EP3486588A1 - Method and apparatus for cooling a system - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for cooling a system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3486588A1
EP3486588A1 EP17020538.9A EP17020538A EP3486588A1 EP 3486588 A1 EP3486588 A1 EP 3486588A1 EP 17020538 A EP17020538 A EP 17020538A EP 3486588 A1 EP3486588 A1 EP 3486588A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
medium
heat exchanger
supplied
cooling
cooled
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP17020538.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Hibbitt
Simon Mills
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.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Priority to EP17020538.9A priority Critical patent/EP3486588A1/en
Publication of EP3486588A1 publication Critical patent/EP3486588A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
    • F25B9/002—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0065—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0067—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • F25J1/0247—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control start-up of the process
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • F25J1/0268—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer using a dedicated refrigeration means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
    • F25J1/0276—Laboratory or other miniature devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/04—Clogging
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2515—Flow valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/42—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/904—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration by liquid or gaseous cryogen in an open loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/912—Liquefaction cycle of a low-boiling (feed) gas in a cryocooler, i.e. in a closed-loop refrigerator

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cooling a system that is intended for use with a medium like hydrogen in liquid form.
  • cooling with the medium the system is intended to be used with in liquid form is inefficient in most cases due to high thermal masses of the system, other media, typically with higher liquefaction temperature, are used.
  • a medium typically is supplied to the system in liquid form.
  • a system intended to be used with liquid hydrogen can be pre-cooled by supplying liquid nitrogen to the system.
  • the present invention aims at improving the cooling or pre-cooling of such systems intended for use with a medium in liquid form.
  • a method according to the invention serves for cooling a system that is intended for use with a first medium in liquid form.
  • the first medium is supplied to the system in gaseous form, wherein the first medium is cooled by means of a first heat exchanger using a second medium prior to being supplied to the system. That is, neither the first medium is supplied to the system in liquid form nor another medium is supplied to the system in order to cool the system.
  • the second medium has a higher liquefaction temperature than the first medium has. This improves energy efficiency since only a small amount of energy is necessary to cool the second medium, which, in particular, can be provided in liquid form prior to being supplied to the first heat exchanger.
  • a preferred second medium is nitrogen and a preferred first medium is hydrogen, since several systems exist using hydrogen in liquid form.
  • other media like helium or neon can be used as first medium.
  • the first medium is further cooled by means of a second heat exchanger using the first medium flowing back from the system prior to being cooled by means of the first heat exchanger. That is, the first medium is cooled in a first stage by means of the second heat exchanger and it is further cooled in a second stage by means of the first heat exchanger.
  • several of such second heat exchangers can be used, in particular depending on the cooling power of the heat exchangers and the cooling power needed to cool the system with a desired cooling rate. This further improves energy efficiency since the first medium flowing back from the system can be used for cooling first medium still to be supplied to the system. This can be further improved in that the first medium is further cooled by means of the second heat exchanger using the second medium.
  • such flow of medium is established in that the first medium is supplied to the system within a circular flow including a compressor and/or a blower.
  • the second medium can be provided by an appropriate source and after it has passed the heat exchangers it can be vented to atmosphere.
  • re-use of the second medium is also possible.
  • a flowrate of the first medium and/or a flowrate of the second medium are controlled depending on a desired cooling rate of the system.
  • appropriate controlling units can be used. In this way shock-cooling of the system can be prevented.
  • an engine is used as the system to be cooled.
  • engines that are used with medium like hydrogen in liquid form it is very important to prevent any impurities in the engine.
  • Such engines can be used, for example, within the aerospace and space industries, potentially within an aircraft, a flying machine or an aerospace vehicle, though not limited to such industries.
  • a further object of the invention is an apparatus for cooling a system that is intended for use with a first medium in liquid form, the apparatus being arranged to supply the first medium to the system in gaseous form.
  • the apparatus comprises at least one heat exchanger being arranged to cool the first medium using a second medium prior to being supplied to the system.
  • the apparatus is adapted to perform a method according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 an apparatus or system 100 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment is shown, with which the method of the present invention can advantageously be implemented.
  • Gaseous hydrogen as a first medium, provided by a hydrogen source 110 is supplied to a hydrogen circuit in the form of a closed loop, the hydrogen being denoted by steam a.
  • the hydrogen a is driven in the circuit by means of a blower or compressor 120.
  • the hydrogen passes two heat exchangers, in particular a second heat exchanger 140 and then a first heat exchanger 130 (terms used in the sense of the present invention).
  • the hydrogen a After the hydrogen a has passed the first heat exchanger 130 it is supplied to the system 150, which, for example, can be an engine. After the hydrogen a has passed the system 150 it is fed back to the blower or compressor 120 via the second heat exchanger 130.
  • the system 150 which, for example, can be an engine.
  • nitrogen as a second medium is provided by means of a liquid nitrogen source 170 and supplied to the first heat exchanger 130 and further to the second heat exchanger 140. After the nitrogen b has passed the second heat exchanger 140 it is vented to atmosphere. However, it is also possible that the nitrogen is collected for re-use or it is used in another application.
  • a control unit 175 is provided which is adapted to control a flowrate of the nitrogen b through the heat exchangers 130 and 140. It is, for example, also possible to control a temperature. By means of that control unit 175 the cooling rate of the hydrogen to be cooled can be adjusted. It is to be noted that such a control unit (including, for example, an adjustable valve) can be provided in the stream of nitrogen before or after each of the heat exchangers 130 and 140.
  • a control unit 155 is provided to control the flow of the hydrogen a in order to adjust a desired cooling rate of the system 150 in order to, for example, prevent a shock cooling of the system 150.
  • the system 150 can be cooled down to, for example, -192°C without contamination of the system with impurities.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cooling a system (150) that is intended for use with a first medium (a) in liquid form, the first medium (a) being supplied to the system (150) in gaseous form, wherein the first medium (a) is cooled by means of a first heat exchanger (130) using a second medium (b) prior to being supplied to the system (150), and an apparatus (100) for cooling a system (150).

Description

    Technical Field
  • The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cooling a system that is intended for use with a medium like hydrogen in liquid form.
    • Prior Art
  • Different systems like engines that are intended to be used with and are used with medium in liquid form like liquid hydrogen exist. Typically, such systems have to be pre-cooled, i.e. they have to be cooled prior to using them with the medium in liquid form.
  • Since cooling with the medium the system is intended to be used with in liquid form is inefficient in most cases due to high thermal masses of the system, other media, typically with higher liquefaction temperature, are used. Such a medium typically is supplied to the system in liquid form. For example, a system intended to be used with liquid hydrogen can be pre-cooled by supplying liquid nitrogen to the system.
  • However, using such other media typically causes impurities remaining in the system that, in most cases, freeze out when the medium the system is intended to be used with is supplied. For example, nitrogen is frozen out when exposed to liquid hydrogen. This can cause failures in the system.
  • The present invention aims at improving the cooling or pre-cooling of such systems intended for use with a medium in liquid form.
    • Disclosure of the Invention
  • This object is achieved by providing a method and an apparatus according to the independent claims.
  • A method according to the invention serves for cooling a system that is intended for use with a first medium in liquid form. For cooling this system, the first medium is supplied to the system in gaseous form, wherein the first medium is cooled by means of a first heat exchanger using a second medium prior to being supplied to the system. That is, neither the first medium is supplied to the system in liquid form nor another medium is supplied to the system in order to cool the system.
  • This, on the one hand, overcomes the problem that any medium other than the medium the system is intended to be used with will cause impurities, and, on the other hand, does not require a high amount of the first medium in liquid form. The latter, typically requires on-site liquefaction and causes high costs.
  • Advantageously, the second medium has a higher liquefaction temperature than the first medium has. This improves energy efficiency since only a small amount of energy is necessary to cool the second medium, which, in particular, can be provided in liquid form prior to being supplied to the first heat exchanger. A preferred second medium is nitrogen and a preferred first medium is hydrogen, since several systems exist using hydrogen in liquid form. However, also other media like helium or neon can be used as first medium.
  • It is of advantage if the first medium is further cooled by means of a second heat exchanger using the first medium flowing back from the system prior to being cooled by means of the first heat exchanger. That is, the first medium is cooled in a first stage by means of the second heat exchanger and it is further cooled in a second stage by means of the first heat exchanger. Also, several of such second heat exchangers can be used, in particular depending on the cooling power of the heat exchangers and the cooling power needed to cool the system with a desired cooling rate. This further improves energy efficiency since the first medium flowing back from the system can be used for cooling first medium still to be supplied to the system. This can be further improved in that the first medium is further cooled by means of the second heat exchanger using the second medium.
  • Preferably, such flow of medium is established in that the first medium is supplied to the system within a circular flow including a compressor and/or a blower. The second medium can be provided by an appropriate source and after it has passed the heat exchangers it can be vented to atmosphere. Of course, re-use of the second medium is also possible.
  • Advantageously, a flowrate of the first medium and/or a flowrate of the second medium are controlled depending on a desired cooling rate of the system. For this purpose, appropriate controlling units can be used. In this way shock-cooling of the system can be prevented.
  • Preferably, an engine is used as the system to be cooled. For engines that are used with medium like hydrogen in liquid form, it is very important to prevent any impurities in the engine. Such engines can be used, for example, within the aerospace and space industries, potentially within an aircraft, a flying machine or an aerospace vehicle, though not limited to such industries.
  • A further object of the invention is an apparatus for cooling a system that is intended for use with a first medium in liquid form, the apparatus being arranged to supply the first medium to the system in gaseous form. The apparatus comprises at least one heat exchanger being arranged to cool the first medium using a second medium prior to being supplied to the system. Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to perform a method according to the invention.
  • In respect of further embodiments and advantages of the apparatus it is referred to the statements above in order to avoid repetition.
  • The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred embodiment.
    • Brief description of the drawings
    • Fig. 1
    schematically shows an apparatus, with which the method of the present invention can advantageously be implemented.
    Detailed description of the drawings
  • In Fig. 1, an apparatus or system 100 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment is shown, with which the method of the present invention can advantageously be implemented.
  • Gaseous hydrogen as a first medium, provided by a hydrogen source 110 is supplied to a hydrogen circuit in the form of a closed loop, the hydrogen being denoted by steam a. The hydrogen a is driven in the circuit by means of a blower or compressor 120. In the circuit the hydrogen passes two heat exchangers, in particular a second heat exchanger 140 and then a first heat exchanger 130 (terms used in the sense of the present invention).
  • After the hydrogen a has passed the first heat exchanger 130 it is supplied to the system 150, which, for example, can be an engine. After the hydrogen a has passed the system 150 it is fed back to the blower or compressor 120 via the second heat exchanger 130.
  • Further, nitrogen as a second medium, denoted by stream b, is provided by means of a liquid nitrogen source 170 and supplied to the first heat exchanger 130 and further to the second heat exchanger 140. After the nitrogen b has passed the second heat exchanger 140 it is vented to atmosphere. However, it is also possible that the nitrogen is collected for re-use or it is used in another application.
  • Also, a control unit 175 is provided which is adapted to control a flowrate of the nitrogen b through the heat exchangers 130 and 140. It is, for example, also possible to control a temperature. By means of that control unit 175 the cooling rate of the hydrogen to be cooled can be adjusted. It is to be noted that such a control unit (including, for example, an adjustable valve) can be provided in the stream of nitrogen before or after each of the heat exchangers 130 and 140.
  • Further, a control unit 155 is provided to control the flow of the hydrogen a in order to adjust a desired cooling rate of the system 150 in order to, for example, prevent a shock cooling of the system 150.
  • In this way the system 150 can be cooled down to, for example, -192°C without contamination of the system with impurities.

Claims (11)

  1. Method for cooling a system (150) that is intended for use with a first medium (a) in liquid form, the first medium (a) being supplied to the system (150) in gaseous form,
    wherein the first medium (a) is cooled by means of a first heat exchanger (130) using a second medium (b) prior to being supplied to the system (150).
  2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first medium (a) is further cooled by means of a second heat exchanger (140) using the first medium (a) flowing back from the system (150) prior to being cooled by means of the first heat exchanger (130).
  3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the first medium (a) is further cooled by means of the second heat exchanger (140) using the second medium (b).
  4. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein a flowrate of the first medium (a) and/or a flowrate of the second medium (b) are controlled depending on a desired cooling rate of the system (150).
  5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second medium (b) is provided in liquid form prior to being supplied to the first heat exchanger (130).
  6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first medium (a) is supplied to the system within a circular flow including a compressor (120) and/or a blower.
  7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second medium (b) has a higher liquefaction temperature than the first medium (a) has.
  8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein hydrogen, helium or neon is used as the first medium (a), and/or wherein nitrogen is used as the second medium (b).
  9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an engine is used as the system (150) to be cooled.
  10. Apparatus (100) for cooling a system (150) that is intended for use with a first medium (a) in liquid form, the apparatus (100) being arranged to supplying the first medium (a) to the system (150) in gaseous form,
    comprising at least one heat exchanger (130, 140) being arranged to cooling the first medium (a) using a second medium (b) prior to being supplied to the system (150).
  11. Apparatus (100) according to claim 10, being adapted to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
EP17020538.9A 2017-11-20 2017-11-20 Method and apparatus for cooling a system Withdrawn EP3486588A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17020538.9A EP3486588A1 (en) 2017-11-20 2017-11-20 Method and apparatus for cooling a system

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EP17020538.9A EP3486588A1 (en) 2017-11-20 2017-11-20 Method and apparatus for cooling a system

Publications (1)

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EP3486588A1 true EP3486588A1 (en) 2019-05-22

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EP17020538.9A Withdrawn EP3486588A1 (en) 2017-11-20 2017-11-20 Method and apparatus for cooling a system

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20220031529A (en) * 2020-09-04 2022-03-11 에어 프로덕츠 앤드 케미칼스, 인코오포레이티드 Method to control the cooldown of main heat exchangers in liquefied natural gas plant

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0916890A2 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-19 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method and apparatus for precooling a mass prior to immersion in a cryogenic liquid
US20050016187A1 (en) * 2003-07-03 2005-01-27 Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, Llc Pre-cooler for reducing cryogen consumption
DE102008007923A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-08-13 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method for cooling a storage container
US20160341452A1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2016-11-24 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Refrigeration method, and corresponding cold box and cryogenic equipment

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0916890A2 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-19 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method and apparatus for precooling a mass prior to immersion in a cryogenic liquid
US20050016187A1 (en) * 2003-07-03 2005-01-27 Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, Llc Pre-cooler for reducing cryogen consumption
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