquefiers in parallel using a working gas of the same nature having a low molar mass, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas, a cold box for cooling the working gas leaving the station compression, the working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being heat-exchanged with the application for the purpose of transferring frigories to the latter, in which a single compressor station compresses the gas for each of the respective separate cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the a single compression station comprising only lubricated screw-type compression machines and de-oiling systems of the working fluid at the outlet of the compression machines, so that compression machines and de-oiling systems are pooled by the refrigerator /
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a refrigeration installation of the same application by means of a single refrigerator / liquefier or of several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the refrigerators / liquefiers using a working gas of same nature having a low molecular weight, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas, a box coolant for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compressor station, the working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being placed in heat exchange with the application in order to give away frigories to the latter, in which a single compression station compresses the working gas for each of the cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers, the compression station comprising only lubricated screw-type compression machines and de-oiling systems of the working fluid at the output of the compression machines, and in that the compression station comprises a pluralit
  • each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas , a respective cold box for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station, the working gas cooled by the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being placed in heat exchange with the application for the purpose of giving him cold, in which a single compressor station compresses the working gas for each cold box separate from the refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the single compressor station comprising only cooling machines; lubricated screw type compression and de-oiling systems of the working fluid output compression machines, so that compression machines and deo
  • the invention may also relate to any alternative device comprising any combination of the features above or below.
  • the refrigeration plant shown schematically in the figure 1 comprises several refrigerators / liquefiers (UR) arranged in parallel cooling the same physical entity (ie the same application 1).
  • UR refrigerators / liquefiers
  • the refrigerators / liquefiers (L / R) arranged in parallel use a working gas of the same nature having a low molar mass, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as helium gas pure for example.
  • Each refrigerator / liquefier uses a station 2 for compressing the working gas and a cold box 3 for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station 2.
  • the working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes 3 of the refrigerators / liquefiers (L, R) is heat exchanged, via a distribution circuit 11, with the application 1 in order to give away frigories to the latter.
  • a single compression station 2 compresses the working gas for each of the respective cold boxes 3 separate refrigerators / liquefiers L / R arranged in parallel.
  • the compression station 2 can be connected if necessary to a storage buffer 12 called "hot" working fluid.
  • the single compression station 2 comprises compression machines only lubricated screw type and deoiling systems of the working fluid output compression machines. In this way, compression machines (lubricated screw compressors) and deoiling systems are pooled by the refrigerators / liquefier arranged in parallel.
  • This configuration limits the number of machines and equipment needed to compress the working fluid.
  • the architecture also makes it possible, if necessary, to provide different fluid cycle pressures by function or by compression station.
  • the figure 2 illustrates a first possible embodiment of the invention.
  • the single common compression station 2 comprises a plurality of compression machines EC1, EC2, EC3 defining a plurality of pressure levels VLP, LP, MP, HP, HP1, HP2 for the working fluid.
  • VLP very low pressure
  • a first compression machine EC1 ensures a rise in pressure of the working fluid to a maximum so-called “low” LP pressure that is higher than the very low VLP pressure.
  • the fluid can be deoiled in a de-oiling member 4 and then cooled in a heat exchanger.
  • the output of the first compression machine EC1 is then connected to the input of a second compression machine EC2 which compresses the fluid from the LP base pressure to a high HP pressure.
  • the input of this second compression machine EC2 also receives fluid at this low pressure level LP coming from the cold boxes 3.
  • the fluid can be deoiled in an organ 4 of de-oiling and then cooled in a heat exchanger. Before returning to the cold boxes 3, the fluid can undergo a last more selective deoiling in a final de-oiling system 14.
  • a third compression machine EC3 is disposed in the compression station 2.
  • This third compression machine EC3 is fed at the inlet with fluid from the boxes 3 at a pressure level called "average" MP intermediate between the low LP and high HP levels.
  • This third compression machine EC3 also defines at its fluid outlet a pressure level "high” HP for the working fluid.
  • the fluid can be deoiled in a de-oiling member 4 and then cooled in a heat exchanger 5.
  • the high-pressure working fluid is injected upstream of the final de-oiling system 14 (a pipe is connected to the outlet of the second compression machine EC2.
  • This solution therefore combines several screw compression machines lubricated between LP low pressure and high pressure HP and also has a compression level between the intermediate pressure MP and the same HP high pressure.
  • This configuration has the advantage of reducing the size of the primary oil management systems 4 (de-oiling systems 4 before the final deoiling 14), in particular on the part of the cycle between the LP low pressure and the HP high pressure.
  • This architecture also simultaneously makes it possible to maintain flexibility on the variations of flow and pressure possible within this part of the circuit (in particular between the mean pressure MP and the high pressure HP).
  • this solution is less flexible as regards the possibility of varying the flow of working fluid in the low pressure LP because the combined compression machines are interdependent and the fluctuations are more difficult to control.
  • Each of the compression stages made by a compression machine can of course be replaced by two or more compressors arranged in parallel. Indeed, depending on the working fluid flow required, each level of compression can be divided into several compressors arranged in parallel. In this case, the primary oil management (deoiling) and cooling systems can be common to several compressors or be dedicated to each one.
  • the output of the first compression machine EC1 can also be connected to the input of the third compression machine EC3 at a level of pressure says "average" MP.
  • the rest of the architecture remains similar.
  • the variant of the figure 3 differs from that of the figure 1 only in that the installation comprises a fourth compression machine EC12 arranged in parallel with the second EC2 compression machine.
  • the fluid inlet of the fourth compression machine EC12 is connected both to the output of the first compression machine EC1 and to a fluid inlet at this low pressure. cold boxes 3.
  • the output of the fourth EC12 compression machine is connected to the input of the third compression machine EC3 (the input of the third compression machine EC3 also receives fluid at the average pressure MP cold boxes).
  • the second EC2 and fourth EC4 parallel compression machines can each have at their output, a dedicated de-oiling system 4 and a dedicated heat exchanger 5.
  • these deoiling systems 4 and heat exchanger 5 may be common and therefore shared.
  • each compression level can be divided into several machines (compressors) arranged in parallel.
  • this solution combines several compressors between LP low pressure and HP high pressure and further provides a level of compression between the intermediate pressure MP and the same HP high pressure.
  • the latest EC12 compression machines can be equipped with variable speed drives to react to fluid flow variations at low pressure. Fluid recirculation between LP low pressure and MP medium pressure is also possible to react to load variations.
  • the combined EC2 compressor (s) between LP low pressure and HP high pressure can operate at a constant rate and independently of load (application 1) and duty cycle fluctuations. Fluctuations in flow rates and pressures are absorbed by the compressor group EC1, EC3, EC12 between the very low input pressure VLP to the higher levels (LP-> MP-> HP).
  • the variant of the figure 4 differs from that of the figure 3 only in that the outputs of the third compression machine EC3 and the second compression machine EC2 are connected to at least one cold box 3 at distinct locations defining respective high and distinct pressure levels HP1, HP2 for the fluid.
  • the pipe comprising the fourth compression machine EC12 and its downstream members has been shown in dotted lines (to highlight its optional character).
  • each HP1, HP2 high pressure outlet of the third EC3 and second EC2 compression machines comprises, downstream of a respective heat exchanger 5, a final deoiling member 14 respective.
  • Two final deoiling systems 14 are indeed essential because of the pressure difference between the two lines.
  • This architecture also makes it possible to optimize the sizes and the efficiencies of the different types of compressors of the different stages of compression.
  • the circuit comprising a compression stage between the medium pressure MP and HP1 high pressure generally feeds the majority of the coolers of the cycle of cold boxes 3 which are the refrigeration source of the system. A variation of this cycle therefore allows a direct variation of the refrigeration power of the refrigerators / liquefiers L / R.
  • the high-pressure fluid circuit HP2 issuing from the second compression machine EC2 can be used preferentially for a supplying an application 1 and / or an expansion circuit of a Joule-Thompson type cooling at the cold end of the cycle.
  • the invention can be applied in particular to any refrigeration / liquefaction unit of high liquefaction or refrigeration capacity using helium or a rare gas.
  • the respective low pressure levels VLP, low LP, average MP and high HP compression stages as well as compression ratios and Corresponding flows of the working gas can be included in the intervals below.
  • compression station architectures of the illustrated examples can also advantageously be applied to an installation using a single liquefier / refrigerator (and not several in parallel).

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Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de réfrigération.The present invention relates to a refrigeration plant.

L'invention concerne notamment une installation 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 (boîte froide). 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 plant in which a low molecular weight gas (for example hydrogen or helium) is used as a refrigerant 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 (cold box). 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.

La compression des cycles de liquéfaction/réfrigération hélium utilise généralement un ou plusieurs étages de machines de compression (compresseurs) à vis lubrifiées suivi d'un system de déshuilage.The compression of the liquefaction / refrigeration helium cycles generally uses one or more stages of compression machines (compressors) with lubricated screws followed by a deoiling system.

S'il est nécessaire d'avoir plusieurs réfrigérateurs, chaque réfrigérateur est connecté à sa propre station de compression. En fonction des débits demandés, chaque niveau de compression peut être divisé en plusieurs compresseurs en parallèles. Les systèmes de gestion d'huile primaires et de refroidissement peuvent être communs à plusieurs compresseurs ou être dédié à chacun.If it is necessary to have several refrigerators, each refrigerator is connected to its own compressor station. Depending on the requested rates, each compression level can be divided into several compressors in parallel. Primary oil management and cooling systems can be common to multiple compressors or dedicated to each.

Après sa compression et son déshuilage le gaz de faible masse molaire est refroidi et détendu dans des turbines de détente cryogéniques d'une boîte froide 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 of a cold box to reach the required temperature level. Frigories not used by the user of the refrigerator / liquefier are then passed to the high-pressure working fluid for cooling in the heat exchangers. The working gas at low and medium pressure of the circuit returns to the suction of the compressors.

Pour des systèmes de réfrigération de grande taille, par exemple supérieur à 20kW équivalent à 4.5K il est nécessaire d'utiliser plusieurs réfrigérateurs distincts en parallèle connecté à la même application à refroidir. Les charges thermiques fluctuantes de l'application à refroidir induisent des fluctuations de débit sur les compresseurs de la station de compression. Les coûts de la station de compression (matériel, intégration et installation) sont relativement importants par rapport au coût global de l'installation.For large refrigeration systems, for example greater than 20kW equivalent to 4.5K it is necessary to use several separate refrigerators in parallel connected to the same application to be cooled. The fluctuating thermal loads of the application to be cooled induce flow fluctuations on compressors of the compressor station. The costs of the compressor station (hardware, integration and installation) are relatively high compared to the overall cost of the installation.

Les cycles de réfrigération (qui génèrent le froid) sont classiquement « fermés » au niveau de chaque réfrigérateur. Une installation associée est connue de US-B1-7278 280 . C'est-à-dire que le débit de cycle de fluide de travail qui entre dans la boite froide ressort en majorité de cette même boite froide. En revanche, ces débits de cycle sont « ouvert » ou combinés au niveau de l'application à refroidir (le débit de fluide de travail fourni par les réfrigérateurs est mutualisé pour l'application à refroidir puis retourne à chaque réfrigérateur par un système de distribution respectif).Refrigeration cycles (which generate cold) are typically "closed" at each refrigerator. An associated facility is known to US-B1-7278,280 . That is, the cycle rate of working fluid that enters the cold box is predominantly from the same cold box. On the other hand, these cycle rates are "open" or combined at the level of the application to be cooled (the flow of working fluid supplied by the refrigerators is pooled for the application to be cooled and then returned to each refrigerator by a distribution system respective).

Un but de l'invention est de proposer une installation de réfrigération d'une application au moyen de plusieurs réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle qui résout tout ou partie des problèmes ci-dessus. En particulier, un but de l'invention peut être de proposer une installation de réfrigération moins coûteux et/ou plus compacts et/ou plus efficaces et/ou plus souple d'utilisation que les systèmes connus.An object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration installation of an application by means of several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel which solves all or part of the above problems. In particular, an object of the invention may be to provide a less expensive refrigeration installation and / or more compact and / or more efficient and / or more flexible use than known systems.

A cette fin, l'installation de réfrigération d'une même application au moyen comprend plusieurs réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle, les réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs en parallèle 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 une station de compression du gaz de travail, une boîte froide destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station de compression, le gaz de travail refroidi par chacune des boîtes froides respectives des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs étant mis en échange thermique avec l'application en vue de céder des frigories à cette dernière, dans laquelle, une unique station de compression assure la compression du gaz de travail pour chacune des boîtes froides distinctes respectives des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle, l'unique station de compression comprenant uniquement des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées et des systèmes de déshuilage du fluide de travail en sortie des machines de compression, de sorte que les machines de compression et les systèmes de déshuilage sont mutualisés par les réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur disposés en parallèle.For this purpose, the refrigeration plant of the same application means comprises several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the refrigerators / liquefiers in parallel using a working gas of the same nature having a low molar mass, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas, a cold box for cooling the working gas leaving the station compression, the working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being heat-exchanged with the application for the purpose of transferring frigories to the latter, in which a single compressor station compresses the gas for each of the respective separate cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the a single compression station comprising only lubricated screw-type compression machines and de-oiling systems of the working fluid at the outlet of the compression machines, so that compression machines and de-oiling systems are pooled by the refrigerator / liquefier arranged in parallel.

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

  • l'unique station de compression comprend une pluralité de machines de compression définissant plusieurs niveaux de pression pour le fluide de travail,
  • le passage d'un niveau de pression au niveau de pression suivant supérieur est réalisé via une ou plusieurs machines de compression en série ou via plusieurs machines de compression disposées en parallèle,
  • le passage d'au moins un niveau de pression au niveau de pression supérieur suivant est réalisé via deux machines de compression disposées en parallèle, un système de déshuilage étant disposé à la sortie des deux machines de compression, le système de déshuilage comprenant soit un organe de déshuilage unique commun aux deux machines de compression disposées en parallèle, soit deux organe de déshuilage affectés respectivement aux deux machines de compression disposées en parallèle,
  • l'installation comporte au moins un système de déshuilage final disposé en sortie du dernier un niveau de compression, c'est-à-dire avant une liaison fluidique alimentant en fluide la boîte froide,
  • l'installation comprend au moins un échangeur de refroidissement du fluide de travail en aval d'une machine de compression,
  • l'installation comprend trois machines de compression définissant trois niveaux de pression croissant au-dessus du niveau de pression du fluide en entrée de la station de compression, une première et une seconde machines de compression étant disposées en série et définissant à leur sortie de fluide respective des niveaux de pression respectivement dit « bas » et « haut », une troisième machine de compression étant alimentée en entrée par du fluide issu des boîtes froides à un niveau de pression dit « moyen » intermédiaire entre les niveaux bas et haut, la troisième machine de compression définissant à sa sortie de fluide également un niveau de pression « haut »,
  • l'installation comprend une quatrième machine de compression disposée en parallèle avec la seconde machine de compression, la sortie de quatrième machine de compression étant reliée à l'entrée de la troisième machine de compression,
  • les sorties de la troisième machine de compression et de la seconde machine de compression sont reliée à une conduite commune définissant un même niveau haut de pression,
  • la sortie de la troisième machine de compression et la sortie de la seconde machine de compression sont reliées à au moins une boîte froide à des emplacements distincts définissant des niveaux hauts de pression respectifs et distincts pour le fluide,
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
  • the single compression station comprises a plurality of compression machines defining a plurality of pressure levels for the working fluid,
  • the passage of a pressure level to the next higher pressure level is achieved via one or more compression machines in series or via several compression machines arranged in parallel,
  • the passage of at least one pressure level at the next higher pressure level is achieved via two compression machines arranged in parallel, a deoiling system being arranged at the outlet of the two machines compression device, the deoiling system comprising either a single deoiling member common to the two compression machines arranged in parallel, or two deoiling members respectively assigned to the two compression machines arranged in parallel,
  • the installation comprises at least one final deoiling system disposed at the outlet of the last one compression level, that is to say before a fluidic connection supplying fluid to the cold box,
  • the installation comprises at least one cooling exchanger for the working fluid downstream of a compression machine,
  • the installation comprises three compression machines defining three levels of increasing pressure above the fluid pressure level at the inlet of the compression station, a first and a second compression machines being arranged in series and defining at their fluid outlet respective pressure levels respectively said "low" and "high", a third compression machine being fed at the inlet by fluid from the cold boxes at a pressure level called "medium" intermediate between the low and high levels, the third compression machine defining at its fluid outlet also a "high" pressure level,
  • the installation comprises a fourth compression machine arranged in parallel with the second compression machine, the output of the fourth compression machine being connected to the inlet of the third compression machine,
  • the outputs of the third compression machine and the second compression machine are connected to a common pipe defining the same high level of pressure,
  • the output of the third compression machine and the output of the second compression machine are connected to at least one cold box at distinct locations defining respective respective and distinct high levels of pressure for the fluid,

Un autre but de l'invention est de proposer une installation de réfrigération d'une même application au moyen d'un seul réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur ou de plusieurs réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle, le ou les 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 une station de compression du gaz de travail, une boîte froide destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station de compression, le gaz de travail refroidi par chacune des boîtes froides respectives des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs étant mis en échange thermique avec l'application en vue de céder des frigories à cette dernière, dans laquelle, une unique station de compression assure la compression du gaz de travail pour chacune des boîtes froides du ou des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs, la station de compression comprenant uniquement des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées et des systèmes de déshuilage du fluide de travail en sortie des machines de compression, et en ce que la station de compression comprend une pluralité de machines de compression définissant plusieurs niveaux de pression pour le fluide de travail, le passage d'un niveau de pression au niveau de pression suivant supérieur est réalisé via une ou plusieurs machines de compression en série ou via plusieurs machines de compression disposées en parallèle, la station de compression comprenant au moins deux machines de compression définissant au moins deux niveaux de pression croissant au-dessus du niveau de pression du fluide en entrée de la station de compression, deux machines de compression principales étant disposées en série et définissant à leur sortie de fluide respective des niveaux de pression respectivement dit « bas » et « haut », une autre machine de compression secondaire étant alimentée en entrée par du fluide issu des boîtes froides à un niveau de pression dit « moyen » intermédiaire entre les niveaux bas et haut, cette machine de compression secondaire définissant à sa sortie de fluide également un niveau de pression « haut ».Another object of the invention is to propose a refrigeration installation of the same application by means of a single refrigerator / liquefier or of several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the refrigerators / liquefiers using a working gas of same nature having a low molecular weight, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas, a box coolant for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compressor station, the working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being placed in heat exchange with the application in order to give away frigories to the latter, in which a single compression station compresses the working gas for each of the cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers, the compression station comprising only lubricated screw-type compression machines and de-oiling systems of the working fluid at the output of the compression machines, and in that the compression station comprises a plurality of compression machines defining a plurality of pressure levels for the working fluid, the passage of a pressure level to the next higher pressure level is achieved via one or more compression machines in series or via several compression machines arranged in parallel, the compression station comprising at least two machines of compression defining at least two levels of increasing pressure a above the pressure level of the fluid input to the compressor station, two main compression machines being arranged in series and defining at their respective fluid outlet pressure levels respectively "low" and "high", another secondary compression machine being fed at the inlet with fluid from the cold boxes at a pressure level said intermediate "intermediate" between the low and high levels, this secondary compression machine defining at its fluid outlet also a pressure level "high"".

Selon d'autres particularités possibles

  • les sorties de la machine de compression secondaire et de la machine de compression principale sont reliée à une conduite commune définissant un même niveau haut de pression,
  • les sorties de la machine de compression secondaire et de la machine de compression principale sont reliées à au moins une boîte froide à des
emplacements distincts définissant des niveaux hauts de pression respectifs et distincts pour le fluide,According to other possible features
  • the outputs of the secondary compression machine and the main compression machine are connected to a common pipe defining the same high level of pressure,
  • the outputs of the secondary compression machine and the main compression machine are connected to at least one cold box at
distinct locations defining respective respective and distinct high pressure levels for the fluid,

Il est montré également un procédé de réfrigération ne faisant pas partie de l'invention concernant une même application au moyen d'une installation de réfrigération et/ou liquéfaction comprenant plusieurs réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle, les réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs en parallèle 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 une station de compression du gaz de travail, une boîte froide respective destinée à refroidir le gaz de travail en sortie de la station de compression, le gaz de travail refroidi par les boîtes froides respectives des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs étant mis en échange thermique avec l'application en vue de lui céder des frigories, dans laquelle, une unique station de compression assure la compression du gaz de travail pour chacune boîtes froides distinctes des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs disposés en parallèle, l'unique station de compression comprenant uniquement des machines de compression du type à vis lubrifiées et des systèmes de déshuilage du fluide de travail en sortie des machines de compression, de sorte que les machines de compression et les systèmes de déshuilage sont mutualisés par les réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur disposés en parallèle.It is also shown a refrigeration method not forming part of the invention concerning the same application by means of a refrigeration and / or liquefaction plant comprising several refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the refrigerators / liquefiers in parallel using a gas work of the same nature having a low molecular weight, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator / liquefier comprising a compressor station of the working gas , a respective cold box for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station, the working gas cooled by the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators / liquefiers being placed in heat exchange with the application for the purpose of giving him cold, in which a single compressor station compresses the working gas for each cold box separate from the refrigerators / liquefiers arranged in parallel, the single compressor station comprising only cooling machines; lubricated screw type compression and de-oiling systems of the working fluid output compression machines, so that compression machines and deoiling systems are shared by the refrigerator / liquefier arranged in parallel.

Selon s'autres particularités possibles :

  • lorsque la charge thermique de l'application à refroidir varie, les variations puissance de l'installation sont réalisées par en variant le régime d'une partie seulement des machines de compression de la station de compression commune,
  • l'application refroidie par les réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs en parallèle est disposée dans une même enceinte et comprend des éléments supraconducteurs à refroidir.
According to other possible features:
  • when the thermal load of the application to be cooled varies, the power variations of the installation are realized by varying the speed of only part of the compression machines of the common compressor station,
  • the cooled application by the refrigerators / liquefiers in parallel is arranged in the same enclosure and includes superconducting elements to be cooled.

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

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 de façon simplifiée la structure et le fonctionnement d'une l'installation selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un premier exemple de réalisation selon l'invention,
  • la figure 3 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un second exemple de réalisation selon l'invention,
  • la figure 4 représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un troisième exemple de réalisation 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 simplified representation of the structure and operation of an installation according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a first embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 3 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention,
  • the figure 4 is a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a third embodiment of the invention.

L'installation de réfrigération représentée schématiquement à la figure 1 comprend plusieurs réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (UR) disposés en parallèle qui refroidissement la même entité physique (c'est-à-dire la même application 1).The refrigeration plant shown schematically in the figure 1 comprises several refrigerators / liquefiers (UR) arranged in parallel cooling the same physical entity (ie the same application 1).

Les réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (L/R) disposés en parallèle utilisent 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 par exemple.The refrigerators / liquefiers (L / R) arranged in parallel use a working gas of the same nature having a low molar mass, that is to say having an overall average molar mass of less than 10 g / mol such as helium gas pure for example.

Chaque réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur (L/R) utilise 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 gaz de travail refroidi par chacune des boîtes 3 froides respectives des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs (L, R) est mis en échange thermique, via un circuit 11 de distribution, avec l'application 1 en vue de céder des frigories à cette dernière.Each refrigerator / liquefier (L / R) uses a station 2 for compressing the working gas and a cold box 3 for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station 2. The working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes 3 of the refrigerators / liquefiers (L, R) is heat exchanged, via a distribution circuit 11, with the application 1 in order to give away frigories to the latter.

Selon une particularité avantageuse, une unique station de compression 2 assure la compression du gaz de travail pour chacune des boîtes froides 3 respectives distinctes des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs L/R disposés en parallèle.According to an advantageous feature, a single compression station 2 compresses the working gas for each of the respective cold boxes 3 separate refrigerators / liquefiers L / R arranged in parallel.

La station 2 de compression 2 peut être reliée le cas échéant à un stockage 12 tampon dit « chaud » de fluide de travail. Selon une autre particularité avantageuse, l'unique station 2 de compression comprend des machines de compression uniquement du type à vis lubrifiées et des systèmes de déshuilage du fluide de travail en sortie des machines de compression. De cette façon, les machines de compression (compresseurs à vis lubrifiées) et les systèmes de déshuilage sont mutualisés par les réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur disposés en parallèle.The compression station 2 can be connected if necessary to a storage buffer 12 called "hot" working fluid. According to another advantageous feature, the single compression station 2 comprises compression machines only lubricated screw type and deoiling systems of the working fluid output compression machines. In this way, compression machines (lubricated screw compressors) and deoiling systems are pooled by the refrigerators / liquefier arranged in parallel.

Cette configuration permet de limiter le nombre de machines et équipements nécessaires à la compression du fluide de travail.This configuration limits the number of machines and equipment needed to compress the working fluid.

Ceci permet également de concentrer les variations de charge sur un nombre limité de compresseurs avec des moyens de régulation adaptés (par exemple des variateurs de fréquence, des vannes de réglage, ...).This also makes it possible to concentrate the load variations on a limited number of compressors with suitable control means (for example variable frequency drives, control valves, etc.).

De plus, ceci permet également le cas échéant de regrouper des stations de compressions par type de compresseur ou par fonction (cycle de réfrigération et/ou alimentation client) plutôt que par cycles de réfrigérations.In addition, this also makes it possible, if necessary, to group compression stations by type of compressor or by function (refrigeration cycle and / or customer supply) rather than by refrigeration cycles.

L'architecture permet également le cas échéant de prévoir différentes pressions de cycle du fluide par fonction ou par station de compression.The architecture also makes it possible, if necessary, to provide different fluid cycle pressures by function or by compression station.

La figure 2 illustre un premier exemple de réalisation possible selon l'invention. Comme visible à la figure 2, l'unique station 2 de compression commune comprend une pluralité de machines de compression EC1, EC2, EC3 définissant plusieurs niveaux VLP, LP, MP, HP, HP1, HP2 de pression pour le fluide de travail.The figure 2 illustrates a first possible embodiment of the invention. As visible at figure 2 the single common compression station 2 comprises a plurality of compression machines EC1, EC2, EC3 defining a plurality of pressure levels VLP, LP, MP, HP, HP1, HP2 for the working fluid.

En entrée, de la station de compression 2, le fluide issu d'une ou de plusieurs boîtes froides 3 arrive à une pression dite « très basse » (VLP). Cette pression de niveau très bas dépend de l'application 1 et ce niveau de pression très bas peut ne pas être présent pour certaines applications (c'est-à-dire que le premier niveau de pression dans la station de compression est dit « bas » c'est-à-dire compris dans l'intervalle ci-après mentionné). Une première machine de compression EC1 assure un montée en pression du fluide de travail jusqu'à une pression dite « basse » LP qui est supérieure à la pression très basse VLP. En sortie de cette première machine de compression EC1, le fluide peut être déshuilé dans un organe 4 de déshuilage puis refroidi dans un échangeur 5 de chaleur. La sortie de la première machine de compression EC1 est reliée ensuite à l'entrée d'une seconde machine de compression EC2 qui compresse le fluide de la pression base LP à une pression haute HP. L'entrée de cette seconde machine de compression EC2 reçoit également du fluide à ce niveau de pression basse LP issu des boîtes froides 3. Comme précédemment, en sortie de cette seconde machine de compression EC2, le fluide peut être déshuilé dans un organe 4 de déshuilage puis refroidi dans un échangeur 5 de chaleur. Avant de retourner dans les boîtes froides 3, le fluide peut subir un dernier déshuilage plus sélectif dans un système de déshuilage final 14. Une troisième machine de compression EC3 est disposée dans la station 2 de compression. Cette troisième machine de compression EC3 est alimentée en entrée par du fluide des boîtes 3 à un niveau de pression dit « moyen » MP intermédiaire entre les niveaux bas LP et haut HP. Cette troisième machine de compression EC3 définit également à sa sortie de fluide un niveau de pression « haut » HP pour le fluide de travail. En sortie de cette seconde machine de compression EC2, le fluide peut être déshuilé dans un organe 4 de déshuilage puis refroidi dans un échangeur 5 de chaleur. Le fluide de travail à haute pression est injecté en amont du système de déshuilage final 14 (une conduite vient se raccorder à la sortie de la seconde machine de compression EC2.At the input of the compression station 2, the fluid coming from one or more cold boxes 3 arrives at a so-called "very low" pressure (VLP). This very low level pressure is dependent on the application 1 and this very low pressure level may not be present for some applications (i.e. the first pressure level in the compressor station is said to be "low" That is to say within the range hereafter mentioned). A first compression machine EC1 ensures a rise in pressure of the working fluid to a maximum so-called "low" LP pressure that is higher than the very low VLP pressure. At the outlet of this first compression machine EC1, the fluid can be deoiled in a de-oiling member 4 and then cooled in a heat exchanger. The output of the first compression machine EC1 is then connected to the input of a second compression machine EC2 which compresses the fluid from the LP base pressure to a high HP pressure. The input of this second compression machine EC2 also receives fluid at this low pressure level LP coming from the cold boxes 3. As previously, at the output of this second compression machine EC2, the fluid can be deoiled in an organ 4 of de-oiling and then cooled in a heat exchanger. Before returning to the cold boxes 3, the fluid can undergo a last more selective deoiling in a final de-oiling system 14. A third compression machine EC3 is disposed in the compression station 2. This third compression machine EC3 is fed at the inlet with fluid from the boxes 3 at a pressure level called "average" MP intermediate between the low LP and high HP levels. This third compression machine EC3 also defines at its fluid outlet a pressure level "high" HP for the working fluid. At the outlet of this second compression machine EC2, the fluid can be deoiled in a de-oiling member 4 and then cooled in a heat exchanger 5. The high-pressure working fluid is injected upstream of the final de-oiling system 14 (a pipe is connected to the outlet of the second compression machine EC2.

Cette solution combine donc plusieurs machines de compression à vis lubrifiées entre la basse pression LP et la haute pression HP et possède en plus un niveau de compression entre la pression intermédiaire MP et la même haute pression HP.This solution therefore combines several screw compression machines lubricated between LP low pressure and high pressure HP and also has a compression level between the intermediate pressure MP and the same HP high pressure.

Cette configuration présente l'avantage de réduire la taille des systèmes 4 primaires de gestion d'huile (systèmes de déshuilage 4 avant le déshuilage final 14) en particulier sur la partie du cycle entre la pression basse LP et la pression haute HP. Cette architecture permet également simultanément de conserver une flexibilité sur les variations de débit et de pression possibles au sein de cette partie du circuit (en particulier entre la pression moyenne MP et la haute pression HP).This configuration has the advantage of reducing the size of the primary oil management systems 4 (de-oiling systems 4 before the final deoiling 14), in particular on the part of the cycle between the LP low pressure and the HP high pressure. This architecture also simultaneously makes it possible to maintain flexibility on the variations of flow and pressure possible within this part of the circuit (in particular between the mean pressure MP and the high pressure HP).

En revanche cette solution est moins souple en ce qui concerne la possibilité de faire varier le débit de fluide de travail dans la basse pression LP car les machines de compression combinées sont interdépendantes et les fluctuations sont plus difficilement contrôlables.On the other hand, this solution is less flexible as regards the possibility of varying the flow of working fluid in the low pressure LP because the combined compression machines are interdependent and the fluctuations are more difficult to control.

Chacun des étages de compression réalisés par une machine de compression peut bien entendu être remplacé par deux compresseurs (ou plus) disposés en parallèle. En effet, en fonction des débits de fluide de travail nécessaires, chaque niveau de compression peut être divisé en plusieurs compresseurs disposés en parallèles. Dans ce cas, les systèmes de gestion d'huile primaire (déshuilage) et de refroidissement peuvent être communs à plusieurs compresseurs ou être dédié à chacun.Each of the compression stages made by a compression machine can of course be replaced by two or more compressors arranged in parallel. Indeed, depending on the working fluid flow required, each level of compression can be divided into several compressors arranged in parallel. In this case, the primary oil management (deoiling) and cooling systems can be common to several compressors or be dedicated to each one.

En fonction du niveau de pression très bas VLP et du taux de compression de la première machine de compression EC1, la sortie de la première machine de compression EC1 peut également être relié à l'entrée de la troisième machine de compression EC3 à un niveau de pression dit « moyen » MP. Le reste de l'architecture restant similaire.Depending on the very low pressure level VLP and the compression ratio of the first compression machine EC1, the output of the first compression machine EC1 can also be connected to the input of the third compression machine EC3 at a level of pressure says "average" MP. The rest of the architecture remains similar.

La variante de la figure 3 se distingue de celle de la figure 1 uniquement en ce que l'installation comprend une quatrième machine de compression EC12 disposée en parallèle avec la seconde EC2 machine de compression. De la même façon que pour la seconde machine de compression EC2, l'entrée de fluide de la quatrième machine de compression EC12 est reliée à la fois à la sortie de la première machine de compression EC1 et à une arrivée de fluide à cette basse pression des boîtes froides 3. La sortie de la quatrième machine de compression EC12 est quant à elle reliée à l'entrée de la troisième machine de compression EC3 (l'entrée de la troisième machine de compression EC3 reçoit également du fluide à la pression moyenne MP des boîtes froides).The variant of the figure 3 differs from that of the figure 1 only in that the installation comprises a fourth compression machine EC12 arranged in parallel with the second EC2 compression machine. In the same way as for the second compression machine EC2, the fluid inlet of the fourth compression machine EC12 is connected both to the output of the first compression machine EC1 and to a fluid inlet at this low pressure. cold boxes 3. The output of the fourth EC12 compression machine is connected to the input of the third compression machine EC3 (the input of the third compression machine EC3 also receives fluid at the average pressure MP cold boxes).

Comme précédemment, les second EC2 et quatrième EC4 machines de compression en parallèle peuvent avoir chacune à leur sortie, un système de déshuilage 4 dédié et un échangeur de chaleur 5 dédié. En variante ces systèmes de déshuilage 4 et échangeur de chaleur 5 peuvent être communs et donc partagés.As previously, the second EC2 and fourth EC4 parallel compression machines can each have at their output, a dedicated de-oiling system 4 and a dedicated heat exchanger 5. In a variant these deoiling systems 4 and heat exchanger 5 may be common and therefore shared.

Comme précédemment, en fonction des débits de fluide de travail requis, chaque niveau de compression peut être divisé en plusieurs machines (compresseurs) disposées en parallèles.As before, depending on the required working fluid flow rates, each compression level can be divided into several machines (compressors) arranged in parallel.

Comme précédemment également, cette solution combine plusieurs compresseurs entre la basse pression LP et la haute pression HP et prévoit en plus un niveau de compression entre la pression intermédiaire MP et la même haute pression HP.As previously also, this solution combines several compressors between LP low pressure and HP high pressure and further provides a level of compression between the intermediate pressure MP and the same HP high pressure.

Dans le cas de la figure 3 cependant, une partie du débit de fluide de travail à basse pression LP passe dans des machines de compression EC12 qui compriment le fluide uniquement vers la pression intermédiaire MP.In the case of figure 3 however, a portion of the low pressure LP working fluid flow passes into EC12 compression machines which compress the fluid only toward the intermediate pressure MP.

Ces dernières machines de compression EC12 peuvent être équipées de variateurs de vitesse afin de réagir à des variations de débit de fluide à basse pression. La recirculation de fluide entre les basses pressions LP et pression moyenne MP est également possible pour réagir aux variations de charge.The latest EC12 compression machines can be equipped with variable speed drives to react to fluid flow variations at low pressure. Fluid recirculation between LP low pressure and MP medium pressure is also possible to react to load variations.

Le ou les compresseurs EC2 combinés entre la basse pression LP et la haute pression HP peuvent fonctionner avec un débit constant et de manière indépendante aux fluctuations de la charge (application 1) et du cycle de travail. Les fluctuations de débits et de pressions sont absorbées par le groupe de compresseurs EC1, EC3, EC12 entre la pression très basse d'entrée VLP jusqu'aux niveaux supérieurs (LP->MP->HP).The combined EC2 compressor (s) between LP low pressure and HP high pressure can operate at a constant rate and independently of load (application 1) and duty cycle fluctuations. Fluctuations in flow rates and pressures are absorbed by the compressor group EC1, EC3, EC12 between the very low input pressure VLP to the higher levels (LP-> MP-> HP).

La variante de la figure 4 se distingue de celle de la figure 3 uniquement en ce que les sorties de la troisième machine de compression EC3 et de la seconde EC2 machine de compression sont reliée à au moins une boîte froide 3 à des emplacements distincts définissant des niveaux hauts de pression respectifs et distincts HP1, HP2 pour le fluide. De plus, à la figure 4, la conduite comprenant la quatrième machine de compression EC12 et ses organes aval (déshuileur 4 et échangeur de chaleur 5) a été représentée en pointillés (pour bien mettre en évidence son caractère facultatif).The variant of the figure 4 differs from that of the figure 3 only in that the outputs of the third compression machine EC3 and the second compression machine EC2 are connected to at least one cold box 3 at distinct locations defining respective high and distinct pressure levels HP1, HP2 for the fluid. Moreover, figure 4 , the pipe comprising the fourth compression machine EC12 and its downstream members (de-oiler 4 and heat exchanger 5) has been shown in dotted lines (to highlight its optional character).

Dans cette configuration de la figure 4, chaque sortie haute pression HP1, HP2 des troisième EC3 et seconds EC2 machines de compression comprend, en aval d'un échangeur 5 de chaleur respectif, un organe de déshuilage final 14 respectif. Deux systèmes de déshuilage finaux 14 sont en effet indispensables du fait de la différence de pression entre les deux lignes.In this configuration of the figure 4 , each HP1, HP2 high pressure outlet of the third EC3 and second EC2 compression machines comprises, downstream of a respective heat exchanger 5, a final deoiling member 14 respective. Two final deoiling systems 14 are indeed essential because of the pressure difference between the two lines.

Comme précédemment, une partie du débit de fluide à basse pression LP est comprimée directement à une pression haute HP2. Dans cette configuration de la figure 4, cette pression haute HP2 est indépendante de la pression haute HP1 obtenue en sortie des compresseurs qui compriment entre la pression moyenne MP et la pression haute HP1.As previously, a portion of the low pressure fluid flow LP is directly compressed to a high pressure HP2. In this configuration of the figure 4 this high pressure HP2 is independent of the high pressure HP1 obtained at the output of the compressors which compress between the average pressure MP and the high pressure HP1.

Cette architecture permet également d'optimiser les tailles et les efficacités des différents types de compresseurs des différents étages de compression.This architecture also makes it possible to optimize the sizes and the efficiencies of the different types of compressors of the different stages of compression.

Les variations de débit et de pression du fluide sur les circuits aboutissant respectivement aux deux niveaux de pression haute HP1 et HP2 peuvent donc également être gérées de manière plus indépendante.The variations in flow and pressure of the fluid on the circuits respectively leading to the two high pressure levels HP1 and HP2 can therefore also be managed more independently.

Le circuit comprenant un étage de compression entre la pression moyenne MP et à pression haute HP1 alimente en général la majorité des turbines de détentes du cycle des boîtes froides 3 qui sont la source de réfrigération du système. Une variation de ce cycle permet donc une variation directe de la puissance de réfrigération des réfrigérateurs/liquéfacteurs L/R.The circuit comprising a compression stage between the medium pressure MP and HP1 high pressure generally feeds the majority of the coolers of the cycle of cold boxes 3 which are the refrigeration source of the system. A variation of this cycle therefore allows a direct variation of the refrigeration power of the refrigerators / liquefiers L / R.

En revanche, le circuit de fluide à haute pression HP2 issu de la seconde machine de compression EC2 peut être utilisé préférentiellement pour une alimentation d'une application 1 et/ou d'un circuit de détente d'un refroidissement de type Joule-Thompson au bout froid du cycle.On the other hand, the high-pressure fluid circuit HP2 issuing from the second compression machine EC2 can be used preferentially for a supplying an application 1 and / or an expansion circuit of a Joule-Thompson type cooling at the cold end of the cycle.

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.

A titre d'exemple non limitatif (circuit avec trois étages de compression mais définissant quatre niveaux de pression), les niveaux de pression respectifs très bas VLP, bas LP, moyen MP et haut HP des étages de compression ainsi que les taux de compression et débits correspondants du gaz travail peuvent être compris dans les intervalles ci-dessous. Etage de compression pression aspiration de la machine de compression correspondante débits eu sein de la machine de compression taux de compression de l'étape de compression (en bar) (en q/s) (sans unité) VLP 0.05 -> 1.0 10 -> 500 2 -> 15 LP 1.0 -> 2.5 500 -> 2000 2 -> 5 HP 3 -> 6 800 -> 4500 2 -> 5 By way of nonlimiting example (circuit with three compression stages but defining four pressure levels), the respective low pressure levels VLP, low LP, average MP and high HP compression stages as well as compression ratios and Corresponding flows of the working gas can be included in the intervals below. Compression stage suction pressure of the corresponding compression machine flow rates within the compression machine compression ratio of the compression step (in bar) (in q / s) (without unit) VLPs 0.05 -> 1.0 10 -> 500 2 -> 15 LP 1.0 -> 2.5 500 -> 2000 2 -> 5 HP 3 -> 6 800 -> 4500 2 -> 5

Les architectures des stations de compression des exemples illustrés peuvent s'appliquer avantageusement également à une installation utilisant un seul liquéfacteur/réfrigérateur (et non pas plusieurs en parallèle).The compression station architectures of the illustrated examples can also advantageously be applied to an installation using a single liquefier / refrigerator (and not several in parallel).

Claims (5)

  1. Installation for refrigerating a same application (1) by means of a single refrigerator/liquefier (L/R) or several refrigerators/liquefiers (L/R) arranged in parallel, the refrigerator(s)/liquefier(s) (L/R) using a working gas of the same type having a low molar mass, i.e. having a low molar mass less than 10g/mol such as pure helium gas, each refrigerator/liquefier (L/R) comprising a compression station (2) to compress the working gas, a cold box (3) intended for cooling the working gas at the outlet of the compression station (2), with the working gas cooled by each one of the respective cold boxes (3) of the refrigerators/liquefiers (L, R) being placed heat exchange with the application (1) for the purpose of transferring frigories to the latter, wherein all of the compression stations of the refrigerator(s)/liquefier(s) form a single compression station (2) that provides for the compression of the working gas for each one of the cold boxes (3) of the refrigerator(s)/liquefier(s) (L, R), the compression station (2) comprising only compression machines of the lubricated screw type (EC1, EC2, EC3) and systems (4, 14) for removing the oil from the working fluid at the outlet of the compression machines (EC1, EC2, EC3), and in that the compression station (2) comprises a plurality of compression machines (EC1, EC2, EC3) defining several levels of pressure (VLP, LP, MP, HP, HP1, HP2) for the working fluid, with the passing from a level of pressure (VLP, LP, MP, HP, HP1, HP2) to the next higher level of pressure carried out via one or more compression machines (EC1, EC2, EC3) in series or via several compression machines (EC1, EC2, EC3) arranged in parallel, the compression station comprising at least two compression machines (EC2, EC3) defining at least two levels of pressure (MP, HP) increasing above the level of pressure (VLP/LP) of the fluid at the inlet of the compression station (2), two main compression machines (EC1, EC2), respectively first (EC1) and second (EC2) main compression machines, being arranged in series and defining, at their respective fluid outlet, levels of pressure respectively called "low" (LP) and "high" (HP), with the main compression machines (EC1, EC2) being arranged in series one following the other, i.e. without any other secondary compression machine in series between them, characterised by another secondary compression machine (EC3) being supplied at the inlet with a fluid coming from the cold boxes (3) at an intermediate level of pressure called "medium" (MP) between the low (LP) and high (HP) levels, this secondary compression machine (EC3) also defining, at its fluid outlet, a "high" level of pressure (HP), with the medium level of pressure (MP) being higher than the level of pressure at the inlet of the main compression machines (EC1, EC2).
  2. Installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the outlets of the secondary compression machine (EC3) and of the second main compression machine (EC2) are connected to a joint conduit defining the same high level of pressure (HP).
  3. Installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the outlets of the secondary compression machine (EC3) and of the second main compression machine (EC2) are connected to at least one cold box (3) at separate locations that define the respective and separate high levels of pressure (HP1, HP2) for the fluid.
  4. Installation according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the level of high pressure (HP) at the outlet of the secondary compression machine (EC3) is higher than the inlet pressure level of the main compression machines (EC1, EC2).
  5. Installation according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the level of pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the first main compression machine (EC1) is at the low level (LP) and corresponds to the level of pressure of the fluid at the inlet of the second main compression machine (EC2), with the medium level of pressure (MP) being intermediary between the low level of pressure (LP) and the high level of pressure (HP).
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RU2014115977A (en) 2015-10-27

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