EP4010640A1 - Refrigeration device and system - Google Patents

Refrigeration device and system

Info

Publication number
EP4010640A1
EP4010640A1 EP20742660.2A EP20742660A EP4010640A1 EP 4010640 A1 EP4010640 A1 EP 4010640A1 EP 20742660 A EP20742660 A EP 20742660A EP 4010640 A1 EP4010640 A1 EP 4010640A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cooling
fluid
cooling heat
heat exchanger
working fluid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20742660.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Fabien Durand
Guillaume DELAUTRE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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 Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP4010640A1 publication Critical patent/EP4010640A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F25J1/0025—Boil-off gases "BOG" from storages
    • 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
    • F25B7/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with cascade operation, i.e. with two or more circuits, the heat from the condenser of one circuit being absorbed by the evaporator of the next circuit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F25B1/04—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with compressor of rotary type
    • F25B1/053—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with compressor of rotary type of turbine type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B11/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, using turbines, e.g. gas turbines
    • F25B11/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, using turbines, e.g. gas turbines as expanders
    • F25B11/04—Compression machines, plants or systems, using turbines, e.g. gas turbines as expanders centrifugal type
    • 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
    • F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
    • F25B31/02—Compressor arrangements of motor-compressor units
    • F25B31/026—Compressor arrangements of motor-compressor units with compressor of rotary type
    • 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
    • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
    • F25B41/40—Fluid line arrangements
    • 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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
    • F25J1/001—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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • 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
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/005—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by expansion of a gaseous refrigerant stream with extraction of work
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0072—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0203—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0204—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a single flow SCR cycle
    • 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
    • F25J1/0211—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0212—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a single flow MCR cycle
    • 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
    • F25J1/0258—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines vertical layout of the equipments within in the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0259—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the liquefaction unit and in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • 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
    • F25J1/0261—Details of cold box insulation, housing and internal structure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0281—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc. characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F25J1/0284—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0285—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
    • F25J1/0288—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion of the refrigerant, so-called companders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0296—Removal of the heat of compression, e.g. within an inter- or afterstage-cooler against an ambient heat sink
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/0066—Multi-circuit heat-exchangers, e.g. integrating different heat exchange sections in the same unit or heat-exchangers for more than two fluids
    • F28D7/0083—Multi-circuit heat-exchangers, e.g. integrating different heat exchange sections in the same unit or heat-exchangers for more than two fluids with units having particular arrangement relative to a supplementary heat exchange medium, e.g. with interleaved units or with adjacent units arranged in common flow of supplementary heat exchange medium
    • F28D7/0091—Multi-circuit heat-exchangers, e.g. integrating different heat exchange sections in the same unit or heat-exchangers for more than two fluids with units having particular arrangement relative to a supplementary heat exchange medium, e.g. with interleaved units or with adjacent units arranged in common flow of supplementary heat exchange medium the supplementary medium flowing in series through the units
    • 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
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/047—Water-cooled condensers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/05—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system
    • F25B2400/054—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system between the suction tube of the compressor and another part of the cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/07—Details of compressors or related parts
    • F25B2400/072—Intercoolers therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/14—Power generation using energy from the expansion of the refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/01—Geometry problems, e.g. for reducing size
    • 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
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/04—Compressor cooling arrangement, e.g. inter- or after-stage cooling or condensate removal
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/20—Integrated compressor and process expander; Gear box arrangement; Multiple compressors on a common shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/34—Details about subcooling of liquids
    • 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
    • F28D2021/0061—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for phase-change applications
    • F28D2021/0063—Condensers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a refrigeration device and installation.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a device for refrigeration at low temperature, that is to say at a temperature between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 273 degrees centigrade and in particular between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 253 degrees centigrade, comprising a working circuit forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit forming a cycle comprising in series: a mechanism for compressing the working fluid, a mechanism for cooling the working fluid, a mechanism for expanding the working fluid and a mechanism for heating the working fluid, the device comprising a refrigeration heat exchanger intended to extract heat from at least one member by heat exchange with the working fluid circulating in the working circuit, the compression mechanism comprising two separate compressors, the working fluid cooling mechanism comprising two heat exchangers of r efroid ordinance arranged respectively at the outlet of the two compressors and ensuring heat exchange between the working fluid and a cooling fluid, each cooling heat exchanger comprising a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet.
  • low-temperature refrigeration device a refrigeration system at a temperature between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 273 degrees centigrade, in particular between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 253 degrees centigrade.
  • the invention relates in particular to cryogenic refrigerators and / or liquefiers, for example of the “Turbo Brayton” cycle type or “Turbo Brayton coolers” in which a gas work, also called cycle gas (helium, nitrogen, hydrogen or other pure gas or mixture), undergoes a thermodynamic cycle producing cold which can be transferred to an organ or a gas to be cooled.
  • a gas work also called cycle gas (helium, nitrogen, hydrogen or other pure gas or mixture)
  • cycle gas helium, nitrogen, hydrogen or other pure gas or mixture
  • These devices are used in a wide variety of applications and in particular for cooling natural gas from a reservoir (for example in boats).
  • the liquefied natural gas is for example sub-cooled to prevent its vaporization or the gaseous part is cooled with a view to its reliquefaction.
  • a natural gas stream can be circulated through a heat exchanger cooled by the refrigerator / liquefier cycle gas.
  • These devices can include several heat exchangers interposed at the outlet of the compression stages. These devices are integrated into a frame or frame whose volume is limited. The integration of these various exchangers and the associated piping are thus made difficult. Cooling the working gas can in some cases be problematic.
  • An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.
  • the device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the cooling fluid outlet of one of the two heat exchangers of cooling is connected to the coolant inlet of the other cooling heat exchanger so that coolant flow passing through one of the cooling heat exchangers has already circulated through the other heat exchanger cooling.
  • embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics: the two compressors are arranged in series in the working circuit.
  • the refrigerant circuit firstly supplies the first cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid, then the second cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation with the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the first cooling heat exchanger, the refrigerant circuit first supplies the second cooling heat exchanger in series with cooling fluid according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid, the first cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the second cooling heat exchanger,
  • the two cooling heat exchangers each have an oblong shape extending in a respective longitudinal direction, each cooling heat exchanger comprising an inlet for working gas to be cooled and an outlet for cooled working gas arranged respectively at two longitudinal ends, the two cooling heat exchangers being arranged in reverse, that is to say say that the respective longitudinal directions of the two cooling heat exchangers are parallel or substantially parallel and the directions
  • the invention also relates to a refrigeration and / or liquefaction installation for a flow of user fluid, in particular natural gas, comprising such a refrigeration device, the installation comprising at least one user fluid reservoir, a circulation pipe. of said flow of user fluid in the cooling exchanger.
  • the compression mechanism comprises two or more compressors and at least one motor for driving the compressor or compressors in rotation and comprising a rotary drive shaft, the compressors being driven in rotation by the rotary shaft or shafts.
  • the working fluid expansion mechanism comprising at least one rotary turbine rotatably fixed to a shaft of one of the drive motors of at least one compressor, the refrigeration power of the refrigeration device being variable and controlled by a controller regulating the speed of rotation of the drive motor (s).
  • the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the characteristics above or below within the scope of the claims.
  • FIG. 1 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an example of a device and installation capable of implementing the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic and partial view illustrating a detail of the structure and operation of the device and of the installation according to an alternative embodiment of the arrangement of two cooling heat exchangers,
  • FIG. 3 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an example of device and installation capable of implementing the invention according to another example of embodiment
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic and partial view illustrating a detail of the structure and operation of the device and of the installation according to a possible variant embodiment of the agency of two cooling heat exchangers.
  • the cooling and / or liquefaction installation of [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 4] comprises a refrigeration device 1 providing cold (cooling power) at the level of a refrigeration heat exchanger 8.
  • the installation comprises a pipe 125 for circulating a flow of fluid to be cooled placed in heat exchange with this cooling exchanger 8.
  • the fluid is liquid natural gas pumped into a tank 16 (for example via a pump), then is cooled (preferably outside the tank 16) and then returned to the tank 16 (for example in rain in the gas phase of the tank. tank 16).
  • This makes it possible to cool or sub-cool the contents of the reservoir 16 and to limit the phenomena of vaporization.
  • the liquid in the tank 16 is sub-cooled below its saturation temperature (drop in its temperature by several degrees K, in particular 5 to 20K and in particular 14K) before being reinjected into the tank 16.
  • this refrigeration can be supplied to the vaporization gas of the reservoir with a view in particular to its reliquefaction. That is to say, the refrigeration device 1 produces cold power at the level of the refrigeration heat exchanger 8.
  • the refrigeration device 1 comprises a working circuit 10 (preferably closed) forming a circulation loop.
  • This working circuit 10 contains a working fluid (helium, nitrogen, neon, hydrogen or other other gas or suitable mixture (for example helium and argon or helium and nitrogen or helium and neon or helium and nitrogen and neon).
  • the working circuit 10 forms a cycle comprising: a mechanism 2, 3 for compressing the working fluid, a mechanism 4, 5, 6 for cooling the working fluid, a mechanism 7 for expanding the working fluid and a mechanism 6 for heating of the working fluid.
  • the device 1 comprises a refrigeration heat exchanger 8 located downstream of the expansion mechanism 7 and intended to extract heat from at least one member 25 by heat exchange with the cold working fluid circulating in the working circuit 10.
  • the mechanisms for cooling and reheating the working fluid can conventionally comprise a common heat exchanger 6 in which the working fluid passes countercurrently in two separate transit portions of the working circuit 10 depending on whether it is cooled or reheated. .
  • the cooling heat exchanger 8 is located for example between the expansion mechanism 7 and the common heat exchanger 6. As illustrated, the cooling heat exchanger 8 may be a separate heat exchanger from the common heat exchanger 6. However, as a variant, this refrigeration heat heat exchanger 8 could consist of a portion of the common heat exchanger 6 (that is to say that the two exchangers 6, 8 can be in one piece, that is to say that is to say can have distinct fluid circuits which share the same exchange structure).
  • the working fluid which exits relatively hot from the compression mechanism 2, 3 is cooled in the common heat exchanger 6 before entering the expansion mechanism 7.
  • the working fluid which exits relatively cold from the mechanism 7 of expansion and the cooling heat exchanger 8 is in turn heated in the common heat exchanger 6 before returning to the compression mechanism 2 3 in order to start a new cycle.
  • the compression mechanism 2, 3 comprises at least two compressors and at least one motor 14, 15 for driving the compressors 2, 3.
  • the refrigeration power of the device is variable and can be controlled by regulating the speed. rotation of the drive motor or motors 14, 15 (cycle speed).
  • the cold power produced by the device 1 can be adapted from 0 to 100% of a nominal or maximum power by changing the speed of rotation of the motor or motors 14, 15 between a zero speed of rotation and a maximum or nominal speed. .
  • Such an architecture makes it possible to maintain high efficiency over a wide operating range (for example 97% of nominal efficiency at 50% of nominal cold power).
  • the refrigeration device 1 comprises two compressors 2, 3 in series. These two compressors 2, 3 can be driven respectively by two separate motors 14, 15.
  • a turbine 7 can be coupled to the drive shaft of one of the two motors.
  • a first engine 14 drives only a compressor 3 (motor-compressor) while the other motor 15 drives a compressor 2 and is coupled to a turbine 7 (motor-turbocharger).
  • the device 1 comprises two motors 14, 15 at high speed (for example 10,000 revolutions per minute or several tens of thousands of revolutions per minute) for driving the respective compression stages 2, 3.
  • the turbine 7 can be coupled to the motor 15 of one of the compression stages 2, 3, that is to say that the device can have a turbine 7 constituting the expansion mechanism which is coupled to the drive motor 15 of a compression stage (the first or the second).
  • the power of the turbine or turbines 7 can be advantageously recovered and used to reduce the consumption of the engine or engines.
  • the refrigeration power produced and therefore the electrical consumption of the liquefier (and vice versa) is increased.
  • the compressors 2, 3 and turbine (s) 7 are preferably coupled directly to an output shaft of the motor concerned (without a geared movement transmission mechanism).
  • the output shafts of the motors are preferably mounted on bearings of the magnetic type or of the dynamic gas type.
  • the bearings are used to support compressors and turbines.
  • the refrigeration device 1 comprises two compressors 2, 3 forming two compression stages and an expansion turbine 7. That is to say that the compression mechanism comprises two compressors 2, 3 in series, preferably of the centrifugal type, and the expansion mechanism comprises a single turbine 7, preferably centripetal.
  • the compression mechanism comprises two compressors 2, 3 in series, preferably of the centrifugal type
  • the expansion mechanism comprises a single turbine 7, preferably centripetal.
  • any other number and arrangement of compressor (s), turbine (s) and motor (s) may be considered, for example: three compressors driven respectively by three separate motors, the turbine being for example coupled to one end of the drive shaft of one of these engines or three compressors and two turbines.
  • the device could include two compressors and two turbines or three compressors and two or three turbines ...
  • Each engine can comprises a shaft, one end of which drives one or more wheels (turbine or compressor) and the other end of which is coupled to one or more wheels (turbine or compressor) or is not coupled to any wheel.
  • a cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 is provided at the outlet of two compressors 2, 3 (for example cooling by heat exchange with water at room temperature or any other fluid or cooling agent of a refrigerant circuit 26).
  • a reheating exchanger may or may not be provided at the outlet of all or part of the expansion turbines 7 in order to achieve isentropic or isothermal expansion.
  • the heating and cooling of the working fluid are preferably isobaric without this being limiting.
  • Each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises an inlet 24, 25 for cooling fluid and an outlet 34, 35 for cooling fluid.
  • the cooling fluid outlet 34 of one of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 is connected to the cooling fluid inlet 25 of the other cooling heat exchanger 5 so that of the flow of cooling fluid passing through one of the cooling heat exchangers has already circulated in the other cooling heat exchanger 4.
  • the cooling fluid only makes one passage through each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5. That is to say that when the cooling fluid has made a passage and has exchanged with the working fluid, it does not return to it after having carried out, for example, another exchange in another cooling heat exchanger.
  • each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises a single inlet 24, 25 for cooling fluid and an outlet 34, 35 for cooling fluid (thus allowing only one passage in said cooling heat exchanger. at a given temperature, that is to say that there are not several simultaneous passes of the cooling fluid in the cooling heat exchanger at different temperatures or thermodynamic conditions).
  • this arrangement also makes it possible to simplify the network of coolant and working gas pipes intended for the heat exchangers 4, 5 or originating from the heat exchangers 4, 5.
  • this arrangement makes it easier to organize the fluid circulation circuits (cooling and working) in a reduced space by allowing counter-current circulation between the working fluid and the cooling fluid, this by reducing the number and / or the length of the conduits transporting these fluids.
  • the refrigerant circuit 26 supplies cooling fluid firstly to the first cooling heat exchanger 4 and then to the second cooling heat exchanger 5 (the qualifiers "first” and “second” referring to the first and second compression stage in the direction of circulation of the working fluid).
  • the directions of circulation of the two fluids preferably transit against the current or in opposite directions in each exchanger.
  • the fluidic connection between the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 for passing the cooling fluid to be simplified and reduced.
  • This transfer can of cooling fluid from one cooling exchanger 4, 5 to the other can in particular be carried out by a short and welded portion of tube, or even a simple tube or fitting between the two heat exchangers 4, 5.
  • the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can in particular be arranged adjacent, in particular contiguous. This optimizes the size of the device. for example the two exchangers 4, 5 are side by side in a horizontal plane or one above the other in a vertical plane.
  • the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can even be integrated in the same casing 45 or housing comprising two separate passages for the circulation of the working fluid, said two passages being in heat exchange respectively with two portions in series of. the same circulation channel for the cooling fluid circuit.
  • each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 can each have an oblong shape extending in a respective longitudinal direction.
  • Each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises an inlet for working gas to be cooled and an outlet for cooled working gas arranged respectively at two longitudinal ends.
  • the cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can be tube, tube and shell (s), plate and fin type exchangers or any other suitable technology.
  • the exchangers can be made of stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material (s).
  • the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 are arranged within the device preferably inverted, that is to say that the respective longitudinal directions of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 are parallel or substantially parallel and the directions of circulation of the working fluid in said cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 are opposite. This arrangement combined with the arrangement of the circulation of the cooling fluid makes it possible to minimize the complexity of the fluid circuits while giving very good performance to the device.
  • All or part of the device in particular its cold members, can be housed in a sealed thermally insulated casing 11. (in particular a vacuum chamber containing the common counter-current heat exchanger and the refrigeration exchanger 8).
  • the device may include only two compressors and two cooling heat exchangers.
  • the invention can be applied to a process for cooling and / or liquefying another fluid or mixture, in particular hydrogen.

Abstract

Disclosed is a low-temperature refrigeration device comprising a working circuit (10) that forms a loop and contains a working fluid, the working circuit (10) forming a cycle which includes, connected in series: a compression mechanism (2, 3), a cooling mechanism (4, 5, 6), an expansion mechanism (7) and a heating mechanism (6, 8), the device (1) further comprising a refrigeration heat exchanger (8) for extracting heat from at least one member (125) by exchanging heat with the working fluid flowing in the working circuit (10), the compression mechanism (2, 3) comprising two separate compressors (2, 3), the mechanism (4, 5, 6) for cooling the working fluid comprising two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) which are arranged respectively at the outlet of the two compressors (2, 3) and ensure heat exchange between the working fluid and a cooling fluid, each cooling heat exchanger (4, 5 ) comprising a cooling fluid inlet (24, 25) and a cooling fluid outlet (34, 35), characterized in that the cooling fluid outlet (34, 35) of one of the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) is connected to the cooling fluid inlet (25, 24) of the other cooling heat exchanger (5).

Description

Dispositif et installation de réfrigération Refrigeration device and installation
L'invention concerne un dispositif et une installation de réfrigération. The invention relates to a refrigeration device and installation.
L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un dispositif de réfrigération à basse température, c'est-à-dire à une température comprise entre moins 100 degrés centigrade et moins 273 degrés centigrade et notamment entre moins 100 degrés centigrade et moins 253 degrés centigrade, comprenant un circuit de travail formant une boucle et contenant un fluide de travail, le circuit de travail formant un cycle comprenant en série: un mécanisme de compression du fluide de travail, un mécanisme de refroidissement du fluide de travail, un mécanisme de détente du fluide de travail et un mécanisme de réchauffement du fluide de travail, le dispositif comprenant un échangeur de chaleur de réfrigération destiné à extraire de la chaleur à au moins un organe par échange de chaleur avec le fluide de travail circulant dans le circuit de travail, le mécanisme de compression comprenant deux compresseurs distincts, le mécanisme de refroidissement du fluide de travail comprenant deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement disposés respectivement à la sortie des deux compresseurs et assurant un échange de chaleur entre le fluide de travail et un fluide de refroidissement, chaque échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement comprenant une entrée de fluide de refroidissement et une sortie de fluide de refroidissement . The invention relates more particularly to a device for refrigeration at low temperature, that is to say at a temperature between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 273 degrees centigrade and in particular between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 253 degrees centigrade, comprising a working circuit forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit forming a cycle comprising in series: a mechanism for compressing the working fluid, a mechanism for cooling the working fluid, a mechanism for expanding the working fluid and a mechanism for heating the working fluid, the device comprising a refrigeration heat exchanger intended to extract heat from at least one member by heat exchange with the working fluid circulating in the working circuit, the compression mechanism comprising two separate compressors, the working fluid cooling mechanism comprising two heat exchangers of r efroidissement arranged respectively at the outlet of the two compressors and ensuring heat exchange between the working fluid and a cooling fluid, each cooling heat exchanger comprising a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet.
Par dispositif de réfrigération à basse température, on désigne un système de réfrigération à une température comprise entre moins 100 degrés centigrade et moins 273 degrés centigrade, notamment entre moins 100 degrés centigrade et moins 253 degrés centigrade . By low-temperature refrigeration device is meant a refrigeration system at a temperature between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 273 degrees centigrade, in particular between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 253 degrees centigrade.
L'invention concerne en particulier les réfrigérateurs et/ou liquéfacteurs cryogéniques, par exemple du type à cycle « Turbo Brayton » ou « refroidisseurs Turbo Brayton » dans lequel un gaz de travail, encore appelé gaz de cycle (hélium, azote, hydrogène ou autre gaz pur ou mélange), subit un cycle thermodynamique produisant du froid qui peut être transféré à une organe ou un gaz devant être refroidi. The invention relates in particular to cryogenic refrigerators and / or liquefiers, for example of the “Turbo Brayton” cycle type or “Turbo Brayton coolers” in which a gas work, also called cycle gas (helium, nitrogen, hydrogen or other pure gas or mixture), undergoes a thermodynamic cycle producing cold which can be transferred to an organ or a gas to be cooled.
Ces dispositifs sont utilisés dans une grande variété d'application et notamment pour refroidir du gaz naturel d'un réservoir (par exemple dans des bateaux). Le gaz naturel liquéfié est par exemple sous-refroidi pour éviter sa vaporisation ou la partie gazeuse est refroidie en vue de sa reliquéfaction. These devices are used in a wide variety of applications and in particular for cooling natural gas from a reservoir (for example in boats). The liquefied natural gas is for example sub-cooled to prevent its vaporization or the gaseous part is cooled with a view to its reliquefaction.
Par exemple, un flux de gaz naturel peut être mis en circulation dans un échangeur de chaleur refroidi par le gaz de cycle du réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur . For example, a natural gas stream can be circulated through a heat exchanger cooled by the refrigerator / liquefier cycle gas.
Ces dispositifs peuvent comprendre plusieurs échangeurs de chaleurs interposés à la sortie des étages de compression. Ces dispositifs sont intégrés dans un bâtis ou cadre dont le volume est limité. L'intégration de ces divers échangeurs et des tuyauteries associées sont ainsi rendus difficiles. Le refroidissement du gaz de travail peut dans certains cas être problématique . These devices can include several heat exchangers interposed at the outlet of the compression stages. These devices are integrated into a frame or frame whose volume is limited. The integration of these various exchangers and the associated piping are thus made difficult. Cooling the working gas can in some cases be problematic.
Un but de la présente invention est de pallier tout ou partie des inconvénients de l'art antérieur relevés ci-dessus. An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.
A cette fin, le dispositif selon l'invention, par ailleurs conforme à la définition générique qu'en donne le préambule ci- dessus, est essentiellement caractérisé en ce que la sortie de fluide de refroidissement de l'un des deux échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement est raccordée à l'entrée de fluide de refroidissement de l'autre échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement de sorte que du flux de fluide de refroidissement transitant dans l'un des échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement a déjà circulé dans l'autre échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement. To this end, the device according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the cooling fluid outlet of one of the two heat exchangers of cooling is connected to the coolant inlet of the other cooling heat exchanger so that coolant flow passing through one of the cooling heat exchangers has already circulated through the other heat exchanger cooling.
Par ailleurs, des modes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes : les deux compresseurs sont disposés en série dans le circuit de travail. le circuit de réfrigérant alimente en fluide de refroidissement d'abord le premier échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail, puis le second échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail étant alimenté en fluide de refroidissement ayant transité dans le premier échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement, le circuit de réfrigérant alimente en fluide de refroidissement d'abord le second échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail, le premier échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail étant alimenté en fluide de refroidissement ayant transité dans le second échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement, les deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement ont chacun une forme oblongue s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale respective, chaque échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement comprenant une entrée de gaz de travail à refroidir et une sortie de gaz de travail refroidi disposées respectivement au niveau de deux extrémités longitudinales, les deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement étant agencés de façon inversée, c'est-à-dire que les directions longitudinales respectives des deux échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement sont parallèles ou sensiblement parallèles et les sens de circulation du fluide de travail dans lesdits échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement sont opposés, les deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement sont situés de façon adjacente c'est-à-dire espacés d'une distance comprise entre zéro et 500mm notamment entre 100 et 300mm, les deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement sont intégrés dans un même carter comprenant deux passages distincts de circulation du fluide de travail, lesdits deux passages étant en échange thermiques respectivement avec deux portions en série d'un même canal de circulation du circuit de fluide de refroidissement . Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics: the two compressors are arranged in series in the working circuit. the refrigerant circuit firstly supplies the first cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid, then the second cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation with the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the first cooling heat exchanger, the refrigerant circuit first supplies the second cooling heat exchanger in series with cooling fluid according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid, the first cooling heat exchanger in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the second cooling heat exchanger, the two cooling heat exchangers each have an oblong shape extending in a respective longitudinal direction, each cooling heat exchanger comprising an inlet for working gas to be cooled and an outlet for cooled working gas arranged respectively at two longitudinal ends, the two cooling heat exchangers being arranged in reverse, that is to say say that the respective longitudinal directions of the two cooling heat exchangers are parallel or substantially parallel and the directions of flow of the working fluid in said cooling heat exchangers are opposite, the two cooling heat exchangers are located adjacent c 'that is to say spaced at a distance between zero and 500mm, in particular between 100 and 300mm, the two cooling heat exchangers are integrated in the same casing comprising two distinct passages for circulation of the working fluid, said two passages being in heat exchange respectively with two portions in series of the same circulation channel of the cooling fluid circuit .
L'invention concerne également une installation de réfrigération et/ou de liquéfaction d'un flux de fluide utilisateur, notamment du gaz naturel, comprenant un tel dispositif de réfrigération, l'installation comprenant au moins un réservoir de fluide utilisateur, une conduite de circulation dudit flux de fluide utilisateur dans l'échangeur de refroidissement. The invention also relates to a refrigeration and / or liquefaction installation for a flow of user fluid, in particular natural gas, comprising such a refrigeration device, the installation comprising at least one user fluid reservoir, a circulation pipe. of said flow of user fluid in the cooling exchanger.
Selon d'autres particularités possibles le mécanisme de compression comprend deux ou plus compresseurs et au moins un moteur d'entraînement en rotation du ou des compresseurs et comprenant un arbre d'entraînement rotatif, les compresseurs étant entraînés en rotation par le ou les arbres rotatifs respectifs, le mécanisme de détente du fluide de travail comprenant au moins un turbine rotative solidaire en rotation d'un arbre d'un des moteurs d'entraînement d'au moins un compresseur, la puissance de réfrigération du dispositif de réfrigération étant variable et contrôlée par un contrôleur régulant la vitesse de rotation du ou des moteurs d'entraînement. L'invention peut concerner également tout dispositif ou procédé alternatif comprenant toute combinaison des caractéristiques ci- dessus ou ci-dessous dans le cadre des revendications. According to other possible features, the compression mechanism comprises two or more compressors and at least one motor for driving the compressor or compressors in rotation and comprising a rotary drive shaft, the compressors being driven in rotation by the rotary shaft or shafts. respective, the working fluid expansion mechanism comprising at least one rotary turbine rotatably fixed to a shaft of one of the drive motors of at least one compressor, the refrigeration power of the refrigeration device being variable and controlled by a controller regulating the speed of rotation of the drive motor (s). The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the characteristics above or below within the scope of the claims.
D'autres particularités et avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description ci-après, faite en référence aux figures dans lesquelles : Other features and advantages will become apparent on reading the description below, given with reference to the figures in which:
[Fig. 1] représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un exemple de dispositif et d'installation pouvant mettre en œuvre l'invention, [Fig. 1] represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an example of a device and installation capable of implementing the invention,
[Fig. 2] représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant un détail de la structure et du fonctionnement du dispositif et de l'installation selon une variante de réalisation de l'agencement de deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement,[Fig. 2] is a schematic and partial view illustrating a detail of the structure and operation of the device and of the installation according to an alternative embodiment of the arrangement of two cooling heat exchangers,
[Fig. 3] représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un exemple de dispositif et d'installation pouvant mettre en œuvre l'invention selon un autre exemple de réalisation, [Fig. 3] represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an example of device and installation capable of implementing the invention according to another example of embodiment,
[Fig. 4] représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant un détail de la structure et du fonctionnement du dispositif et de l'installation selon une variante de réalisation possible de l'agence de deux échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement. [Fig. 4] shows a schematic and partial view illustrating a detail of the structure and operation of the device and of the installation according to a possible variant embodiment of the agency of two cooling heat exchangers.
L'installation de refroidissement et/ou de liquéfaction de la [Fig. 1] ou [Fig. 4] comprend un dispositif 1 de réfrigération fournissant du froid (une puissance de refroidissement) au niveau d'un l'échangeur 8 de chaleur de réfrigération. The cooling and / or liquefaction installation of [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 4] comprises a refrigeration device 1 providing cold (cooling power) at the level of a refrigeration heat exchanger 8.
L'installation comprend une conduite 125 de circulation d'un flux de fluide à refroidir mis en échange thermique avec cet échangeur 8 de refroidissement. Par exemple, le fluide est du gaz naturel liquide pompé dans un réservoir 16 (par exemple via une pompe), puis est refroidi (de préférence hors du réservoir 16) puis renvoyé dans le réservoir 16 (par exemple en pluie dans la phase gazeuse du réservoir 16). Ceci permet de refroidir ou sous-refroidir le contenu du réservoir 16 et de limiter les phénomènes de vaporisation. Par exemple, le liquide du réservoir 16 est sous refroidi en-dessous de sa température de saturation (baisse de sa température de plusieurs degrés K notamment 5 à 20K et notamment 14K) avant d'être réinjecté dans le réservoir 16. En variante cette réfrigération peut être apportée au gaz de vaporisation du réservoir en vue notamment de sa reliquéfaction. C'est-à-dire que le dispositif 1 de réfrigération produit une puissance froide au niveau de l'échangeur 8 de chaleur de réfrigération. Le dispositif 1 de réfrigération comprend un circuit de travail 10 (de préférence fermé) formant une boucle de circulation. Ce circuit 10 de travail contient un fluide de travail (hélium, azote, néon, hydrogène ou autre outre gaz ou mélange approprié (par exemple hélium et argon ou hélium et azote ou hélium et néon ou hélium et azote et néon). The installation comprises a pipe 125 for circulating a flow of fluid to be cooled placed in heat exchange with this cooling exchanger 8. For example, the fluid is liquid natural gas pumped into a tank 16 (for example via a pump), then is cooled (preferably outside the tank 16) and then returned to the tank 16 (for example in rain in the gas phase of the tank. tank 16). This makes it possible to cool or sub-cool the contents of the reservoir 16 and to limit the phenomena of vaporization. For example, the liquid in the tank 16 is sub-cooled below its saturation temperature (drop in its temperature by several degrees K, in particular 5 to 20K and in particular 14K) before being reinjected into the tank 16. As a variant, this refrigeration can be supplied to the vaporization gas of the reservoir with a view in particular to its reliquefaction. That is to say, the refrigeration device 1 produces cold power at the level of the refrigeration heat exchanger 8. The refrigeration device 1 comprises a working circuit 10 (preferably closed) forming a circulation loop. This working circuit 10 contains a working fluid (helium, nitrogen, neon, hydrogen or other other gas or suitable mixture (for example helium and argon or helium and nitrogen or helium and neon or helium and nitrogen and neon).
Le circuit 10 de travail forme un cycle comprenant: un mécanisme 2, 3 de compression du fluide de travail, un mécanisme 4, 5, 6 de refroidissement du fluide de travail, un mécanisme 7 de détente du fluide de travail et un mécanisme 6 de réchauffement du fluide de travail. The working circuit 10 forms a cycle comprising: a mechanism 2, 3 for compressing the working fluid, a mechanism 4, 5, 6 for cooling the working fluid, a mechanism 7 for expanding the working fluid and a mechanism 6 for heating of the working fluid.
Le dispositif 1 comprend un échangeur 8 de chaleur de réfrigération situé en aval du mécanisme 7 de détente et destiné à extraire de la chaleur à au moins un organe 25 par échange de chaleur avec le fluide de travail froid circulant dans le circuit 10 de travail. The device 1 comprises a refrigeration heat exchanger 8 located downstream of the expansion mechanism 7 and intended to extract heat from at least one member 25 by heat exchange with the cold working fluid circulating in the working circuit 10.
Les mécanismes de refroidissement et de réchauffage du fluide de travail peuvent comprendre classiquement un échangeur 6 de chaleur commun dans lequel le fluide de travail transite à contre-courant dans deux portions de transit distinctes du circuit 10 de travail selon qu'il est refroidi ou réchauffé.The mechanisms for cooling and reheating the working fluid can conventionally comprise a common heat exchanger 6 in which the working fluid passes countercurrently in two separate transit portions of the working circuit 10 depending on whether it is cooled or reheated. .
L'échangeur 8 de chaleur de refroidissement est situé par exemple entre le mécanisme 7 de détente et l'échangeur 6 de chaleur commun. Comme illustré, l'échangeur 8 de chaleur de refroidissement peut être un échangeur de chaleur distinct de l'échangeur 6 de chaleur commun. Cependant, en variante, cet échangeur 8 de chaleur de chaleur de réfrigération pourrait être constitué d'une portion de l'échangeur 6 de chaleur commun (c'est-à-dire que les deux échangeurs 6, 8 peuvent être monoblocs, c'est-à-dire peuvent avoir des circuits de fluides distincts qui partagent une même structure d'échange). Ainsi, le fluide de travail qui sort relativement chaud du mécanisme 2, 3 de compression est refroidi dans l'échangeur 6 de chaleur commun avant d'entrer dans le mécanisme de détente 7. Le fluide de travail qui sort relativement froid du mécanisme 7 de détente et de l'échangeur de chaleur 8 de refroidissement est quant à lui réchauffé dans l'échangeur 6 de chaleur commun avant de retourner dans le mécanisme de compression 2 3 en vue de recommencer un nouveau cycle. The cooling heat exchanger 8 is located for example between the expansion mechanism 7 and the common heat exchanger 6. As illustrated, the cooling heat exchanger 8 may be a separate heat exchanger from the common heat exchanger 6. However, as a variant, this refrigeration heat heat exchanger 8 could consist of a portion of the common heat exchanger 6 (that is to say that the two exchangers 6, 8 can be in one piece, that is to say that is to say can have distinct fluid circuits which share the same exchange structure). Thus, the working fluid which exits relatively hot from the compression mechanism 2, 3 is cooled in the common heat exchanger 6 before entering the expansion mechanism 7. The working fluid which exits relatively cold from the mechanism 7 of expansion and the cooling heat exchanger 8 is in turn heated in the common heat exchanger 6 before returning to the compression mechanism 2 3 in order to start a new cycle.
Le mécanisme 2, 3 de compression comprend au moins deux compresseurs et au moins un moteur 14, 15 d'entraînement des compresseurs 2, 3. De plus, de préférence la puissance de réfrigération du dispositif est variable et peut être contrôlée en régulant la vitesse de rotation du ou des moteurs 14, 15 d'entraînement (vitesse de cycle). De préférence la puissance froide produite par le dispositif 1 peut être adaptée de 0 à 100% d'une puissance nominale ou maximale en changeant la vitesse de rotation du ou des moteurs 14, 15 entre une vitesse de rotation nulle et une vitesse maximale ou nominale. Une telle architecture permet de maintenir un rendement élevé sur une large plage de fonctionnement (par exemple 97% de rendement nominal à 50% de la puissance froide nominale). The compression mechanism 2, 3 comprises at least two compressors and at least one motor 14, 15 for driving the compressors 2, 3. In addition, preferably the refrigeration power of the device is variable and can be controlled by regulating the speed. rotation of the drive motor or motors 14, 15 (cycle speed). Preferably, the cold power produced by the device 1 can be adapted from 0 to 100% of a nominal or maximum power by changing the speed of rotation of the motor or motors 14, 15 between a zero speed of rotation and a maximum or nominal speed. . Such an architecture makes it possible to maintain high efficiency over a wide operating range (for example 97% of nominal efficiency at 50% of nominal cold power).
Dans l'exemple non limitatif représenté, le dispositif 1 de réfrigération comprend deux compresseurs 2, 3 en série. Ces deux compresseurs 2, 3 peuvent être entraînés respectivement par deux moteurs 14, 15 distincts. Une turbine 7 peut être accouplée à l'arbre d'entraînement d'un 15 des deux moteurs. Par exemple un premier moteur 14 entraîne uniquement un compresseur 3 (moto- compresseur) tandis que l'autre moteur 15 entraîne un compresseur 2 et est accouplé à une turbine 7 (moto- turbocompresseur) . In the non-limiting example shown, the refrigeration device 1 comprises two compressors 2, 3 in series. These two compressors 2, 3 can be driven respectively by two separate motors 14, 15. A turbine 7 can be coupled to the drive shaft of one of the two motors. For example, a first engine 14 drives only a compressor 3 (motor-compressor) while the other motor 15 drives a compressor 2 and is coupled to a turbine 7 (motor-turbocharger).
Par exemple, le dispositif 1 comprend deux moteurs 14, 15 à haute vitesse (par exemple 10000 tours par minute ou plusieurs dizaines de milliers de tours par minute) d'entrainement respectifs des étages de compression 2, 3. La turbine 7 peut être accouplée au moteur 15 de l'un des étages de compression 2, 3, c'est-à-dire que le dispositif peut posséder une turbine 7 constituant le mécanisme de détente qui est accouplée au moteur 15 d'entraînement d'un étage de compression (le premier ou le second) . For example, the device 1 comprises two motors 14, 15 at high speed (for example 10,000 revolutions per minute or several tens of thousands of revolutions per minute) for driving the respective compression stages 2, 3. The turbine 7 can be coupled to the motor 15 of one of the compression stages 2, 3, that is to say that the device can have a turbine 7 constituting the expansion mechanism which is coupled to the drive motor 15 of a compression stage (the first or the second).
Ainsi, la puissance de la ou des turbines 7 peut être avantageusement récupérée et utilisée pour réduire la consommation du ou des moteurs. Ainsi, en augmentant la vitesse des moteurs (et donc le débit dans le cycle du gaz de travail), on augmente la puissance de réfrigération produite et donc la consommation électrique du liquéfacteur (et inversement). Les compresseurs 2, 3 et turbine(s) 7 sont de préférence accouplés de façon directe à un arbre de sortie du moteur concerné (sans mécanisme de transmission de mouvement à engrenages). Thus, the power of the turbine or turbines 7 can be advantageously recovered and used to reduce the consumption of the engine or engines. Thus, by increasing the speed of the motors (and therefore the flow rate in the working gas cycle), the refrigeration power produced and therefore the electrical consumption of the liquefier (and vice versa) is increased. The compressors 2, 3 and turbine (s) 7 are preferably coupled directly to an output shaft of the motor concerned (without a geared movement transmission mechanism).
Les arbres de sortie des moteurs sont de préférence montés sur des paliers de type magnétique ou de type dynamique à gaz. Les paliers sont utilisés pour sustenter les compresseurs et les turbines . The output shafts of the motors are preferably mounted on bearings of the magnetic type or of the dynamic gas type. The bearings are used to support compressors and turbines.
Dans l'exemple représenté, le dispositif 1 de réfrigération comprend deux compresseurs 2, 3 formant deux étages de compression et une turbine 7 de détente. C'est-à-dire que le mécanisme de compression comprend deux compresseurs 2, 3 en série, de préférence du type centrifuge et le mécanisme de détente comprend une unique turbine 7, de préférence centripète. Bien entendu, tout autre nombre et arrangement de compresseur (s), turbine(s) et moteur(s) peut être envisagé, par exemple : trois compresseurs entraînés respectivement par trois moteurs distincts, la turbine étant par exemple accouplée à une extrémité de l'arbre d'entraînement d'un de ces moteurs ou trois compresseurs et deux turbines. De même le dispositif pourrait comprendre deux compresseurs et deux turbines ou trois compresseurs et deux ou trois turbines...Chaque moteur peut comprend un arbre dont une extrémité entraîne une seule ou plusieurs roue (turbine ou compresseur) et dont l'autre extrémité est accouplée une ou plusieurs roues (turbine ou compresseur) ou n'est accouplée à aucune roue. In the example shown, the refrigeration device 1 comprises two compressors 2, 3 forming two compression stages and an expansion turbine 7. That is to say that the compression mechanism comprises two compressors 2, 3 in series, preferably of the centrifugal type, and the expansion mechanism comprises a single turbine 7, preferably centripetal. Of course, any other number and arrangement of compressor (s), turbine (s) and motor (s) may be considered, for example: three compressors driven respectively by three separate motors, the turbine being for example coupled to one end of the drive shaft of one of these engines or three compressors and two turbines. Similarly, the device could include two compressors and two turbines or three compressors and two or three turbines ... Each engine can comprises a shaft, one end of which drives one or more wheels (turbine or compressor) and the other end of which is coupled to one or more wheels (turbine or compressor) or is not coupled to any wheel.
Comme illustré, un échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement est prévu à la sortie de deux compresseur 2, 3 (par exemple un refroidissement par échange de chaleur avec de l'eau à température ambiante ou tout autre fluide ou agent de refroidissement d'un circuit 26 de réfrigérant). As illustrated, a cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 is provided at the outlet of two compressors 2, 3 (for example cooling by heat exchange with water at room temperature or any other fluid or cooling agent of a refrigerant circuit 26).
Ceci permet de réaliser une compression isentropique ou isotherme ou sensiblement isotherme. De même, un échangeur de réchauffage peut être prévu ou non en sortie de tout ou partie des turbines 7 de détente pour réaliser une détente isentropique ou isotherme. De préférence également, les réchauffage et refroidissement du fluide de travail sont de préférence isobares sans que ceci soit limitatif. This makes it possible to achieve isentropic or isothermal or substantially isothermal compression. Likewise, a reheating exchanger may or may not be provided at the outlet of all or part of the expansion turbines 7 in order to achieve isentropic or isothermal expansion. Also preferably, the heating and cooling of the working fluid are preferably isobaric without this being limiting.
Chaque échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement comprend une entrée 24, 25 de fluide de refroidissement et une sortie 34, 35 de fluide de refroidissement. Selon une particularité avantageuse, la sortie 34 de fluide de refroidissement de l'un des deux échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement est raccordée à l'entrée 25 de fluide de refroidissement de l'autre échangeur 5 de chaleur de refroidissement de sorte que du flux de fluide de refroidissement transitant dans l'un 5 des échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement a déjà circulé dans l'autre échangeur de chaleur 4 de refroidissement. Each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises an inlet 24, 25 for cooling fluid and an outlet 34, 35 for cooling fluid. According to an advantageous feature, the cooling fluid outlet 34 of one of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 is connected to the cooling fluid inlet 25 of the other cooling heat exchanger 5 so that of the flow of cooling fluid passing through one of the cooling heat exchangers has already circulated in the other cooling heat exchanger 4.
Ceci permet aux deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement de recevoir 100% d'un flux de fluide de refroidissement (au lieu de subdiviser ce flux en deux moitiés réparties respectivement dans les deux échangeurs 4, 5). This allows the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 to receive 100% of a flow of cooling fluid (instead of subdividing this flow into two halves distributed respectively in the two exchangers 4, 5).
De préférence, le fluide de refroidissement ne réalise qu'un passage dans chaque échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement. C'est-à-dire que lorsque le fluide refroidissement a effectué un passage et a échangé avec le fluide de travail il n'y revient pas après avoir réalisé par exemple un autre échange dans un autre échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement. Preferably, the cooling fluid only makes one passage through each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5. That is to say that when the cooling fluid has made a passage and has exchanged with the working fluid, it does not return to it after having carried out, for example, another exchange in another cooling heat exchanger.
Par exemple, de préférence, chaque échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement comprend une unique entrée 24, 25 de fluide de refroidissement et une sortie 34, 35 de fluide de refroidissement (permettant ainsi un seul de passage dans ledit échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement à une température donnée, c'est-à- dire qu'il n'y a pas plusieurs passages simultanés du fluide de refroidissement dans l'échangeur de chaleur de refroidissement à des températures ou conditions thermodynamiques différentes).For example, preferably, each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises a single inlet 24, 25 for cooling fluid and an outlet 34, 35 for cooling fluid (thus allowing only one passage in said cooling heat exchanger. at a given temperature, that is to say that there are not several simultaneous passes of the cooling fluid in the cooling heat exchanger at different temperatures or thermodynamic conditions).
En particulier, lorsque le fluide de refroidissement a transité dans chacun des échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement il ne repasse pas dans l'un ou l'autre des échangeurs. In particular, when the cooling fluid has passed through each of the cooling heat exchangers, it does not pass back into one or the other of the exchangers.
De préférence, ceci s'applique pour tous les échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement. Ceci améliore également l'efficacité du refroidissement et du dispositif en entier. Preferably, this applies for all cooling heat exchangers 4, 5. This also improves the efficiency of the cooling and of the entire device.
Cette augmentation relative du débit de fluide de refroidissement permet ainsi d'augmenter le coefficient d'échange thermique et donc améliore la qualité et la fiabilité du refroidissement. De plus, cette solution permet d'éviter des problèmes inhérents à la solution connue dans laquelle deux débits peuvent diverger au sein des deux échangeurs de chaleur (du fait notamment des pertes de charges qui peuvent varier d'un circuit ou échangeur à l'autre). This relative increase in the coolant flow rate thus makes it possible to increase the heat exchange coefficient and therefore improves the quality and reliability of cooling. In addition, this solution makes it possible to avoid problems inherent in the known solution in which two flow rates can diverge within the two heat exchangers (in particular because of the pressure drops which can vary from one circuit or exchanger to another. ).
Comme explicité plus en détail ci-après, cette arrangement permet en outre de simplifier le réseau de conduites de fluide de refroidissement et de gaz de travail à destination des échangeurs de chaleur 4, 5 ou provenant des échangeurs de chaleur 4, 5. En particulier, cet agencement permet avec plus de facilité d'agencer les circuits de circulation des fluides (refroidissement et de travail) dans un espace réduit en permettant des circulation à contre-courant entre le fluide de travail et le fluide de refroidissement, ceci en réduisant le nombre et/ou la longueurs des conduites transportant ces fluides. As explained in more detail below, this arrangement also makes it possible to simplify the network of coolant and working gas pipes intended for the heat exchangers 4, 5 or originating from the heat exchangers 4, 5. In particular , this arrangement makes it easier to organize the fluid circulation circuits (cooling and working) in a reduced space by allowing counter-current circulation between the working fluid and the cooling fluid, this by reducing the number and / or the length of the conduits transporting these fluids.
Comme représenté à la [Fig. 1], par exemple le circuit 26 de réfrigérant alimente en fluide de refroidissement d'abord le premier échangeur 4 de chaleur de refroidissement puis ensuite le second échangeur 5 de chaleur de refroidissement (les qualificatif « premier » et « second » faisant référence au premier et second étage de compression dans le sens de circulation du fluide de travail). As shown in [Fig. 1], for example the refrigerant circuit 26 supplies cooling fluid firstly to the first cooling heat exchanger 4 and then to the second cooling heat exchanger 5 (the qualifiers "first" and "second" referring to the first and second compression stage in the direction of circulation of the working fluid).
Bien entendu, comme représenté à la [Fig. 2] l'agencement contraire peut être envisagée (circulation du fluide de refroidissement d'abord dans le second 5 échangeur de chaleur puis ensuite dans le premier 4 échangeur de chaleur). Of course, as shown in [Fig. 2] the opposite arrangement can be envisaged (circulation of the cooling fluid first in the second 5 heat exchanger and then in the first 4 heat exchanger).
Comme illustré, dans les deux cas, les sens de circulation des deux fluides (fluide de travail à refroidir et fluide de refroidissement relativement plus froid) transitent de préférence à contre-courant ou sens opposés dans chaque échangeur. As illustrated, in both cases, the directions of circulation of the two fluids (working fluid to be cooled and relatively cooler cooling fluid) preferably transit against the current or in opposite directions in each exchanger.
Comme illustré aux figures [Fig. 1] et [Fig. 2], la liaison fluidique entre les deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement pour faire transiter le fluide de refroidissement être simplifiée et réduite. Ce transfert peut de fluide de refroidissement d'un échangeur 4, 5 de refroidissement à l'autre peut notamment être réalisée par une portion de tube courte et soudée, voir un simple tube ou raccord entre les deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur. As illustrated in the figures [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], the fluidic connection between the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 for passing the cooling fluid to be simplified and reduced. This transfer can of cooling fluid from one cooling exchanger 4, 5 to the other can in particular be carried out by a short and welded portion of tube, or even a simple tube or fitting between the two heat exchangers 4, 5.
Les deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement peuvent en particulier être disposés de façon adjacente, notamment accolés. Ceci optimise l'encombrement du dispositif. Par exemple les deux échangeurs 4, 5 sont côte-à-côte dans un plan horizontal ou l'un au-dessus de l'autre dans un plan vertical. The two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can in particular be arranged adjacent, in particular contiguous. This optimizes the size of the device. for example the two exchangers 4, 5 are side by side in a horizontal plane or one above the other in a vertical plane.
Comme illustré à la [Fig. 4], les deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement peuvent même être intégrés dans un même carter 45 ou boîtier comprenant deux passages distincts de circulation du fluide de travail, lesdits deux passages étant en échange thermiques respectivement avec deux portions en série d'un même canal de circulation du circuit de fluide de refroidissement.As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can even be integrated in the same casing 45 or housing comprising two separate passages for the circulation of the working fluid, said two passages being in heat exchange respectively with two portions in series of. the same circulation channel for the cooling fluid circuit.
Par exemple, et comme illustré, les échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement peuvent avoir chacun une forme oblongue s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale respective. Chaque échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement comprend une entrée de gaz de travail à refroidir et une sortie de gaz de travail refroidi disposées respectivement au niveau de deux extrémités longitudinales . For example, and as illustrated, the cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can each have an oblong shape extending in a respective longitudinal direction. Each cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 comprises an inlet for working gas to be cooled and an outlet for cooled working gas arranged respectively at two longitudinal ends.
Les échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement peuvent être des échangeurs du type à tubes, à tubes et calandre(s), à plaques et ailettes ou tout autre technologie appropriée. Les échangeurs peuvent être composés d'inox, aluminium ou tout autre matériau (x) appropriés. The cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 can be tube, tube and shell (s), plate and fin type exchangers or any other suitable technology. The exchangers can be made of stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material (s).
Les deux échangeurs 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement sont agencés au sein du dispositif de préférence de façon inversée, c'est-à-dire que les directions longitudinales respectives des deux échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement sont parallèles ou sensiblement parallèles et les sens de circulation du fluide de travail dans lesdits échangeur 4, 5 de chaleur de refroidissement sont opposés. Cette agencement combiné à l'agencement de la circulation du fluide de refroidissement permet de minimiser la complexité des circuits fluidiques tout en conférant de très bonnes performances au dispositif. The two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 are arranged within the device preferably inverted, that is to say that the respective longitudinal directions of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, 5 are parallel or substantially parallel and the directions of circulation of the working fluid in said cooling heat exchanger 4, 5 are opposite. This arrangement combined with the arrangement of the circulation of the cooling fluid makes it possible to minimize the complexity of the fluid circuits while giving very good performance to the device.
Tout ou partie du dispositif, notamment ses organes froids peuvent être logés dans un carter 11 étanche isolé thermiquement (notamment une enceinte sous vide contenant l'échangeur de chaleur commun à contre-courant et l'échangeur 8 de réfrigération). All or part of the device, in particular its cold members, can be housed in a sealed thermally insulated casing 11. (in particular a vacuum chamber containing the common counter-current heat exchanger and the refrigeration exchanger 8).
Comme illustré, le dispositif peut comporter uniquement deux compresseurs et deux échangeurs de chaleurs de refroidissement.As illustrated, the device may include only two compressors and two cooling heat exchangers.
L'invention peut s'appliquer à un procédé de refroidissement et/ou de liquéfaction d'un autre fluide ou mélange, notamment de 1'hydrogène. The invention can be applied to a process for cooling and / or liquefying another fluid or mixture, in particular hydrogen.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de réfrigération à basse température, c'est-à- dire à une température comprise entre moins 100 degrés centigrade et moins 273 degrés centigrade, comprenant un circuit de travail (10) formant une boucle et contenant un fluide de travail, le circuit (10) de travail formant un cycle comprenant en série: un mécanisme (2, 3) de compression du fluide de travail, un mécanisme (4, 5, 6) de refroidissement du fluide de travail, un mécanisme (7) de détente du fluide de travail et un mécanisme (6, 8) de réchauffement du fluide de travail, le dispositif (1) comprenant un échangeur (8) de chaleur de réfrigération destiné à extraire de la chaleur à au moins un organe (125) par échange de chaleur avec le fluide de travail circulant dans le circuit (10) de travail, le mécanisme (2, 3) de compression comprenant deux compresseurs (2, 3) distincts, le mécanisme (4, 5, 6) de refroidissement du fluide de travail comprenant deux échangeurs (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement disposés respectivement à la sortie des deux compresseurs (2, 3) et assurant un échange de chaleur entre le fluide de travail et un fluide de refroidissement, chaque échangeur (4, 5 ) de chaleur de refroidissement comprenant une entrée (24, 25) de fluide de refroidissement et une sortie (34, 35) de fluide de refroidissement, la sortie (34, 35) de fluide de refroidissement de l'un des deux échangeur (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement étant raccordée à l'entrée (25, 24) de fluide de refroidissement de l'autre échangeur (5) de chaleur de refroidissement de sorte que le flux de fluide de refroidissement transitant dans l'un (5, 4) des échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement a déjà circulé dans l'autre échangeur de chaleur (4, 5) de refroidissement, les deux compresseurs (2, 3) étant disposés en série dans le circuit de travail, caractérisé en ce que le circuit (26) de réfrigérant alimente en fluide de refroidissement d'abord le premier échangeur (4) de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail, puis le second échangeur (5) de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail étant alimenté en fluide de refroidissement ayant transité dans le premier échangeur (4) de chaleur de refroidissement, ou, le circuit (26) de réfrigérant alimente en fluide de refroidissement d'abord le second échangeur (5) de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail, le premier échangeur (4) de chaleur de refroidissement en série selon le sens de circulation du fluide de travail étant alimenté en fluide de refroidissement ayant transité dans le second échangeur (5) de chaleur de refroidissement et en ce que le fluide de refroidissement réalise un unique passage dans lesdits échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement, c'est-à-dire qu'il n'y a pas plusieurs passages simultanés du fluide de refroidissement dans les échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement à des températures ou conditions thermodynamiques différentes. 1. Device for refrigeration at low temperature, that is to say at a temperature between minus 100 degrees centigrade and minus 273 degrees centigrade, comprising a working circuit (10) forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit (10) forming a cycle comprising in series: a mechanism (2, 3) for compressing the working fluid, a mechanism (4, 5, 6) for cooling the working fluid, an expansion mechanism (7) working fluid and a mechanism (6, 8) for heating the working fluid, the device (1) comprising a refrigeration heat exchanger (8) for extracting heat from at least one member (125) by exchange heat with the working fluid circulating in the working circuit (10), the compression mechanism (2, 3) comprising two separate compressors (2, 3), the mechanism (4, 5, 6) for cooling the work comprising two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) arranged respectively at the outlet of the two compressors (2, 3) and ensuring heat exchange between the working fluid and a cooling fluid, each cooling heat exchanger (4, 5) comprising a fluid inlet (24, 25) and a cooling fluid outlet (34, 35), the cooling fluid outlet (34, 35) of one of the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) being connected to the inlet (25) , 24) coolant from the other cooling heat exchanger (5) so that the flow of coolant passing through one (5, 4) of the cooling heat exchangers has already circulated in the further cooling heat exchanger (4, 5), the two compressors (2, 3) being arranged in series in the working circuit, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit (26) first supplies the cooling medium to the first cooling heat exchanger (4) in series according to according to the direction of movement working fluid, then the second cooling heat exchanger (5) in series according to the direction of flow of the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the first cooling heat exchanger (4), or, the refrigerant circuit (26) supplies cooling fluid firstly to the second cooling heat exchanger (5) in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid, the first cooling heat exchanger (4) in series according to the direction of circulation of the working fluid being supplied with cooling fluid having passed through the second cooling heat exchanger (5) and in that the cooling fluid makes a single passage through said cooling heat exchangers, that is, that is, there are not several simultaneous passes of the cooling fluid through the cooling heat exchangers at temperatures or thermodynamic conditions di fferentes.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les deux fluides : fluide de travail à refroidir et fluide de refroidissement relativement plus froid, transitent à contre- courant ou selon des sens de circulation opposés dans chacun des échangeurs de chaleur de refroidissement. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two fluids: working fluid to be cooled and relatively colder cooling fluid, pass countercurrently or in opposite directions of flow in each of the cooling heat exchangers.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2 , caractérisé en ce que les deux échangeurs (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement ont chacun une forme oblongue s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale respective, chaque échangeur (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement comprenant une entrée de gaz de travail à refroidir et une sortie de gaz de travail refroidi disposées respectivement au niveau de deux extrémités longitudinales, les deux échangeurs (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement étant agencés de façon inversée, c'est-à-dire que les directions longitudinales respectives des deux échangeur (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement sont parallèles ou sensiblement parallèles et les sens de circulation du fluide de travail dans lesdits échangeur (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement sont opposés.3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) each have an oblong shape extending in a respective longitudinal direction, each heat exchanger (4, 5) of cooling comprising an inlet for working gas to be cooled and an outlet for cooled working gas arranged respectively at two longitudinal ends, the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) being arranged in reverse, that is to say say that the respective longitudinal directions of the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) are parallel or substantially parallel and the directions of circulation of the working fluid in said cooling heat exchanger (4, 5) are opposite.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les deux échangeurs (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement sont situés de façon adjacente c'est-à-dire espacés d'une distance comprise entre 50 et 500mm notamment entre 100 et 300mm. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) are located adjacent, that is to say spaced at a distance between 50 and 500mm in particular between 100 and 300mm.
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que les deux échangeurs (4, 5) de chaleur de refroidissement sont intégrés dans un même carter (45) comprenant deux passages distincts de circulation du fluide de travail, lesdits deux passages étant en échange thermiques respectivement avec deux portions en série d'un même canal de circulation du circuit de fluide de refroidissement. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two cooling heat exchangers (4, 5) are integrated in the same casing (45) comprising two separate passages for circulating the working fluid, said two passages being in heat exchange respectively with two portions in series of the same circulation channel of the cooling fluid circuit.
6. Installation de réfrigération et/ou de liquéfaction d'un flux de fluide utilisateur, notamment du gaz naturel, comprenant un dispositif (1) de réfrigération selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, l'installation comprenant au moins un réservoir (16) de fluide utilisateur, une conduite (125) de circulation dudit flux de fluide utilisateur dans l'échangeur (8) de refroidissement. 6. Installation for refrigeration and / or liquefaction of a flow of user fluid, in particular natural gas, comprising a refrigeration device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the installation comprising at least one reservoir. (16) of user fluid, a pipe (125) for circulating said flow of user fluid in the cooling exchanger (8).
7. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de compression comprend deux ou plus compresseurs (2, 3) et au moins un moteur (14, 15) d'entraînement en rotation du ou des compresseurs (2, 3) et comprenant un arbre d'entraînement rotatif, les compresseurs (2, 3) étant entraînés en rotation par le ou les arbres rotatifs respectifs, le mécanisme de détente du fluide de travail comprenant au moins un turbine (7) rotative solidaire en rotation d'un arbre d'un des moteurs (14, 15) d'entraînement d'au moins un compresseur (2) et en ce que la puissance de réfrigération du dispositif (1) de réfrigération est variable et contrôlée par un contrôleur régulant la vitesse de rotation du ou des moteurs (14, 15) d'entraînement. 7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the compression mechanism comprises two or more compressors (2, 3) and at least one motor (14, 15) for driving the rotation of the one or more. compressors (2, 3) and comprising a rotary drive shaft, the compressors (2, 3) being driven in rotation by the respective rotary shaft (s), the working fluid expansion mechanism comprising at least one turbine (7) rotary integral in rotation with a shaft of one of the motors (14, 15) for driving at least one compressor (2) and in that the refrigeration power of the refrigeration device (1) is variable and controlled by a controller regulating the speed of rotation of the drive motor or motors (14, 15).
EP20742660.2A 2019-08-05 2020-07-08 Refrigeration device and system Pending EP4010640A1 (en)

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FR1908947A FR3099820B1 (en) 2019-08-05 2019-08-05 Refrigeration device and installation
PCT/EP2020/069178 WO2021023456A1 (en) 2019-08-05 2020-07-08 Refrigeration device and system

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FR2924205B1 (en) * 2007-11-23 2013-08-16 Air Liquide CRYOGENIC REFRIGERATION DEVICE AND METHOD
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FR3000541B1 (en) * 2013-01-03 2015-01-23 Air Liquide REFRIGERATION AND / OR LIQUEFACTION DEVICE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD
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US10060654B2 (en) * 2014-10-16 2018-08-28 Sanden Holdings Corporation Heat pump type heating apparatus
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JP2022543263A (en) 2022-10-11
FR3099820A1 (en) 2021-02-12
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FR3099820B1 (en) 2022-11-04
KR20220042366A (en) 2022-04-05

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