EP4348137A1 - Vorrichtung und verfahren zur vorkühlung eines zielfluidstroms auf eine temperatur unter oder gleich 90 k - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und verfahren zur vorkühlung eines zielfluidstroms auf eine temperatur unter oder gleich 90 k

Info

Publication number
EP4348137A1
EP4348137A1 EP22730920.0A EP22730920A EP4348137A1 EP 4348137 A1 EP4348137 A1 EP 4348137A1 EP 22730920 A EP22730920 A EP 22730920A EP 4348137 A1 EP4348137 A1 EP 4348137A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
flow
heat exchanger
cooling
circuit
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
EP22730920.0A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Florian JALIA
Rémi LINOTTE
Hamza FILALI
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.)
Engie SA
Original Assignee
Engie SA
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 Engie SA filed Critical Engie SA
Publication of EP4348137A1 publication Critical patent/EP4348137A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/0052—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 vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • 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
    • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
    • F25J1/0007—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
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/0052—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 vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • F25J1/0055—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 vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream originating from an incorporated cascade
    • 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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0077—Argon
    • 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
    • F25J1/0214—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one 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
    • F25J1/0211—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
    • F25J1/0214—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle
    • F25J1/0215—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle with one 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
    • F25J1/0217—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 at least a three level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle
    • F25J1/0218—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 at least a three level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle with one or more SCR cycles, e.g. with a C3 pre-cooling 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
    • F25J1/0221—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 the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open refrigeration loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0291—Refrigerant compression by combined gas compression and liquid pumping
    • 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
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0204—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the feed stream
    • F25J3/0209—Natural gas or substitute 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
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/42—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/58—Argon
    • 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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/60—Expansion by ejector or injector, e.g. "Gasstrahlpumpe", "venturi mixing", "jet pumps"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/14—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
    • F25J2270/16—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with mutliple gas expansion loops of the same refrigerant

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for cooling a flow of a target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K and a method for cooling a flow of a target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K. It applies, for example, to the field of hydrogen liquefaction.
  • a fluid liquefaction process is schematically divided into three major temperature technological blocks: compression, pre-cooling and refrigeration.
  • pre-cooling is, for example, to lower the inlet temperatures situated between 273 K and 320 K of a hydrogen flow of interest and of the fluid used for refrigeration in the following block, down to a so-called pre-cooling temperature between 78 K and 120 K.
  • the cooling step is historically carried out using liquid nitrogen flowing in the opposite direction in a heat exchanger. This nitrogen enters at a temperature of approximately 78 K, exits at ambient temperature and is released into the atmosphere.
  • P1 Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P1”.
  • P2.3 An improvement of P2.2 can be obtained by setting up a so-called dual closed nitrogen cycle because there are two simultaneous admission pressures in the compressors. Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P2.3”. Such systems are all alternatives to solution P1 in that they operate in a closed nitrogen cycle, avoiding all of the problems mentioned above.
  • the P2.3 solution is an improvement of the P2.2 and P2.1 solutions allowing to optimize the supply of cold within the exchangers. Nevertheless, these solutions require high investments in equipment, in particular compressors, due to their high nitrogen flow (about 8 tons per day to produce one ton of liquid hydrogen per day).
  • a variant of this solution produces cold in the 90-110K range using a mixed refrigerant composed of nitrogen, methane, ethane and propane.
  • a mixed refrigerant composed of nitrogen, methane, ethane and propane.
  • Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P3.1”.
  • J-T Joule-Thomson valve
  • a variant provides for a similar cycle, but where turbines replaced the J-T valves.
  • the composition then included nitrogen, Ci to Cs hydrocarbons, ethylene, tetrafluoromethane RM and neon.
  • Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P3.3”.
  • a variant simplifies the refrigerant mixing cycle to a single expansion stage and five components (N2 and Ci to C4). Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P3.4”.
  • Another variant implements a refrigerant mixture system with two expansion stages, where the compression is carried out partly using a pump and whose composition is limited to four components (N2, Ci, C2, 1C4) .
  • Such systems are hereinafter referred to as “P3.6”.
  • P3 systems use a mixed refrigerant cycle and optimize the energy efficiency of the cycle compared to previous systems by allowing heat exchange between cold and hot fluids to be adapted thanks to the successive partial evaporations of the various compounds.
  • the variations between these solutions are due to the modification of the compositions, the number of expansion stages and the addition of a compression stage partly provided by a pump.
  • Patent application US 2018 347 897 A discloses a device for pre-cooling a target gas by implementing two separate cooling fluid circuits. However, such a device does not make it possible to pre-cool a gas to a temperature below 90 K.
  • patent application US 2019063 824 discloses a device for pre-cooling a target gas by implementing four separate circuits of cooling fluid and joint liquefaction of natural gas.
  • a device for pre-cooling a target gas by implementing four separate circuits of cooling fluid and joint liquefaction of natural gas.
  • such a device implements a large number of target fluid and cooling fluid circuits.
  • this device is complex and expensive due to the joint use of certain elements, such as expansion turbines, in the cooling circuits.
  • the present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.
  • the present invention relates to a device for pre-cooling a flow of a target gas to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K, which comprises:
  • the present invention is distinguished by a pre-cooling which makes it possible to overcome the trade-off between energy efficiency and pre-cooling temperature found in existing solutions.
  • the proposed process is both very energy efficient thanks to the use of a mix of refrigerants and both capable of reaching the coldest temperatures usually reached without risk of crystallization by a pre-cooling circuit in the liquefaction of a target fluid, in particular hydrogen, thanks to the nitrogen loop.
  • the present invention thus makes it possible to significantly reduce the energy consumption of the cooling circuit of the entire process.
  • the present invention makes it possible to avoid the use of an expansion turbine in the circulation circuit of a flow of the third cooling fluid. A simplification of the circuit is therefore achieved, thus reducing the cost of the device.
  • the circuit for circulating a flow of the third cooling fluid comprises at least one stage for expanding the flow of the third fluid, the expansion stage comprising a Joule-Thompson valve, upstream of said at least a heat exchanger.
  • the circulation circuit for the flow of the third fluid is configured so that the third cooling fluid comprises a mixture of liquid and gas downstream of the expansion stage.
  • the circulation circuit for the flow of the third fluid is configured to pass through at least two of the heat exchangers of the group of heat exchangers.
  • the circulation circuit for a flow of the third cooling fluid comprises the stage for expanding the flow of the third fluid between an outlet for the third fluid of a heat exchanger among the two of said heat exchangers and a third fluid inlet of one of the two of said heat exchangers.
  • the circulation circuit for a flow of the third cooling fluid comprises at least one stage of compression of the flow of the third fluid between an outlet for the third fluid of a heat exchanger among the two of said heat exchangers and a third fluid inlet of one of the two of said heat exchangers.
  • the circulation circuit of a flow is a closed circuit for the circulation of a flow of a third cooling fluid.
  • the circulation circuit of a flow is a closed circuit for the circulation of a flow of a third cooling fluid through at least two of said heat exchangers, comprising:
  • the target fluid successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger
  • the closed circulation circuit for the flow of the third cooling fluid also passes through at least the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and
  • At least one compression stage of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the third cooling fluid is positioned between an outlet for the third fluid of the first heat exchanger and an inlet for the third compressed fluid of the said first heat exchanger.
  • the target fluid successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger
  • At least one expansion stage of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the third cooling fluid is positioned downstream of the second heat exchanger.
  • the circuit for circulating a flow of a third fluid is an open circuit for circulating a flow of a third cooling fluid through at least one heat exchanger.
  • the open circulation circuit for the flow of the third fluid is configured to pass through at least two of the heat exchangers of the group of heat exchangers.
  • the third coolant flow is a nitrogen flow.
  • the flow of third cooling fluid has a liquefaction temperature at atmospheric pressure that is less than or equal to the liquefaction temperature at atmospheric pressure of the second cooling fluid.
  • the nitrogen flow circulation circuit is configured so that the nitrogen flow is constrained by at least one of the following operating conditions:
  • a target fluid circuit successively passes through a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger of the group
  • At least one expansion stage of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the second cooling fluid is positioned downstream of an outlet for the second fluid of a heat exchanger.
  • a target fluid circuit successively passes through a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger of the group
  • At least one compression stage of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the second cooling fluid is positioned between an outlet for the second fluid of the first heat exchanger and an inlet for the second compressed fluid of the said first heat exchanger.
  • the target fluid successively passes through a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger
  • At least one stage of liquid-gas separation of the flow of the second fluid is positioned upstream of the first heat exchanger, at least one of the liquid and gaseous parts being supplied to said first heat exchanger.
  • the separations make it possible to form flows composed mainly of light species vaporizing at low temperature and flows mainly composed of heavy species vaporizing at medium or high temperature (cryogenic reference).
  • the group of heat exchangers includes an intermediate heat exchanger
  • a target fluid circuit successively passes through a first group heat exchanger, the intermediate heat exchanger and a second group heat exchanger, - the closed circulation circuit for the flow of the second cooling fluid also passes through the first heat exchanger, the intermediate heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and
  • At least one stage of liquid-gas separation of the flow of the second fluid is positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the intermediate heat exchanger, at least one of the liquid and gaseous parts being supplied to said heat exchanger intermediate heat.
  • the device that is the subject of the present invention comprises, downstream of a compression stage of the second cooling fluid:
  • the circulation circuit of the second refrigerant fluid is configured so that the flow of second refrigerant fluid is constrained by at least one of the following operating conditions:
  • the target fluid stream is a hydrogen and/or helium stream.
  • the flow of first refrigerant fluid is a flow comprising at least or consisting of:
  • the flow of second refrigerant fluid is a flow comprising at least or consisting of a mixture of:
  • the flow of second refrigerant fluid consists, in molar percentage, of:
  • the present invention relates to a process for pre-cooling a flow of a target gas to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K, which comprises:
  • the method which is the subject of the present invention has the same advantages as the device which is the subject of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents a first particular embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 schematically represents a second particular embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 schematically represents a third particular embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 schematically represents a fourth particular embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 represents, schematically and in the form of a flowchart, a first particular succession of steps of the method which is the subject of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 represents, schematically and in the form of a flowchart, a second succession of particular steps of the method which is the subject of the present invention
  • FIG. 7 represents, schematically and in the form of a flowchart, a third succession of particular steps of the method which is the subject of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 represents, schematically and in the form of a flowchart, a fourth succession of particular steps of the method which is the subject of the present invention.
  • fluid of a given compound denotes a fluid comprising at least said compound in a major part.
  • major share at least a relative majority.
  • the term “majority share” designates a share corresponding to at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% by volume of the flow.
  • target fluid denotes a gas to be liquefied by the action of one of the variants of the device or of the method which is the subject of the present invention.
  • a gas may correspond, for example, to dihydrogen.
  • target fluid is, for example, configured to initially present a temperature of 298 K.
  • target fluid is, for example, configured to initially present a pressure of 21 bara.
  • first cooling fluid denotes any gas or liquid capable of allowing the device or process to cool the target stream to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K.
  • a first fluid comprises at least or consists, for example:
  • Such a flow of first fluid is, for example, configured to operate in a closed circuit between 298 K and 22 K depending on the circulation in the closed circuit.
  • second cooling fluid denotes any gas or liquid capable of allowing the device or method to cool the target stream to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K and preferably 80 K or 83 K.
  • the second refrigerant circulating for example, in a closed circulation circuit is in liquid or diphasic form, that is to say a liquid-gas mixture, in the majority of the circuit.
  • This second refrigerant has several variants:
  • the second fluid consists of or comprises five compounds:
  • the second fluid consists of four compounds:
  • the second fluid consists of six compounds:
  • third cooling fluid designates any gas or liquid capable of allowing the device or process to cool the target stream to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K.
  • the third cooling fluid has a circulation temperature in a heat exchanger less than 90K.
  • Such a third fluid is, for example, nitrogen or argon.
  • the flow of third cooling fluid has a liquefaction temperature at a predetermined pressure, for example, at atmospheric pressure, less than or equal to the liquefaction temperature at the same predetermined pressure of the second cooling fluid.
  • the flow of third coolant has a dew point less than or equal to the dew point of the second coolant at a predetermined pressure, for example, atmospheric pressure.
  • the flow of third cooling fluid also has a bubble point lower than or equal to the bubble point of the second cooling fluid at a predetermined pressure, for example, at atmospheric pressure.
  • devices of the same type for example compressors or exchangers
  • the interchanges, 106, 107, 108 and 136 can correspond to three distinct stages of a single interchange.
  • This device 100 for cooling a flow 101 of a target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K comprises: - a group 105 of at least two heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136, between the flow of target fluid, a flow 102 of a first cooling fluid, a flow of a second cooling fluid and/or a flow of a third cooling fluid,
  • the third fluid circulating in the circulation circuit 125 has a circulation temperature in an exchanger of less than 90 K.
  • the third cooling fluid cools the target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K in such a heat exchanger.
  • the circuit 125 for circulation of a flow of the third cooling fluid does not include an expansion turbine (“turboexpander”, in English).
  • the quantity of cold temperatures produced in the closed circuit 110 of the second circulating refrigerant is sufficient to make it possible to avoid using an expansion turbine circuit 125 for circulating a flow of the third cooling fluid.
  • the closed circulation circuit 110 of the second cooling fluid comprising different stages, is therefore sufficiently energy efficient and thus makes it possible to simplify the circulation circuit 125 of a flow of the third cooling fluid.
  • the presence of an expansion turbine limits the use of the third fluid to specific pressure and temperature ranges, since such a fluid must remain in gaseous form during expansion in order not to damage the turbine.
  • such a limitation is to be avoided in the circuit 125 of the third fluid since the liquid part of the third fluid participates in the intensification of the heat exchanges in one or more exchangers. Moreover, such a liquid part of the third fluid allows effective cooling of the target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K.
  • the circulation circuit 125 of the flow of the third cooling fluid comprises an expansion stage.
  • Such a circulation circuit 125 of the flow of the third cooling fluid can be closed or open.
  • such an expansion stage does not include an expansion turbine (“turboexpander”).
  • the expansion stage of the circuit 125 for circulating a flow of the third cooling fluid is a Joule-Thompson valve.
  • the flow of the third cooling fluid is two-phase, that is to say that the flow of the third cooling fluid comprises a mixture of liquid and gas, downstream of the expansion stage.
  • Group 105 of at least two exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136 designates heat exchangers preferably belonging to a group of pre-cooling of the target fluid 101 .
  • the group 105 of exchangers is characterized by the fact that there interact, in at least one exchanger, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136, the flow of target fluid 101, the first cooling fluid 102 and the second cooling fluid. cooling.
  • This group 105 of exchangers can also, in variants, be a place of exchanges between the above-mentioned fluids and a third cooling fluid.
  • the first cooling fluid 102 has a temperature lower than the temperature of the target fluid 101 passing through each said exchanger, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136.
  • each exchanger, 106, 107, 108 and 136, of the group 105 of exchangers is crossed both by the target fluid 101 and by the first cooling fluid 102.
  • the target fluid 101 is crossed both by the target fluid 101 and by the first cooling fluid 102.
  • the first cooling fluid 102 can circulate in co-current and/or in counter-current to each other.
  • the cooling device 100 may also comprise a plurality of additional heat exchangers downstream of the group 105 of heat exchangers. These heat exchangers correspond to the ordinary implementation of the cooling stage of a target fluid liquefaction device 101 .
  • the target fluid 101 initially passes through the group 105 of heat exchangers in a pre-cooling stage then a succession of at least a heat exchanger in a cooling stage.
  • the liquefied target fluid 101 can be evacuated or inserted into a gas-liquid separation stage, the liquid fraction of the target fluid 101 being evacuated and the gaseous fraction of the target fluid 101 being recirculated in at least the one of the exchangers of the pre-cooling or cooling stage.
  • the first refrigerant fluid 102 can pass through all or part of the heat exchangers through which the target fluid 101 passes, whether in the group 105 of exchangers or in at least one exchanger positioned upstream or downstream of said group 105 of exchangers.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 present a variant in which the first refrigerant fluid 102 passes through all the exchangers through which the target fluid 101 passes.
  • the device 100 comprises a closed circulation circuit for the first fluid
  • the refrigerant fluid 102 passes through the exchangers in a first direction, co-current with the target fluid 101 then counter-current with this target fluid 101 in a second direction.
  • This closed circuit may include intermediate stages of compression, expansion, division or mixing of the flow 102 of the first refrigerant, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.
  • the purpose of the closed circuit 110 for the circulation of a flow of a second cooling fluid is to contribute to the cooling, in at least one exchanger, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136, of the heat of the group 105 of exchangers, of the first refrigerant fluid 102 and/or of the target fluid 101 .
  • the exact architecture of circuit 110 depends on a trade-off between theoretical performance and cycle complexity.
  • the number of exchangers is also linked to the number of separations, just as the number of expansions is linked to the number of separations.
  • a circuit with a single separation is suitable if the composition of the refrigerant is suitable and the risks of crystallization of the heaviest species at low temperature are limited. Similarly, some variants do not implement separation. Such variants further constrain the composition and the lowest attainable temperature.
  • This closed circuit 110 comprises:
  • At least one compression stage, 111 and/or 112, or a compression means 150 is, for example, a turbocharger, a mechanical or reciprocating compressor.
  • At least one stage, 120, 121 and/or 122, of expansion is, for example, a Joule-Tompson valve.
  • this closed circuit 110 is numerous.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a stage 111 for compressing the second refrigerant fluid at the outlet of a heat exchanger 106.
  • This heat exchanger 106 is preferably the first exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a stage 140 for separating the second refrigerant fluid at the outlet of the compression stage 111.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a stage 140 for gas-liquid separation of the second refrigerant fluid at the outlet of the compression stage 111.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a stage 112 for compressing a gaseous part coming from a stage 140 for gas-liquid separation.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a means 150 for compressing a liquid part coming from a stage 140 of gas-liquid separation.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a means 155 for mixing a compressed liquid part coming from a compression stage 112 and a compressed gaseous part coming from a means 150 of compression.
  • the closed circuit 110 for the second refrigerant fluid comprises a stage 115 for gas-liquid separation of the flow of second refrigerant coming from a mixing means 155 to form a gaseous part and a liquid part.
  • the liquid part of the flow of second refrigerant coming from the gas-liquid separation stage 115 is supplied to a heat exchanger 106.
  • This heat exchanger 106 is preferably the first exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the liquid part of the flow of second refrigerant coming from a heat exchanger 106 is supplied to an expansion stage 120 then injected into the exchanger 106 again before be supplied to a stage 111 of compression.
  • the gaseous part of the flow of second refrigerant coming from the gas-liquid separation stage 115 is supplied to a heat exchanger 106.
  • This heat exchanger 106 is preferably the first exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the flow of second refrigerant from a heat exchanger 106 is supplied to a liquid-gas separation stage 116 to form a gaseous part and a liquid part.
  • the liquid part of the flow of second refrigerant coming from stage 116 of gas-liquid separation is supplied to a heat exchanger 107.
  • This heat exchanger 107 is preferably the second exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the liquid part of the flow of second refrigerant coming from a heat exchanger 107 is supplied to an expansion stage 121 then injected into the heat exchanger 107 again, then optionally in an exchanger
  • the gaseous part of the flow of second refrigerant from the stage 116 of gas-liquid separation is supplied to an exchanger
  • This heat exchanger 107 is preferably the second exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the flow of second refrigerant from the heat exchanger 107 is supplied to a third heat exchanger 108.
  • This heat exchanger 108 is preferably the third exchanger through which the target fluid 101 passes in the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the flow of second refrigerant from a heat exchanger 108 is supplied to an expansion stage 122 then injected into the heat exchanger 108 again, then optionally into a heat exchanger 107 and/or then in a heat exchanger 106, before being supplied to a stage 111 of compression.
  • the last stage, at the end of the iteration of the diagram, is marked by the absence of separation upstream of the injection into a heat exchanger.
  • the device, 100 or 200 comprises a closed circuit 125 for circulating a flow of a third cooling fluid through at least two of the exchangers, 106 , 107, 108 and/or 136, heat, comprising:
  • a compression stage 130 is positioned at one end of the closed circuit 125, that is to say between an outlet for the third fluid and an inlet for the third fluid of the same heat exchanger 106.
  • the target fluid 101 successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger 106 and a second heat exchanger 108, or preferably the target fluid 101 successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger 106, an intermediate heat exchanger 107 and a second exchanger 108 heat,
  • the closed circuit 125 for circulating the flow of the third cooling fluid also passes through at least the first heat exchanger 106 and the second heat exchanger 108, or preferably at least a first heat exchanger 106, an intermediate heat exchanger 107 and a second heat exchanger 108 and
  • At least one compression stage 130 of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the third cooling fluid being positioned between an outlet for the third fluid of the first heat exchanger 106 and an inlet for the third compressed fluid of said first heat exchanger 106 .
  • the term "successively" denotes here a direct or indirect sequence of the steps of passing heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136, by the third cooling fluid.
  • At least one compression stage 130 is positioned at the junction between a co-current crossing and a counter-current crossing of the third refrigerant fluid.
  • the target fluid 101 successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger 106 and a second heat exchanger 108, or preferably the target fluid 101 successively passes through at least a first heat exchanger 106, an intermediate heat exchanger 107 and a second exchanger 108 heat,
  • the closed circuit 125 for circulating the flow of the third cooling fluid also passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, or preferably at least a first heat exchanger 106, an intermediate heat exchanger 107 and a second exchanger 108 of heat and
  • At least one stage 135 of expansion of the closed circulation circuit of the flow of the third cooling fluid being positioned downstream of the second exchanger 108 of heat.
  • At least one expansion stage 135 is positioned at the junction between a co-current crossing and a counter-current crossing of the third refrigerant fluid.
  • the device 200 comprises a dedicated heat exchanger 205 between the flow of the third compressed fluid and at least part of the flow of the third fluid coming from the additional heat exchanger 136 .
  • the closed circuit 125 comprises a separator 202 positioned downstream of the compression stage 130 and upstream of the group 105 of heat exchangers, along the path traveled by the third refrigerant fluid.
  • This separator 202 is configured to separate a predetermined or variable part, according to a command issued by an automaton for example. The part thus separated is supplied to the dedicated heat exchanger 205 so as to cool the flow of expanded third refrigerant fluid coming from the expansion stage 135.
  • the third refrigerant from the dedicated heat exchanger 205 is supplied to a mixing means 201, in which said fluid and the part not supplied to the dedicated heat exchanger 205 are mixed.
  • the third refrigerant fluid is supplied to the expansion stage 135.
  • the device, 300 or 400 comprises an open circuit 305 for the circulation of a flow of a third cooling fluid through at least the exchanger 136 of heat.
  • the open circuit 305 for the circulation of the flow of the third fluid is configured to cross at least one of the exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and/or 136, of heat of the group 105 of heat exchangers.
  • the third refrigerant fluid is a flow of nitrogen constrained by at least one of the following operating conditions:
  • the second refrigerant fluid is constrained by at least one of the following operating conditions:
  • the target fluid stream 101 is composed of normal hydrogen (25% para-hydrogen and 75% orthohydrogen) at 21 bara, 298K (25°C) with a mass flow rate of 0.116 kg /s.
  • the stream is first cooled to 90K (-183°C) by three heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and 136.
  • the target fluid 101 then enters a first heat exchanger 136, catalytic for example, carrying out the first ortho-para conversion step.
  • the target fluid stream 101 exits the pre-cooling portion at 80K (-193°C) and 48% para-hydrogen.
  • the feed hydrogen reaches 26K (-247°C) and 98% para-hydrogen through five series catalytic heat exchangers (not referenced).
  • the target fluid stream 101 is mixed with boil-off gas (translated as "boil-off gas") from the last stage of liquefaction and enters the last catalytic heat exchanger to reach 22K (- 251 °C).
  • the feed hydrogen is 22K (-251°C), 20 bara and 99% para-hydrogen.
  • the final liquefaction stage is carried out with a Joule-Thompson valve which lowers the pressure to 2 bara.
  • the liquid part of the stream (98%) leaves the liquefier and the remaining gaseous part is liquefied.
  • the advantage of using a catalytic exchanger is to carry out a first stage of the conversion in the pre-cooling circuit to avoid doing it in the cooling circuit.
  • the first refrigerant circuit 102 is a double pressure Claude loop and the refrigerant used is normal hydrogen.
  • the refrigerant is first compressed to 29 bara by a multi-stage compressor (not referenced).
  • the fluid is cooled to 90 K (-183°C) in three heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and 136 by exchange against the flow of third refrigerant, then cooled to 80 K (-193°C) in the exchanger 136 by exchange against the flow of third refrigerant fluid.
  • the first refrigerant then enters the cooling section and is cooled to 69 K (-204°C) in the first cooling heat exchanger (not referenced).
  • the refrigerant is separated, 89% of the total flow is expanded to 18.5 bara and reaches 60K (-213°C).
  • the first refrigerant is then cooled to 51 K (-222°C) in a heat exchanger (not referenced) and is again expanded with a two-stage expander at 4.5 bara to reach 31.5K (-241. 5°C). From this point, the first refrigerant is used as refrigerant in the first four cooling heat exchangers (not referenced). The remaining part (11%) is cooled to 26K through four heat exchangers (not referenced).
  • This part is then relaxed with a Joule-Thompson valve at 1.5 bara to reach 22K.
  • the liquid refrigerant cools the target fluid 101 to 22K in two two-phase heat exchangers (not referenced) and seven multi-flow heat exchangers, including the group 105 of heat exchangers and the exchanger 136.
  • the two flows of refrigerant at 4.5 and 1.5 bara come out of the pre-cooling part at room temperature.
  • the low pressure one is compressed to 4.5 bara in a first compressor (not referenced). It is then mixed with the medium pressure stream before entering the second compression stage (not referenced).
  • the third coolant cools the target fluid 101 from 90 K (-183°C) to 80 K (-193°C).
  • the nitrogen is first compressed from 1 bara to 40 bara by a multi-stage compressor 130.
  • the nitrogen is then cooled to 90 K (-183°C) in three heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and 136
  • the nitrogen is then partially liquefied using a Joule-Thompson valve to reach 78 K (-195°C) and the nitrogen operates in heat exchanger 106 as the main refrigerant.
  • the remaining cold nitrogen power is used in the pre-cooling heat exchangers, 106, 107, 108 and 136.
  • the second refrigerant fluid comprises a mixture of five components whose molar percentages, relative to the total quantity of material of the mixture of the five components, are as follows: R728 (nitrogen), between 4 and 14%, R50 ( methane) between 26.4 and 40%, R1150 (ethylene) between 14.9 and 36.4%, R290 (propane) between 21.5 and 35% and R600 (butane) between 14.8 and 25%.
  • R728 nitrogen
  • R50 methane
  • R1150 ethylene
  • R290 propane
  • R600 butane
  • the second refrigerant fluid is first compressed from 1 bara to 11 bara by a compression stage 111.
  • a liquid fraction appears (approximately 10%) after the intermediate cooling to room temperature, the phases are separated and the part gas completes its compression in a compressor 112 while the liquid part completes it in a pump 150.
  • the use of a pump allows a reduction in the compression power and therefore a reduction in the energy consumption of the installation.
  • the compressed streams are then mixed and the phases are separated again.
  • the liquid part (30%) is cooled to 182K (-91°C) in the first heat exchanger 106 and expanded with a Joule-Thompson valve to 1 bara.
  • the gaseous part (80%) is cooled to 182K (-91°C) in the first heat exchanger 106 and the phases are separated once more.
  • the liquid part (73%) is cooled to 115K (-158°C) in the intermediate heat exchanger 107 and expanded to 1 bara with a Joule-Thompson valve.
  • the gaseous part (27%) is cooled to 90K (-183°C) in two heat exchangers, 107 and 108, before being expanded in a Joule-Thompson valve at 1 bara and supplying its cold power in the heat exchanger 108.
  • the two previous streams are mixed and provide cold power in the heat exchanger 107.
  • the two remaining streams are mixed, supply cold power in the first heat exchanger 106 and are supplied to the compression stage 111.
  • This process 500 for cooling a flow of a target fluid to a temperature less than or equal to 90 K comprises:
  • FIG. 6 schematically, a particular succession of steps of the sub-process 600 object of the present invention.
  • This sub-process 600 describes a particular embodiment of the interactions of the first refrigerant fluid with other components of a device, 100, 200, 300 or 400, object of the present invention.
  • This sub-process 600 comprises:
  • step 640 of cooling the flow of first coolant at low pressure in a set of cooling exchangers, a step 645 of expanding the flow of first coolant at low pressure,
  • FIG. 7 schematically, a particular succession of steps of the sub-process 700 object of the present invention.
  • This sub-process 700 describes a particular embodiment of the interactions of third refrigerant fluid with other components of a device, 100, 200, 300 or 400, object of the present invention.
  • step 725 of circulation of the third refrigerant fluid until step 705 of compression is a step 725 of circulation of the third refrigerant fluid until step 705 of compression.
  • step 720 is performed only in exchanger 136.
  • FIG. 8 schematically shows a succession of particular steps of the sub-process 800 which is the subject of the present invention.
  • This sub-method 800 describes an embodiment particular second coolant interactions with other components of a device, 100, 200, 300 or 400, object of the present invention.
  • This sub-process 800 comprises:
  • step 865 for separating the second refrigerant fluid from the cooling step 860 into a liquid part and a solid part

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EP22730920.0A 2021-05-31 2022-05-31 Vorrichtung und verfahren zur vorkühlung eines zielfluidstroms auf eine temperatur unter oder gleich 90 k Pending EP4348137A1 (de)

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FR2105723A FR3123422B1 (fr) 2021-05-31 2021-05-31 Dispositif et procédé de refroidissement d’un flux d’un fluide cible à une température inférieure ou égale à 90 k
PCT/EP2022/064796 WO2022253847A1 (fr) 2021-05-31 2022-05-31 Dispositif et procede de pre-refroidissement d'un flux d'un fluide cible a une temperature inferieure ou egale a 90 k

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