GB2585374A - Measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and process vessel system - Google Patents

Measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and process vessel system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2585374A
GB2585374A GB1909615.5A GB201909615A GB2585374A GB 2585374 A GB2585374 A GB 2585374A GB 201909615 A GB201909615 A GB 201909615A GB 2585374 A GB2585374 A GB 2585374A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
process vessel
reference chamber
connection pipe
outlet port
inlet port
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1909615.5A
Other versions
GB201909615D0 (en
Inventor
behrendt Andreas
Stutzle Elke
Gartung Bodo
Rußmann Stefan
Schuster Paul
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Priority to GB1909615.5A priority Critical patent/GB2585374A/en
Publication of GB201909615D0 publication Critical patent/GB201909615D0/en
Priority to RU2020120211A priority patent/RU2020120211A/en
Publication of GB2585374A publication Critical patent/GB2585374A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/0046—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm with a stationary probe, where a liquid specimen is separated from the mean mass and measured
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/02—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/021—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the height as the parameter
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/013—Carbone dioxide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0408—Level of content in the vessel
    • F17C2250/0417—Level of content in the vessel with electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/284—Electromagnetic waves
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

Measurement instrumentation 18 for measuring a level 16 of a cryogenic fluid 14 in a process vessel 12 comprises: a reference chamber 26 connected to the process vessel by means of a first connection pipe 15a extending between an outlet port 22a of the process vessel and an inlet port 22b of the reference chamber 26 and a second connection pipe 15b extending between an inlet port 24a of the process vessel and an outlet port 24b of the reference chamber 26, wherein the outlet port 22a of the process vessel 12 is located at a vertically higher level than the inlet port 24a of the process vessel 12; a measurement device 26a for detecting a level of cryogenic fluid 14 in the reference chamber 26, and wherein the first connection pipe 15a extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port 22a of the process vessel to the inlet port of the reference chamber 26, and/or the second connection pipe 15b extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port 24b of the reference chamber 26 to the first inlet port 24a of the process vessel 12. The measurement device may radiate electromagnetic waves onto the surface of the cryogenic fluid. The inclined connection pipes prevent blocking or clogging.

Description

Description
Measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and process vessel system
Technical Field
The invention relates to measurement instrumentation for measuring a level of a cryogenic fluid contained in a process vessel and a process vessel system comprising such a measurement instrumentation.
Prior Art
Natural gas typically contains a ratio of methane and heavy hydrocarbon gases, as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water and a range of other unwanted components. As NGL, LPG, condensate or the pure components as e.g. methane, ethane, propane and butane have higher sales values as compared to the pipeline gas itself, the different components are frequently extracted and fractionated in different processing plants. Cryogenic processes represent economical solutions to reject or recover natural gas components and increase the sales values. Prior to liquefaction, natural gas often has to be pre-treated in order to remove unwanted components. Depending on the concentration of sour gas components and downstream processing steps, it may be necessary to remove CO2 from the natural gas. As during the processing of the gas CO2 mainly is dissolved within the liquid phase of the gas, a further accumulation (e.g. due to heat ingress) of CO2 might lead to a precipitation of solid 002. Therefore in prior art only natural gases with a maximum content of 50 ppmv can be treated within cold plants.
The risk of constrictions and/or occlusions especially exists in parts or sections of a production line having relatively small opening diameters, small tubing diameters and/or dead spaces, such as measuring instrumentation, in which no regular flow of cryogenic fluid is present and where due to heat ingress and evaporation of light components remaining heavy components might accumulate until they precipitate.
In prior art local level indicators typically consists of a reference chamber with two side connections to the process vessel, in which the cryogenic fluid is stored and/or flowing. Within the reference chamber a measurement element, such as a floater, is typically installed which lowers and rises with level in the process. Vent and drain connections are typically provided, wherein the drain connection guides the fluid and/or solid constituents to a drain for wasting it.
Such a level measurement often represents a dead space where heat ingress might lead to an evaporation of light components and hence an accumulation and precipitation of CO2 and/or other heavy components within the liquid phase.
Therefore, the present invention aims to provide measurement instrumentation for a process vessel which is suitable for cryogenic fluids having constituents prone to accumulation and/or solidification, in order to facilitate a safe and failure free operation of the process vessel and/or measurement instrumentation with a reduced or eliminated risk of constriction and/or occlusion.
Disclosure of the Invention
This object is achieved by measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and a process vessel system comprising the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject-matter of the dependent claims and the following description and figures.
The invention relates to measurement instrumentation for measuring a level of a cryogenic fluid, preferably a liquid, contained in a process vessel. The measurement instrumentation comprises a reference chamber connected to the process vessel by means of a first connection pipe extending between an outlet port of the process vessel and and an inlet port of the reference chamber and a second connection pipe extending between an inlet port of the process vessel and and an outlet port of the reference chamber, wherein the outlet port of the process vessel is located at a vertically higher level than the inlet port of the process vessel a measurement device for detecting a level of cryogenic fluid in the reference chamber and wherein the first connection pipe extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port of the process vessel to the inlet port of the reference chamber, and/or the second connection pipe extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port of the reference chamber to the inlet port of the process vessel.
In another aspect the invention relates to a process vessel system comprising a process vessel and measurement instrumentation according to the invention.
The measurement instrumentation and/or the process vessel system is adapted to process a cryogenic fluid, which may comprise a high CO2 content, such as for example up to 5000 ppmv or even more. The process vessel may be any container containing said cryogenic fluid or being suitable for containing a cryogenic fluid, wherein the process vessel is not necessarily required to satisfy any further specific requirements.
By means of providing connection pipes between the process vessel and the reference chamber accumulation of heavier components a cryogenic fluid being processed can be effectively avoided.
In other words, the formation of solidified constituents of the cryogenic fluid within the reference chamber can be prevented, or in case of solidified constituents being present, the solidified components are at least partially washed out through the second connection pipe. Therefore, the invention provides the beneficial effect that a formation and/or gathering of solidified constituents inside the measurement instrumentation can be prevented. Consequently, the measurement instrumentation according to the invention is well suited for process vessels and/or production lines and/or plants for storing and/or processing cryogenic fluids having constituents, which tend to solidification under certain pressure and/or temperature conditions. Particularly, the invention provides measurement instrumentation and a process vessel system being well suited for processing lines and/or plants processing natural gases having for instance carbon dioxide among their constituents.
The invention also provides the beneficial technical effect that dead spaces within the measurement instrumentation can be efficiently prevented. As in case of evaporation of lighter components of the cryogenic fluid within the reference chamber, the heavier components will not be able to accumulate in the reference chamber. By this, any potential of an undesired accumulation and/or concentration of heavier components of the cryogenic fluid in the measurement instrumentation can be reliably avoided and, hence, the precipitation of solid components can be prevented.
The invention further provides the advantage that by using the measurement instrumentation and a process vessel system according to the invention within the production line and/or a plant does not require a separation of the carbon dioxide constituents of the cryogenic fluid. Therefore, the invention provides the benefit that the production costs for the cryogenic fluid and/or for the production line and/or plant may be reduced and/or the production effort for the cryogenic fluid may be reduced.
In addition, the invention provides the beneficial effect that the reliability of measurements by the measurement instrumentation, such as level measurements of the liquid cryogenic fluid within the process vessel, can be increased, since the danger of constrictions and/or occlusions can be reduced.
Moreover the invention offers the advantage that by reducing the risk of constrictions and/or occlusions within the plant or even completely avoiding them increases the safety of the respective plant and minimizes the risk of operational failures of the plant. Especially possibly required shut-downs of the plant may be avoided, which might occur due to constrictions and/or occlusions in the plant, sine according to the invention locally measuring the level of the cryogenic fluid is possible without the risk of generating occlusions and/or restrictions.
Preferably, the measurement device is provided as a device radiating electromagnetic waves onto the surface of the cryogenic fluid in the reference chamber and detecting electromagnetic waves reflected off the surface. This type of measurement is highly reliable, even under challenging environmental conditions. Preferably, the device is provided asd a radar device, i.e. radiating and detecting radar waves.
Advantageously, the first connection pipe extends in a horizontal manner and the second connection pipe extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port of the reference chamber to the inlet port of the process vessel, or the first connection pipe extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port of the process vessel to the inlet port of the reference chamber and the second connection pipe extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port of the reference chamber to the inlet port of the process vessel. This embodiment is especially advantageous in case fluid levels within the process vessel at least at times rise above the level of the outlet port of the process vessel.
Preferably the connection pipes have a smaller diameter than the reference chamber. For instance, the reference chamber may have a diameter between 2 cm and 20 cm and/or wherein the connection pipes may have a diameter between 0,5 cm to 10 cm.
Preferably, the reference chamber may comprise 3-inch tubes (88,9 mm), while the connection pipes may be provided as 2-inch tubes (60,3 mm).
Preferably the reference chamber is sloped such as to facilitate a gravitationally assisted wash out of aggregated and/or accumulated components of the fluid from the reference chamber. This allows an efficient wash out of possibly aggregated and/or accumulated solid components. Most preferably, the reference chamber is fully vertically oriented to minimize the risk of aggregation and/or accumulation and for allowing an efficient local level measurement.
Preferably the connection pipes are adapted to be permanently open during operation of the level measurement instrumentation. By this, a reliable washout of heavy and/or potentially present solidified constituents can be achieved. Advantageously, controllable valves are provided in the connection pupes, by means of which a flow through the connection pipes can be blocked, if necessary.
Preferably the measurement instrumentation is constructed as a level indicator.
Further advantages and preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description and figures.
It is understood by a person skilled in the art that the preceding and the following features are not only disclosed in the detailed combinations, but that also other combinations or the features alone can be used without exceeding the scope of the present invention.
The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a preferred embodiment.
Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 schematically shows a process system comprising measurement instrumentation according to a first preferred embodiment, and Fig. 2 schematically shows a process system comprising measurement instrumentation according to a second preferred embodiment
Detailed description of the drawing
Figure 1 shows a process vessel system generally designated 10, comprising a process vessel 12 containing a cryogenic fluid 14. The cryogenic fluid 14 may be stored and /or processed at a low temperature, such as at its boiling point at ambient pressure, which may be about -160°C, wherein a part of the cryogenic fluid 14 is present in the liquid phase 14a which reaches up to a level 16, as well as in the gaseous phase 14b, which mostly is present vertically above the liquid phase 14a.
In addition, the process vessel system 10 comprises measurement instrumentation 18, which is connected and attached to the outside of the process vessel 12.
According to the embodiment shown, the measurement instrumentation 18 is provided as a level indicator for indicating the level 16 of the liquid fluid inside the process vessel 12. For this purpose, the measurement instrumentation 18 comprises a reference chamber 26 comprising a vertical pipe. The reference chamber 26 is in fluid connection with connected to the process vessel 12 by means of a first connection pipe 15a extending between an outlet port 22a of the process vessel and and an inlet port 22b of the reference chamber 26, and a second connection pipe 15b extending between an inlet port 24a of the process vessel and and an outlet port 24b of the reference chamber 26.
For maintenance and security reasons it can be advantageous to provide block valves 17 in the connection pipes 15a, 15b, and/or an additional vent valve 37 in an the upper section of the reference chamber 26. It is also possible to provide further valves (not shown) in the connection pipes 15a and/or 15b. Such additional valves, which can especially be opened to the surrounding atmosphere, are advantageously provided with blind flanges (also not shown). Such additional valves can especially be used to enable easy access the connection pipes 15a and/or 15b, whereby inspection and cleaning of the connection pipes is facilitated.
Further, the measurement instrumentation 18 comprises a measurement device 26a, which is adapted to indicate the liquid level of the fluid inside the process vessel 12 by measurement of the liquid level in reference chamber 26. Since the reference chamber 26 is in fluid connection with the process vessel 12, the liquid level or surface (designated 16') in the reference chamber 26 is essentially the same as the liquid level 16 of the liquid phase 14a inside the process vessel 12, i.e. the liquid surfaces within process vessel and reference chamber are at the same vertical height.
Measurement device 26a is provided as a radar measurement device comprising a transmitter and a receiver (not explicitly shown). As is well known in the art, incident electromagnetic waves I transmitted from device 26a onto the the liquid surface 16' are reflected from the liquid surface. The reflected waves R are then detected by device 26a. The time between transmission and reception is an indication of the distance between measurement device 26a and the liquid surface, i.e. of the level of liquid within reference chamber 26.
For certain embodiments, the liquid level within process vessel 12 will at no time rise to or above the level of outlet port 22a of the process vessel. For these embodiments, it is sufficient and adequate to provide first connection pipe 15a in a horizontally extending manner, i.e. outlet port 22a of process vessel 12 and inlet port 22b of reference chamber 26 are on the same vertical height.
Providing connection pipes and as connection pipe 15a essentially perpendicularly to the vertically extending walls of process vessel 12 and reference chamber 26 is constructionally advantageous, as for example fluid-tightness of the outlet port and the inlet port can be achieved at low cost.
As can also be seen from Figure 1, the connection pipe 15b extends in a downwardly inclined manner between outlet port 24b of reference chamber 26 and inlet port 24a of process vessel 12. Although constructionally more challenging from a viewpoint of providing fluid-tightness, such an inclined extension of connection pipe provides the advantage that accumulation and/or aggregation of heavier and/or solidified components within the liquid phase 14a cannot accumulate at outlet port 24b of reference chamber 26. Rather, such components will be urged through connection pipe 15b, assisted by gravity, towards process vessel 12. This is especially important, as the dimensions of reference chamber 26 are typically substantially smaller than those of process vessel 12, so that an unwanted accumulation of heavy and/or solidified components of the liquid can occur a lot more easily in the lower part of reference chamber 26. By means of providing connection 15b in the inclined manner as described, this danger can be minimized or completely avoided.
In Figure 2, a further process system according to a second embodiment is shown.
This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 only in that first connection pipe 15a is also provided in a downwardly inclined manner, between outlet port 22a of the process vessel and inlet port 22b of reference chamber 26.
This embodiment is especially advantageous for applications in which the liquid level 16 in process vessel 12 can rise to or above the vertical level of oulet port 22a of the process vessel. By means of providing the first connection pipe 15a in the inclined manner as shown, it can be ensured, again assisted by gravity, that heavy and/or solidified components within liquid 14a will be safely urged or washed through first connection pipe 15a towards reference chamber 26, and will not accumulate for example at outlet port 22a or within first connection pipe 15a. Subsequently, this heavy or solidified components will sink to the bottom of reference chamber 26 and be returned into process vessel 12 via second connection pipe 15b.
Both embodiments as shown in Figures 1 and 2 ensure that, by means of inclined connection pipes, areas of the measurement instrumentation provided with narrower passages are not prone to blocking or clogging up by means of accumulation of heavy and/or solidified components within the liquid. Rather, an enhanced flow through such sections is provided, i.e. especially in connection pipes, in which such blockages can occur, by means of effectively utilizing the gravitational pull within these inclined connection pipes.

Claims (7)

  1. Claims 1. Measurement instrumentation (18) for measuring a level (16) of a cryogenic fluid (14) in a process vessel (12), comprising: a reference chamber (26) connected to the process vessel by means of a first connection pipe (15a) extending between an outlet port (22a) of the process vessel and and an inlet port (22b) of the reference chamber(26) and a second connection pipe (15b) extending between an inlet port (24a) of the process vessel and and an outlet port (24b) of the reference chamber (26), wherein the outlet port (22a) of the process vessel (12) is located at a vertically higher level than the inlet port (24a) of the process vessel (12); a measurement device (26a) for detecting a level of cryogenic fluid (14) in the reference chamber (26); and wherein the first connection pipe (15a) extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port (22a) of the process vessel to the inlet port of the reference chamber (26), and/or the second connection pipe (15) extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port (24b) of the reference chamber (26) to the first inlet port (24a) of the process vessel (12).
  2. 2. Measurement instrumentation (18) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement device (26a) is provided as a device radiating electromagnetic waves onto the surface of the cryogenic fluid in the reference chamber and detecting electromagnetic waves reflected off the surface.
  3. 3. Measurement instrumentation (18) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connection pipe (15a) extends in a horizontal manner and the second connection pipe (15b) extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port (24b) of the reference chamber (26) to the inlet port (24a) of the process vessel (12), or wherein the first connection pipe (15a) extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port (22a) of the process vessel to the inlet port of the reference chamber (26), and the second connection pipe (15) extends in a downwardly inclined manner from the outlet port (24b) of the reference chamber (26) to the inlet port (24a) of the process vessel (12).
  4. 4. Measurement instrumentation (18) according to claim 3, wherein the reference chamber (26) has a diameter between 2 cm and 20 cm and/or wherein the drain line tubing (30) has a diameter between 0,5 cm to 10 cm.
  5. 5. Measurement instrumentation (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection pipes (15a, 15b) are adapted to be permanently open during operation.
  6. 6. Measurement instrumentation (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measurement instrumentation (18) is constructed as a level indicator.
  7. 7. Process vessel system (10) comprising a process vessel (12) and measurement instrumentation (18) according to any one of the preceding claims.
GB1909615.5A 2019-07-04 2019-07-04 Measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and process vessel system Withdrawn GB2585374A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1909615.5A GB2585374A (en) 2019-07-04 2019-07-04 Measurement instrumentation for a process vessel and process vessel system
RU2020120211A RU2020120211A (en) 2019-07-04 2020-06-18 MEASURING EQUIPMENT FOR PROCESS VESSELS AND PROCESS VESSEL SYSTEM

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CN203414135U (en) * 2013-08-10 2014-01-29 丹东通博电器(集团)有限公司 Glass plate liquid level meter with transition flanges for connection
CN203719734U (en) * 2014-03-12 2014-07-16 铁岭经济开发区华能仪器仪表有限公司 Guided wave radar high-medium-low pressure double-color water gauge
CN204188215U (en) * 2014-11-13 2015-03-04 甘肃酒钢集团宏兴钢铁股份有限公司 A kind of level gauging cylinder continuously with online self-cleaning function
CN207379591U (en) * 2017-11-21 2018-05-18 潍坊亚峰化工仪表有限公司 Deep cold type magnetic double level gauge
CN207610765U (en) * 2017-09-07 2018-07-13 上海柯普乐自动化仪表有限公司 Hygiene-type magnetic column formula liquid level gauge
CN207703297U (en) * 2018-01-18 2018-08-07 山东齐隆化工股份有限公司 High viscosity liquid level emasuring device containing solvent
CN208606854U (en) * 2018-04-18 2019-03-15 乔治洛德方法研究和开发液化空气有限公司 It is a kind of for measuring the device of cold box interior cryogenic liquid liquid level

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN203414135U (en) * 2013-08-10 2014-01-29 丹东通博电器(集团)有限公司 Glass plate liquid level meter with transition flanges for connection
CN203719734U (en) * 2014-03-12 2014-07-16 铁岭经济开发区华能仪器仪表有限公司 Guided wave radar high-medium-low pressure double-color water gauge
CN204188215U (en) * 2014-11-13 2015-03-04 甘肃酒钢集团宏兴钢铁股份有限公司 A kind of level gauging cylinder continuously with online self-cleaning function
CN207610765U (en) * 2017-09-07 2018-07-13 上海柯普乐自动化仪表有限公司 Hygiene-type magnetic column formula liquid level gauge
CN207379591U (en) * 2017-11-21 2018-05-18 潍坊亚峰化工仪表有限公司 Deep cold type magnetic double level gauge
CN207703297U (en) * 2018-01-18 2018-08-07 山东齐隆化工股份有限公司 High viscosity liquid level emasuring device containing solvent
CN208606854U (en) * 2018-04-18 2019-03-15 乔治洛德方法研究和开发液化空气有限公司 It is a kind of for measuring the device of cold box interior cryogenic liquid liquid level

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