EP2959244B1 - Modular processing system, in particular air separating system with a plurality of system components - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a modular air separation plant with a plurality of plant components and at least one control unit, the plant components ready pre-assembled housed in containers with standard dimensions, transported in the container and functionally connected depending on the process to be performed and operated in container composite, according to the preamble of Claim 1.

From the DE 10 2005 006 850 A1 a system for providing technical gases is previously known. In this system, at least one technical gas is generated in a mobile gas generating unit mounted on a watercraft, the vessel navigating a plurality of land based pick-up points. In one embodiment, the gas generating unit is to be operated while driving between two delivery points and the generated technical gas to be filled into storage containers, which are located on board the vessel. In this case, the gas generating unit includes its own power supply, which is mounted on board the vessel. Details of the accommodation of the function of the gas generating unit determining plant components are not disclosed.

From the DE 20 2009 004 099 U1 , of the DE 20 2009 010 874 as well as the DE 10 2010 056 570 A1 For example, methods and apparatus for recovering pressure oxygen and pressurized nitrogen by cryogenic separation of air in a nitrogen-oxygen separation distillation column system having at least one pressure column are previously known.

According to the described method, feed air is compressed in an air compressor. The compressed feed air is cooled in a main heat exchanger and at least partially introduced into the pressure column. Liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the distillation column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation and brought to an elevated pressure in the liquid state. Under this increased pressure, the medium is then introduced into the main heat exchanger, evaporated in the main heat exchanger and on Warmed around ambient temperature and finally recovered as gaseous pressure oxygen. A gaseous circulating nitrogen stream is withdrawn from the distillation column system and compressed at least in a cycle compressor. A first partial flow of the circulating nitrogen stream compressed in the cycle compressor is then brought into indirect heat exchange with the oxygen flow in the main heat exchanger and then released. The relaxed first substream of the cycle nitrogen stream is then at least partially introduced in the liquid state into the nitrogen-oxygen separation distillation column system. A second substream is branched downstream of the cycle compressor under a product pressure and recovered as a pressurized nitrogen product.

Usually, such process plants for air separation are mounted stationary and housed in large halls and have a central or decentralized control room.

The resulting liquefied gas products are filled into containers and delivered to customers or consumers. A not inconsiderable share of the total costs is attributable to the necessity of filling and delivering the LPG products.

In the generic DE 28 22 774 A1 a process engineering plant has been proposed, which consists of a large number of components, whereby the components of the plant are pre-assembled ready to use in containers. Afterwards, the containers are transported to the plant operation site and the plant on the construction site is completed by functionally connecting the containers.

Accordingly, the assembly of the individual parts of the system already takes place in the factory. There, the plant is ready for operation mounted in several containers. In this way, the assembly process plant is to be moved from the site to the factory. The aim is to shorten the assembly and commissioning times for such systems and to carry out a functional test of the system at the factory. Particularly advantageous is the doctrine of DE 28 22 774 A1 in the construction of air separation plants. Plant parts with a high noise emission, such as compressors, should be stored in a closed container be housed, which is soundproofed accordingly. Conveniently, the noise-emitting container should be placed between other containers. Gaps between the containers should also be filled with sound-absorbing material. document WO2004015347 shows an air separation plant according to the preamble of claim 1. However, it has been shown that the accommodation of the necessary equipment components in containers, especially when commissioning of the system with the components to take place within the container, leads to considerable difficulties. The space available in a standard container is naturally limited. As a result, the accessibility of the individual system components in the case of a necessary maintenance, but also during commissioning difficult. Furthermore, it is not the noise emissions of the corresponding system components, such as compressors, that are of primary concern, but the resulting operating and waste heat of a large number of system components and assemblies. This waste heat must be safely dissipated to the environment under all operating conditions, but also under the most diverse climatic conditions. It should not be affected those parts of the system or system components that can perform their function only at lower ambient or operating temperature.

An additional difficulty arises when the process plant includes such components which are extremely bulky and which must be brought into a changed operating position to perform their function, as described e.g. in an air separation column or corresponding column is the case.

From the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a further developed modular air separation plant with a plurality of plant components and at least one control unit, all plant components are to be housed in a minimum number of standard containers and wherein an operation of the system with the in the containers accommodated plant components must be possible in a variety of climatic conditions without external measures, such as Umhausen be required.

The object of the invention is achieved by the combination of features according to claim 1, wherein the dependent claims comprise at least expedient refinements and developments. According to the invention, therefore, a modular air separation plant with a plurality of plant components and at least one operating unit is assumed, the plant components being preassembled, ready for operation, housed in standard containers and transported in these containers and functionally connected on site depending on the process to be carried out and operable in the container network in this respect.

According to the invention, all plant components are accommodated in two airworthy standard containers, with a first container containing divided, mutually insulated compartments for the selected plant components. These compartments are accessible via doors or flaps for the purpose of servicing the respective plant component.

According to the invention, a second container is designed such that it has at least one fixed compartment and at least one pivotable compartment.

Furthermore, according to the invention can be coupled to the container terminals and connecting elements for transporting media and guiding control and operating signals between the containers available.

In a preferred embodiment, assemblies and plant components with elevated operating temperature and in the second container assemblies and plant components with lower operating temperature are arranged or housed in the first container.

The isolation of the compartments takes place under thermal and / or acoustic aspects in an optimized manner.

Preferably in the first container a compartment is designed as an electrical control and operating room provided. This compartment is Also suitable for the stay of persons for the purpose of controlling and controlling the respective plant and insofar soundproofed and air-conditioned.

At least the second container preferably has means for aligning and setting up in a planned, in particular flat position.

These means may include trained in the base region of the container, mechanically or hydraulically adjustable feet.

In at least one of the compartments of the first container, wear and spare parts for the corresponding system components are preferably accommodated. According to the invention, the second container is divided longitudinally into two compartments, wherein a compartment can be hydraulically swiveled from a horizontal position in the initial state to a changed, in particular vertical, operating state position in this respect.

The hydraulic control is preferably also located in the second container.

The pivotable part-half of the second container may in particular comprise an air separation tank with liquid-gas buffering.

Furthermore, preferably means for venting, heating and / or cooling in such a way that operation in different climates and ambient temperatures in the range of about -25 ° C to + 50 ° C is possible.

In case of operation, the containers can take any position to each other.

At least some of the compartments preferably have a double wall for optimizing the thermal and / or acoustic insulation.

At least one container preferably a lightning rod and / or an antenna is mounted for wireless communication.

Preferably, in the first container, an air compressor with heater is arranged for flow at startup. In this sense, a device for high-pressure filling of liquid gas is preferably located in the second container.

The proposed modular process plant, housed in two standard containers, can be moved by conventional commercial vehicles by land, but also suitable for air freight. All external electrical systems can be carried out in containers with protection class IP 65. The spare parts stock accommodated in the compartments in the containers can also be used for a longer period of time without external spare parts supply to the corresponding process plant. Due to the design of pull-out carriages and support profiles, individual components or modules can be easily removed, maintained and reinserted into the appropriate container compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment of the movable part in the second container with the alignment or pivoting takes place automatically, so that related adjustments are kept to a minimum. If one of the system components comprises an activated carbon cleaning insofar as an activated carbon absorber, designed as a closed filter cartridge, is carried in one of the compartments and is available for replacement on site. By resorting to a closed cartridge, contamination of the activated carbon in the cartridge due to improper handling on site is precluded.

The ambient air required for system operation is sucked in and filtered through a filter unit, which facilitates its intended use in desert areas.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures and an embodiment.

Fig. 1a

eine Draufsicht des ersten Containers gemäß Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 1b

eine Frontalansicht des ersten Containers;

Fig. 1c

und d eine Seitenansicht des ersten Containers;

Fig. 1e

eine perspektivische Darstellung des ersten Containers als jeweils im Transportzustand;

Fig. 2a

eine Draufsicht auf den zweiten Container im Transportzustand;

Fig. 2b

eine Frontalansicht des zweiten Containers;

Fig. 2c

und d Seitenansichten des zweiten Containers im Transportzustand;

Fig. 2e

eine perspektivische Ansicht des zweiten Containers im Transportzustand;

Fig. 3a

eine Draufsicht des ersten Containers im Betriebszustand;

Fig. 3b

eine Frontalansicht des ersten Containers im Betriebszustand;

Fig. 3c

und d Seitenansichten des ersten Containers im Betriebszustand;

Fig. 3e

eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten Containers im Betriebszustand, wobei zur besseren Erkennbarkeit einzelner Anlagenkomponenten Teile der Frontverkleidung nicht gezeigt sind;

Fig. 4a

eine Draufsicht des zweiten Containers im Betriebszustand mit aufgerichtetem Containerteil, im vorliegenden Fall ausgebildet als Coldbox;

Fig. 4b

eine Frontalansicht des zweiten Containers im Betriebszustand mit aufgerichteter Coldbox;

Fig. 4c

und d Seitenansichten des zweiten Containers im Betriebszustand mit aufgerichteter Coldbox;

Fig. 4e

eine perspektivische Darstellung des zweiten Containers im Betriebszustand mit aufgerichteter Coldbox und teilweise entfernter Containeraußenverkleidung zur besseren Erkennbarkeit der in den Kompartiments befindlichen Anlagenkomponenten;

Fig. 5a

eine Draufsicht des ersten Containers im Wartungszustand mit teilweise entnommenen Anlagenkomponenten;

Fig. 5b

und c seitliche Ansichten des ersten Containers im Wartungszustand;

Fig. 5d

eine perspektivische Darstellung des ersten Containers im Wartungszustand mit ausgebautem Kompressor (linksseitig) und entfernter Deoxo-Einheit (rechts);

Fig. 6a

eine Draufsicht auf den zweiten Container im Wartungszustand mit abgesenkter Coldbox und teilweise geöffneten Wartungstüren bzw. Wartungsklappen;

Fig. 6b

und c Seitenansichten des zweiten Containers mit abgesenkter Coldbox im Wartungszustand und

Fig. 6d

eine perspektivische Darstellung des zweiten Containers im Wartungszustand mit abgesenkter Coldbox und im Vordergrund rechts entnommener Molbatterie.

Show here Figures 1-6 an embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1a

a plan view of the first container according to embodiment;

Fig. 1b

a frontal view of the first container;

Fig. 1c

and d is a side view of the first container;

Fig. 1e

a perspective view of the first container as each in the transport state;

Fig. 2a

a plan view of the second container in the transport state;

Fig. 2b

a front view of the second container;

Fig. 2c

and d are side views of the second container in the transport state;

Fig. 2e

a perspective view of the second container in the transport state;

Fig. 3a

a plan view of the first container in the operating state;

Fig. 3b

a front view of the first container in the operating state;

Fig. 3c

and d are side views of the first container in the operating state;

Fig. 3e

a perspective view of the first container in the operating state, wherein for better visibility of individual system components parts of the front panel are not shown;

Fig. 4a

a plan view of the second container in the operating state with erect container part, designed in the present case as a cold box;

Fig. 4b

a front view of the second container in the operating state with upright coldbox;

Fig. 4c

and d are side views of the second container in the operating state with upright coldbox;

Fig. 4e

a perspective view of the second container in the operating state with upright coldbox and partially removed container outer panel for better visibility of the components located in the compartment components;

Fig. 5a

a plan view of the first container in the maintenance state with partially removed plant components;

Fig. 5b

and c are side views of the first container in the maintenance state;

Fig. 5d

a perspective view of the first container in the maintenance state with removed compressor (left side) and remote deoxo unit (right);

Fig. 6a

a plan view of the second container in the maintenance state with lowered cold box and partially open maintenance doors or maintenance flaps;

Fig. 6b

and c side views of the second container with lowered cold box in the maintenance state and

Fig. 6d

a perspective view of the second container in the maintenance state with lowered coldbox and in the foreground right removed mol battery.

In the following explanation of the embodiment with regard to the figures, it is assumed that an exemplary air separation plant for the production of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen. The Fig. 1a to 1e show the first container 1 containing, for example, an air cooler 2 and a wear part compartment 3. Furthermore, in the container 1, a control room compartment 4 with cabinets 5 (see Fig. 3e ) intended.

In the transport state maintenance flaps or doors 9 are closed and locked as aggregates. Usual slings can be attached to eyebolts 7.

The Indian Fig. 2 shown second container 8 is also in the transport state. All flaps and doors 9 are closed and corresponding parts of the system are secured. A transport is here also possible using the eyebolts 7 (lifting via corresponding slings) possible.

After the first and second containers 1; 8 has reached the place of commissioning, the containers are placed on site and transferred to the operating state.

In this regard, for example, the first container 1, a lightning rod 10 or antenna is mounted. A cooler attachment 11 for venting the compressor 12 is fixed and it is the individual system components between container 1 and container 8 coupled via connecting lines 13.

The second container 8 comprises, as in the Fig. 4 a fixed compartment 80 and a pivotable compartment 81.

Furthermore, adjusting feet 14 are available for vertical straightening. All necessary for erecting and pivoting of the compartment 81 components, in particular a hydraulic cylinder 15 are present in the second container 8.

The second container 8 also contains a turbine cooling system 16 and a liquid nitrogen pump 17 and the mol battery 18 and a hydraulic control 19th

The maintenance condition with respect to the plant components of the first and second containers 1; 8 is with the help of Fig. 5 and 6 exemplified.

Referring to Fig. 5d is located in the first container 1 compressor 20 already removed. Likewise, the deoxidation unit is removed. All flaps or doors are like that Fig. 5a represents, opened.

In an analogous manner, all functional units that are accommodated in the second container 8 are accessible. The Mol battery is, as in the Fig. 6d shown, removed and can be maintained accordingly.

The new concept of accommodating the system components in two containers leads to an extremely compact operational system that is easy to operate and maintain, and can also be used flexibly in different climatic conditions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Container

2

air cooler

3

Consumable compartment

4

Control room compartment

5

switch cabinet

7

eyebolts

8th

Container

9

Maintenance flap or door

10

Lightning rod

11

cool tower

12

compressor

13

connecting line

14

Adjustable feet

15

hydraulic cylinders

16

Turbine cooling system

17

Liquid nitrogen pump

18

Molbatterie

19

hydraulic control

20

compressor

80

fixed compartment

81

pivotable compartment

Claims (15)

1. A modular air separation plant, comprising:

   a multitude of plant components and at least one operator interface, wherein the plant components are arranged pre-assembled in containers with standard dimensions, transportable in the containers and functionally connectable on site as a function of a method to be performed and operable in a container connection,

   wherein all planned components are arranged in two standard containers, wherein a first container of the two containers includes compartments (2, 3 ,4) for particular plant components which compartments are separated and insulated from each other,

   wherein the compartments are accessible through doors or flaps (9) for maintaining the respective plant components and a second container of the two containers includes connections and connection elements that are couple able to the containers for transporting media and conducting control and operating signals between the containers,

   characterized in that

   the second container is longitudinally divided in half into a fixed compartment and a pivotable compartment and the pivotable compartment is hydraulically pivotable from a horizontal starting position into an operating position that differs from horizontal and that is in particular vertical, and the first and the second standard container is air freightable.
2. The modular air separation plant according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the first container includes modules and plant components with an increased operating temperature and the second container includes modules and plant components with a lower operating temperature.
3. The modular air separation plant according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   an isolation of the compartments is provided thermally and/or acoustically optimized.
4. The modular air separation plant according to claim 3,
   characterized in that
   a compartment provided as an air conditioned electrical control and operating room is provided in the first container.
5. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   at least the second container includes devices for orienting it and setting it up in a predetermined level position.
6. The modular air separation plant according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the second container includes mechanically or hydraulically adjustable bases in a base portion.
7. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   at least one of the compartments of the first container includes wear parts and spare parts for the plant components.
8. The modular air separation plant according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the pivotable compartment includes an air separation column including a liquid gas intermediary storage.
9. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the containers include devices for ventilating, heating and/or cooling and filters so that operations in different climate zones and for operating temperatures in a range of - 25° C to + 50° C and under sand and dust loading are feasible.
10. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers can be arranged in any position relative to each other during operations.
11. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    at least individual compartments include a double wall.
12. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    at least one of the containers includes a lightning rod and/or a wireless communications antenna.
13. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    the first container includes an air compressor including a heater for preheating during plant start up.
14. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    the second container includes a device for high pressure filling of liquid gas.
15. The modular air separation plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    one of the compartments includes an active charcoal absorber configured as a filter cartridge that is replaceable on site, wherein the cartridge is configured as a closed cartridge which prevents a contamination of the active charcoal in the cartridge from incorrect handling on site.

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