EP4711689A1 - Liquefaction device and liquefaction method - Google Patents

Liquefaction device and liquefaction method

Info

Publication number
EP4711689A1
EP4711689A1 EP24839488.4A EP24839488A EP4711689A1 EP 4711689 A1 EP4711689 A1 EP 4711689A1 EP 24839488 A EP24839488 A EP 24839488A EP 4711689 A1 EP4711689 A1 EP 4711689A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
raw material
magnetic body
material gas
refrigerant
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
EP24839488.4A
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 EP4711689A1 publication Critical patent/EP4711689A1/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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

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)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention improves the efficiency of liquefying a material gas. This liquefaction device comprises: a material pipe through which a material gas flows; a magnetic body which is connected to the material pipe and is capable of adsorbing the material gas supplied from the material pipe, the temperature of the magnetic body decreasing when application of a magnetic field is stopped; and a magnet which applies the magnetic field to the magnetic body. The magnet stops applying the magnetic field to the magnetic body in a state in which the magnetic body has adsorbed the material gas, whereby the magnetic body cools the adsorbed material gas.

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 raw material gas flows; a magnetic body that is connected to the raw material pipe, that is configured to adsorb the raw material gas supplied from the raw material pipe, and that decreases in temperature when application of a magnetic field is stopped; and a magnet that applies the magnetic field to the magnetic body, in which the magnet stops the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic body has adsorbed the raw material gas, to cause the magnetic body to cool the adsorbed raw material gas.
  • A liquefaction method according to the present disclosure includes: a step of adsorbing raw material gas onto a magnetic body that is configured to adsorb the raw material gas and that decreases in temperature when application of a magnetic field is stopped; and a step of cooling the raw material gas adsorbed onto the magnetic body by stopping application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic body has adsorbed the raw material gas.
    • 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 flowchart for describing a liquefaction method of a raw material gas.
    • FIG. 3 is a schematic view for describing adsorption of the raw material gas.
    • FIG. 4 is a schematic view for describing cooling of the adsorbed 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 storage unit 50, a magnetic refrigeration unit 60, a magnetic body cooling unit 70, a raw material expansion unit 80, 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 storage unit 50, the magnetic refrigeration unit 60, and the raw material expansion unit 80 constitute a liquefaction line that liquefies 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 storage unit 50, the magnetic refrigeration unit 60, and the raw material expansion unit 80 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 cools the refrigerant C by expanding the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30. 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 cools the refrigerant C by expanding the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30. 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.
  • The first raw material cooling unit 41 preferably 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.
  • The raw material cooling unit 40 is not an essential configuration, and it is not essential that the raw material gas HG is cooled by the refrigerant C. The raw material gas HG may be cooled by at least the magnetic refrigeration unit 60.
    • (Raw Material Storage Unit)
  • The raw material storage unit 50 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 storage unit 50 is a container that temporarily stores the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40. In addition, a raw material discharge unit 50A for discharging the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50 to the raw material flow direction DH side of the raw material pipe 10 is provided in the raw material pipe 10. The raw material discharge unit 50A may be, for example, a opening-closing valve.
  • However, the raw material storage unit 50 and the raw material discharge unit 50A are not essential configurations. That is, for example, the raw material gas HG, which has been cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40, may be directly supplied to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 on the downstream side without being stored in the raw material storage unit 50.
    • (Magnetic Refrigeration Unit)
  • The magnetic refrigeration unit 60 is provided in 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 raw material storage unit 50 and the raw material discharge unit 50A. The magnetic refrigeration unit 60 cools the raw material gas HG by a magnetic refrigeration method.
  • The magnetic refrigeration unit 60 includes a magnetic body 62 and a magnet 64. The magnetic body 62 is provided in the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the raw material cooling unit 40 (in the present embodiment, the raw material storage unit 50 and the raw material discharge unit 50A).
  • The magnetic body 62 is a member that can adsorb the raw material gas HG and that has a temperature decrease when the application of the magnetic field is stopped. The magnetic body 62 adsorbs the raw material gas HG by being cooled (the temperature is decreased), and is cooled (the temperature is decreased) by releasing the raw material gas HG. In addition, the magnetic body 62 has a temperature increase with an increase in the magnetic flux density (the degree of application of the magnetic field), and has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density.
  • The material of the magnetic body 62 may be any material that can adsorb the raw material gas HG and that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density (the degree of application of the magnetic field). Examples of the member that can adsorb the raw material gas HG include a porous metal complex (MOF), for example, copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC). In addition, examples of the member that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density include a gadolinium compound. The magnetic body 62 may be composed of a hybrid material in which a member that can adsorb the raw material gas HG and a member that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density are combined, or may be composed of a single material that can adsorb the raw material gas HG and that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density.
  • In addition, it is preferable that the magnetic body 62 can promote the conversion of the ortho-hydrogen contained in the raw material gas HG into the para-hydrogen. That is, it is preferable that the magnetic body 62 has a function of an ortho-para conversion catalyst in addition to a function of adsorbing the raw material gas and a magnetic cooling function of decreasing the temperature with a decrease in the magnetic flux density. The material of the magnetic body 62 may be any material that can adsorb the raw material gas, that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density, and that can promote the conversion of the ortho-hydrogen into the para-hydrogen. Examples of the material that can promote the conversion of the ortho-hydrogen into the para-hydrogen include an MOF having a Kagome lattice. For example, the MOF having a Kagome lattice can be synthesized by using a Cu ion and an isophthalic acid derivative. The magnetic body 62 may be composed of a hybrid material in which a member that can adsorb the raw material gas HG, a member that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density, and a member that can promote the conversion of the ortho-hydrogen into the para-hydrogen are combined, or may be composed of a single material that can adsorb the raw material gas HG, that has a temperature decrease with a decrease in the magnetic flux density, and that can promote the conversion of the ortho-hydrogen into the para-hydrogen.
  • In a case where the magnetic body 62 has a function of an ortho-para conversion catalyst, the raw material cooling unit 40 may not be provided with an ortho-para conversion catalyst. That is, in the liquefaction device 1, at least one ortho-para conversion catalyst may be provided in the liquefaction line, and the ortho-para conversion catalyst may not be provided.
  • The magnet 64 is a member that applies a magnetic field to the magnetic body 62. The magnet 64 is a magnet that generates a magnetic field, and may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In the example of FIG. 1, the magnet 64 is an annular electromagnet, and is disposed to surround the magnetic body 62.
  • Details of the cooling method of the raw material gas HG by the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 will be described below.
    • (Magnetic Body Cooling Unit)
  • The magnetic body cooling unit 70 is a mechanism that cools the magnetic body 62 with the refrigerant C. The magnetic body cooling unit 70 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 and the magnetic body 62 to cool the magnetic body 62.
  • The magnetic body cooling unit 70 is provided at a position in contact with the magnetic body 62. In addition, the magnetic body cooling unit 70 is provided at a location of the refrigerant pipe 30 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 flow direction DC. Therefore, the magnetic body cooling unit 70 cools the magnetic body 62 with the refrigerant C that flows from the refrigerant expansion unit 36 in the refrigerant flow direction DC through the refrigerant pipe 30.
  • As described above, the magnetic body cooling unit 70 cools the magnetic body 62 with the refrigerant C cooled by the refrigerant expansion unit 36. Therefore, the magnetic body 62 can be cooled with the refrigerant C cooled to 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 with the refrigerant C after cooling the magnetic body 62. More specifically, the refrigerant C after cooling the magnetic body 62 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 is lowered in the order of the second raw material cooling unit 42, the fourth raw material cooling unit 46, and the magnetic body cooling unit 70. Therefore, the raw material gas HG and the magnetic body 62 can be efficiently cooled with the refrigerant C.
    • (Raw Material Expansion Unit)
  • The raw material expansion unit 80 is connected to the raw material pipe 10 on the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60. The raw material expansion unit 80 cools the raw material gas HG by expanding the raw material gas HG that is cooled by the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 but is not liquefied to generate the liquid HL. The liquid HL generated by the raw material expansion unit 80 is introduced from the raw material pipe 10 to the liquid storage unit 14 and is stored in the liquid storage unit 14. The raw material expansion unit 80 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, the two-phase expansion turbine is used.
  • The position of the raw material expansion unit 80 is not limited to the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 and may be provided on the side opposite to the raw material flow direction DH with respect to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 (between the raw material cooling unit 40 and the magnetic refrigeration unit 60). In this case, the raw material expansion unit 80 may expand and cool the raw material gas HG cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40, and the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 may cool and liquefy the raw material gas HG that remains after being cooled by the raw material expansion unit 80 and is not liquefied. In addition, the raw material expansion unit 80 may be provided on both the raw material flow direction DH side with respect to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 and the side opposite to the raw material flow direction DH with respect to the magnetic refrigeration unit 60.
  • Note that the raw material expansion unit 80 is not an essential configuration. For example, the liquefaction device 1 may liquefy the raw material gas HG by only the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 without having the raw material expansion unit 48.
    • (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. 2 is a flowchart for describing a liquefaction method of raw material gas.
    • (Cooling by Raw Material Cooling Unit)
  • As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the present method, the raw material cooling unit 40 cools the raw material gas HG 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. The raw material gas HG cooled by the fourth raw material cooling unit 46 is stored in the raw material storage unit 50.
    • (Adsorption of Raw Material Gas)
  • Next, in the present method, the magnetic body 62 is cooled in a state where the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body 62, and the raw material gas HG cooled by the raw material cooling unit 40 is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 (step S12). Hereinafter, a method of adsorbing the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating adsorption of raw material gas.
  • In a case of adsorbing the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62, as shown in step S12A of FIG. 3, the magnetic field is applied from the magnet 64 to the magnetic body 62 in a state where the supply of the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62 is stopped. For example, the control device 100 controls the raw material discharge unit 50A (for example, closes a valve) to stop the supply of the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62. Then, the control device 100 applies the magnetic field from the magnet 64 to the magnetic body 62 in a state where the supply of the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62 is stopped. The magnetic body 62 is heated by the application of the magnetic field, and the temperature increases. A method of applying the magnetic field from the magnet 64 to the magnetic body 62 may be optional, and a voltage may be applied to the magnet 64 that is an electromagnet, or the distance between the magnet 64 that is a permanent magnet and the magnetic body 62 may be reduced.
  • In step S12A, the refrigerant C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 30 and the magnetic body 62 are heat-exchanged by the magnetic body cooling unit 70 in a state where the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body 62. As a result, the magnetic body 62 heated by the application of the magnetic field is cooled (heat is dissipated).
  • Then, as shown in step S12B of FIG. 3, the raw material gas HG is supplied to the magnetic body 62 that is cooled while the magnetic field is applied, and the raw material gas HG is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62. For example, the control device 100 controls the raw material discharge unit 50A (for example, opens a valve) to supply the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62. Since the magnetic body 62 is cooled by the magnetic body cooling unit 70, the magnetic body 62 adsorbs the raw material gas HG. The magnetic body cooling unit 70 cools the magnetic body 62 even during the adsorption of the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62, that is, even during the supply of the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62. As a result, the temperature increase of the magnetic body 62 due to the adsorption of the raw material gas HG can be suppressed.
  • The amount of the raw material gas HG adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic field is applied may be optional. For example, the control device 100 may supply the raw material gas HG from the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62 until the inner pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 (pressure of the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50) is reduced to about 0.3 MPa or more and 0.8 MPa or less (preferably 0.5 MPa). That is, for example, in a case where the inner pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 before the supply of the raw material gas HG is 1 MPa, the raw material gas HG may be supplied from the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62 until the inner pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 is 0.5 MPa.
    • (Cooling of Raw Material Gas)
  • After the raw material gas HG is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62, as shown in FIG. 2, the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 is stopped to further cool the raw material gas HG adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 (step S14). Hereinafter, a method of cooling the adsorbed raw material gas HG will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the cooling of the adsorbed raw material gas.
  • As shown in step S14A in FIG. 4, after the raw material gas HG is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic field is applied, the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 is stopped. For example, the control device 100 controls the magnet 64 to stop the application of the magnetic field from the magnet 64 to the magnetic body 62. It should be noted that the method of stopping the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 may be optional, and the voltage may be stopped from being applied to the magnet 64, which is an electromagnet, or the distance between the magnet 64, which is a permanent magnet, and the magnetic body 62 may be increased.
  • In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 is stopped in a state where the raw material gas HG is supplied from the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62. The magnetic body 62 can further adsorb the raw material gas HG by a decrease in temperature due to the removal of the magnetic field.
  • The amount of the raw material gas HG adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 in a state where the application of the magnetic field is stopped may be optional. For example, the control device 100 may supply the raw material gas HG from the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62 until the internal pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 (pressure of the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50) decreases to a degree of 0.1 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less (preferably 0.3 MPa). That is, for example, in a case where the internal pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 before the stop of the magnetic field application is 0.5 MPa, the raw material gas HG may be supplied from the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62 until the internal pressure of the raw material storage unit 50 is 0.2 MPa.
  • Next, as shown in step S14B of FIG. 4, the supply of the raw material gas HG to the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic field is applied is stopped. For example, the control device 100 controls the raw material discharge unit 50A (for example, closes a valve) to stop the supply of the raw material gas HG stored in the raw material storage unit 50 to the magnetic body 62. Since the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 is stopped, the temperature of the magnetic body 62 is decreased, and the raw material gas HG adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 is cooled. The magnetic body 62 preferably cools the raw material gas HG to, for example, a temperature of -250°C or lower.
  • The raw material gas HG cooled by the magnetic body 62 is released from the magnetic body 62 to the raw material flow direction DH side. The magnetic body 62 is further cooled by the release of the raw material gas HG.
  • A plurality of magnetic refrigeration units 60 may be provided. In this case, for example, each of the magnetic refrigeration units 60 may be connected to the raw material pipe 10 to be parallel to each other. As a result, it is possible to alternately perform the adsorption of the raw material gas HG and the cooling of the raw material gas HG in each of the magnetic refrigeration units 60 (magnetic bodies 62), and the cooling of the raw material gas HG can be continuously performed.
  • The raw material gas HG released from the magnetic body 62 is supplied to the raw material expansion unit 80 and is expanded by the raw material expansion unit 80. The raw material gas HG expanded by the raw material expansion unit 80 is further cooled and liquefied, and is introduced into the liquid storage unit 14 as a liquid HL and is stored in the liquid storage unit 14.
  • The magnetic refrigeration unit 60 (magnetic body 62) may cool the raw material gas HG to the extent that the raw material gas HG is not liquefied, may cool the raw material gas HG to the extent that at least a part of the raw material gas HG is liquefied, or may cool the raw material gas HG to the extent that all of the raw material gas HG is liquefied. In a case where the magnetic body 62 liquefies all of the raw material gas HG, the raw material expansion unit 80 may not be provided.
  • As described above, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62, and the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 on which the raw material gas HG is adsorbed is stopped to cool the magnetic body 62, thereby cooling the adsorbed raw material gas HG. 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 adsorbed raw material gas HG is released from the magnetic body 62. Since the magnetic body 62 is further cooled in a process of releasing the raw material gas HG, the raw material gas HG can be more suitably cooled. In addition, in the present embodiment, the raw material gas HG after being precooled with the refrigerant C is cooled by the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 and is expanded by the raw material expansion unit 48. As described above, by cooling the raw material gas HG in two stages of the expansion and the magnetic refrigeration, the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved. In addition, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 62 of the magnetic refrigeration unit 60 is cooled with the refrigerant C used for the precooling of the raw material gas HG. Therefore, it is also possible to efficiently perform the refrigeration cycle of the magnetic body 62 and the precooling of the raw material gas HG.
    • (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 magnetic body 62 that is connected to the raw material pipe 10 and that can adsorb the raw material gas HG supplied from the raw material pipe 10 and that decreases in temperature when the application of the magnetic field is stopped, and the magnet 64 that applies the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62. The magnet 64 stops the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic body 62 has adsorbed the raw material gas HG, so that the magnetic body 62 cools the adsorbed raw material gas HG. According to the present disclosure, the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG can be improved by using the magnetic refrigeration.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the first aspect, further including a magnetic body cooling unit 70 that cools the magnetic body 62, in which the magnetic body cooling unit 70 cools the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic field is applied from the magnet 64 to the magnetic body 62, to causes the magnetic body 62 to adsorb the raw material gas HG. According to the present disclosure, the magnetic body 62 from which the magnetic field is applied is cooled by heat dissipation, so that the magnetic body 62 adsorbs the raw material gas HG, and the raw material gas HG is released from the magnetic body 62 in a state where the application of the magnetic field is stopped. As a result, the adsorption of the raw material gas HG and the cooling of the raw material gas HG can be suitably performed, and the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG can be improved.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the first or second aspect, further including a raw material expansion unit 80 that is provided on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the magnetic body 62 in a flow (raw material flow direction DH) of the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10 and that expands the raw material gas HG to liquefy the raw material gas HG. As described above, by cooling the raw material gas HG in two stages of the expansion and the magnetic refrigeration, the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the third aspect, in which a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve is used as the raw material expansion unit 80. According to the present disclosure, the raw material gas HG can be appropriately expanded, and the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further including a raw material cooling unit 40 that is provided on an upstream side of the magnetic body 62 in a flow of the raw material gas HG in the raw material pipe 10 and that cools the raw material gas HG with the refrigerant C. According to the present disclosure, the raw material gas HG precooled with the refrigerant C is cooled by the magnetic body 62, so that the liquefaction efficiency can be more suitably improved.
  • 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.
  • A liquefaction device 1 according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction device according to the sixth aspect, in which the magnetic body 62 can promote conversion of ortho-hydrogen included in the raw material gas HG into para-hydrogen. By causing the magnetic body 62 to also have a function of the ortho-para conversion catalyst, hydrogen can be more appropriately liquefied.
  • A liquefaction method according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of adsorbing raw material gas HG on a magnetic body 62 that is configured to adsorb the raw material gas HG and that decreases in temperature when application of a magnetic field is stopped, and a step of stopping the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic body 62 has adsorbed the raw material gas HG, thereby cooling the adsorbed raw material gas HG with the magnetic body 62. According to the present disclosure, the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG can be improved.
  • A liquefaction method according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the liquefaction method according to the eighth aspect, in which, in the step of adsorbing the raw material gas HG, the raw material gas HG is adsorbed onto the magnetic body 62 by cooling the magnetic body 62 in a state where the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body 62. As a result, the adsorption of the raw material gas HG and the cooling of the raw material gas HG can be suitably performed, and the liquefaction efficiency of the raw material gas HG can be improved.
  • 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
    • 50: raw material storage unit
    • 60: magnetic refrigeration unit
    • 62: magnetic body
    • 64: magnet
    • 70: magnetic body cooling unit
    • 80: raw material expansion unit
    • HG: raw material gas
    • HL: liquid

Claims (9)

  1. A liquefaction device comprising:
    a raw material pipe through which raw material gas flows;
    a magnetic body that is connected to the raw material pipe, that is configured to adsorb the raw material gas supplied from the raw material pipe, and that decreases in temperature when application of a magnetic field is stopped; and
    a magnet that applies the magnetic field to the magnetic body,
    wherein the magnet stops the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic body has adsorbed the raw material gas, to cause the magnetic body to cool the adsorbed raw material gas.
  2. The liquefaction device according to claim 1, further comprising:
    a magnetic body cooling unit that cools the magnetic body,
    wherein the magnetic body cooling unit cools the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic field is applied from the magnet to the magnetic body, to cause the magnetic body to adsorb the raw material gas.
  3. The liquefaction device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
    a raw material expansion unit that is provided on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the magnetic body in a flow of the raw material gas in the raw material pipe, and that expands the raw material gas to liquefy the raw material gas.
  4. The liquefaction device according to claim 3, wherein a two-phase expansion turbine or a Joule-Thomson valve is used as the raw material expansion unit.
  5. The liquefaction device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
    a raw material cooling unit that is provided on an upstream side of the magnetic body in a flow of the raw material gas in the raw material pipe, and that cools the raw material gas with a refrigerant.
  6. The liquefaction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the raw material gas is a hydrogen gas.
  7. The liquefaction device according to claim 6,
    wherein the magnetic body is configured to promote conversion of ortho-hydrogen contained in the raw material gas into para-hydrogen.
  8. A liquefaction method comprising:
    a step of adsorbing a raw material gas onto a magnetic body that is configured to adsorb the raw material gas and that decreases in temperature when application of a magnetic field is stopped; and
    a step of cooling the raw material gas adsorbed onto the magnetic body by stopping application of the magnetic field to the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic body has adsorbed the raw material gas.
  9. The liquefaction method according to claim 8,
    wherein in the step of adsorbing the raw material gas, the raw material gas is adsorbed onto the magnetic body by cooling the magnetic body in a state where the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body.
EP24839488.4A 2023-07-13 2024-06-24 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method Pending EP4711689A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2023115135A JP2025012358A (en) 2023-07-13 2023-07-13 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method
PCT/JP2024/022751 WO2025013592A1 (en) 2023-07-13 2024-06-24 Liquefaction device and liquefaction method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4711689A1 true EP4711689A1 (en) 2026-03-18

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WO (1) WO2025013592A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
JPH08145487A (en) * 1994-11-24 1996-06-07 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Helium liquefying magnetic refrigerator
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
CN114353432B (en) * 2021-04-16 2024-03-22 河南中科清能科技有限公司 Hydrogen liquefying device adopting magnetic refrigeration

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