WO2009141118A1 - Installation de gazéification, en particulier pour du méthane, comprenant un moteur stirling - Google Patents

Installation de gazéification, en particulier pour du méthane, comprenant un moteur stirling Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009141118A1
WO2009141118A1 PCT/EP2009/003567 EP2009003567W WO2009141118A1 WO 2009141118 A1 WO2009141118 A1 WO 2009141118A1 EP 2009003567 W EP2009003567 W EP 2009003567W WO 2009141118 A1 WO2009141118 A1 WO 2009141118A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
methane
gasification plant
plant according
tank
gas
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/003567
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English (en)
Inventor
Vitaliano Russo
Giorgio Targa
Original Assignee
Sincron S.R.L.
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Publication date
Application filed by Sincron S.R.L. filed Critical Sincron S.R.L.
Publication of WO2009141118A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009141118A1/fr

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    • 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
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F17C7/02—Discharging liquefied gases
    • F17C7/04—Discharging liquefied gases with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
    • F01K23/00—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
    • F01K25/00—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
    • F01K25/08—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours
    • F01K25/10—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
    • F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
    • F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
    • F02G1/053—Component parts or details
    • F02G1/055—Heaters or coolers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2244/00—Machines having two pistons
    • F02G2244/02—Single-acting two piston engines
    • F02G2244/06—Single-acting two piston engines of stationary cylinder type
    • F02G2244/08—Single-acting two piston engines of stationary cylinder type having parallel cylinder, e.g. "Rider" engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2256/00—Coolers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2280/00—Output delivery
    • F02G2280/20—Rotary generators
    • 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
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • 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
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0335—Check-valves or non-return valves
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F17C2227/015—Pumps with cooling of the pump
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0353—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid using cryocooler
    • 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
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • 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
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • 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
    • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
    • 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
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/05—Regasification
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0123—Terminals
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F17C2270/0581—Power plants

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a gasification plant, or gasifier, of a gas in liquid state in general, and of liquid methane in particular, of the type comprising a fluid path extending from a tank containing the gas in liquid state, for example a tank of a methane-tanker, to a tank containing the gas in gasified state, for example a gasholder, and gasification means of the gas in liquid state arranged along said path.
  • Known plants of the specified type comprise a fluid path, extending from a tank containing the gas in liquid state, for example a tank of a methane-tanker, to a tank, for example a gasholder, containing the gas in gasified state in conditions suitable for sending it to a distribution network, as well as gasification means provided along said fluid path.
  • the gasification means consist of heat exchangers that are crossed by the gas in liquid state to put it in heat exchange relationship with the environment, so as to cause its gasification.
  • the heat exchangers reach very large sizes, with all of the drawbacks that follow. It has been suggested to support the heat exchangers with appropriate ovens, arranged along the fluid path and crossed by the gas in liquid state, in order to promote its gasification, by means of the combustion of a fraction of the gas coming out from the plant itself. A reduction in size of the heat exchangers has thus been obtained, but the plant has become more complicated.
  • the problem underlying the present invention is that of devising a plant of the type specified that has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome the cited drawbacks with reference to plants of the prior art.
  • the present invention provides a gasification plant, or gasifier, of the type specified above, which is characterised in that said gasification means comprise a Stirling engine, with respective so-called cold cylinder and so-called hot cylinder, as well as a heat exchanger arranged along said fluid path and crossed by said fluid, said heat exchanger being in heat exchange relationship with said cold cylinder, so as to maintain the cold cylinder at a temperature much lower than the ambient temperature, with transformation of the latent heat relative to the change in state from gas in liquid state to gas in compressed state, into useful kinetic mechanical energy.
  • the gasification plant comprises an electric generator actuated by the Stirling engine for the transformation of said useful kinetic mechanical energy into electric energy intended for a distribution network.
  • the attached single figure 1 represents a schematic view of a gasifier according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
  • a gasification plant for the gasification of a gas, for example methane, from liquid state to gas state is globally and schematically indicated with 1.
  • the plant comprises a mooring station 2 of a methane- tanker 3, provided with tanks 3a of liquid methane.
  • the plant also comprises a storage station 4 of the methane in gas state, comprising a tank or gasholder 4a connected to a distribution network 4b of the methane to the users.
  • the gasifier comprises a fluid path globally indicated with 5, extending from the tank 3a to the gasholder 4a. Along the path 5 gasification means 6 are arranged that shall be described below.
  • the path 5 is subdivided into a duct 28 extended between the tank 3a and a connection 30, into a duct 60, 61 extended between the connection 30 and the gasholder 4a.
  • the gasification means 6, which are in the form of a Stirling engine 9.
  • the Stirling engine 9 which has a cylinder-piston unit 15, with a cylinder 16, the so-called cold cylinder, and a piston 17, acting through a connecting rod 18 and crank 19 on a crankshaft 12, as well as a cylinder-piston unit 20, with a cylinder 21, the so-called hot cylinder, and a piston 22, acting through a connecting rod 23 and crank 24, on the crankshaft 12.
  • the two cylinder-piston units 15 and 20 are arranged with their axes parallel and the relative connecting rods are connected to cranks angularly spaced by 90°.
  • the two connecting rods are connected to a single crank (or two angularly coinciding cranks).
  • the two cylinder-piston units collinear that is, with the respective axes coinciding in a single axis.
  • the Stirling engine 9 also comprises thermal means 25, provided to maintain the two cylinders 16 and 21 at a predetermined temperature difference. Indeed, it is thanks to this temperature difference maintained between the cylinders that the Stirling engine operates.
  • the thermal means 25 comprise cooling means 26 associated with the cylinder 16, the so-called cold cylinder, to maintain it at a temperature much lower than ambient temperature, and heating means 27, associated with the cylinder 21, the so-called hot cylinder, to maintain it at a temperature much greater than the ambient temperature.
  • the cooling means 26 comprise the fluid duct 28, extending from the tank 3a up to the connection 30.
  • the tank 3a is equipped with a gate valve 3b. It should be noted that instead of methane it is possible to use any combustible gas and/ or mixtures of combustible gases, without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
  • the heat exchanger 37 on the side facing the outwards is equipped with heat insulation 37a, to avoid the passage of heat from the environment to the exchanger, whereas on the side facing the cylinder 16 it is equipped with finnings 37b to facilitate the heat exchange with the fluid contained in the cylinder.
  • the cryogenic pump 35 is adjustable for speed, through an appropriate adjustment of the electric actuation motor, to adjust the speed of the Stirling engine.
  • the heating means 27 comprise a closed circuit 40 of a thermoconvector fluid, for example demineralised water.
  • a circulation pump 41 actuated by an electric motor not shown
  • a heat exchanger 42 arranged around the cylinder 21, so as to put the thermoconvector fluid, i.e. the demineralised water, in heat exchange relationship with the cylinder itself, a tank 43, and a gate valve 44 of the proportional type.
  • a heater 45 is provided, advantageously a microwave heater, known under the commercial name magnetron 45a, fed, through a remote control switch 46a, and a regulator 46b, by an electric generator 47 actuated by the crankshaft 12.
  • magnetron 45a a microwave heater, known under the commercial name magnetron 45a
  • a remote control switch 46a a remote control switch 46a
  • a regulator 46b actuated by the crankshaft 12.
  • a stirrer not shown, which is driven by an electric motor not shown.
  • a fan 48 is provided to serve the magnetron 45a.
  • the electric generator 47 supplies energy to the electric motors of the cryogenic pump 35, of the circulation pump 41 and to the electric motor of the agitator and of the fan.
  • the heat exchanger 42 on the side facing the outwards is equipped with heat insulation 42a to avoid the passage of heat from the exchanger to the outside, whereas on the side facing the cylinder 21 it is equipped with finnings 42b to facilitate the heat exchange with the fluid contained in the cylinder.
  • a deviation 49 which can be activated with suitable control of gate valves 50 and 51 is preferably provided, a heat exchanger 52 being provided on said deviation, to put the demineralised water in heat exchange relationship with the environment.
  • the Stirling engine is completed with a duct 9a extending between the cylinders 15 and 20 for the alternating transfer from one to the other of the fluid contained in the cylinders.
  • a fluid is a pressurised gas, for example helium at 140 atm.
  • a finely divided metallic material 9b there is a finely divided metallic material 9b, with regeneration function.
  • the gasifier In order to recovery the mechanical pressure energy of the methane coming out from the Stirling engine, the gasifier according to the invention comprises a piston engine 11 , with a respective crankshaft 13, collinear to the drive shaft 12, to constitute a single shaft 14.
  • the piston engine 11 is fed with compressed methane through the supply duct 60 and sends the methane through the duct 61 to the gasholder 4a of the storage station 4.
  • the compressed methane expands substantially like an elastic spring and is sent to the gasholder at each stroke. Substantially, there is a yield that is equal to the mechanical yield of a spring, i.e. substantially unitary in the absence of friction.
  • the supply duct 60 extends from the connection 30 up to an inlet mouth 11a of the engine 11.
  • heat exchanger 62 in heat exchange relationship with the environment, a rest chamber 63, an electrically driven gate valve 64, a check valve 65 and an electrically driven gate valve 66.
  • the rest chamber 63 of suitable volume, is equipped with a discharge tap 63a, with a thermometer 63c and with a manometer 63d.
  • the discharge duct 61 extends between a discharge mouth l ib of the engine 11 and the gasholder 4 through a gate valve 4c.
  • piston engine 11 can be any known alternating or rotary volumetric motor, but also any rotary flow motor, for example a turbine.
  • An auxiliary supply duct 70 is provided which extends between the gasholder 4a, through an on-off valve 4d, and a connection 73 that is arranged along the supply duct 60, in a position located between the check valve 65 and the gate valve 66.
  • a compressor 74 actuated by the shaft 14, a check valve 75 and an electrically driven gate valve 76.
  • the compressor 74 can be of the type using pistons or of the flow type, for example a turbocompressor.
  • a closed loop control circuit is providede for, globally indicated with 80, to control the electrically driven gate valves 64, 66, 76.
  • the circuit per s ⁇ conventional, comprises a control unit 81 fed with the desired values for the pressure and temperature of the fluid coming out from the engine 11 , also fed with the actual temperature and pressure values measured by thermometers 82 and 84 and by manometers 83, or more precisely by appropriate transducers, suitable for comparing said actual values with the desired values and consequently for controlling the gates valves with the differential values.
  • an electric generator 90 is fitted, connected to an electric cabinet 91 , to dispense electric energy to a distribution network 92.
  • the operation is described below.
  • the methane is contained in the tank 3a in liquid state and is conserved at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of about -98°C.
  • the methane is taken from the tank 3a along the duct 28 by the cryogenic pump 35 in a predetermined amount ml, variable with the speed of the cryogenic pump 35, as necessary for the operation of the Stirling engine on the cold cylinder side, and it is transferred at a desired pressure, preferably 120 bar absolute, into the heat exchanger 37.
  • the methane gasifies, i.e. it changes state passing from liquid state to compressed gas state.
  • the methane receives the vaporisation energy from the helium gas contained in the cylinder 16. Consequently, the helium contained in the cylinder 16 cools down.
  • the cylinder 16 is maintained at a temperature much lower than the ambient temperature.
  • the methane that has become gaseous leaves the exchanger 37 through the duct 28 pushed by the new liquid methane injected through the cryogenic pump 35 into the exchanger
  • the cryogenic pump 35 transmits the pulse energy necessary to raise the pressure up to 120 bars absolute to the liquid methane and produces the transportation motion of the methane along the duct 28, thus through the exchanger 62 until the rest chamber 63 is reached.
  • demineralised water is put in circulation, heated by the magnetron 45a at a temperature preferably of 180 0 C. Travelling in the exchanger 42, the hot water gives off heat and determines the heating of the helium gas contained in the cylinder 21. In this way, the helium is taken to a temperature much higher than the ambient temperature.
  • the Stirling engine is able to operate with the alternating transfer of the helium gas between the two cylinders and with delivery of mechanical energy to the crankshaft 12. It should be noted that the Stirling engine thus provides kinetic mechanical energy, corresponding to the latent heat relative to the change in state from liquid state to compressed gas state, and it also provides compressed methane substantially at a temperature of -98°C to the connection 30, intended for the piston engine 11.
  • the compressed methane provided to the connection 30 is pushed to cross the heat exchanger 62 that is in heat exchange relationship with the atmosphere and therefore its temperature substantially increases until it reaches ethe atmospheric temperature.
  • the methane is thus injected into the rest chamber 63.
  • the reconversion of all of the pulse and kinetic energy received through the cryogenic pump 35 into internal energy takes place, reaching an average temperature of 70 0 C.
  • the pressure of the methane in the rest chamber 63 is substantially 120 bars absolute.
  • the compressed methane at this point contains sufficient potential energy to supply again mechanical energy.
  • the compressed methane through the duct 60 feeds the engine 11 from which it is discharged through the duct 61.
  • the methane in the engine 11 gives off internal energy and such internal energy, substantially elastic energy, turns into useful mechanical energy on the crankshaft 13.
  • the mechanical energy of the pressurised gas turns into kinetic mechanical energy delivered to the crankshaft.
  • the yield of this transformation is that of a passage of energy from mechanical energy into mechanical energy that, in the absence of friction, would be unitary, and, depending only upon friction, may even reach 0.98.
  • the compressed methane that arrives from the rest chamber 63 in the connection 73 is added to the compressed methane from the compressor 74 in an amount m2, coming from the same gasholder, through the auxiliary duct 70.
  • the compressor 74 compressing the methane taken from the gasholder up to 120 bar absolute, sends it to the connection 73 at a temperature of about 400 0 C.
  • the methane resulting from the mixture (ml+m2) shall have a temperature close to 300 0 C, according to the value selected for m2.
  • the mixture (ml+m2) will allow the engine 11 to discharge the methane towards the gasholder at not less than -20 0 C: this being a value that is compatible with the requirements of the gasholder.
  • the temperature and pressure coming out from the piston engine 11 are constantly monitored through the temperature and pressure transducers 82, 83.
  • a transducer 84 is provided that measures the temperature in the duct 70 at the inlet of the compressor 74. The signals in output from the transducers are sent constantly to a control unit 81 that compares it with reference signals to emit control signals to the valve 64 that controls the flow rate ml and to the valve 76 that also controls the flow rate m2.
  • the present invention provides, more generally, a method for transforming the latent heat of methane, or of another combustible gas, in liquefied state into usable mechanical energy, for example, to generate electric energy.
  • This method comprises the step of put the methane or other gas or mixture of gases in liquid state in heat exchange relationship with the so-called cold cylinder of a Stirling engine, for example connected with an electric generator.
  • the main advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that it provides a gasifier of unusually compact size, with ongoing ecological behaviour, and improved energy balance.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une installation de gazéification (1) d'un gaz combustible à l'état liquide en général et de méthane liquide en particulier, dont les dimensions sont exceptionnellement compactes, le comportement écologique irréprochable et le bilan énergétique amélioré. L'installation de gazéification selon l'invention comprend un trajet de fluide (5) allant d'une cuve (3a) contenant le gaz à l'état liquide, par exemple une cuve d'un méthanier (3), à une cuve (4a) contenant le gaz à l'état gazéifié, par exemple un gazomètre (4a) d'une station de stockage (4), un moteur Stirling muni respectivement d'un cylindre froid et d'un cylindre chaud et placé le long de ce trajet, ainsi qu'un échangeur de chaleur placé le long de ce trajet et traversé par le fluide. Cet échangeur de chaleur est en relation d'échange thermique avec le cylindre froid et est pratiquement isolé thermiquement de l'environnement de sorte que le cylindre froid est maintenu à une température bien en dessous de la température ambiante, la chaleur latente étant récupérée et transformée en énergie mécanique.
PCT/EP2009/003567 2008-05-20 2009-05-19 Installation de gazéification, en particulier pour du méthane, comprenant un moteur stirling WO2009141118A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08425357A EP2123968A1 (fr) 2008-05-20 2008-05-20 Installation de gazification, par exemple pour méthane , comprenant un appareil de type Stirling
EP08425357.4 2008-05-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009141118A1 true WO2009141118A1 (fr) 2009-11-26

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EP (1) EP2123968A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009141118A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR112012014433A2 (pt) * 2009-12-15 2017-04-04 Univ Rice William M geração de eletricidade
EP2605836A4 (fr) * 2010-08-16 2016-06-01 Breathe Technologies Inc Procédés, systèmes et dispositifs utilisant de l'oxygène liquide pour fournir une assistance ventilatoire
US9032731B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2015-05-19 William Marsh Rice University Cooling systems and hybrid A/C systems using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex
US9863662B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2018-01-09 William Marsh Rice University Generating a heated fluid using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex
US9222665B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2015-12-29 William Marsh Rice University Waste remediation
FR3009058A1 (fr) * 2013-07-29 2015-01-30 Air Liquide Procede et installation de production de gaz sous pression

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2325877A1 (fr) * 1975-09-26 1977-04-22 Snam Progetti Installation et procede pour regazeifier des gaz naturels liquefies avec production concomitante d'energie electrique
EP0003264A1 (fr) * 1977-12-29 1979-08-08 Reikichi Nozawa Procédé et installation pour la production de force
EP0009387A1 (fr) * 1978-09-18 1980-04-02 Fluor Corporation Procédé pour obtenir de l'énergie pendant la regazéification de gaz liquéfiés
US4227374A (en) * 1978-10-20 1980-10-14 Oxley Alan J Methods and means for storing energy
EP0277777A2 (fr) * 1987-02-04 1988-08-10 CBI Research Corporation Centrale thermique utilisant le C02 comme fluide de travail
EP0818527A2 (fr) * 1996-07-11 1998-01-14 ENIRICERCHE S.p.A. Procédé pour la regazification du gaz naturel liquifié

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2325877A1 (fr) * 1975-09-26 1977-04-22 Snam Progetti Installation et procede pour regazeifier des gaz naturels liquefies avec production concomitante d'energie electrique
EP0003264A1 (fr) * 1977-12-29 1979-08-08 Reikichi Nozawa Procédé et installation pour la production de force
EP0009387A1 (fr) * 1978-09-18 1980-04-02 Fluor Corporation Procédé pour obtenir de l'énergie pendant la regazéification de gaz liquéfiés
US4227374A (en) * 1978-10-20 1980-10-14 Oxley Alan J Methods and means for storing energy
EP0277777A2 (fr) * 1987-02-04 1988-08-10 CBI Research Corporation Centrale thermique utilisant le C02 comme fluide de travail
EP0818527A2 (fr) * 1996-07-11 1998-01-14 ENIRICERCHE S.p.A. Procédé pour la regazification du gaz naturel liquifié

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