EP3359867B2 - Method for supplying cryogenic liquid, and facility for implementing said method - Google Patents

Method for supplying cryogenic liquid, and facility for implementing said method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3359867B2
EP3359867B2 EP16793944.6A EP16793944A EP3359867B2 EP 3359867 B2 EP3359867 B2 EP 3359867B2 EP 16793944 A EP16793944 A EP 16793944A EP 3359867 B2 EP3359867 B2 EP 3359867B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
degassing
liquid
delivery
cryogenic liquid
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.)
Active
Application number
EP16793944.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3359867A1 (en
EP3359867B1 (en
Inventor
Simon OURY
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.)
Cryostar SAS
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Cryostar SAS
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Application filed by Cryostar SAS filed Critical Cryostar SAS
Priority to PL16793944.6T priority Critical patent/PL3359867T5/en
Publication of EP3359867A1 publication Critical patent/EP3359867A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/025—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the pressure as the parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/028—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the volume as the parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C6/00—Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0335—Check-valves or non-return valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0364—Pipes flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0367—Arrangements in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
    • F17C2221/017—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/04—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid before transfer
    • F17C2223/042—Localisation of the removal point
    • F17C2223/046—Localisation of the removal point in the liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0443—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/07—Actions triggered by measured parameters
    • F17C2250/072—Action when predefined value is reached
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/07—Actions triggered by measured parameters
    • F17C2250/072—Action when predefined value is reached
    • F17C2250/075—Action when predefined value is reached when full
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/031—Treating the boil-off by discharge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/065—Fluid distribution for refuelling vehicle fuel tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0139—Fuel stations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
    • F17C2270/0171—Trucks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for delivering cryogenic liquid as well as an installation for implementing this method.
  • the invention may relate to any type of cryogenic liquid, that is to say any liquid obtained by cooling to very low temperatures (generally below -100° C.) gases (pure or mixtures of gases) such as nitrogen, helium or natural gas (methane).
  • gases pure or mixtures of gases
  • nitrogen, helium or natural gas methane
  • cryogenic liquids For certain uses of cryogenic liquids, the liquid is stored in a tank of relatively large size and means are provided for delivering relatively small quantities of liquid into containers, such as for example a tank of a truck.
  • a refueling station with a storage tank and pressurized distribution means adapted to the container to be filled, generally comprising a pump making it possible to transfer cryogenic liquid from the storage tank to a tank of a vehicle.
  • the invention also relates to the transfer of cryogenic liquid to another type of container, for example a carboy of cryogenic liquid or a dewar.
  • the term “container” means any type of reservoir or receptacle or the like adapted to contain liquid, and more particularly here a cryogenic liquid.
  • liquid transfers from the tank to a carboy or a dewar, for example
  • refueling from the tank to a vehicle tank.
  • the document FR-2 997 165 relates to a process for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid, from an upstream storage, where there is a filling station through which passes a first path connecting the storage to the tank and allowing the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage to the tank, and a second path connecting a gas outlet from the tank to the filling station and making it possible to bring the gases to be evacuated from the tank to the filling station, the second gas return line to the station being devoid discharger but being equipped with a solenoid valve or several solenoid valves arranged in parallel, normally closed, the filling being controlled by the action on the solenoid valve to open it as much as necessary so as to obtain a pressure difference Delta P (between storage and tank) desired, and a final pressure value in the tank conforms to a desired set point value, associated with the considered tank that must be filled.
  • a filling station through which passes a first path connecting the storage to the tank and allowing the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage to the tank, and
  • the document FR-3 006 742 discloses a device for filling a tank with a liquefied gaseous fuel at a cryogenic temperature, comprising a source tank for storing gaseous fuel in the liquid state at a cryogenic temperature, a withdrawal pipe comprising a pump, the draw-off line comprising an upstream end connected to the source reservoir and a downstream end comprising a connector intended to be connected to a reservoir to be filled, the draw-off line comprising, downstream of the pump, a bypass portion transiting inside the source tank and comprising a submerged heat exchanger, the draw-off line comprising a system of bypass valve(s) shaped to control the relative proportions of the pumped fluid transiting and not transiting in the bypass portion, to regulate the temperature of the liquid withdrawn during filling and the filling device comprises a cryocooler connected to the tank s source to selectively liquefy gas present in the source reservoir.
  • cryogenic liquid delivery station such as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
  • LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
  • its tank is sometimes under pressure. due to the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid in the tank.
  • a degassing that is to say to withdraw gas from the tank to lower the pressure in the latter.
  • cryogenic liquid is brought under pressure to the tank.
  • the dispensing of liquid stops when one of the two following conditions is met: the pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined threshold or the flow rate of liquid falls below a predetermined threshold.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to allow a good filling of a tank, that is to say to automatically fill the tank to its nominal filling level, which may correspond for example to the maximum authorized filling level.
  • Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to determine fairly precisely both the quantity of liquid introduced into the tank and the quantity of gas which is withdrawn therefrom.
  • the implementation of the present invention will preferably have zero additional cost compared to a station for delivering cryogenic liquid (in particular LNG).
  • a degassing operation can be stopped, for example, when the pressure in the reservoir drops below a predetermined threshold and/or if a quantity of gas, predetermined as a function in particular of a quantity of liquid delivered and/or or a quantity of gas withdrawn in previous steps, is withdrawn from the tank.
  • the delivery process can also, for example, be stopped if the quantity of gas withdrawn during the last degassing operation carried out is below a predetermined threshold and if the quantity of cryogenic liquid delivered during the last liquid delivery operation cryogenic is above a predetermined threshold, after a final delivery of cryogenic liquid has then been performed.
  • the present invention also relates to a cryogenic liquid delivery installation comprising a cryogenic liquid supply pipe and optionally a degassing pipe, characterized in that it further comprises a management system for the implementation of each of the steps of a process as described above.
  • Tank 2 (cf. figure 2 ) can be a tank of a vehicle or an independent container (bottle, dewar, ).
  • the cryogenic liquid is for example LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) but it can be any other type of cryogenic liquid (liquid nitrogen, etc.).
  • LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
  • the first step R thus consists here in connecting the tank 2 to an LNG delivery station.
  • the latter allows the transfer of a limited quantity of LNG from a storage tank (not shown) to tanks, or the like, of smaller sizes.
  • the connection between the tank 2 and the delivery station is made by a flexible pipe which comprises two pipes: a first pipe, called the supply pipe 4, which is intended to bring the LNG from the storage tank to the tank 2 of the truck and a second pipe, called degassing pipe 6 intended to evacuate the elements under gaseous phase present in tank 2.
  • the user who wishes to obtain the filling of his reservoir then requests this filling by pressing, for example, a button (not shown).
  • step: P? This pressure must be greater than the saturation pressure of the liquid (LNG) to avoid immediate evaporation of the liquid introduced into tank 2. This condition is most often met because there is generally still liquid in tank 2. It is appropriate however, to also ensure that this pressure is not too high. Indeed, if the pressure is too close to the maximum allowable pressure of the tank or even if this pressure is too close to the maximum pressure that can be delivered by the filling system, then it will be advisable not to send liquid to the tank. 2.
  • the method then provides for a predetermined pressure (P 0 ) from which it is planned to carry out a degassing of the tank 2.
  • a degassing operation (step G1) is carried out.
  • gas is removed from tank 2.
  • the gas is returned to the cryogenic liquid network.
  • the amount of gas removed is measured. This measurement can be carried out precisely with a flowmeter adapted to the nature of the gas and the measurement conditions.
  • the pressure of the gas being known (measured) as well as the dimensions of the pipes and the pressure downstream, the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank 2 can be estimated according to the duration of the degassing operation. Other methods can be used to determine the amount of gas removed from Tank 2.
  • step L1 the filling of the tank 2 with LNG can begin (step L1). As illustrated in the flowchart, this filling step is performed without prior degassing if the pressure in reservoir 2 is less than P 0 .
  • a system cooling step not provided for in the flowchart to make it simpler, may be necessary to cool elements of the delivery station and not risk injecting gas in tank 2.
  • This cooling operation, or also called cooling operation, of the system will be described later with reference to the picture 2 .
  • the degassing is stopped so that the gas contained in the tank 2 cannot exit towards the delivery system and remains in the tank 2.
  • the quantity of cryogenic liquid introduced into the tank 2 is measured in order to know the quantity delivered so as to be able to establish a fair price for the transaction.
  • the first threshold value P1 may correspond to the predetermined value P 0 defined previously but it may be another limit value.
  • the quantity Q L of LNG distributed during this filling operation is preferably measured.
  • the method proposed here provides for systematically carrying out a degassing step (step G2) after this first filling step (step L1).
  • the quantity Q G of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2 is measured and/or estimated.
  • a flowmeter can measure the quantity Q G but it is also possible to provide a measurement of the time that the degassing step lasts in order to estimate the quantity Q G fairly precisely. Other measurement or estimation methods may be considered.
  • the continuation of the process depends on the quantity of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2 during this degassing operation. If this quantity is large, that is to say greater than a predetermined quantity Q 0 , it is estimated that there is still space in the tank 2 and a new filling step can then be launched.
  • this quantity of gas is low, that is to say less than the predetermined quantity Q 0 , the filling process can be terminated.
  • this quantity of gas is low, that is to say less than the predetermined quantity Q 0 .
  • step F1 the cryogenic liquid delivery process is terminated (step F1).
  • the present case corresponds for example to a reservoir 2 which was already almost full when it was connected to the dispensing station before the filling operation.
  • step L2 a final filling step is carried out before ending the filling process
  • step Ln a new filling step is launched during which the quantity Q L of cryogenic liquid is measured.
  • step Ln a new filling step
  • Q L the quantity of cryogenic liquid
  • the flowchart of the figure 1 does not manage the initialization and the incrementation of the number of filling/degassing loops.
  • step G3 a final degassing step (step G3) is carried out followed by a final filling step (corresponding to step L2 described previously).
  • the filling process thus ends here also at the final step F2 which corresponds to the end of a "normal" filling of tank 2.
  • step F1, F2 and F3 the flexible hose with the filling line 4 and the degassing line 6 can then be uncoupled from the tank 2.
  • the picture 2 schematically illustrates a delivery station for the implementation of the method which has just been presented.
  • the tank 2 firstly comprises a supply line 8 for cryogenic liquid which connects the storage tank (not shown) containing the LNG reserve to the supply line 4.
  • a first valve 10 is arranged on the supply line 8 and makes it possible to control the arrival of cryogenic liquid in the delivery system.
  • a first flowmeter 12 is arranged on the supply line 8 downstream of the first valve 10 to measure the quantity of LNG supplying the delivery system. Downstream of this flow meter is a non-return valve 14 which prevents any rise of cryogenic liquid as well as gas towards the storage tank.
  • a second valve 16 is then arranged on the supply line 18 downstream of the first flowmeter 12.
  • the delivery system shown in the picture 2 also includes a degassing line made in several sections.
  • a first section 20 of the degassing line connects the supply line 8 between the non-return valve 14 and the second valve 16 to a conduit, not shown, allowing the gas to be reinjected into the storage tank or into another recovery system. , or possibly even to a combustion device.
  • a third valve 22 controls the flow of gas in this first section 20.
  • a measuring device 24 makes it possible to know the pressure and the temperature of the gas in this first section 20.
  • a second section 26 of the degassing line connects the supply line 8 to the flexible pipe, and more particularly to the degassing pipe 6.
  • This second section 26 is connected to the supply line 8 downstream of the second valve 16 We find on this second section 26 a second flowmeter 28.
  • a link 30 makes the second section 26 communicate with the supply line 8 near the supply line 4 and the degassing line 6.
  • the link 30 is connected to the second section 26 upstream of the second flowmeter 28 and to the supply line 8 downstream of the non-return valve 18.
  • a third non-return valve 32 is provided in the second section 26 between the second flowmeter 28 and the connection of the second section 26 to the supply line 8. It ensures that the gas circulating in this second section 26 is evacuated from the tank. 2.
  • the first valve 10 is closed to prevent LNG from flowing while the second valve 16 and the third valve 22 are open (continuously or alternately) to allow a return of gas, coming for example from an evaporation of liquid present in the pipes, towards the storage tank (or any other gas recovery system).
  • step G1 When the flexible pipe is connected to tank 2, the third valve 22 closes to control the flow of gas leaving tank 2. If a degassing operation (step G1) is planned, then this third valve 22 is opened to allow gas to be withdrawn from reservoir 2. The second flowmeter 28 then measures the quantity of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2.
  • step L1 a delivery system cooling operation could be envisaged to bring the system to operating temperature.
  • LNG is admitted into the delivery system by opening the first valve 10.
  • the LNG then circulates through the first flow meter 12 and returns to the storage tank through the third valve 22.
  • the second valve 16 remains closed during of this cooling operation and the control and management system associated with the delivery system does not take into account the quantity of LNG measured by the first flow meter 12.
  • the first valve 10 and the second valve 16 are open to allow the LNG to pass through the supply line 8 from the storage tank to the tank 2.
  • the third valve 22 remains closed so as to prevent gas from returning to the storage tank during the filling steps.
  • the first valve 10 is closed first, then the second valve 16.
  • a time delay is provided for the liquid remaining in the line to evaporate. In this way, it is ensured that the flexible pipe is handled only when it contains gas, which improves the safety of the delivery system.
  • the time delay is here determined as a function of parameters linked to the delivery station from calculations and/or experimental tests.
  • the first valve 10 is closed so that the delivery system is no longer supplied with cryogenic liquid and the second valve 16 as well as the third valve 22 are open to allow the circulation gas to the storage tank (or other).
  • the present device can thus be used to guarantee proper filling of the tank 2 by implementing the method described above.
  • FIG. 3 A simplified embodiment of the station for issuing the figure 2 is illustrated on the picture 3 .
  • the references used on the figure 2 are included on the picture 3 to designate similar items.
  • the delivery station shown in this picture 3 first of all comprises a supply line 8 of cryogenic liquid. It is connected to a storage tank (not shown).
  • a first valve 10 is placed on the supply line 8.
  • a first flow meter 12 placed on the supply line 8 downstream of the first valve 10 is used to measure the quantity of liquid (LNG) delivered. This delivery is carried out by a first flexible pipe 4 connected to the supply line 8 downstream of the first flowmeter 12.
  • a degassing line 20 is connected to the supply line 8.
  • the connection is made between the first flowmeter 12 and the first valve 10.
  • the control of the gas flow in the degassing line is carried out by a second valve 22 arranged on the degassing line 20.
  • the filling process makes it possible to guarantee a nominal filling of the tank.
  • a degassing carried out after a first filling operation makes it possible to estimate whether the tank is well filled, knowing the quantity of gas removed during the degassing and advantageously also the quantity of liquid transferred into the tank. If a large quantity of liquid has been transferred and little gas has been removed, the tank is probably full and then only a top-up is carried out.
  • the proposed method also makes it possible to manage intermediate situations between these two situations.
  • the proposed device allows the implementation of the method according to the invention. It also makes it possible to precisely measure the quantity of LNG supplied to the customer, also taking into account the gas withdrawn from the tank. This device and this method can thus be used for commercial transactions.
  • the proposed system is also a safe system for which provision is made in particular to handle the connection pipe to the tank only when the latter is filled with gas (not liquid).
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the installation illustrated in the drawing, to the variants mentioned in the preceding description and to the method described above. It also relates to all variant embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art in accordance with the definition of the claims below.

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Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de délivrance de liquide cryogénique ainsi qu'une installation pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé.The present invention relates to a method for delivering cryogenic liquid as well as an installation for implementing this method.

L'invention peut concerner tout type de liquide cryogénique, c'est-à-dire tout liquide obtenu en refroidissant à de très basses températures (généralement inférieures à -100° C) des gaz (purs ou mélanges de gaz) comme par exemple de l'azote, de l'hélium ou du gaz naturel (méthane).The invention may relate to any type of cryogenic liquid, that is to say any liquid obtained by cooling to very low temperatures (generally below -100° C.) gases (pure or mixtures of gases) such as nitrogen, helium or natural gas (methane).

Pour certaines utilisations de liquides cryogéniques, le liquide est stocké dans une cuve de relativement grande taille et des moyens sont prévus pour délivrer de relativement petites quantités de liquide dans des conteneurs, comme par exemple un réservoir d'un camion. On a ainsi une station de ravitaillement avec une cuve de stockage et des moyens de distribution sous pression adaptés au conteneur à remplir comportant généralement une pompe permettant de transférer du liquide cryogénique à partir de la cuve de stockage vers un réservoir d'un véhicule. L'invention concerne également le transfert de liquide cryogénique vers un autre type de conteneur, par exemple une bonbonne de liquide cryogénique ou un dewar. On entend par la suite par conteneur, tout type de réservoir ou récipient ou similaire adapté à contenir du liquide, et plus particulièrement ici un liquide cryogénique. En outre, pour alléger la rédaction, on assimilera les transferts de liquide (de la cuve vers par exemple une bonbonne ou un dewar) à un ravitaillement (de la cuve vers un réservoir d'un véhicule).For certain uses of cryogenic liquids, the liquid is stored in a tank of relatively large size and means are provided for delivering relatively small quantities of liquid into containers, such as for example a tank of a truck. There is thus a refueling station with a storage tank and pressurized distribution means adapted to the container to be filled, generally comprising a pump making it possible to transfer cryogenic liquid from the storage tank to a tank of a vehicle. The invention also relates to the transfer of cryogenic liquid to another type of container, for example a carboy of cryogenic liquid or a dewar. Hereinafter, the term “container” means any type of reservoir or receptacle or the like adapted to contain liquid, and more particularly here a cryogenic liquid. In addition, to simplify the drafting, liquid transfers (from the tank to a carboy or a dewar, for example) will be likened to refueling (from the tank to a vehicle tank).

Le document FR-2 997 165 concerne un procédé de remplissage par un liquide cryogénique d'un réservoir, à partir d'un stockage amont, où l'on dispose d'une station de remplissage au travers de laquelle transite une première voie reliant le stockage au réservoir et permettant le transfert de liquide cryogénique du stockage au réservoir, et une seconde voie reliant une sortie gaz du réservoir à la station de remplissage et permettant de ramener les gaz à évacuer du réservoir vers la station de remplissage, la seconde ligne de retour gaz vers la station étant dépourvue de déverseur mais étant munie d'une électrovanne ou de plusieurs électrovannes disposées en parallèle, normalement fermée(s), le remplissage étant commandé par l'action sur l'électrovanne pour l'ouvrir autant que nécessaire de façon à obtenir une différence de pression Delta P (entre stockage et réservoir) souhaitée, et une valeur de pression finale dans le réservoir conforme à une valeur de consigne souhaitée, associée au réservoir considéré qu'il faut remplir.The document FR-2 997 165 relates to a process for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid, from an upstream storage, where there is a filling station through which passes a first path connecting the storage to the tank and allowing the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage to the tank, and a second path connecting a gas outlet from the tank to the filling station and making it possible to bring the gases to be evacuated from the tank to the filling station, the second gas return line to the station being devoid discharger but being equipped with a solenoid valve or several solenoid valves arranged in parallel, normally closed, the filling being controlled by the action on the solenoid valve to open it as much as necessary so as to obtain a pressure difference Delta P (between storage and tank) desired, and a final pressure value in the tank conforms to a desired set point value, associated with the considered tank that must be filled.

Le document FR-3 006 742 divulgue quant à lui un dispositif de remplissage d'un réservoir avec un carburant gazeux liquéfié à une température cryogénique, comprenant un réservoir source de stockage de carburant gazeux à l'état liquide à une température cryogénique, une conduite de soutirage comprenant une pompe, la conduite de soutirage comprenant une extrémité amont raccordée au réservoir source et une extrémité aval comprenant un raccord destiné à être raccordé à un réservoir à remplir, la conduite de soutirage comprenant, en aval de la pompe, une portion de dérivation transitant à l'intérieur du réservoir source et comprenant un échangeur de chaleur immergé, la conduite de soutirage comprenant un système de vanne(s) de dérivation conformé pour contrôler les proportions relatives du fluide pompé transitant et ne transitant pas dans la portion de dérivation, pour réguler la température du liquide soutiré en cours de remplissage et le dispositif de remplissage comprend un cryorefroidisseur relié au réservoir source pour liquéfier sélectivement du gaz présent dans le réservoir source.The document FR-3 006 742 discloses a device for filling a tank with a liquefied gaseous fuel at a cryogenic temperature, comprising a source tank for storing gaseous fuel in the liquid state at a cryogenic temperature, a withdrawal pipe comprising a pump, the draw-off line comprising an upstream end connected to the source reservoir and a downstream end comprising a connector intended to be connected to a reservoir to be filled, the draw-off line comprising, downstream of the pump, a bypass portion transiting inside the source tank and comprising a submerged heat exchanger, the draw-off line comprising a system of bypass valve(s) shaped to control the relative proportions of the pumped fluid transiting and not transiting in the bypass portion, to regulate the temperature of the liquid withdrawn during filling and the filling device comprises a cryocooler connected to the tank s source to selectively liquefy gas present in the source reservoir.

Dans le cas du remplissage d'un réservoir d'un véhicule, lorsque le véhicule se présente pour effectuer un ravitaillement à une station de délivrance de liquide cryogénique, comme par exemple du GNL (Gaz Naturel Liquéfié), son réservoir se trouve parfois sous pression du fait de l'évaporation du liquide cryogénique dans le réservoir. Ainsi, avant de réaliser le ravitaillement, il convient de réaliser un dégazage, c'est-à-dire retirer du gaz du réservoir pour abaisser la pression dans celui-ci. Ensuite, lors du ravitaillement, du liquide cryogénique est amené sous pression jusqu'au réservoir. Généralement, la distribution de liquide s'arrête lorsque l'une des deux conditions suivantes est remplie : la pression dans le réservoir dépasse un seuil prédéterminé ou le débit de liquide passe en dessous d'un seuil prédéterminé.In the case of filling a tank of a vehicle, when the vehicle arrives to refuel at a cryogenic liquid delivery station, such as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), its tank is sometimes under pressure. due to the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid in the tank. Thus, before carrying out the refueling, it is advisable to carry out a degassing, that is to say to withdraw gas from the tank to lower the pressure in the latter. Then, during refueling, cryogenic liquid is brought under pressure to the tank. Generally, the dispensing of liquid stops when one of the two following conditions is met: the pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined threshold or the flow rate of liquid falls below a predetermined threshold.

Lors d'un ravitaillement, deux phénomènes principaux influent sur la pression régnant dans le réservoir. Le premier tend à augmenter la pression dans le réservoir et le second tend à la faire baisser. En effet, lorsque du liquide vient remplir le réservoir, le volume disponible pour le gaz diminue et donc le gaz se comprime faisant augmenter la pression. Par contre, comme le liquide introduit dans le réservoir est froid, un échange thermique avec le gaz est réalisé et ce dernier vient alors en partie se condenser. La quantité (masse ou nombre de môles) de gaz diminue donc tendant à faire baisser la pression dans le réservoir.During refueling, two main phenomena influence the pressure prevailing in the tank. The first tends to increase the pressure in the tank and the second tends to lower it. Indeed, when liquid comes to fill the tank, the volume available for the gas decreases and therefore the gas compresses causing the pressure to increase. On the other hand, as the liquid introduced into the reservoir is cold, a heat exchange with the gas is carried out and the latter then partly condenses. The quantity (mass or number of moles) of gas therefore decreases, tending to lower the pressure in the reservoir.

Le plus souvent, un ravitaillement est réalisé rapidement. De ce fait, la chute de pression (condensation du gaz) est limitée et on observe le plus souvent une augmentation de la pression dans le réservoir. Il arrive que la distribution de liquide soit stoppée parce que la pression dans le réservoir dépasse un seuil donné. De ce fait, il peut arriver que la distribution s'arrête avant que le réservoir ne soit correctement rempli. Dans des cas extrêmes, si le réservoir est "chaud" avant le ravitaillement, le liquide cryogénique introduit en premier dans le réservoir va se vaporiser rapidement faisant alors monter brusquement la pression dans le réservoir. Le ravitaillement peut alors être stoppé car la pression a dépassé le seuil prédéterminé alors que le réservoir n'est pas plein, voire même presqu'encore vide.Most often, refueling is carried out quickly. As a result, the pressure drop (condensation of the gas) is limited and an increase in the pressure in the tank is most often observed. It happens that the distribution of liquid is stopped because the pressure in the tank exceeds a given threshold. As a result, it may happen that the dispensing stops before the tank is correctly filled. In extreme cases, if the tank is "hot" before refueling, the cryogenic liquid first introduced into the tank will vaporize rapidly, causing the pressure in the tank to suddenly rise. Refueling can then be stopped because the pressure has exceeded the predetermined threshold when the tank is not full, or even almost empty.

Ainsi, comme il sort de ce qui précède, il convient de mesurer la pression régnant dans un réservoir que l'on ravitaille. Le débit de liquide entrant dans le réservoir est lui aussi généralement mesuré, ne serait-ce que pour pouvoir facturer au client, le propriétaire du véhicule ravitaillé, le liquide cryogénique qui lui est fourni. Comme indiqué plus haut, il est parfois (ou souvent) nécessaire de retirer du gaz hors du réservoir pour abaisser la pression dans celui-ci. Pour tenir compte de la quantité de gaz retirée hors du réservoir lors de la facturation, il est aussi habituel de mesurer la quantité de gaz évacuée hors du réservoir.Thus, as emerges from the foregoing, it is appropriate to measure the pressure prevailing in a tank which is being refueled. The flow of liquid entering the tank is also generally measured, if only to be able to invoice the customer, the owner of the refueled vehicle, for the cryogenic liquid supplied to him. As mentioned above, it is sometimes (or often) necessary to remove gas from the tank to lower the pressure in it. To take into account the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank when billing, it is also customary to measure the quantity of gas evacuated from the tank.

La présente invention a alors pour but de permettre un bon remplissage d'un réservoir, c'est-à-dire de réaliser automatiquement un remplissage du réservoir à son niveau de remplissage nominal, qui peut correspondre par exemple au niveau de remplissage maximal autorisé.The object of the present invention is therefore to allow a good filling of a tank, that is to say to automatically fill the tank to its nominal filling level, which may correspond for example to the maximum authorized filling level.

Un autre but de la présente invention est de permettre de déterminer assez précisément tant la quantité de liquide introduit dans le réservoir que la quantité de gaz qui en est retirée.Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to determine fairly precisely both the quantity of liquid introduced into the tank and the quantity of gas which is withdrawn therefrom.

Avantageusement, la mise en œuvre de la présente invention présentera un surcout de préférence nul par rapport à une station de délivrance de liquide cryogénique (notamment GNL).Advantageously, the implementation of the present invention will preferably have zero additional cost compared to a station for delivering cryogenic liquid (in particular LNG).

Enfin, le temps de ravitaillement d'un réservoir ne doit pas être rallongé de façon sensible du fait de la mise en oeuvre de l'invention.Finally, the refueling time of a tank should not be significantly lengthened due to the implementation of the invention.

À cet effet, la présente invention propose un procédé de délivrance de liquide cryogénique comportant les étapes suivantes :

  • raccordement de manière étanche d'un réservoir à remplir à une cuve de stockage,
  • délivrance de liquide cryogénique vers le réservoir et détermination, d'une part, du flux de liquide en cours de délivrance et de la quantité de liquide délivré et, d'autre part, de la pression régnant dans le réservoir,
  • arrêt de la délivrance du liquide lorsque la pression dépasse un premier seuil prédéterminé ou bien lorsque le flux de liquide passe en dessous d'un second seuil prédéterminé.
To this end, the present invention proposes a cryogenic liquid delivery method comprising the following steps:
  • sealing connection of a tank to be filled to a storage tank,
  • delivery of cryogenic liquid to the tank and determination, on the one hand, of the flow of liquid being delivered and of the quantity of liquid delivered and, on the other hand, of the pressure prevailing in the tank,
  • stopping the delivery of the liquid when the pressure exceeds a first predetermined threshold or else when the flow of liquid falls below a second predetermined threshold.

Selon la présente invention, le procédé comporte en outre les étapes suivantes :

  • dégazage du réservoir après arrêt de la délivrance en déterminant la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir lors du dégazage, et
  • détermination s'il y a lieu de délivrer à nouveau du liquide ou non en fonction de la quantité de gaz retiré lors du dégazage et éventuellement d'autres paramètres.
According to the present invention, the method further comprises the following steps:
  • degassing the reservoir after stopping delivery by determining the amount of gas withdrawn from the reservoir during degassing, and
  • determination whether to deliver liquid again or not depending on the quantity of gas removed during degassing and possibly other parameters.

De façon originale, il est proposé ici de faire un dégazage du réservoir après son remplissage. Il a été remarqué que la connaissance de la quantité de gaz retiré du réservoir lors du dernier dégazage permettait d'avoir une idée sur l'état de remplissage du réservoir. Il est donc possible de déterminer avec cette information si le réservoir doit encore être rempli ou non. On peut aussi utiliser éventuellement d'autres informations, comme par exemple la quantité de liquide cryogénique fournie au réservoir lors de la dernière étape de remplissage : cette quantité est généralement connue. La détermination de la quantité de liquide délivré et/ou la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir peut se faire par mesure, avec par exemple un débitmètre, ou bien par estimation, par exemple en fonction du temps de délivrance ou de dégazage, la pression du fluide étant connue par ailleurs.In an original way, it is proposed here to degas the tank after it has been filled. It was noticed that the knowledge of the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank during the last degassing made it possible to have an idea of the state of filling of the tank. It is therefore possible to determine with this information whether the tank still needs to be filled or not. It is also possible to use other information, such as for example the quantity of cryogenic liquid supplied to the reservoir during the last filling step: this quantity is generally known. The determination of the quantity of liquid delivered and/or the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank can be done by measurement, for example with a flowmeter, or else by estimation, for example according to the time of delivery or degassing, the pressure of the fluid being known by somewhere else.

Dans un procédé tel que proposé ci-dessus, on prévoit avantageusement que tant que la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir est supérieure à un troisième seuil prédéterminé, une nouvelle délivrance de liquide avec détermination de la quantité délivrée lors de cette nouvelle délivrance, suivie d'un dégazage avec détermination de la quantité de gaz retirée hors du réservoir, est réalisée. Ensuite, si la quantité de liquide délivré lors de la délivrance de liquide est supérieure à une quantité de liquide prédéterminée, alors une nouvelle opération de dégazage peut alors être réalisée, suivie éventuellement d'une dernière étape de délivrance de liquide.In a method as proposed above, it is advantageously provided that as long as the quantity of gas withdrawn from the reservoir is greater than a third predetermined threshold, a new delivery of liquid with determination of the quantity delivered during this new delivery, followed by a degassing with determination of the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank, is carried out. Then, if the quantity of liquid delivered during the delivery of liquid is greater than a predetermined quantity of liquid, then a new degassing operation can then be carried out, optionally followed by a final liquid delivery step.

Pour ne pas risquer d'avoir une durée de remplissage d'un réservoir trop importante et/ou de remplir au-delà du niveau de remplissage maximal autorisé, il est prévu avantageusement que le nombre d'étapes de délivrance de liquide cryogénique est limité.In order not to risk having too long a tank filling time and/or filling beyond the maximum authorized filling level, it is advantageously provided that the number of cryogenic liquid delivery steps is limited.

Dans un procédé selon la présente invention, une opération de dégazage peut être par exemple stoppée lorsque la pression dans le réservoir passe sous un seuil prédéterminé et/ou si une quantité de gaz, prédéterminée en fonction notamment d'une quantité de liquide délivré et/ou d'une quantité de gaz retiré lors d'étapes précédentes, est retirée du réservoir.In a method according to the present invention, a degassing operation can be stopped, for example, when the pressure in the reservoir drops below a predetermined threshold and/or if a quantity of gas, predetermined as a function in particular of a quantity of liquid delivered and/or or a quantity of gas withdrawn in previous steps, is withdrawn from the tank.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférée, on peut aussi prévoir que si la quantité de gaz retirée lors de la dernière opération de dégazage réalisée et si la quantité de liquide cryogénique délivré lors de la dernière opération de délivrance de liquide cryogénique sont toutes deux en dessous de seuils prédéterminés, alors le procédé de délivrance est arrêté.According to a preferred variant embodiment, it can also be provided that if the quantity of gas withdrawn during the last degassing operation carried out and if the quantity of cryogenic liquid delivered during the last cryogenic liquid delivery operation are both below predetermined thresholds, then the delivery process is stopped.

Le procédé de délivrance peut également par exemple être arrêté si la quantité de gaz retirée lors de la dernière opération de dégazage réalisée est en-dessous d'un seuil prédéterminé et si la quantité de liquide cryogénique délivré lors de la dernière opération de délivrance de liquide cryogénique est au-dessus d'un seuil prédéterminé, après qu'une dernière délivrance de liquide cryogénique ait alors été réalisée.The delivery process can also, for example, be stopped if the quantity of gas withdrawn during the last degassing operation carried out is below a predetermined threshold and if the quantity of cryogenic liquid delivered during the last liquid delivery operation cryogenic is above a predetermined threshold, after a final delivery of cryogenic liquid has then been performed.

La présente invention concerne également une installation de délivrance de liquide cryogénique comportant un tuyau d'alimentation en liquide cryogénique et éventuellement un tuyau de dégazage, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte en outre un système de gestion pour la mise en oeuvre de chacune des étapes d'un procédé tel que décrit ci-dessus.The present invention also relates to a cryogenic liquid delivery installation comprising a cryogenic liquid supply pipe and optionally a degassing pipe, characterized in that it further comprises a management system for the implementation of each of the steps of a process as described above.

À cet effet, une telle installation de délivrance peut comporter :

  • un tuyau d'alimentation en liquide cryogénique,
  • des moyens de délivrance de liquide cryogénique incluant des moyens de raccordement de manière étanche à un réservoir,
  • des moyens de détermination, d'une part, d'un flux de liquide vers le réservoir et, d'autre part, de la pression régnant dans ledit réservoir,
  • des moyens pour arrêter la délivrance du liquide cryogénique,
  • des moyens pour dégazer le réservoir,
  • des moyens de détermination de la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir lors d'un dégazage, et
  • un système de gestion et de commande agissant, d'une part, sur les moyens de délivrance et d'arrêt de la délivrance en fonction de la pression de liquide dans le réservoir et/ou bien du flux de liquide délivré au réservoir et/ou de la quantité de gaz retiré lors du précédent dégazage et, d'autre part, sur les moyens de dégazage pour commander un dégazage du réservoir après au moins une délivrance de liquide cryogénique, et déterminant s'il y a lieu de délivrer à nouveau du liquide ou non en fonction de la quantité de gaz retiré lors du dégazage et éventuellement d'autres paramètres.
To this end, such a delivery installation may include:
  • a cryogenic liquid supply pipe,
  • cryogenic liquid delivery means including means for sealingly connecting to a tank,
  • means for determining, on the one hand, a flow of liquid towards the reservoir and, on the other hand, the pressure prevailing in said reservoir,
  • means for stopping the delivery of the cryogenic liquid,
  • means for degassing the tank,
  • means for determining the quantity of gas withdrawn from the reservoir during degassing, and
  • a management and control system acting, on the one hand, on the means of delivery and of stopping the delivery as a function of the pressure of liquid in the reservoir and/or else of the flow of liquid delivered to the reservoir and/or the quantity of gas withdrawn during the previous degassing and, on the other hand, on the degassing means for controlling degassing of the tank after at least one delivery of cryogenic liquid, and determining whether it is necessary to deliver new liquid or not depending on the amount of gas removed during degassing and possibly other parameters.

Selon une première forme de réalisation, il est proposé une installation comportant :

  • une ligne d'alimentation en liquide cryogénique,
  • une première vanne disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation,
  • un premier débitmètre disposé sur la ligne d'alimentation en aval de la première vanne,
  • une première conduite souple en aval du premier débitmètre destinée à relier la ligne d'alimentation à un réservoir pour délivrer du liquide cryogénique à ce dernier,
  • une ligne de dégazage raccordée à la ligne d'alimentation entre le premier débitmètre et la première vanne, et
  • une seconde vanne disposée sur la ligne de dégazage.
According to a first embodiment, an installation is proposed comprising:
  • a cryogenic liquid supply line,
  • a first valve disposed on the supply line,
  • a first flowmeter arranged on the supply line downstream of the first valve,
  • a first flexible pipe downstream of the first flowmeter intended to connect the supply line to a tank to deliver cryogenic liquid to the latter,
  • a degassing line connected to the supply line between the first flowmeter and the first valve, and
  • a second valve arranged on the degassing line.

Dans une forme de réalisation préférée, permettant outre d'assurer un bon remplissage d'un réservoir, d'assurer également une mesure précise du liquide introduit dans un réservoir ainsi du gaz retiré de celui-ci, une installation selon l'invention peut comporter :

  • une ligne d'alimentation en liquide cryogénique,
  • une première vanne disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation,
  • un premier débitmètre disposé sur la ligne d'alimentation en aval de la première vanne,
  • une deuxième vanne disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation en aval du premier débitmètre,
  • une première conduite souple en aval de la deuxième vanne destinée à relier la ligne d'alimentation à un réservoir pour délivrer du liquide cryogénique à ce dernier,
  • une ligne de dégazage raccordée à la ligne d'alimentation entre le premier débitmètre et la deuxième vanne,
  • une troisième vanne disposée sur la ligne de dégazage, et
  • une seconde conduite souple dite conduite de dégazage destinée à être reliée au réservoir pour permettre de retirer du gaz de ce dernier, ladite conduite de dégazage étant reliée à la ligne d'alimentation en aval de la deuxième vanne par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison.
In a preferred embodiment, making it possible, in addition to ensuring proper filling of a reservoir, to also ensure precise measurement of the liquid introduced into a reservoir and of the gas withdrawn therefrom, an installation according to the invention may comprise :
  • a cryogenic liquid supply line,
  • a first valve disposed on the supply line,
  • a first flowmeter arranged on the supply line downstream of the first valve,
  • a second valve arranged on the supply line downstream of the first flow meter,
  • a first flexible pipe downstream of the second valve intended to connect the supply line to a tank to deliver cryogenic liquid to the latter,
  • a degassing line connected to the supply line between the first flow meter and the second valve,
  • a third valve disposed on the degassing line, and
  • a second flexible pipe called a degassing pipe intended to be connected to the reservoir to enable gas to be withdrawn from the latter, said degassing pipe being connected to the supply line downstream of the second valve via a connection .

Pour la détermination de la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir lors d'une phase de dégazage, il est proposé de munir la ligne de dégazage d'un débitmètre.To determine the quantity of gas withdrawn from the reservoir during a degassing phase, it is proposed to provide the degassing line with a flowmeter.

Des détails et avantages de la présente invention apparaitront mieux de la description qui suit, faite en référence au dessin schématique annexé sur lequel :

  • La figure 1 est un logigramme illustrant une variante de réalisation préférée d'un procédé selon l'invention,
  • La figure 2 illustre schématiquement une installation de délivrance de liquide cryogénique pouvant avantageusement être utilisée pour la mise en œuvre du procédé illustré sur la figure 1, et
  • La figure 3 illustre schématiquement une installation de délivrance pour la mise en œuvre du procédé illustré sur la figure 1, simplifiée par rapport à celle de la figure 2.
Details and advantages of the present invention will appear better from the following description, made with reference to the attached schematic drawing in which:
  • The figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment variant of a method according to the invention,
  • The figure 2 schematically illustrates a cryogenic liquid delivery installation that can advantageously be used for the implementation of the method illustrated in the figure 1 , and
  • The picture 3 schematically illustrates a delivery installation for implementing the method illustrated in the figure 1 , simplified compared to that of the figure 2 .

Le procédé décrit ci-après est mis en œuvre lorsqu'un réservoir 2 est relié à une station de délivrance de liquide cryogénique. Le réservoir 2 (cf. figure 2) peut être un réservoir d'un véhicule ou un récipient indépendant (bouteille, dewar, ...). Le liquide cryogénique est par exemple du GNL (Gaz Naturel Liquéfié) mais il peut s'agir de tout autre type de liquide cryogénique (azote liquide, ...). À titre d'exemple illustratif et non limitatif, on supposera dans la suite de la description que le liquide délivré ici est du GNL pour alimenter un réservoir de camion.The method described below is implemented when a tank 2 is connected to a cryogenic liquid delivery station. Tank 2 (cf. figure 2 ) can be a tank of a vehicle or an independent container (bottle, dewar, ...). The cryogenic liquid is for example LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) but it can be any other type of cryogenic liquid (liquid nitrogen, etc.). By way of illustrative and non-limiting example, it will be assumed in the remainder of the description that the liquid delivered here is LNG to supply a truck tank.

La première étape R consiste ainsi ici à raccorder le réservoir 2 à une station de délivrance de GNL. Cette dernière permet le transfert d'une quantité limitée de GNL d'une cuve de stockage (non représentée) vers des réservoirs, ou similaires, de tailles moindres. La liaison entre le réservoir 2 et la station de délivrance est réalisée par un tuyau flexible qui comporte deux conduites : une première conduite, dite conduite d'alimentation 4, qui est destinée à amener le GNL en provenance de la cuve de stockage jusqu'au réservoir 2 du camion et une seconde conduite, dite conduite de dégazage 6 destinée à évacuer les éléments sous phase gazeuse présents dans le réservoir 2.The first step R thus consists here in connecting the tank 2 to an LNG delivery station. The latter allows the transfer of a limited quantity of LNG from a storage tank (not shown) to tanks, or the like, of smaller sizes. The connection between the tank 2 and the delivery station is made by a flexible pipe which comprises two pipes: a first pipe, called the supply pipe 4, which is intended to bring the LNG from the storage tank to the tank 2 of the truck and a second pipe, called degassing pipe 6 intended to evacuate the elements under gaseous phase present in tank 2.

L'utilisateur qui souhaite obtenir le remplissage de son réservoir demande alors ce remplissage en appuyant par exemple sur un bouton (non illustré).The user who wishes to obtain the filling of his reservoir then requests this filling by pressing, for example, a button (not shown).

Pour pouvoir réaliser un remplissage, il convient tout d'abord de déterminer si la pression dans le réservoir 2 (étape : P ?). Cette pression devra être supérieure à la pression de saturation du liquide (GNL) pour éviter une évaporation immédiate du liquide introduit dans le réservoir 2. Cette condition est le plus souvent remplie car il y a généralement encore du liquide dans le réservoir 2. Il convient toutefois de s'assurer aussi que cette pression n'est pas trop élevée. En effet, si la pression est trop proche de la pression maximale admissible du réservoir ou bien encore si cette pression est trop proche de la pression maximale pouvant être délivrée par le système de remplissage, alors il conviendra de ne pas envoyer de liquide vers le réservoir 2.To be able to carry out a filling, it is first necessary to determine whether the pressure in the tank 2 (step: P?). This pressure must be greater than the saturation pressure of the liquid (LNG) to avoid immediate evaporation of the liquid introduced into tank 2. This condition is most often met because there is generally still liquid in tank 2. It is appropriate however, to also ensure that this pressure is not too high. Indeed, if the pressure is too close to the maximum allowable pressure of the tank or even if this pressure is too close to the maximum pressure that can be delivered by the filling system, then it will be advisable not to send liquid to the tank. 2.

Le procédé prévoit alors une pression prédéterminée (P0) à partir de laquelle il est prévu de réaliser un dégazage du réservoir 2.The method then provides for a predetermined pressure (P 0 ) from which it is planned to carry out a degassing of the tank 2.

Ainsi donc, si la pression P dans le réservoir 2 est supérieure à la pression prédéterminée P0 (P>P0), alors une opération de dégazage (étape G1) est réalisée. Au cours de cette opération, du gaz est retiré du réservoir 2. Le gaz est renvoyé vers le réseau de liquide cryogénique. De préférence, la quantité de gaz retiré est mesurée. Cette mesure peut être réalisée précisément avec un débitmètre adapté à la nature du gaz et aux conditions de mesure. La pression du gaz étant connue (mesurée) de même que les dimensions des conduites et la pression en aval, la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir 2 peut être estimée en fonction de la durée de l'opération de dégazage. D'autres méthodes peuvent être utilisées pour déterminer la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir 2.Thus, if the pressure P in the reservoir 2 is greater than the predetermined pressure P 0 (P>P 0 ), then a degassing operation (step G1) is carried out. During this operation, gas is removed from tank 2. The gas is returned to the cryogenic liquid network. Preferably, the amount of gas removed is measured. This measurement can be carried out precisely with a flowmeter adapted to the nature of the gas and the measurement conditions. The pressure of the gas being known (measured) as well as the dimensions of the pipes and the pressure downstream, the quantity of gas withdrawn from the tank 2 can be estimated according to the duration of the degassing operation. Other methods can be used to determine the amount of gas removed from Tank 2.

Lorsque la pression dans le réservoir 2 est redevenue inférieure à la pression prédéterminée P0, alors le remplissage du réservoir 2 avec du GNL peut commencer (étape L1). Comme illustré sur le logigramme, cette étape de remplissage est réalisée sans dégazage préalable si la pression dans le réservoir 2 est inférieure à P0.When the pressure in the tank 2 has again become lower than the predetermined pressure P 0 , then the filling of the tank 2 with LNG can begin (step L1). As illustrated in the flowchart, this filling step is performed without prior degassing if the pressure in reservoir 2 is less than P 0 .

Avant de laisser entrer du GNL dans le réservoir 2, une étape de refroidissement du système, non prévue sur le logigramme pour le rendre plus simple, peut être nécessaire pour refroidir des éléments de la station de délivrance et ne pas risquer d'injecter du gaz dans le réservoir 2. Cette opération de refroidissement, ou appelée aussi opération de mise en froid, du système sera décrite plus loin en référence à la figure 2.Before allowing LNG to enter tank 2, a system cooling step, not provided for in the flowchart to make it simpler, may be necessary to cool elements of the delivery station and not risk injecting gas in tank 2. This cooling operation, or also called cooling operation, of the system will be described later with reference to the picture 2 .

Généralement, pendant le remplissage du réservoir 2 avec du GNL, le dégazage est arrêté si bien que le gaz contenu dans le réservoir 2 ne peut pas sortir vers le système de délivrance et reste dans le réservoir 2. La quantité de liquide cryogénique introduite dans le réservoir 2 est mesurée afin de connaitre la quantité délivrée de manière à pouvoir établir un juste prix de la transaction. Dans le cas d'application dans lesquelles le liquide cryogénique n'est pas vendu, il est possible de déterminer la quantité de liquide délivré par une estimation, par exemple à partir du temps de délivrance et de la pression du liquide, les dimensions des conduites étant connues par construction.Generally, during the filling of the tank 2 with LNG, the degassing is stopped so that the gas contained in the tank 2 cannot exit towards the delivery system and remains in the tank 2. The quantity of cryogenic liquid introduced into the tank 2 is measured in order to know the quantity delivered so as to be able to establish a fair price for the transaction. In the case of applications in which the cryogenic liquid is not sold, it is possible to determine the quantity of liquid delivered by an estimate, for example from the time of delivery and the pressure of the liquid, the dimensions of the pipes being known by construction.

L'opération de remplissage (étape L1 mais aussi par la suite les autres étapes/opérations de remplissage/délivrance qui seront prévues) s'arrête lorsqu'une des deux conditions suivantes est réalisée :

  • la pression dans le réservoir 2 atteint une première valeur seuil P1 et/ou
  • le débit de liquide (par exemple exprimé en litres par seconde l/s) passe en dessous d'un deuxième seuil D2.
The filling operation (step L1 but also subsequently the other filling/delivery steps/operations which will be provided) stops when one of the following two conditions is met:
  • the pressure in reservoir 2 reaches a first threshold value P1 and/or
  • the liquid flow (for example expressed in liters per second l/s) falls below a second threshold D2.

La première valeur seuil P1 peut correspondre à la valeur prédéterminée P0 définie précédemment mais il peut s'agir d'une autre valeur limite.The first threshold value P1 may correspond to the predetermined value P 0 defined previously but it may be another limit value.

Le deuxième seuil D2 est prédéterminé en fonction notamment du débit nominal Dn de la station de délivrance. On peut par exemple prévoir que D2 = Dn /10, c'est-à-dire que la délivrance de GNL s'arrête lorsque le débit de liquide descend en dessous de 10% du débit nominal.The second threshold D2 is predetermined as a function in particular of the nominal bit rate D n of the issuing station. It is for example possible to provide that D2=D n /10, that is to say that the delivery of LNG stops when the flow rate of liquid drops below 10% of the nominal flow rate.

La quantité QL de GNL distribuée au cours de cette opération de remplissage est de préférence mesurée.The quantity Q L of LNG distributed during this filling operation is preferably measured.

De manière originale, le procédé proposé ici prévoit de réaliser systématiquement une étape de dégazage (étape G2) après cette première étape de remplissage (étape L1). Au cours de cette étape de dégazage, la quantité QG de gaz retirée du réservoir 2 est mesurée et/ou estimée. Un débitmètre peut mesurer la quantité QG mais on peut aussi prévoir une mesure du temps que dure l'étape de dégazage afin d'estimer, assez précisément, la quantité QG. D'autres méthodes de mesure ou d'estimation peuvent être envisagées.Originally, the method proposed here provides for systematically carrying out a degassing step (step G2) after this first filling step (step L1). During this degassing step, the quantity Q G of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2 is measured and/or estimated. A flowmeter can measure the quantity Q G but it is also possible to provide a measurement of the time that the degassing step lasts in order to estimate the quantity Q G fairly precisely. Other measurement or estimation methods may be considered.

La suite du procédé dépend de la quantité de gaz retirée du réservoir 2 lors de cette opération de dégazage. Si cette quantité est importante, c'est-à-dire supérieure à une quantité prédéterminée Q0 on estime qu'il y a encore de l'espace dans le réservoir 2 et on peut alors lancer une nouvelle étape de remplissage.The continuation of the process depends on the quantity of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2 during this degassing operation. If this quantity is large, that is to say greater than a predetermined quantity Q 0 , it is estimated that there is still space in the tank 2 and a new filling step can then be launched.

Par contre, si cette quantité de gaz est faible, c'est-à-dire inférieure à la quantité prédéterminée Q0, il peut être mis fin au procédé de remplissage. Dans ce dernier cas, comme on peut le voir à droite sur le logigramme, deux façons de procéder sont proposées en fonction de la quantité QL de GNL qui a été délivrée lors de la dernière étape de remplissage.On the other hand, if this quantity of gas is low, that is to say less than the predetermined quantity Q 0 , the filling process can be terminated. In the latter case, as can be seen on the right in the flowchart, two ways of proceeding are proposed depending on the quantity Q L of LNG which has was delivered during the last filling step.

Si cette quantité QL de GNL était faible, par exemple inférieure à une quantité Q1, alors on met fin au processus de délivrance de liquide cryogénique (étape F1). Le cas présent correspond par exemple à un réservoir 2 qui était déjà quasiment rempli lors de sa connexion à la station de délivrance avant l'opération de remplissage.If this quantity Q L of LNG was low, for example less than a quantity Q 1 , then the cryogenic liquid delivery process is terminated (step F1). The present case corresponds for example to a reservoir 2 which was already almost full when it was connected to the dispensing station before the filling operation.

Par contre, si la quantité QL de GNL délivré lors de la dernière étape de remplissage était supérieure à la quantité Q1 alors il est procédé à une ultime étape de remplissage (étape L2) avant de mettre fin au procédé de remplissage (étape F2).On the other hand, if the quantity Q L of LNG delivered during the last filling step was greater than the quantity Q 1 then a final filling step is carried out (step L2) before ending the filling process (step F2 ).

Dans le cas où la quantité QG de gaz est supérieure à la quantité Q0 alors une nouvelle étape de remplissage (étape Ln) est lancée au cours de laquelle la quantité QL de liquide cryogénique est mesurée. Tant que la quantité QL reste inférieure à la quantité prédéterminée Q1, il est prévu de répéter l'opération de dégazage prévue à l'étape G2. On réalise ainsi une boucle où se succèdent des opérations de remplissage et de dégazage tant que la quantité de gaz retirée hors du réservoir 2 reste supérieure à la valeur prédéterminée Q0 et que la quantité de liquide transféré vers le réservoir 2 demeure inférieure à la valeur prédéterminée Q1.If the quantity Q G of gas is greater than the quantity Q 0 then a new filling step (step Ln) is launched during which the quantity Q L of cryogenic liquid is measured. As long as the quantity Q L remains lower than the predetermined quantity Q 1 , provision is made to repeat the degassing operation provided for in step G2. A loop is thus produced in which filling and degassing operations follow one another as long as the quantity of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2 remains greater than the predetermined value Q 0 and the quantity of liquid transferred to reservoir 2 remains less than the value predetermined Q 1 .

Pour éviter de prolonger la durée de remplissage du réservoir 2 et/ou de remplir le réservoir 2 au-delà du niveau maximal préconisé, il est proposé de mettre fin à cette boucle au bout d'un nombre N de boucles. Il est donc prévu dans un système de gestion du procédé de remplissage d'incrémenter un nombre qui compte le nombre de remplissages effectués. Si le nombre N est atteint par l'incrément, il est mis fin au procédé de remplissage après la Nième étape de remplissage.To avoid extending the filling time of tank 2 and/or filling tank 2 beyond the recommended maximum level, it is proposed to end this loop after a number N of loops. It is therefore provided in a system for managing the filling process to increment a number which counts the number of fillings carried out. If the number N is reached by the increment, the filling process is terminated after the Nth filling step.

Pour des questions de simplification, le logigramme de la figure 1 ne gère pas l'initialisation et l'incrémentation du nombre de boucles de remplissages/dégazages.For reasons of simplification, the flowchart of the figure 1 does not manage the initialization and the incrementation of the number of filling/degassing loops.

Dans la plupart des cas, la boucle à gauche de la figure 1 évoquée ci-dessus n'est réalisée qu'une seule fois. Il est en effet peu probable (mais envisageable) que la quantité de gaz retirée reste élevée lors de plusieurs opérations de dégazages successives mêmes si des remplissages sont effectués entre deux dégazages. Ce dernier cas de figure correspondrait par exemple à un réservoir relativement "chaud". Ainsi, le plus souvent, au cours d'une deuxième ou éventuellement d'une troisième étape de remplissage (étapes Ln), la quantité QL de liquide introduit dans le réservoir 2 passe en dessous du seuil Q1 et il peut ainsi être mis fin au procédé de remplissage. Puisque la dernière opération de dégazage avait conduit au retrait d'une quantité relativement importante de gaz, une ultime étape de dégazage (étape G3) est réalisée suivie d'une ultime étape de remplissage (correspondant à l'étape L2 décrite précédemment). Le processus de remplissage se termine ainsi ici aussi à l'étape finale F2 qui correspond à la fin d'un remplissage "normal" du réservoir 2.In most cases, the loop to the left of the figure 1 mentioned above is performed only once. It is indeed unlikely (but possible) that the quantity of gas withdrawn remains high during several successive degassing operations even if fillings are carried out between two degassings. This last scenario would correspond, for example, to a relatively “hot” reservoir. Thus, most often, during a second or possibly a third filling step (steps Ln), the quantity Q L of liquid introduced into the tank 2 passes below the threshold Q 1 and it can thus be put end of the filling process. Since the last degassing operation had led to the withdrawal of a relatively large quantity of gas, a final degassing step (step G3) is carried out followed by a final filling step (corresponding to step L2 described previously). The filling process thus ends here also at the final step F2 which corresponds to the end of a "normal" filling of tank 2.

Lors de chaque étape de fin (étapes F1, F2 et F3), le tuyau flexible avec la conduite de remplissage 4 et la conduite de dégazage 6 peut alors être désaccouplé du réservoir 2.During each end step (steps F1, F2 and F3), the flexible hose with the filling line 4 and the degassing line 6 can then be uncoupled from the tank 2.

La figure 2 illustre schématiquement une station de délivrance pour la mise en œuvre du procédé qui vient d'être présenté.The picture 2 schematically illustrates a delivery station for the implementation of the method which has just been presented.

On remarque sur la figure 2, à droite de celle-ci, le réservoir 2 déjà évoqué ainsi que le tuyau flexible reliant ce réservoir à la station de délivrance. Cette dernière comporte tout d'abord une ligne d'alimentation 8 en liquide cryogénique qui relie la cuve de stockage (non représentée) contenant la réserve de GNL à la conduite d'alimentation 4.We notice on the picture 2 , to the right of it, the tank 2 already mentioned as well as the flexible pipe connecting this tank to the dispensing station. The latter firstly comprises a supply line 8 for cryogenic liquid which connects the storage tank (not shown) containing the LNG reserve to the supply line 4.

Une première vanne 10 est disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation 8 et permet de contrôler l'arrivée de liquide cryogénique dans le système de délivrance.A first valve 10 is arranged on the supply line 8 and makes it possible to control the arrival of cryogenic liquid in the delivery system.

Un premier débitmètre 12 est disposé sur la ligne d'alimentation 8 en aval de la première vanne 10 pour mesurer la quantité de GNL alimentant le système de délivrance. En aval de ce débitmètre se trouve un clapet anti-retour 14 qui évite toute remontée de liquide cryogénique ainsi que de gaz vers la cuve de stockage.A first flowmeter 12 is arranged on the supply line 8 downstream of the first valve 10 to measure the quantity of LNG supplying the delivery system. Downstream of this flow meter is a non-return valve 14 which prevents any rise of cryogenic liquid as well as gas towards the storage tank.

Une deuxième vanne 16 est ensuite disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation 18 en aval du premier débitmètre 12.A second valve 16 is then arranged on the supply line 18 downstream of the first flowmeter 12.

Enfin, un autre clapet anti-retour 18 sur la ligne d'alimentation 8 avant sa jonction avec le tuyau flexible et plus précisément la conduite d'alimentation 4 de ce tuyau flexible est prévu pour éviter toute remontée de liquide mais aussi de gaz à ce niveau de la ligne d'alimentation 8.Finally, another non-return valve 18 on the supply line 8 before its junction with the flexible pipe and more precisely the supply line 4 of this flexible pipe is provided to avoid any rise of liquid but also of gas at this level of the supply line 8.

Le système de délivrance représenté sur la figure 2 comporte aussi une ligne de dégazage réalisée en plusieurs tronçons.The delivery system shown in the picture 2 also includes a degassing line made in several sections.

Un premier tronçon 20 de la ligne de dégazage raccorde la ligne d'alimentation 8 entre le clapet anti-retour 14 et la deuxième vanne 16 à un conduit non représenté permettant de réinjecter le gaz vers la cuve de stockage ou vers un autre système de récupération, voire éventuellement vers un dispositif de combustion. Une troisième vanne 22 contrôle le débit de gaz dans ce premier tronçon 20. Un dispositif de mesure 24 permet de connaitre la pression et la température du gaz dans ce premier tronçon 20.A first section 20 of the degassing line connects the supply line 8 between the non-return valve 14 and the second valve 16 to a conduit, not shown, allowing the gas to be reinjected into the storage tank or into another recovery system. , or possibly even to a combustion device. A third valve 22 controls the flow of gas in this first section 20. A measuring device 24 makes it possible to know the pressure and the temperature of the gas in this first section 20.

Un second tronçon 26 de la ligne de dégazage relie la ligne d'alimentation 8 au tuyau flexible, et plus particulièrement à la conduite de dégazage 6. Ce second tronçon 26 est raccordé à la ligne d'alimentation 8 en aval de la deuxième vanne 16. On retrouve sur ce second tronçon 26 un second débitmètre 28.A second section 26 of the degassing line connects the supply line 8 to the flexible pipe, and more particularly to the degassing pipe 6. This second section 26 is connected to the supply line 8 downstream of the second valve 16 We find on this second section 26 a second flowmeter 28.

À l'intérieur du système de délivrance, une liaison 30 fait communiquer le second tronçon 26 à la ligne d'alimentation 8 à proximité de la conduite d'alimentation 4 et de la conduite de dégazage 6. La liaison 30 est raccordée au second tronçon 26 en amont du second débitmètre 28 et à la ligne d'alimentation 8 en aval du clapet anti-retour 18.Inside the delivery system, a link 30 makes the second section 26 communicate with the supply line 8 near the supply line 4 and the degassing line 6. The link 30 is connected to the second section 26 upstream of the second flowmeter 28 and to the supply line 8 downstream of the non-return valve 18.

Un troisième clapet anti-retour 32 est prévu dans le second tronçon 26 entre le second débitmètre 28 et le raccordement du second tronçon 26 à la ligne d'alimentation 8. Il assure que le gaz circulant dans ce second tronçon 26 est évacué hors du réservoir 2.A third non-return valve 32 is provided in the second section 26 between the second flowmeter 28 and the connection of the second section 26 to the supply line 8. It ensures that the gas circulating in this second section 26 is evacuated from the tank. 2.

La suite de la présente description indique comment le dispositif qui vient d'être décrit et tel qu'illustré sur la figure 2 peut être mis en œuvre pour procéder à des étapes du procédé de la figure 1.The remainder of this description indicates how the device which has just been described and as illustrated in the picture 2 can be implemented to proceed with process steps of the figure 1 .

Au départ, avant le raccordement du tuyau flexible sur le réservoir 2, la première vanne 10 est fermée pour éviter que du GNL ne s'écoule tandis que la deuxième vanne 16 et la troisième vanne 22 sont ouvertes (en continu ou par alternances) pour permettre un retour de gaz, provenant par exemple d'une évaporation de liquide présent dans les conduites, vers la cuve de stockage (ou tout autre système de récupération du gaz).Initially, before connecting the flexible pipe to tank 2, the first valve 10 is closed to prevent LNG from flowing while the second valve 16 and the third valve 22 are open (continuously or alternately) to allow a return of gas, coming for example from an evaporation of liquid present in the pipes, towards the storage tank (or any other gas recovery system).

Lorsque le tuyau flexible est raccordé au réservoir 2, la troisième vanne 22 se ferme pour contrôler le débit de gaz sortant du réservoir 2. Si une opération de dégazage (étape G1) est prévue, alors cette troisième vanne 22 est ouverte pour permettre au gaz d'être retiré du réservoir 2. Le second débitmètre 28 mesure alors la quantité de gaz retirée hors du réservoir 2.When the flexible pipe is connected to tank 2, the third valve 22 closes to control the flow of gas leaving tank 2. If a degassing operation (step G1) is planned, then this third valve 22 is opened to allow gas to be withdrawn from reservoir 2. The second flowmeter 28 then measures the quantity of gas withdrawn from reservoir 2.

Il a été évoqué plus haut que préalablement à la première étape de remplissage (étape L1) une opération de refroidissement du système de délivrance pouvait être envisagée pour mettre le système à température de fonctionnement. Pour cette opération, du GNL est admis dans le système de délivrance en ouvrant la première vanne 10. Le GNL circule alors à travers le premier débitmètre 12 et retourne à la cuve de stockage par la troisième vanne 22. La deuxième vanne 16 reste fermée lors de cette opération de refroidissement et le système de contrôle et de gestion associé au système de délivrance ne prend pas en compte la quantité de GNL mesurée par le premier débitmètre 12.It was mentioned above that prior to the first filling step (step L1) a delivery system cooling operation could be envisaged to bring the system to operating temperature. For this operation, LNG is admitted into the delivery system by opening the first valve 10. The LNG then circulates through the first flow meter 12 and returns to the storage tank through the third valve 22. The second valve 16 remains closed during of this cooling operation and the control and management system associated with the delivery system does not take into account the quantity of LNG measured by the first flow meter 12.

Pour une étape de remplissage (étapes L1, L2 ou Ln), la première vanne 10 et la deuxième vanne 16 sont ouvertes pour permettre au GNL de transiter par la ligne d'alimentation 8 de la cuve de stockage vers le réservoir 2. La troisième vanne 22 reste fermée de manière à empêcher un retour de gaz vers la cuve de stockage lors des étapes de remplissage.For a filling step (steps L1, L2 or Ln), the first valve 10 and the second valve 16 are open to allow the LNG to pass through the supply line 8 from the storage tank to the tank 2. The third valve 22 remains closed so as to prevent gas from returning to the storage tank during the filling steps.

À la fin d'une étape de remplissage, la première vanne 10 est fermée en premier, puis la deuxième vanne 16. Une temporisation est prévue pour que le liquide restant dans la ligne s'évapore. De la sorte, on s'assure que le tuyau flexible n'est manipulé que lorsqu'il contient du gaz, ce qui améliore la sécurité du système de délivrance. La temporisation est ici déterminée en fonction de paramètres liés à la station de délivrance à partir de calculs et/ou de tests expérimentaux.At the end of a filling step, the first valve 10 is closed first, then the second valve 16. A time delay is provided for the liquid remaining in the line to evaporate. In this way, it is ensured that the flexible pipe is handled only when it contains gas, which improves the safety of the delivery system. The time delay is here determined as a function of parameters linked to the delivery station from calculations and/or experimental tests.

Ensuite, lors d'une opération de dégazage du réservoir 2, la première vanne 10 est fermée pour que le système de délivrance ne soit plus alimenté en liquide cryogénique et la deuxième vanne 16 de même que la troisième vanne 22 sont ouvertes pour permettre la circulation du gaz vers la cuve de stockage (ou autre).Then, during a tank 2 degassing operation, the first valve 10 is closed so that the delivery system is no longer supplied with cryogenic liquid and the second valve 16 as well as the third valve 22 are open to allow the circulation gas to the storage tank (or other).

Le présent dispositif peut ainsi être utilisé pour garantir un bon remplissage du réservoir 2 en mettant en œuvre le procédé décrit plus haut.The present device can thus be used to guarantee proper filling of the tank 2 by implementing the method described above.

Une forme de réalisation simplifiée de la station de délivrance de la figure 2 est illustrée sur la figure 3. Par souci de simplification, les références utilisées sur la figure 2 sont reprises sur la figure 3 pour désigner des éléments similaires.A simplified embodiment of the station for issuing the figure 2 is illustrated on the picture 3 . For the sake of simplification, the references used on the figure 2 are included on the picture 3 to designate similar items.

La station de délivrance illustrée sur cette figure 3 comporte tout d'abord une ligne d'alimentation 8 en liquide cryogénique. Elle est reliée à une cuve de stockage (non représentée).The delivery station shown in this picture 3 first of all comprises a supply line 8 of cryogenic liquid. It is connected to a storage tank (not shown).

Pour commander la délivrance de liquide cryogénique vers un réservoir 2, une première vanne 10 est disposée sur la ligne d'alimentation 8. Un premier débitmètre 12 disposé sur la ligne d'alimentation 8 en aval de la première vanne 10 est utilisé pour mesurer la quantité de liquide (GNL) délivré. Cette délivrance est réalisée par une première conduite souple 4 raccordée à la ligne d'alimentation 8 en aval du premier débitmètre 12.To control the delivery of cryogenic liquid to a tank 2, a first valve 10 is placed on the supply line 8. A first flow meter 12 placed on the supply line 8 downstream of the first valve 10 is used to measure the quantity of liquid (LNG) delivered. This delivery is carried out by a first flexible pipe 4 connected to the supply line 8 downstream of the first flowmeter 12.

Pour permettre un retour de liquide vaporisé, une ligne de dégazage 20 est raccordée à la ligne d'alimentation 8. Ici le raccordement est fait entre le premier débitmètre 12 et la première vanne 10. Le contrôle du flux de gaz dans la ligne de dégazage est réalisé par une seconde vanne 22 disposée sur la ligne de dégazage 20.To allow a return of vaporized liquid, a degassing line 20 is connected to the supply line 8. Here the connection is made between the first flowmeter 12 and the first valve 10. The control of the gas flow in the degassing line is carried out by a second valve 22 arranged on the degassing line 20.

Le procédé de remplissage permet de garantir un remplissage nominal du réservoir. Un dégazage réalisé après une première opération de remplissage permet d'estimer si le réservoir est bien rempli, connaissant la quantité de gaz retiré lors du dégazage et avantageusement aussi la quantité de liquide transféré dans le réservoir. Si une grande quantité de liquide a été transférée et que peu de gaz a été retiré, le réservoir est probablement rempli et on réalise alors juste un remplissage d'appoint.The filling process makes it possible to guarantee a nominal filling of the tank. A degassing carried out after a first filling operation makes it possible to estimate whether the tank is well filled, knowing the quantity of gas removed during the degassing and advantageously also the quantity of liquid transferred into the tank. If a large quantity of liquid has been transferred and little gas has been removed, the tank is probably full and then only a top-up is carried out.

À l'opposé, si une faible quantité de liquide a été transférée vers le réservoir mais que beaucoup de gaz en a été retiré, on peut supposer que le réservoir était "chaud" et que le liquide introduit dans le réservoir s'est rapidement évaporé.Conversely, if a small amount of liquid was transferred to the tank but a lot of gas was removed from it, it can be assumed that the tank was "hot" and the liquid introduced into the tank quickly evaporated .

Le procédé proposé permet aussi de gérer des situations intermédiaires entre ces deux situations.The proposed method also makes it possible to manage intermediate situations between these two situations.

Le dispositif proposé permet la mise en œuvre du procédé selon l'invention. Il permet en outre de mesurer précisément la quantité de GNL fourni au client en tenant compte aussi du gaz retiré du réservoir. Ce dispositif et ce procédé peuvent ainsi être utilisés pour des transactions commerciales.The proposed device allows the implementation of the method according to the invention. It also makes it possible to precisely measure the quantity of LNG supplied to the customer, also taking into account the gas withdrawn from the tank. This device and this method can thus be used for commercial transactions.

Le fait de garantir un bon remplissage d'un réservoir pour un camion permet de lui garantir une autonomie maximale.The fact of guaranteeing a good filling of a tank for a truck allows it to guarantee maximum autonomy.

Le système proposé est également un système sûr pour lequel il est notamment prévu de manipuler le tuyau de raccordement au réservoir que lorsque ce dernier est rempli de gaz (pas de liquide).The proposed system is also a safe system for which provision is made in particular to handle the connection pipe to the tank only when the latter is filled with gas (not liquid).

Bien entendu, la présente invention ne se limite pas à la forme de réalisation de l'installation illustrée sur le dessin, aux variantes évoquées dans la description qui précède et au procédé décrit plus haut. Elle concerne également toutes les variantes de réalisation à la portée de l'homme du métier conformément à la définition des revendications ci-après.Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the installation illustrated in the drawing, to the variants mentioned in the preceding description and to the method described above. It also relates to all variant embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art in accordance with the definition of the claims below.

Claims (11)

  1. A method of delivering cryogenic liquid comprising the following steps:
    - sealably connecting a tank (2) to be filled to a storage tank,
    - delivering cryogenic liquid to the tank (2) and determining, on the one hand, the flow of liquid being delivered and the quantity of liquid delivered, and on the other hand, the pressure in the tank (2),
    - stopping delivery of the liquid when the pressure exceeds a first predetermined threshold or when the liquid flow drops below a second predetermined threshold,
    characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps:
    - degassing the tank (2) after stopping the delivery while determining the quantity of gas removed from the tank (2) during the degassing, and
    - determining whether or not liquid should be delivered again based on the quantity of gas removed during the degassing, and possibly other parameters.
  2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as long as the quantity of gas removed from the tank (2) is greater than a third predetermined threshold, a new delivery of liquid with determination of the quantity delivered during this new delivery, followed by a degassing with determination of the quantity of gas removed from the tank (2), is carried out.
  3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that if the quantity of liquid delivered during the delivery of liquid is greater than a predetermined quantity of liquid, then a new degassing operation is carried out, followed by a last step of liquid delivery.
  4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number of steps of delivery of cryogenic liquid is limited.
  5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a degassing operation is stopped when the pressure in the tank drops below a predetermined threshold and/or if a quantity of gas, predetermined based particularly on a quantity of liquid delivered and/or a quantity of gas removed during the preceding steps, is removed from the tank.
  6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that if the quantity of gas removed during the last degassing operation carried out and if the quantity of cryogenic liquid delivered during the last cryogenic liquid delivery operation are both below predetermined thresholds, then the delivery method is stopped.
  7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that if the quantity of gas removed during the last degassing operation carried out is below a predetermined threshold and if the quantity of cryogenic liquid delivered during the last cryogenic liquid delivery operation is below a predetermined threshold, then a last cryogenic liquid delivery is carried out and the delivery method is stopped.
  8. A cryogenic liquid delivery installation comprising a cryogenic liquid delivery pipe (4) and cryogenic liquid delivery means including means of sealably connecting to a tank, characterized in that it further comprises:
    - means of determining, on the one hand, a flow of liquid to the tank, and on the other hand, the pressure in said tank,
    - means of stopping the delivery of the cryogenic liquid,
    - means of degassing the tank,
    - means of determining the quantity of gas removed from the tank during degassing, and
    - a management and control system acting, on the one hand, on the means of delivery and stopping of delivery based on the liquid pressure in the tank and/or of the flow of liquid delivered to the tank and/or of the quantity of gas removed during the preceding degassing, and on the other hand, on the means of degassing in order to control a degassing of the tank after at least one cryogenic liquid delivery, and determining whether or not liquid should be delivered again depending on the quantity of gas removed during the degassing and possibly other parameters.
  9. The installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises:
    - a cryogenic liquid supply line (8),
    - a first valve (10) arranged in the supply line (8),
    - a first flow meter (12) arranged in the supply line downstream of the first valve (10),
    - a first flexible pipe (4) downstream of the first flow meter (12) intended to connect the supply line (8) to a tank (2) to deliver cryogenic liquid to the latter,
    - a degassing line (20) connected to the supply line (8) between the first flow meter (12) and the first valve (10), and
    - a second valve (22) arranged in the degassing line.
  10. The installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises:
    - a cryogenic liquid supply line (8),
    - a first valve (10) arranged in the supply line (8),
    - a first flow meter (12) arranged in the supply line downstream of the first valve (10),
    - a second valve (16) arranged in the supply line (8) downstream of the first flow meter (12),
    - a first flexible pipe (4) downstream of the second valve (16) intended to connect the supply line (8) to a tank (2) to deliver cryogenic liquid to the latter,
    - a degassing line (20, 26) connected to the supply line (8) between the first flow meter (12) and the second valve (16),
    - a third valve (22) arranged in the degassing line, and
    - a second flexible pipe called degassing pipe (6) intended to be connected to the tank (2) to allow gas to be removed therefrom, said degassing pipe being connected to the supply line (8) downstream of the second valve (16) by means of a connector (26).
  11. The installation according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises a second flow meter (28) arranged in the degassing line for measuring a gas flow.
EP16793944.6A 2015-10-05 2016-10-05 Method for supplying cryogenic liquid, and facility for implementing said method Active EP3359867B2 (en)

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FR1559472A FR3041951B1 (en) 2015-10-05 2015-10-05 PROCESS FOR DELIVERY OF CRYOGENIC LIQUID AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS
PCT/FR2016/052566 WO2017060627A1 (en) 2015-10-05 2016-10-05 Method for supplying cryogenic liquid, and facility for implementing said method

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FR3100032B1 (en) * 2019-08-20 2021-09-10 Axegaz Trading And Tech Gravimetric distribution station for condensed gas in the liquid state and method of managing such a station
WO2024134526A1 (en) * 2022-12-22 2024-06-27 Graf Industries S.P.A. Method for refueling liquefied natural gas vehicles

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PL3359867T5 (en) 2023-03-13
CN108431487A (en) 2018-08-21
ES2760074T5 (en) 2023-02-17
FR3041951A1 (en) 2017-04-07
ES2760074T3 (en) 2020-05-13
US20180299072A1 (en) 2018-10-18
PT3359867T (en) 2019-12-05
HUE047878T2 (en) 2020-05-28
DK3359867T3 (en) 2019-12-16
EP3359867A1 (en) 2018-08-15
FR3041951B1 (en) 2020-09-04
CN108431487B (en) 2020-08-11
PL3359867T3 (en) 2020-04-30
WO2017060627A1 (en) 2017-04-13
US10774992B2 (en) 2020-09-15
EP3359867B1 (en) 2019-10-02
FI3359867T4 (en) 2023-01-13

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