EP4711688A1 - Liquefaction device and liquefaction method - Google Patents

Liquefaction device and liquefaction method

Info

Publication number
EP4711688A1
EP4711688A1 EP24839487.6A EP24839487A EP4711688A1 EP 4711688 A1 EP4711688 A1 EP 4711688A1 EP 24839487 A EP24839487 A EP 24839487A EP 4711688 A1 EP4711688 A1 EP 4711688A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
raw material
refrigerant
unit
material gas
cooling unit
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
EP24839487.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Kenji Nakamichi
Keitaro Ishikawa
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.)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
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 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd filed Critical Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Publication of EP4711688A1 publication Critical patent/EP4711688A1/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
    • F25J1/0005—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
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/0032—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 the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0035—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 the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion 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
    • F25J1/0032—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 the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0042—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 the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by liquid expansion 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
    • F25J1/005—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0057—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 after expansion of the liquid 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
    • F25J1/0067—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0203—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
    • F25J1/0221—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
    • F25J1/0225—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 other external refrigeration means not provided before, e.g. heat driven absorption chillers
    • F25J1/0227—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 other external refrigeration means not provided before, e.g. heat driven absorption chillers within a refrigeration 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
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/42—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/908—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration by regenerative chillers, i.e. oscillating or dynamic systems, e.g. Stirling refrigerator, thermoelectric ("Peltier") or magnetic refrigeration

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention improves the efficiency of liquefaction of a feed gas. This liquefaction device includes: a feed pipeline through which a feed gas flows; a feed-cooling part by which the feed gas being flowing in the feed pipeline is cooled with a refrigerant; a magnetic refrigeration part which is disposed downstream from the feed-cooling part along the feed-gas flow inside the feed pipeline and by which the cooled feed gas is cooled with a magnetic body to liquefy the feed gas; and a magnetic-body-cooling part in which the magnetic body that has cooled the feed gas is cooled with a refrigerant.

Description

    Technical Field
  • The present disclosure relates to a liquefaction device and a liquefaction method.
    • Background Art
  • A technique of liquefying and storing a raw material gas such as a hydrogen gas is known. For example, in NPL 1, it is described that a raw hydrogen gas is cooled with a liquid nitrogen and expanded with a Joule-Thomson valve to liquefy the raw hydrogen gas.
    • Citation List Non Patent Literature
  • [NPL 1] Seiji Yamashita et al., "Development of Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage System", Journal of Japan Society of Energy and Resources, Vol. 37, No. 4
    • Summary of Invention Technical Problem
  • However, since the liquefaction of gas by the Joule-Thomson valve uses the principle of isenthalpic expansion, there is a concern that the liquefaction efficiency may be low. Therefore, it is required to increase the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas.
  • An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquefaction device and a liquefaction method capable of improving a liquefaction efficiency of a raw material gas. Solution to Problem
  • A liquefaction device according to the present disclosure includes: a raw material pipe through which a raw material gas flows; a raw material cooling unit that cools the raw material gas flowing through the raw material pipe with a refrigerant; a magnetic refrigeration unit that is provided on a downstream side of the raw material cooling unit in the flow of the raw material gas in the raw material pipe, and that cools the cooled raw material gas with a magnetic body to liquefy the raw material gas; and a magnetic body cooling unit that cools the magnetic body, which has cooled the raw material gas, with the refrigerant.
  • The liquefaction method according to the present disclosure includes: a step of cooling a raw material gas with a refrigerant; a step of cooling the raw material gas cooled by the refrigerant with a magnetic body and to liquefy the raw material gas; and a step of cooling the magnetic body, which has cooled the raw material gas, with the refrigerant.
    • Advantageous Effects of Invention
  • According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas.
    • Brief Description of Drawings
    • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a liquefaction device according to the present embodiment.
    • FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a refrigeration cycle of the magnetic refrigeration unit.
    • FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing a liquefaction method of a raw material gas.
    Description of Embodiments
  • Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments, and in a case where there are a plurality of embodiments, the present disclosure also includes configurations where the respective embodiments are combined with each other.
    • (Liquefaction Device)
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a liquefaction device according to the present embodiment. The liquefaction device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that liquefies a raw material gas HG. Hereinafter, the liquefied raw material gas HG will be referred to as a liquid HL. The raw material gas HG may be any substance, and examples thereof include hydrogen, oxygen, and natural gas. However, in the present embodiment, hydrogen is used as the raw material gas HG. Therefore, the liquid HL in the present embodiment is liquid hydrogen. In addition, the raw material gas HG and the liquid HL may be used for any application, and may be used, for example, as a fuel for a rocket.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, the liquefaction device 1 includes a raw material pipe 10, a raw material supply unit 12, a liquid storage unit 14, nitrogen pipes 20 and 22, a nitrogen supply unit 24, a refrigerant pipe 30, a refrigerant compression unit 32, a refrigerant cooling unit 34, refrigerant expansion units 36 and 38, a raw material cooling unit 40, a raw material expansion unit 48, a magnetic refrigeration unit 50, a magnetic body cooling unit 60, and a control device 100.
  • The control device 100 is a controller that controls each mechanism of the liquefaction device 1. By controlling each mechanism of the liquefaction device 1 with the control device 100, the raw material gas HG is liquefied by the liquefaction device 1, and the liquid HL is generated. The control device 100 may be a computer having, for example, an arithmetic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a memory. The control content of the control device 100 will be described later.
    • (Liquefaction Line)
  • The raw material pipe 10, the raw material supply unit 12, the liquid storage unit 14, the raw material cooling unit 40, the raw material expansion unit 48, and the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 constitute a liquefaction line for liquefying the raw material gas HG. The raw material pipe 10 is a pipe through which the raw material gas HG or the liquid HL passes. The raw material supply unit 12 is a mechanism that is connected to the raw material pipe 10 and that supplies the raw material gas HG to the raw material pipe 10. The raw material supply unit 12 may be, for example, a container in which the raw material gas HG is stored. The liquid storage unit 14 is a mechanism that is connected to the raw material pipe 10 and to which the liquid HL liquefied in the raw material pipe 10 is supplied. The liquid storage unit 14 may be, for example, a container in which the liquid HL is stored. In the example of the present embodiment, one end portion of the raw material pipe 10 is connected to the raw material supply unit 12, and the other end portion of the raw material pipe 10 is connected to the liquid storage unit 14. Hereinafter, a direction from the raw material supply unit 12 toward the liquid storage unit 14 in the raw material pipe 10, that is, a direction in which the raw material gas HG or the liquid HL flows in the raw material pipe 10 is referred to as a raw material flow direction DH.
  • The raw material cooling unit 40, the raw material expansion unit 48, and the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 will be described below.
    • (Nitrogen Line)
  • The nitrogen pipes 20 and 22 and the nitrogen supply unit 24 constitute a nitrogen line through which nitrogen for cooling the raw material gas HG is passed. The nitrogen pipe 20 is a pipe through which liquid nitrogen NL passes. The nitrogen supply unit 24 is a mechanism that is connected to the nitrogen pipe 20 and that supplies the liquid nitrogen NL to the nitrogen pipe 20. The nitrogen supply unit 24 may be, for example, a container in which the liquid nitrogen NL is stored. In the example of the present embodiment, one end portion of the nitrogen pipe 20 is connected to the nitrogen supply unit 24, and the other end portion of the nitrogen pipe 20 is connected to a third raw material cooling unit 44 described later. The liquid nitrogen NL is supplied to the third raw material cooling unit 44 from the nitrogen pipe 20.
  • The nitrogen pipe 22 is a pipe through which nitrogen gas NG, which is vaporized liquid nitrogen NL, passes. The nitrogen pipe 22 is connected to the third raw material cooling unit 44. That is, at least a part of the liquid nitrogen NL is vaporized in the third raw material cooling unit 44 to become the nitrogen gas NG, and the nitrogen gas NG is introduced into the nitrogen pipe 22.
  • In the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG is cooled by the liquid nitrogen NL and the nitrogen gas NG flowing through the nitrogen line, but the nitrogen line is not an essential configuration. That is, the cooling of the raw material gas HG by the liquid nitrogen NL and the nitrogen gas NG is not essential. The raw material gas HG may be cooled by at least a refrigerant C described later.
    • (Refrigerant Line)
  • The refrigerant pipe 30, the refrigerant compression unit 32, the refrigerant cooling unit 34, and the refrigerant expansion units 36 and 38 constitute a refrigerant line through which the refrigerant C for cooling the raw material gas HG is passed. The refrigerant C may be any substance capable of cooling the raw material gas HG, but in the present embodiment, the refrigerant C is hydrogen.
  • The refrigerant pipe 30 is a pipe through which the refrigerant C passes. The refrigerant compression unit 32 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 30. The refrigerant compression unit 32 compresses the refrigerant C to increase the temperature of the refrigerant C. More specifically, the refrigerant compression unit 32 compresses the refrigerant C (refrigerant C after heat exchange in the raw material cooling unit 40 to be described later) after cooling the raw material gas HG. The refrigerant compression unit 32 may be any mechanism capable of compressing the refrigerant C. However, in the present embodiment, a compression turbine that compresses the refrigerant C is used.
  • The refrigerant pipe 30 is a loop-shaped pipe through which the refrigerant C circulates in the refrigerant pipe 30. That is, one end portion of the refrigerant pipe 30 is connected to an outlet 32A of the refrigerant compression unit 32, and the other end portion thereof is connected to an inlet 32B of the refrigerant compression unit 32. The outlet 32A is an outlet through which the refrigerant C compressed by the refrigerant compression unit 32 is discharged, and the inlet 32B is an inlet through which the refrigerant C is introduced into the refrigerant compression unit 32. Hereinafter, a direction from the outlet 32A to the inlet 32B in the refrigerant pipe 30, that is, a direction in which the refrigerant C flows in the refrigerant pipe 30 is referred to as a refrigerant flow direction DC. That is, the start point of the refrigerant flow direction DC is the outlet 32A, and the end point of the refrigerant flow direction DC is the inlet 32B.
  • The refrigerant cooling unit 34 is a heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30. The refrigerant cooling unit 34 is provided at a position in contact with the refrigerant pipe 30 on the refrigerant flow direction DC side (downstream side of the flow of the refrigerant C) with respect to the refrigerant compression unit 32. Therefore, the refrigerant cooling unit 34 cools the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 after being compressed by the refrigerant compression unit 32. The contact here is not limited to direct contact, and also includes contact through another member (solid, liquid, or gas), and the same applies hereinafter. That is, for example, the refrigerant cooling unit 34 may be in direct contact with the refrigerant pipe 30 at a position on the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the refrigerant compression unit 32, or may be in contact with the refrigerant pipe 30 via another member (solid, liquid, or gas).
  • A method of cooling the refrigerant C by the refrigerant cooling unit 34 may be any method. For example, the refrigerant cooling unit 34 may have a cooling liquid pipe through which a cooling liquid (for example, water) flows and a member that is in contact with the cooling liquid pipe and the refrigerant pipe 30, and may exchange heat between the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid pipe and the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 to cool the refrigerant C.
  • The refrigerant expansion unit 36 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 30 on the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the refrigerant compression unit 32, and in the present embodiment, on the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the refrigerant cooling unit 34. The refrigerant expansion unit 36 expands the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 to cool the refrigerant C. The refrigerant compression unit 32 may be any mechanism capable of expanding the refrigerant C, and for example, a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve may be used. However, in the present embodiment, a Joule-Thomson valve is used.
  • The refrigerant expansion unit 36 is connected in series to the refrigerant pipe 30. That is, the inlet of the refrigerant expansion unit 36 (inlet into which the refrigerant C is introduced) is connected to the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the position at which the refrigerant compression unit 32 (refrigerant cooling unit 34) of the refrigerant pipe 30 is provided. Then, an outlet of the refrigerant expansion unit 36 (an outlet through which the refrigerant C is discharged) is connected to a position on a side opposite to (upstream side of) the refrigerant flow direction DC with respect to the position at which the refrigerant compression unit 32 of the refrigerant pipe 30 is provided.
  • The refrigerant expansion unit 38 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 30 on the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the refrigerant compression unit 32, and in the present embodiment, on the refrigerant flow direction DC side with respect to the refrigerant cooling unit 34. The refrigerant expansion unit 38 expands the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 to cool the refrigerant C. The refrigerant expansion unit 38 may be any mechanism capable of expanding the refrigerant C, and for example, a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve may be used. However, in the present embodiment, a two-phase expansion turbine is used.
  • The refrigerant expansion unit 38 is connected in parallel (branches) to the refrigerant pipe 30. An inlet of the refrigerant expansion unit 38 (an inlet into which the refrigerant C is introduced) is connected to a location between a position at which the refrigerant cooling unit 34 of the refrigerant pipe 30 is provided and a position at which the refrigerant expansion unit 36 is provided in the refrigerant flow direction DC (more specifically, a location between a second raw material cooling unit 42 and a fourth raw material cooling unit 46 described later). Then, the outlet of the refrigerant expansion unit 38 (the outlet through which the refrigerant C is discharged) is connected to a location between the position at which the refrigerant expansion unit 36 of the refrigerant pipe 30 is provided and the position at which the refrigerant compression unit 32 is provided in the refrigerant flow direction DC (more specifically, a location between the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 and the second raw material cooling unit 42 which will be described later).
    • (Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • The raw material cooling unit 40 is a mechanism that cools the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 with the refrigerant C. A method of cooling the raw material gas HG with the raw material cooling unit 40 may be any method. However, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG is cooled by exchanging heat between the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 and the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10. That is, the raw material cooling unit 40 in the present embodiment is a heat exchanger.
  • The number of raw material cooling units (heat exchangers) included in the raw material cooling unit 40 may be optional. However, in the present embodiment, the first raw material cooling unit 41, the second raw material cooling unit 42, the third raw material cooling unit 44, and the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 are provided as the raw material cooling unit 40. Hereinafter, each of the raw material cooling units will be described.
    • (First Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • The first raw material cooling unit 41 is provided at a position in contact with the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side (downstream side of the flow of the raw material gas HG) with respect to the raw material supply unit 12. In addition, the first raw material cooling unit 41 is provided at a position in contact with the nitrogen pipe 22. The first raw material cooling unit 41 cools the raw material gas HG by exchanging heat between the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 and the nitrogen gas NG flowing through the nitrogen pipe 22.
  • It is preferable that the first raw material cooling unit 41 cools the raw material gas HG to, for example, a temperature of -50°C to -100°C or lower.
    • (Second Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • The second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided at a position in contact with the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material supply unit 12. In addition, the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided at a position at which the second raw material cooling unit 42 is also in contact with the refrigerant pipe 30. The second raw material cooling unit 42 cools the raw material gas HG by exchanging heat between the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 and the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30.
  • More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the first raw material cooling unit 41. In addition, the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided at a location between a position at which the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided and a position at which the refrigerant compression unit 32 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 30 in the refrigerant flow direction DC. Therefore, the second raw material cooling unit 42 further cools the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the first raw material cooling unit 41, with the refrigerant C flowing in the refrigerant pipe 30 from the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 toward the refrigerant flow direction DC.
  • In addition, in the present embodiment, the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided at a location between a position at which the refrigerant cooling unit 34 is provided and a position at which the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 30 in the refrigerant flow direction DC. Therefore, the second raw material cooling unit 42 also cools the refrigerant C, which has been cooled by the refrigerant cooling unit 34, with the refrigerant C flowing in the refrigerant pipe 30 from the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 toward the refrigerant flow direction DC.
  • It is preferable that the second raw material cooling unit 42 cools the raw material gas HG to, for example, a temperature of -100°C to -150°C or lower.
    • (Third Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • The third raw material cooling unit 44 is connected to the nitrogen pipe 20 and stores the liquid nitrogen NL supplied from the nitrogen pipe 20. A portion of the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the second raw material cooling unit 42 is passed through the third raw material cooling unit 44. The third raw material cooling unit 44 further cools the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the second raw material cooling unit 42, with the liquid nitrogen NL by exchanging heat between the stored liquid nitrogen NL and the raw material gas HG that passes through the raw material pipe 10 in the third raw material cooling unit 44. The liquid nitrogen NL whose temperature has increased due to heat exchange is vaporized and is discharged to the nitrogen pipe 22 as nitrogen gas NG.
  • In the present embodiment, in the third raw material cooling unit 44, the raw material pipe 10 is connected to an ortho-para conversion catalyst 44A. The ortho-para conversion catalyst 44A is a catalyst that promotes conversion from ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen (ortho-para conversion). The ortho-hydrogen contained in the raw material gas HG passing through the raw material pipe 10 in the third raw material cooling unit 44 is converted into para-hydrogen by coming into contact with the ortho-para conversion catalyst 44A. In addition, the raw material gas HG generates heat during the ortho-para conversion, but can suppress increase in temperature by being cooled by the liquid nitrogen NL.
  • It is preferable that the third raw material cooling unit 44 cools the raw material gas HG to, for example, a temperature of -180°C or lower.
    • (Fourth Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • The fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided at a position in contact with the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material supply unit 12. In addition, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided at a position at which the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is also in contact with the refrigerant pipe 30. The fourth raw material cooling unit 46 cools the raw material gas HG by exchanging heat between the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 and the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30.
  • More specifically, in the present embodiment, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the third raw material cooling unit 44. In addition, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided at a location between a position at which the refrigerant expansion unit 36 is provided and a position at which the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 30 in the refrigerant flow direction DC. Therefore, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 further cools the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the third raw material cooling unit 44, with the refrigerant C flowing in the refrigerant pipe 30 from the refrigerant expansion unit 36 toward the refrigerant flow direction DC.
  • In addition, in the present embodiment, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided at a location between a position at which the second raw material cooling unit 42 is provided and a position at which the refrigerant expansion unit 36 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 30 in the refrigerant flow direction DC. Therefore, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 also cools the refrigerant C after being subjected to heat exchange in the second raw material cooling unit 42, the refrigerant C flowing in the refrigerant pipe 30 from the refrigerant expansion unit 36 toward the refrigerant flow direction DC.
  • In the present embodiment, the raw material pipe 10 is connected to the ortho-para conversion catalyst 46A even at a position in contact with the fourth raw material cooling unit 46. The ortho-para conversion catalyst 46A is a catalyst that promotes conversion from ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen (ortho-para conversion). The ortho-hydrogen contained in the raw material gas HG passing through the raw material pipe 10 is converted into para-hydrogen by coming into contact with the ortho-para conversion catalyst 46A. In addition, the raw material gas HG generates heat during the ortho-para conversion, but the increase in temperature can be suppressed by being cooled by the fourth raw material cooling unit 46.
  • It is preferable that the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 cools the raw material gas HG to, for example, a temperature of -240°C or higher to -220°C or lower.
    • (Raw Material Expansion Unit)
  • The raw material expansion unit 48 is connected to the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material cooling unit 40, and in the present embodiment, on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the fourth raw material cooling unit 46. The raw material expansion unit 48 expands the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40 to vaporize at least a part of the raw material gas HG and generate the liquid HL. The raw material expansion unit 48 may be any mechanism capable of expanding the raw material gas HG, and for example, a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve may be used. However, in the present embodiment, a two-phase expansion turbine is used.
  • The raw material expansion unit 48 is connected in series to the raw material pipe 10. That is, the inlet of the raw material expansion unit 48 (inlet into which the raw material gas HG is introduced) is connected to the raw material cooling unit 40 (fourth raw material cooling unit 46 in the present embodiment) on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the position at which the raw material cooling unit 40 (fourth raw material cooling unit 46 in the present embodiment) is provided. Then, an outlet (an outlet through which the raw material gas HG or the liquid HL is discharged) of the raw material expansion unit 48 is connected to a position on a side opposite to (upstream side of) the raw material flow direction DH with respect to a position at which the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 described below is provided.
  • However, the raw material expansion unit 48 is not an essential configuration. For example, the liquefaction device 1 may not have the raw material expansion unit 48, and may liquefy the raw material gas HG cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40 only by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 described below.
    • (Magnetic Refrigeration Unit)
  • The magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is provided at a position in contact with the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material cooling unit 40. The magnetic refrigeration unit 50 cools the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10, which has been cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40, with a magnetic body 54 (see FIG. 2 to be described later) to liquefy the raw material gas HG and generate the liquid HL. That is, the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 liquefies the raw material gas HG by the magnetic refrigeration method.
  • More specifically, in the present embodiment, the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is provided at a position in contact with the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material expansion unit 48. The magnetic refrigeration unit 50 cools the raw material gas HG, which has been expanded by the raw material expansion unit 48 and has been kept in a vaporized state without being liquefied, with the magnetic body 54 to liquefy the raw material gas HG and generate the liquid HL.
  • The magnetic refrigeration unit 50 preferably cools the liquid HL (raw material gas HG) to, for example, a temperature of -250°C or lower.
  • The liquid HL generated by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is introduced into the liquid storage unit 14 from the raw material pipe 10 and is stored in the liquid storage unit 14.
    • (Magnetic Body Cooling Unit)
  • The magnetic body cooling unit 60 is a mechanism that cools the magnetic body 54 of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 with the refrigerant C. The magnetic body cooling unit 60 cools the magnetic body 54 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 and the magnetic body 54.
  • The magnetic body cooling unit 60 is provided at a position in contact with the magnetic body 54. In addition, the magnetic body cooling unit 60 is provided at a location between a position at which the refrigerant expansion unit 36 is provided and a position at which the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 30 in the refrigerant flow direction DC. Therefore, the magnetic body cooling unit 60 cools the magnetic body 54 with the refrigerant C flowing in the refrigerant flow direction DC from the refrigerant expansion unit 36 in the refrigerant pipe 30.
  • As described above, the magnetic body cooling unit 60 cools the magnetic body 54 with the refrigerant C cooled by the refrigerant expansion unit 36. Therefore, the magnetic body 54 can be cooled by the refrigerant C having the lowest temperature in the refrigerant line. In addition, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG is precooled in the raw material cooling unit 40 by the refrigerant C after cooling the magnetic body 54. More specifically, the refrigerant C after cooling the magnetic body 54 flows through the refrigerant line in the order of the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 and the second raw material cooling unit 42. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant C decreases in the order of the second raw material cooling unit 42, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46, and the magnetic body cooling unit 60. Therefore, the refrigerant C can efficiently cool the raw material gas HG and the magnetic body 54.
    • (Refrigeration Cycle of Magnetic Refrigeration Unit)
  • A specific example of the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a refrigeration cycle of the magnetic refrigeration unit. In the example of FIG. 2, the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 includes a shaft portion 52, a magnetic body 54, and a magnet 56. The shaft portion 52 is a shaft-shaped member. The magnetic body 54 is a member in which a temperature changes due to a change in magnetic flux density. The material of the magnetic body 54 may be any material in which the temperature changes due to the change in the magnetic flux density, and examples thereof include a gadolinium compound. The magnetic body 54 is attached to the shaft portion 52 so as to be movable in the axial direction. For example, the control device 100 may control a drive mechanism that moves the magnetic body 54 in the axial direction to move the magnetic body 54.
  • The magnet 56 is a magnet that generates a magnetic field. The magnet 56 may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In the example of FIG. 2, the magnet 56 is annular and is disposed to surround the shaft portion 52.
  • As shown in step S1 of FIG. 2, in a case of cooling the magnetic body 54, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body 54 by the magnet 56. The temperature of the magnetic body 54 to which the magnetic field is applied rises. A method of applying a magnetic field from the magnet 56 to the magnetic body 54 may be any method. For example, in a case where the magnet 56 is an electromagnet, the control device 100 may apply a current to the magnet 56 to generate a magnetic field from the magnet 56 and apply the magnetic field to the magnetic body 54. In addition, for example, in a case where the magnet 56 is a permanent magnet, the magnetic body 54 may be positioned inside an inner peripheral surface of the magnet 56, and a magnetic field may be applied to the magnetic body 54.
  • Then, as shown in step S2, the magnetic body 54 of which the temperature has increased due to the application of the magnetic field is brought into contact with the magnetic body cooling unit 60 (refrigerant pipe 30). As a result, in the magnetic body cooling unit 60, the magnetic body 54 and the refrigerant C exchange heat with each other, and the magnetic body 54 is cooled (heat is dissipated).
  • Then, as shown in step S3, the application of the magnetic field from the magnet 56 to the magnetic body 54 is stopped. As a result, the magnetic body 54 is further cooled. A method of stopping the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 54 may be any method. For example, in a case where the magnet 56 is an electromagnet, the control device 100 may stop the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 54 by stopping the application of the current to the magnet 56. In addition, for example, in a case where the magnet 56 is a permanent magnet, the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 54 may be stopped by moving the magnetic body 54 away from the magnet 56. The magnetic body 54 cooled by the stop of the application of the magnetic field comes into contact with the raw material pipe 10, cools the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10, and liquefies the raw material gas HG. In a case where the temperature of the magnetic body 54 is increased due to the liquefaction of the raw material gas HG, the process returns to Step S1, and the same refrigeration cycle is repeated.
  • However, the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the magnetic body 54 is configured to be movable along the shaft portion 52, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the magnetic body 54 may be fixed. In addition, for example, the magnetic body 54 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the raw material pipe 10 to cool the raw material gas HG, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The magnetic body 54 may be inserted into the raw material pipe 10 and directly contact the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10 to cool the raw material gas HG.
    • (Liquefaction Method)
  • A flow of a liquefaction method of the raw material gas HG by the liquefaction device 1 described above will be described based on a flowchart. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing a liquefaction method of raw material gas.
  • As shown in FIG. 3, in the present method, the raw material gas HG is cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40 with the refrigerant C (Step S10). In the present step, the control device 100 supplies the raw material gas HG from the raw material supply unit 12 into the raw material pipe 10. In this case, for example, the control device 100 may control the valve of the raw material supply unit 12 to supply the raw material gas HG from the raw material supply unit 12. In addition, the control device 100 supplies the liquid nitrogen NL from the nitrogen supply unit 24 into the nitrogen pipe 20. In this case, for example, the control device 100 may control the valve of the nitrogen supply unit 24 to supply the liquid nitrogen NL from the nitrogen supply unit 24. In addition, the control device 100 operates the refrigerant compression unit 32, the refrigerant cooling unit 34, and the refrigerant expansion units 36 and 38 to circulate the refrigerant C in the refrigerant pipe 30. As a result, the raw material gas HG flows through the raw material pipe 10 along the raw material flow direction DH while being cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40. Specifically, the raw material gas HG is cooled by the nitrogen gas NG flowing through the nitrogen pipe 22 in the first raw material cooling unit 41. Then, the raw material gas HG cooled by the first raw material cooling unit 41 is further cooled by the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 in the second raw material cooling unit 42. Then, the raw material gas HG cooled by the second raw material cooling unit 42 is cooled by the liquid nitrogen NL while the ortho-para conversion is performed in the third raw material cooling unit 44. Then, the raw material gas HG cooled by the third raw material cooling unit 44 is cooled by the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 while the ortho-para conversion is performed in the fourth raw material cooling unit 46.
  • Next, in the present method, the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40, is expanded by the raw material expansion unit 48 to further cool the raw material gas HG (Step S12). In a case where the raw material expansion unit 48 is a two-phase turbine, the control device 100 operates the raw material expansion unit 48 to expand the raw material gas HG by the raw material expansion unit 48. In addition, for example, in a case where the raw material expansion unit 48 is a Joule-Thomson valve, the raw material gas HG expands by passing through the raw material expansion unit 48 which is the Joule-Thomson valve. At least a part of the raw material gas HG expanded in the raw material expansion unit 48 is liquefied to become the liquid HL.
  • Next, in the present method, the raw material gas HG after being expanded in the raw material expansion unit 48 is further cooled by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 (Step S14). The control device 100 brings the magnetic body 54 of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 into contact with the raw material pipe 10 to perform heat exchange between the magnetic body 54 and the raw material gas HG and cool the raw material gas HG. At least a part of the raw material gas HG cooled by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is liquefied to become the liquid HL. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that all the raw material gas HG that has been expanded in the raw material expansion unit 48 and has been vaporized is liquefied.
  • By the above steps, the raw material gas HG is liquefied, and the liquid HL is generated. The liquefaction device 1 cools the magnetic body 54 after cooling the raw material gas HG in the cycle as described in steps S1, S2, and S3 of FIG. 2. That is, the magnetic body 54 after cooling the raw material gas HG is further cooled by applying the magnetic field by the magnet 56, increasing the temperature, and then discharging (cooling) the heat with the refrigerant C to stop the application of the magnetic field. The magnetic body 54 cooled in such a cycle is used again for cooling the raw material gas HG.
  • As described above, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG after precooling with the refrigerant C is magnetically cooled and liquefied by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50. According to the present embodiment, the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG can be improved by using the magnetic refrigeration. Further, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 54 of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is cooled with the refrigerant C used for precooling the raw material gas HG. Therefore, it is also possible to efficiently perform the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic body 54 and the precooling of the raw material gas HG. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG after precooling with the refrigerant C is expanded by the raw material expansion unit 48 and then cooled by the magnetic refrigeration unit 50. As described above, by liquefying the raw material gas HG in the two-step process of expansion and magnetic refrigeration, the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved.
    • (Effects)
  • As described above, the liquefaction device 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: the raw material pipe 10 through which the raw material gas HG flows; the raw material cooling unit 40 that cools the raw material gas HG flowing through the raw material pipe 10 with the refrigerant C; the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 that is provided on a downstream side (the raw material flow direction DH side) of the raw material cooling unit 40 in the flow of the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10, and that cools the cooled raw material gas HG with the magnetic body 54 to liquefy the raw material gas HG; and the magnetic body cooling unit 60 that cools the magnetic body 54, which cools the raw material gas HG, with the refrigerant C. According to the present disclosure, by using the magnetic refrigeration, the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG is improved, and the magnetic body 54 of the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 is cooled by the refrigerant C used for precooling the raw material gas HG, so that the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic body 54 and the precooling of the raw material gas HG can be efficiently performed.
  • The liquefaction device 1 according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the first aspect, further including a raw material expansion unit 48 that is provided between the raw material cooling unit 40 and the magnetic refrigeration unit 50 in a flow of the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10, and expands the raw material gas HG cooled by the refrigerant C to liquefy a part of the raw material gas HG. According to the present disclosure, the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved by liquefying the raw material gas HG in a two-step process of expansion and magnetic refrigeration.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the second aspect, in which a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve is used as the raw material expansion unit 48. According to the present disclosure, the raw material gas HG cooled by the refrigerant C can be appropriately expanded, and the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved.
  • The liquefaction device 1 according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further including a refrigerant expansion unit 36 that cools the refrigerant C by expansion. The magnetic body cooling unit 60 cools the magnetic body 54 with the refrigerant C cooled by the refrigerant expansion unit 36, and the raw material cooling unit 40 cools the raw material gas HG with the refrigerant C after cooling the magnetic body 54. According to the present disclosure, the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic body 54 and the precooling of the raw material gas HG can be efficiently performed.
  • The liquefaction device 1 according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the fourth aspect, further including a refrigerant compression unit 32 that compresses the refrigerant C that has cooled the raw material gas HG, and a refrigerant cooling unit 34 that cools the compressed refrigerant C. According to the present disclosure, the magnetic body 54 is cooled, the raw material gas HG is precooled, and then the refrigerant C is compressed and exhausted, so that cooling by the refrigerant C can be efficiently performed.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the raw material gas HG is a hydrogen gas. According to the present disclosure, hydrogen can be appropriately liquefied.
  • The liquefaction method according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of cooling the raw material gas HG with the refrigerant C, a step of liquefying the raw material gas HG by cooling the raw material gas HG cooled with the refrigerant C with the magnetic body 54, and a step of cooling the magnetic body 54, which has cooled the raw material gas HG, with the refrigerant C. According to the present disclosure, the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic body 54 and precooling of the raw material gas HG can be efficiently performed while improving the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG.
  • The liquefaction method according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction method according to the seventh aspect, further comprising a step of expanding the raw material gas HG cooled by the refrigerant C to liquefy a part of the raw material gas HG, in which in the step of liquefying the raw material gas HG by the magnetic body 54, the raw material gas HG that is not liquefied by the expansion is liquefied. According to the present disclosure, the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved by liquefying the raw material gas HG in a two-step process of expansion and magnetic refrigeration.
  • Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the embodiments are not limited by the contents of the embodiments. In addition, the components described above include those which can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those which are substantially the same, and those which are within a so-called equivalent range. Further, the components described above can be combined as appropriate. Further, various omissions, replacements, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the concept of the embodiments described above.
    • Reference Signs List
    • 1: liquefaction device
    • 10: raw material pipe
    • 12: raw material supply unit
    • 14: liquid storage unit
    • 20, 22: nitrogen pipe
    • 24: nitrogen supply unit
    • 30: refrigerant pipe
    • 32: refrigerant compression unit
    • 34: refrigerant cooling unit
    • 36, 38: refrigerant expansion unit
    • 40: raw material cooling unit
    • 48: raw material expansion unit
    • 50: magnetic refrigeration unit
    • 54: magnetic body
    • 60: magnetic body cooling unit
    • C: refrigerant
    • HG: raw material gas
    • HL: liquid

Claims (8)

  1. A liquefaction device comprising:
    a raw material pipe through which raw material gas flows;
    a raw material cooling unit that cools the raw material gas flowing through the raw material pipe with a refrigerant;
    a magnetic refrigeration unit that is provided on a downstream side of the raw material cooling unit in the flow of the raw material gas in the raw material pipe, and that cools the cooled raw material gas with a magnetic body to liquefy the raw material gas; and
    a magnetic body cooling unit that cools the magnetic body, which has cooled the raw material gas, with the refrigerant.
  2. The liquefaction device according to claim 1, further comprising:
    a raw material expansion unit that is provided between the raw material cooling unit and the magnetic refrigeration unit in the flow of the raw material gas in the raw material pipe, and that expands the raw material gas cooled by the refrigerant to liquefy a part of the raw material gas.
  3. The liquefaction device according to claim 2, wherein a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve is used as the raw material expansion unit.
  4. The liquefaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
    a refrigerant expansion unit that expands and cools the refrigerant,
    wherein the magnetic body cooling unit cools the magnetic body with the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerant expansion unit, and
    the raw material cooling unit cools the raw material gas with the refrigerant after cooling the magnetic body.
  5. The liquefaction device according to claim 4, further comprising:
    a refrigerant compression unit that compresses the refrigerant that has cooled the raw material gas; and
    a refrigerant cooling unit that cools the compressed refrigerant.
  6. The liquefaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the raw material gas is a hydrogen gas.
  7. A liquefaction method comprising:
    a step of cooling a raw material gas with a refrigerant;
    a step of cooling the raw material gas cooled by the refrigerant with a magnetic body and to liquefy the raw material gas; and
    a step of cooling the magnetic body, which cools the raw material gas, with the refrigerant.
  8. The liquefaction method according to claim 7, further comprising:
    a step of expanding the raw material gas cooled by the refrigerant and to liquefy a part of the raw material gas,
    wherein in the step of liquefying the raw material gas with the magnetic body, the raw material gas that is not liquefied by expansion is liquefied.
EP24839487.6A 2023-07-13 2024-06-24 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method Pending EP4711688A1 (en)

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JP2023115134A JP2025012357A (en) 2023-07-13 2023-07-13 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method
PCT/JP2024/022750 WO2025013591A1 (en) 2023-07-13 2024-06-24 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method

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JPH0735933B2 (en) * 1986-02-21 1995-04-19 石川島播磨重工業株式会社 Liquefaction equipment such as helium
JPH079316B2 (en) * 1987-12-18 1995-02-01 株式会社日立製作所 Liquefaction method of helium gas using expansion turbine
JP3486786B2 (en) * 1994-12-02 2004-01-13 日本酸素株式会社 Method and apparatus for producing liquid hydrogen
JP4429552B2 (en) * 2001-07-16 2010-03-10 関西電力株式会社 Liquid hydrogen production system
US20050284154A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-29 Peter Andrew M System and method for storing hydrogen at cryogenic temperature
JP6769850B2 (en) * 2016-12-01 2020-10-14 株式会社前川製作所 Boil-off gas liquefaction system
US20190137171A1 (en) * 2017-07-11 2019-05-09 Emerald Energy NW, LLC Production of liquid natural gas and other cryogens using a multi-stage active magnetic regenerative liquefier
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