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EP0968387B1 - Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure - Google Patents

Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0968387B1
EP0968387B1 EP98910804A EP98910804A EP0968387B1 EP 0968387 B1 EP0968387 B1 EP 0968387B1 EP 98910804 A EP98910804 A EP 98910804A EP 98910804 A EP98910804 A EP 98910804A EP 0968387 B1 EP0968387 B1 EP 0968387B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
intermediate receptacle
reservoir
pressure
installation
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98910804A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0968387A1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Bravais
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP0968387A1 publication Critical patent/EP0968387A1/en
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Publication of EP0968387B1 publication Critical patent/EP0968387B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/002—Automated filling apparatus
    • F17C5/007—Automated filling apparatus for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles
    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/02—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases
    • F17C5/04—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. filling with helium or 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0388—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters
    • F17C2205/0394—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure vessel
    • F17C2205/0397—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure vessel on both sides of the pressure vessel
    • 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
    • F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—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
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0304—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using an electric heater
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
    • F17C2227/0374—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/047—Methods for emptying or filling by repeating a process cycle
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0194—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space for use under microgravity conditions, e.g. space
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0197—Rockets
    • 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
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/923—Inert gas
    • Y10S62/925—Xenon or krypton

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas.
  • the document GB 987019 describes an installation and a method of filling.
  • the filling can be carried out with a mechanical compressor, preferably of the membrane type, to avoid any pollution.
  • Membrane compressors are very heavy and only allow low gas flows, so filling a tank can be very long.
  • hydropneumatic booster present risks of gas pollution, which is not acceptable for certain applications envisaged, especially in the space field.
  • This method is not suitable for tanks in composite or raw steel, or for tanks already integrated within a structure such as, for example, a satellite. It is also possible to consider heating the mother bottle containing the gas, but this method is applicable if the volume of the tank to be filled is much lower than that of the mother bottle.
  • the aim of the invention is to provide a method and an installation for filling a pressurized tank which obviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the known techniques and makes it possible to reliably fill, which can be used, on a launchers pitch, without risk of pollute the xenon.
  • the intermediate container serves as a thermal compressor, that is to say, can raise the pressure of the gas relative to its pressure in a source such as a mother bottle.
  • This thermal compressor is light, powerful compared to other solutions, and does not include moving parts, which is a guarantee of good reliability.
  • the method also consists in heating the quantity of gas in the intermediate container, after the fluid connection of the intermediate container and the reservoir. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, when the communication between the intermediate container and the reservoir has been made, the maintenance of the heating leads to a heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, which makes it possible to discharge continuously to the reservoir this amount of gas which is then under high pressure.
  • the transfer of gas from the intermediate container to the reservoir takes place at substantially constant pressure.
  • the refrigeration liquid used with the process of the invention is advantageously liquid nitrogen whose industrial production is well controlled.
  • the invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method of the invention and, more specifically, an installation which comprises at least one compressor thermal formed of an intermediate container disposed between a source of gas and the tank, the thermal compressor comprising means for liquefaction by cooling a quantity of the gas being introduced into the intermediate container and heating means of this amount of gas inside the intermediate container.
  • the liquefaction means comprise a circulation tube of a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen.
  • a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen.
  • the means for heating the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container comprise an electric heating element.
  • an electric heating element allows a rapid heating of the amount of gas included in the intermediate container, and therefore a substantial decrease in the cycle time of a filling operation compared to known techniques.
  • the circulation tube and the electric heating element are placed inside the intermediate container.
  • the thermal compressor sees its temperature decrease or increase depending on that of the fluid it contains, so that the thermal inertia of the compressor is reduced.
  • the intermediate container comprises a gas inlet in its lower part and a gas outlet in its upper part. This allows a withdrawal of the gas in the part of the intermediate container in which the temperature of the gas is highest.
  • the intermediate container may contain a cup for receiving the liquefied gas, this cup being distant from the inner wall of the container. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the thermal inertia of the compressor is also reduced.
  • the invention also relates to an installation which comprises two thermal compressors able to operate in opposition, one working on the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works on the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas. This makes it possible to carry out the liquefaction operations in masked time, and thus to reduce the total duration of a filling operation of a tank.
  • a mother bottle 1 contains a quantity of xenon, for example 50 kg, at a pressure of the order of 60 bars at 20 ° C.
  • the role of the installation is to fill a tank 2 of titanium, steel or carbon, intended to be embedded on a satellite, at a pressure of between 80 and 300 bar approximately, for example of the order of 180 bar.
  • the installation comprises an intermediate container 3 whose inlet 3a is connected via a pipe 4 through a valve 5, to the mother bottle 1.
  • a line 6 connects the output 3 b from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 through a valve 7.
  • the container 3 comprises an enclosure 3c defining an interior volume 3 d of the exchanger 3, of the order of a few liters, for example about 4 liters.
  • a tube 10 inside which circulates liquid nitrogen from a source 11 such as a liquid nitrogen cylinder.
  • a valve 12 is provided for controlling the supply of the tube 10 from the source 11.
  • a collection member 13 is provided to receive the liquid or gaseous nitrogen after it has circulated in the tube 10.
  • An electric heater such as for example a heating resistor 15, is also arranged inside. of the volume 3 d and connected to a source of potential 16 being controlled by a switch 17.
  • the tube 10 is spirally wound with a generally vertical axis, while the heating element 15 is also spirally wound inside the volume 3 d about the same axis.
  • a cup 20 is disposed inside the intermediate container 3 around the tube 10 while being kept at a distance from the inner wall of the enclosure 3c by spacers 21.
  • This cup 20 is intended to receive the liquefied gas, such that the latter is kept at a distance from the enclosure 3c , which makes it possible to reduce the heat exchange and therefore the thermal inertia of the container 3.
  • the inlet 3 a of the xenon is arranged in the lower part of the tundish 3, whereas the outlet 3b is arranged in the upper part.
  • the arrows LN 2 indicate the flow direction of the nitrogen
  • the arrows X e indicate the flow direction of the xenon
  • the arrow Q e indicates the amount of electricity supplied to the resistor 15.
  • the valve 7 When it is desired to fill the tank 2 from the cylinder 1 containing xenon, the valve 7 being closed, the valve 5 is opened to put the mother bottle 1 and the intermediate container 3 in communication, so that the gas is discharged from the bottle 1 to the tank 3.
  • the tube 10 As the gas enters the tank 3, the latter is liquefied by contact with the tube 10 in which circulates liquid nitrogen at about -180 ° vs.
  • the diameter of the tube 10 and the flow rate of the liquid nitrogen in this tube are calculated so that the consumption of liquid nitrogen is not too great and for the nitrogen to exit the intermediate container 3 at a temperature close to the saturation temperature of xenon, 165K at 1 bar.
  • the flow rate of liquid nitrogen in the tube 10 is between 2 and 20 g / s.
  • the valve 5 and the switch 17 are then closed so that the circulation of the current inside the resistor 15 results in a rapid rise in the temperature of the xenon contained in the container 3. This induces a vaporization of the gas liquefied, then compression of this gas inside the container 3, this compression to quickly reach a pressure of the order of 180 bar.
  • the intermediate container 3 is therefore a "thermal compressor" for raising the pressure of a gas and having no moving part.
  • valve 7 When a pressure of the order of 180 bar is reached, the valve 7 is opened so as to put in fluid communication the container 3 and the tank 2. The gas is then discharged into the tank 2.
  • the switch 17 is kept closed, so that the heating continues inside the intermediate container 3, which tends to increase the pressure inside the tank 3, the gas then being progressively discharged.
  • the discharge of the gas from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 takes place while the pressure inside the intermediate container is kept substantially constant, or even increases slightly.
  • An exchanger 22 having high thermal inertia is disposed around the pipe 6.
  • This exchanger which may be formed of an aluminum block, is adapted to receive, as input, a gas between -30 ° C and 40 ° C and to deliver, at the outlet, a gas at about 5 ° C. This allows to feed the tank 2 at a temperature above 5 ° C and to avoid any risk of condensation in or on the external surface of the tank 2.
  • the heat compressor or intermediate container 3 must be able to withstand low temperatures when the gas is liquefied, but also be sized according to the pressure to which the tank 2 must be filled.
  • the thickness of the enclosure 3 c is determined according to these criteria.
  • the thermal inertia of the compressor must be as low as possible so as not to penalize the performance of the process and, in particular, the cycle time.
  • the volume of the compressor must be large enough to accommodate the tube 10 and the heating element 15, but not too large so as to limit the thermal inertia.
  • a volume of a few liters, especially 4 to 6 liters, can fill a tank of a few hundred liters in a few tens of cycles.
  • the wall of the thermal compressor 3 may have a thickness of about 10 mm, its total mass being of the order of about 30 kg.
  • the compressor is equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, which are not shown in the figures, to verify the proper operation of the device.
  • the thermal compressor 3 can be installed on a scale.
  • the power dissipated by the heating element 15 is not necessarily very important insofar as the amount of fluid to be heated for each cycle is relatively small. In practice, a heating element with a nominal power of the order of a few kilowatts, for example between 2 and 4 kW, is sufficient.
  • compressors can be used in parallel to increase the total flow of the installation.
  • two thermal compressors operating in opposition, one working to the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works to the vaporization-compression of another amount of gas.
  • the heating element 15 could be replaced by a water exchanger or other fluid with a high heat capacity.
  • the arrangement of entries 3 and 3b as well as the arrangement of the inlet and outlet 10 and the inlet tube and outlet of the heating element 15 could be modified.
  • a refrigeration system with a fluid having a vaporization temperature close to 200K could be used in place of the tube 10 containing liquid nitrogen.
  • the invention has been presented with a tank filling plant with xenon. It is understood that it is applicable with other gases with a relatively high critical temperature and, in particular, with krypton.
  • a preferred field of application of the invention is the ground filling of a xenon reservoir having a purity greater than 99.995, this xenon being used for the plasma propulsion of the satellites. It is understood that the installation of the invention can be a lightweight and compact assembly that can be easily moved on the firing points of these satellites.
  • the invention can also be used in xenon or krypton recovery plants, for example in the lamp industry.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A reservoir is filled under pressure with a gas, by introducing a quantity of a gas into an intermediate receptacle (3), liquefying this quantity of gas, upon its introduction into the intermediate receptacle, by heat exchange with a refrigerant fluid, reheating and vaporizing this quantity of gas in the intermediate receptacle by thermal contact with a heat source (15), and placing in fluid communication the intermediate receptacle and the reservoir (2) when the pressure in the intermediate receptacle becomes greater than the pressure in the reservoir.

Description

L'invention a trait à un procédé et à une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression avec un gaz. Le document GB 987019 décrit une installation et un procédé de remplisssage.The invention relates to a method and an installation for filling a pressure tank with a gas. The document GB 987019 describes an installation and a method of filling.

Dans le domaine spatial, il est connu d'utiliser un réservoir rempli de xénon pour la propulsion plasmique des satellites, un tel réservoir devant être rempli, pour des raisons de sécurité, juste avant le lancement du satellite. Ce réservoir est rempli à une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars. L'installation permettant un tel remplissage, parfois dénommé "skid de remplissage", doit être légère et peu encombrante, car elle est transportée sur les pas de tir à proximité des lanceurs.In the space field, it is known to use a tank filled with xenon for the plasma propulsion of satellites, such a tank to be filled, for security reasons, just before the launch of the satellite. This tank is filled to a pressure of the order of 180 bar. The installation for such a filling, sometimes referred to as "filling skid", must be light and not cumbersome, because it is transported on the firing points near the launchers.

Pour remplir un réservoir de xénon à haute pression, il existe plusieurs procédés connus. On peut procéder au remplissage avec un compresseur mécanique, de préférence du type à membrane, pour éviter toute pollution. Les compresseurs à membranes sont très lourds et autorisent seulement de faibles débits de gaz, de sorte que le remplissage d'un réservoir peut s'avérer très long. Il est également possible de procéder au remplissage avec un surpresseur hydropneumatique. Cependant, de tels surpresseurs présentent des risques de pollution du gaz, ce qui n'est pas admissible pour certaines applications envisagées, notamment dans le domaine spatial. Il pourrait être envisagé de remplir le réservoir en le trempant dans un bain d'azote liquide de façon à liquéfier le xénon. Cette méthode n'est pas adaptée pour les réservoirs en composite ou en acier brut, ni pour les réservoirs déjà intégrés au sein d'une structure telle que, par exemple, un satellite. On peut également envisager de chauffer la bouteille mère contenant le gaz, mais cette méthode est applicable si le volume du réservoir à remplir est bien plus faible que celui de la bouteille mère.To fill a high-pressure xenon tank, there are several known methods. The filling can be carried out with a mechanical compressor, preferably of the membrane type, to avoid any pollution. Membrane compressors are very heavy and only allow low gas flows, so filling a tank can be very long. It is also possible to fill with a hydropneumatic booster. However, such boosters present risks of gas pollution, which is not acceptable for certain applications envisaged, especially in the space field. It could be envisaged to fill the tank by dipping it in a bath of liquid nitrogen so as to liquefy the xenon. This method is not suitable for tanks in composite or raw steel, or for tanks already integrated within a structure such as, for example, a satellite. It is also possible to consider heating the mother bottle containing the gas, but this method is applicable if the volume of the tank to be filled is much lower than that of the mother bottle.

L'invention vise à proposer un procédé et une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir sous pression qui obvie aux inconvénients précités des techniques connues et permet un remplissage fiable, pouvant être mis en oeuvre, sur un pas de tir de lanceurs, sans risque de polluer le xénon.The aim of the invention is to provide a method and an installation for filling a pressurized tank which obviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the known techniques and makes it possible to reliably fill, which can be used, on a launchers pitch, without risk of pollute the xenon.

Dans cet esprit, l'invention concerne un procédé de remplissage de réservoir sous pression avec un gaz, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à :

  • introduire une quantité dudit gaz dans un récipient intermédiaire,
  • liquéfier ladite quantité de gaz au fur et à mesure de son introduction dans ledit récipient intermédiaire, par échange thermique avec un fluide de réfrigération,
  • réchauffer et vaporiser ladite quantité de gaz dans ledit récipient intermédiaire par contact thermique avec une source chaude,
  • mettre en communication fluidique ledit récipient intermédiaire et ledit réservoir lorsque la pression dans le récipient intermédiaire devient supérieure à la pression du réservoir.
In this spirit, the invention relates to a process for filling a pressure vessel with a gas, characterized in that it consists of:
  • introducing a quantity of said gas into an intermediate container,
  • liquefying said quantity of gas as it is introduced into said intermediate container, by heat exchange with a refrigeration fluid,
  • heating and vaporizing said quantity of gas in said intermediate container by thermal contact with a hot source,
  • fluidly communicating said intermediate container and said reservoir when the pressure in the intermediate container becomes greater than the pressure of the reservoir.

Grâce à l'invention, le récipient intermédiaire sert de compresseur thermique, c'est-à-dire permet d'élever la pression du gaz par rapport à sa pression dans une source telle qu'une bouteille mère. Ce compresseur thermique est léger, performant par rapport aux autres solutions, et ne comprend pas de pièce en mouvement, ce qui est un gage de bonne fiabilité.Thanks to the invention, the intermediate container serves as a thermal compressor, that is to say, can raise the pressure of the gas relative to its pressure in a source such as a mother bottle. This thermal compressor is light, powerful compared to other solutions, and does not include moving parts, which is a guarantee of good reliability.

Selon un premier aspect avantageux de l'invention, le procédé consiste également à chauffer la quantité de gaz dans le récipient intermédiaire, postérieurement à la mise en communication fluidique du récipient intermédiaire et du réservoir. Grâce à cet aspect de l'invention, lorsque la mise en communication du récipient intermédiaire et du réservoir a été effectuée, le maintien du chauffage conduit à un échauffement de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire, ce qui permet de décharger continûment vers le réservoir cette quantité de gaz qui est alors sous haute pression.According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the method also consists in heating the quantity of gas in the intermediate container, after the fluid connection of the intermediate container and the reservoir. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, when the communication between the intermediate container and the reservoir has been made, the maintenance of the heating leads to a heating of the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container, which makes it possible to discharge continuously to the reservoir this amount of gas which is then under high pressure.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux, le transfert de gaz du récipient intermédiaire vers le réservoir a lieu à pression sensiblement constante.According to another advantageous aspect, the transfer of gas from the intermediate container to the reservoir takes place at substantially constant pressure.

Le liquide de réfrigération utilisé avec le procédé de l'invention est avantageusement de l'azote liquide dont la production industrielle est bien maîtrisée.The refrigeration liquid used with the process of the invention is advantageously liquid nitrogen whose industrial production is well controlled.

L'invention concerne également une installation permettant de mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention et, plus précisément, une installation qui comprend au moins un compresseur thermique formé d'un récipient intermédiaire disposé entre une source du gaz et le réservoir, ce compresseur thermique comportant des moyens de liquéfaction par refroidissement d'une quantité du gaz en cours d'introduction dans le récipient intermédiaire et des moyens de chauffage de cette quantité de gaz à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire.The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method of the invention and, more specifically, an installation which comprises at least one compressor thermal formed of an intermediate container disposed between a source of gas and the tank, the thermal compressor comprising means for liquefaction by cooling a quantity of the gas being introduced into the intermediate container and heating means of this amount of gas inside the intermediate container.

Selon un premier aspect avantageux, les moyens de liquéfaction comprennent un tube de circulation d'un liquide de refroidissement tel que, notamment, de l'azote liquide. Ces moyens de liquéfaction sont connus en soi et relativement faciles à mettre en oeuvre.According to a first advantageous aspect, the liquefaction means comprise a circulation tube of a cooling liquid such as, in particular, liquid nitrogen. These liquefaction means are known per se and relatively easy to implement.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, les moyens de chauffage de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire comprennent un élément électrique chauffant. L'utilisation d'un élément électrique chauffant permet un chauffage rapide de la quantité de gaz comprise dans le récipient intermédiaire, et donc une diminution substantielle du temps de cycle d'une opération de remplissage par rapport aux techniques connues.According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the means for heating the quantity of gas included in the intermediate container comprise an electric heating element. The use of an electric heating element allows a rapid heating of the amount of gas included in the intermediate container, and therefore a substantial decrease in the cycle time of a filling operation compared to known techniques.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux, le tube de circulation et l'élément électrique chauffant sont placés à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire. Ainsi, seule une faible partie de l'épaisseur de la paroi du compresseur thermique voit sa température diminuer ou augmenter en fonction de celle du fluide qu'elle contient, de sorte que l'inertie thermique du compresseur en est diminuée.In another advantageous aspect, the circulation tube and the electric heating element are placed inside the intermediate container. Thus, only a small portion of the thickness of the wall of the thermal compressor sees its temperature decrease or increase depending on that of the fluid it contains, so that the thermal inertia of the compressor is reduced.

Avantageusement, le récipient intermédiaire comprend une arrivée de gaz dans sa partie inférieure et un départ de gaz dans sa partie supérieure. Ceci permet un soutirage du gaz dans la partie du récipient intermédiaire dans laquelle la température du gaz est la plus élevée.Advantageously, the intermediate container comprises a gas inlet in its lower part and a gas outlet in its upper part. This allows a withdrawal of the gas in the part of the intermediate container in which the temperature of the gas is highest.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, le récipient intermédiaire peut renfermer une coupelle de réception du gaz liquéfié, cette coupelle étant distante de la paroi interne du récipient. Grâce à cet aspect de l'invention, l'inertie thermique du compresseur est également diminuée.According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the intermediate container may contain a cup for receiving the liquefied gas, this cup being distant from the inner wall of the container. Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the thermal inertia of the compressor is also reduced.

L'invention concerne également une installation qui comprend deux compresseurs thermiques aptes à fonctionner en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz. Ceci permet de réaliser les opérations de liquéfaction en temps masqué, et donc de diminuer la durée totale d'une opération de remplissage d'un réservoir.The invention also relates to an installation which comprises two thermal compressors able to operate in opposition, one working on the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works on the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas. This makes it possible to carry out the liquefaction operations in masked time, and thus to reduce the total duration of a filling operation of a tank.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement à la lumière de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de réalisation d'une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir conforme à son principe et de son procédé de mise en oeuvre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un schéma fluide de principe d'une installation de remplissage conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe verticale d'un compresseur thermique utilisé dans l'installation de la figure 1.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a tank filling installation according to its principle and its method of implementation, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a fluid flow diagram of a filling plant according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a vertical section of a thermal compressor used in the installation of the figure 1 .

A la figure 1, une bouteille mère 1 contient une quantité de xénon, par exemple 50 kg, sous une pression de l'ordre de 60 bars à 20°C. Le rôle de l'installation est de remplir un réservoir 2 en titane, en acier ou en carbone, destiné à être embarqué sur un satellite, à une pression comprise entre 80 et 300 bars environ, par exemple de l'ordre de 180 bars.To the figure 1 a mother bottle 1 contains a quantity of xenon, for example 50 kg, at a pressure of the order of 60 bars at 20 ° C. The role of the installation is to fill a tank 2 of titanium, steel or carbon, intended to be embedded on a satellite, at a pressure of between 80 and 300 bar approximately, for example of the order of 180 bar.

Pour ce faire, l'installation comprend un récipient intermédiaire 3 dont l'entrée 3a est reliée, par une conduite 4 à travers une vanne 5, à la bouteille mère 1. De la même manière, une conduite 6 relie la sortie 3b du récipient intermédiaire 3 au réservoir 2 à travers une vanne 7. Le récipient 3 comprend une enceinte 3c définissant un volume intérieur 3d de l'échangeur 3, de l'ordre de quelques litres, par exemple 4 litres environ. Dans ce volume intérieur 3d est disposé un tube 10 à l'intérieur duquel circule de l'azote liquide en provenance d'une source 11 telle qu'une bonbonne d'azote liquide. Une vanne 12 est prévue pour la commande de l'alimentation du tube 10 à partir de la source 11. Un organe de collecte 13 est prévu pour recevoir l'azote liquide ou gazeux après qu'il a circulé dans le tube 10.To do this, the installation comprises an intermediate container 3 whose inlet 3a is connected via a pipe 4 through a valve 5, to the mother bottle 1. Likewise, a line 6 connects the output 3 b from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 through a valve 7. The container 3 comprises an enclosure 3c defining an interior volume 3 d of the exchanger 3, of the order of a few liters, for example about 4 liters. In this interior volume 3 d is disposed a tube 10 inside which circulates liquid nitrogen from a source 11 such as a liquid nitrogen cylinder. A valve 12 is provided for controlling the supply of the tube 10 from the source 11. A collection member 13 is provided to receive the liquid or gaseous nitrogen after it has circulated in the tube 10.

Un réchauffeur électrique, tel que par exemple une résistance chauffante 15, est également disposé à l'intérieur du volume 3d et relié à une source de potentiel 16 en étant commandé grâce à un interrupteur 17.An electric heater, such as for example a heating resistor 15, is also arranged inside. of the volume 3 d and connected to a source of potential 16 being controlled by a switch 17.

Comme il ressort plus clairement de la figure 2, le tube 10 est enroulé en forme de spirale avec un axe globalement vertical, alors que l'élément chauffant 15 est également enroulé en forme de spirale à l'intérieur du volume 3d autour du même axe.As is clear from the figure 2 , the tube 10 is spirally wound with a generally vertical axis, while the heating element 15 is also spirally wound inside the volume 3 d about the same axis.

Une coupelle 20 est disposée à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3 autour du tube 10 tout en étant maintenue à distance de la paroi interne de l'enceinte 3c par des écarteurs 21. Cette coupelle 20 est destinée à recevoir le gaz liquéfié, de telle sorte que celui-ci est maintenu à distance de l'enceinte 3c, ce qui permet de réduire les échanges thermiques et donc l'inertie thermique du récipient 3.A cup 20 is disposed inside the intermediate container 3 around the tube 10 while being kept at a distance from the inner wall of the enclosure 3c by spacers 21. This cup 20 is intended to receive the liquefied gas, such that the latter is kept at a distance from the enclosure 3c , which makes it possible to reduce the heat exchange and therefore the thermal inertia of the container 3.

On note que l'arrivée 3a du xénon est disposée dans la partie inférieure du récipient intermédiaire 3, alors que la sortie 3b est disposée dans la partie supérieure.It is noted that the inlet 3 a of the xenon is arranged in the lower part of the tundish 3, whereas the outlet 3b is arranged in the upper part.

Sur la figure 2, les flèches LN2 indiquent le sens de circulation de l'azote, les flèches Xe indiquent le sens de circulation du xénon et la flèche Qe indique la quantité d'électricité fournie à la résistance 15.On the figure 2 the arrows LN 2 indicate the flow direction of the nitrogen, the arrows X e indicate the flow direction of the xenon and the arrow Q e indicates the amount of electricity supplied to the resistor 15.

Le fonctionnement de l'installation résulte des explications qui précèdent. Lorsqu'on souhaite remplir le réservoir 2 à partir de la bonbonne 1 contenant du xénon, la vanne 7 étant fermée, on ouvre la vanne 5 pour mettre en communication la bouteille mère 1 et le récipient intermédiaire 3, de telle sorte que le gaz est déchargé de la bouteille 1 vers le réservoir 3. Au fur et à mesure de l'arrivée du gaz dans le réservoir 3, celui-ci est liquéfié par contact avec le tube 10 dans lequel circule de l'azote liquide à environ -180°C. Le diamètre du tube 10 et la vitesse d'écoulement de l'azote liquide dans ce tube sont calculés pour que la consommation d'azote liquide ne soit pas trop importante et pour que l'azote sorte du récipient intermédiaire 3 à une température proche de la température de saturation du xénon, soit 165K à 1 bar. En pratique, le débit d'azote liquide dans le tube 10 est compris entre 2 et 20 g/s.The operation of the installation results from the above explanations. When it is desired to fill the tank 2 from the cylinder 1 containing xenon, the valve 7 being closed, the valve 5 is opened to put the mother bottle 1 and the intermediate container 3 in communication, so that the gas is discharged from the bottle 1 to the tank 3. As the gas enters the tank 3, the latter is liquefied by contact with the tube 10 in which circulates liquid nitrogen at about -180 ° vs. The diameter of the tube 10 and the flow rate of the liquid nitrogen in this tube are calculated so that the consumption of liquid nitrogen is not too great and for the nitrogen to exit the intermediate container 3 at a temperature close to the saturation temperature of xenon, 165K at 1 bar. In practice, the flow rate of liquid nitrogen in the tube 10 is between 2 and 20 g / s.

On obtient ainsi une quantité de xénon liquéfié recueilli dans la coupelle 20 à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3.This gives a quantity of liquefied xenon collected in the cup 20 inside the intermediate container 3.

On ferme alors la vanne 5 et l'interrupteur 17, de telle sorte que la circulation du courant à l'intérieur de la résistance 15 résulte dans une élévation rapide de la température du xénon contenu dans le récipient 3. Ceci induit une vaporisation du gaz liquéfié, puis une compression de ce gaz à l'intérieur du récipient 3, cette compression permettant d'atteindre rapidement une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars. Le récipient intermédiaire 3 constitue donc un "compresseur thermique" permettant d'élever la pression d'un gaz et ne comportant pas de pièce en mouvement.The valve 5 and the switch 17 are then closed so that the circulation of the current inside the resistor 15 results in a rapid rise in the temperature of the xenon contained in the container 3. This induces a vaporization of the gas liquefied, then compression of this gas inside the container 3, this compression to quickly reach a pressure of the order of 180 bar. The intermediate container 3 is therefore a "thermal compressor" for raising the pressure of a gas and having no moving part.

Lorsqu'une pression de l'ordre de 180 bars est atteinte, on ouvre la vanne 7 de façon à mettre en communication fluidique le récipient 3 et le réservoir 2. Le gaz se décharge alors dans le réservoir 2.When a pressure of the order of 180 bar is reached, the valve 7 is opened so as to put in fluid communication the container 3 and the tank 2. The gas is then discharged into the tank 2.

On maintient l'interrupteur 17 fermé, de telle sorte que le chauffage continue à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire 3, ce qui a tendance à faire augmenter la pression à l'intérieur du réservoir 3, le gaz étant alors progressivement évacué. Ainsi, la décharge du gaz du récipient intermédiaire 3 vers le réservoir 2 a lieu alors que la pression à l'intérieur du récipient intermédiaire est maintenue sensiblement constante, voire augmente légèrement.The switch 17 is kept closed, so that the heating continues inside the intermediate container 3, which tends to increase the pressure inside the tank 3, the gas then being progressively discharged. Thus, the discharge of the gas from the intermediate container 3 to the tank 2 takes place while the pressure inside the intermediate container is kept substantially constant, or even increases slightly.

Les essais conduits ont permis de montrer que, lors de la compression isochore de la quantité de gaz par chauffage dans le récipient 3, la température du xénon passe d'environ 210 K à environ 245 K. Le maintien du chauffage après l'ouverture de la vanne 7 permet d'augmenter la température du xénon vaporisé d'environ 245 K à environ 310 K.The tests conducted have shown that, during the isochoric compression of the amount of gas by heating in the container 3, the temperature of the xenon goes from about 210 K to about 245 K. The maintenance of the heating after the opening of the valve 7 makes it possible to increase the temperature of the vaporized xenon from approximately 245 K to approximately 310 K.

Un échangeur 22 a forte inertie thermique est disposé autour de la conduite 6. Cet échangeur, qui peut être formé d'un bloc d'aluminium, est apte à recevoir, en entrée, un gaz entre -30°C et 40°c et à délivrer, en sortie, un gaz à environ 5°C. Ceci permet d'alimenter le réservoir 2 à une température supérieure à 5°C et d'éviter tout risque de condensation dans ou sur la surface externe du réservoir 2.An exchanger 22 having high thermal inertia is disposed around the pipe 6. This exchanger, which may be formed of an aluminum block, is adapted to receive, as input, a gas between -30 ° C and 40 ° C and to deliver, at the outlet, a gas at about 5 ° C. This allows to feed the tank 2 at a temperature above 5 ° C and to avoid any risk of condensation in or on the external surface of the tank 2.

En outre, le maintien du chauffage lorsque le récipient 3 est en communication avec le réservoir 2 conduit à la création d'un gradient de température relativement important à l'intérieur du compresseur thermique, le gaz le plus chaud ayant tendance à s'accumuler à proximité de l'orifice de sortie ou de départ 3b qui est situé en partie haute, ce qui facilite son transfert vers le réservoir 2.In addition, maintaining the heating when the container 3 is in communication with the tank 2 leads to the creation a relatively large temperature gradient inside the thermal compressor, the hottest gas tends to accumulate near the outlet or outlet 3b which is located at the top, which facilitates its transfer to the tank 2.

Le compresseur thermique ou récipient intermédiaire 3 doit être capable de supporter des basses températures lorsque le gaz est liquéfié, mais également être dimensionné en fonction de la pression à laquelle doit être rempli le réservoir 2. L'épaisseur de l'enceinte 3c est déterminée en fonction de ces critères. L'inertie thermique du compresseur doit être la plus faible possible pour ne pas pénaliser les performances du procédé et, en particulier, le temps de cycle.The heat compressor or intermediate container 3 must be able to withstand low temperatures when the gas is liquefied, but also be sized according to the pressure to which the tank 2 must be filled. The thickness of the enclosure 3 c is determined according to these criteria. The thermal inertia of the compressor must be as low as possible so as not to penalize the performance of the process and, in particular, the cycle time.

Le volume du compresseur doit être suffisamment grand pour permettre d'y loger le tube 10 et l'élément chauffant 15, mais pas trop important de façon à limiter l'inertie thermique. Un volume de quelques litres, notamment de 4 à 6 litres, permet de remplir un réservoir de quelques centaines de litres en quelques dizaines de cycles. Dans ce cas, la paroi du compresseur thermique 3 peut avoir une épaisseur de l'ordre de 10 mm environ, sa masse totale étant de l'ordre de 30 kg environ.The volume of the compressor must be large enough to accommodate the tube 10 and the heating element 15, but not too large so as to limit the thermal inertia. A volume of a few liters, especially 4 to 6 liters, can fill a tank of a few hundred liters in a few tens of cycles. In this case, the wall of the thermal compressor 3 may have a thickness of about 10 mm, its total mass being of the order of about 30 kg.

Avantageusement, le compresseur est équipé d'un capteur de pression et d'un capteur de température, qui ne sont pas représentés sur les figures, afin de vérifier le bon fonctionnement du dispositif. Dans un même but, le compresseur thermique 3 peut être installé sur une balance.Advantageously, the compressor is equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, which are not shown in the figures, to verify the proper operation of the device. For the same purpose, the thermal compressor 3 can be installed on a scale.

La puissance dissipée par l'élément chauffant 15 n'est pas nécessairement très importante dans la mesure où la quantité de fluide devant être chauffé pour chaque cycle est relativement faible. En pratique, un élément chauffant avec une puissance nominale de l'ordre de quelques kilowatts, par exemple entre 2 et 4 kW, est suffisant.The power dissipated by the heating element 15 is not necessarily very important insofar as the amount of fluid to be heated for each cycle is relatively small. In practice, a heating element with a nominal power of the order of a few kilowatts, for example between 2 and 4 kW, is sufficient.

Par ailleurs, plusieurs compresseurs peuvent être utilisés en parallèle pour augmenter le débit total de l'installation. Notamment, on peut utiliser deux compresseurs thermiques fonctionnant en opposition, l'un travaillant à la liquéfaction d'une quantité de gaz alors que l'autre travaille à la vaporisation-compression d'une autre quantité de gaz.In addition, several compressors can be used in parallel to increase the total flow of the installation. In particular, one can use two thermal compressors operating in opposition, one working to the liquefaction of a quantity of gas while the other works to the vaporization-compression of another amount of gas.

Selon une variante non représentée de l'invention, l'élément chauffant 15 pourrait être remplacé par un échangeur à eau ou tout autre fluide à forte capacité calorifique. Bien entendu, la disposition des entrées 3a et 3b, de même que la disposition des entrée et sortie du tube 10 et des entrée et sortie de l'élément chauffant 15 pourrait être modifiée. De même, un système de réfrigération avec un fluide ayant une température de vaporisation proche de 200K pourrait être utilisé à la place du tube 10 contenant de l'azote liquide.According to a variant not shown of the invention, the heating element 15 could be replaced by a water exchanger or other fluid with a high heat capacity. Of course, the arrangement of entries 3 and 3b as well as the arrangement of the inlet and outlet 10 and the inlet tube and outlet of the heating element 15 could be modified. Similarly, a refrigeration system with a fluid having a vaporization temperature close to 200K could be used in place of the tube 10 containing liquid nitrogen.

L'invention a été présentée avec une installation de remplissage de réservoir avec du xénon. Il est bien entendu qu'elle est applicable avec d'autres gaz à température critique relativement élevée et, notamment, avec du krypton.The invention has been presented with a tank filling plant with xenon. It is understood that it is applicable with other gases with a relatively high critical temperature and, in particular, with krypton.

Un domaine d'application privilégié de l'invention est le remplissage au sol d'un réservoir de xénon devant avoir une pureté supérieure à 99,995, ce xénon étant utilisé pour la propulsion plasmique des satellites. On comprend que l'installation de l'invention peut constituer un ensemble léger et compact pouvant être aisément déplacé sur les pas de tir de ces satellites.A preferred field of application of the invention is the ground filling of a xenon reservoir having a purity greater than 99.995, this xenon being used for the plasma propulsion of the satellites. It is understood that the installation of the invention can be a lightweight and compact assembly that can be easily moved on the firing points of these satellites.

L'invention peut également être utilisée dans des installation de récupération de xénon ou de krypton, par exemple dans l'industrie des lampes.The invention can also be used in xenon or krypton recovery plants, for example in the lamp industry.

Claims (12)

  1. Process for filling a reservoir under pressure with a gas, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
    - introducing a quantity of said gas into an intermediate receptacle (3),
    - liquefying said quantity of gas in the intermediate receptacle, by heat exchange (10) with a refrigerant fluid,
    - reheating and vaporizing said quantity of gas in the intermediate receptacle by supplying heat to the intermediate receptacle, then
    - placing in fluid communication the intermediate receptacle and the reservoir (2) when the pressure in the intermediate receptacle becomes greater than the pressure in the reservoir.
  2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply of heat to the intermediate receptacle is extended temporarily after the intermediate receptacle (3) and the reservoir (2) have been placed in fluid communication.
  3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer of gas from the intermediate receptacle (3) to the reservoir (2) takes place under substantially constant pressure.
  4. Process according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat exchange takes place with a liquid nitrogen flow circulating in the intermediate receptacle (3).
  5. Process according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gas is xenon.
  6. Installation for filling a reservoir under pressure with a gas, characterized in that it comprises at least one thermal compressor formed by an intermediate receptacle (3) which can be connected selectively to a source (1) of said gas and to the reservoir (2), the thermal compressor comprising, in an enclosure (3c), means (10) for liquefaction by cooling of a quantity of said gas introduced into the intermediate receptacle, and means (15) for heating the quantity of gas within said intermediate receptacle.
  7. Installation according to claim 6,
    characterized in that the liquefaction means comprise a circuit (10) for circulation of a cooling fluid.
  8. Installation according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the heating means comprise an electric heating element (15).
  9. Installation according to claim 7 and 8, characterized in that the circulation circuit (10) and the electric heating element (15) are arranged concentrically in the intermediate receptacle.
  10. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the intermediate receptacle (3) comprises, in its lower portion, an access (3a) for connection to a source of said gas (1) and in its upper portion a passage (3b) for connection to the reservoir.
  11. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the intermediate receptacle encloses a dish (20) for reception of the liquefied gas, said dish being spaced from the internal wall of the enclosure (3c) of said receptacle (3).
  12. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two thermal compressors adapted to operate in opposition, one working for the liquefaction of a quantity of gas whilst the other works for the vaporization-compression of another quantity of gas.
EP98910804A 1997-10-06 1998-02-20 Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure Expired - Lifetime EP0968387B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9712433 1997-10-06
FR9712433A FR2769354B1 (en) 1997-10-06 1997-10-06 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR FILLING A PRESSURE TANK
PCT/FR1998/000341 WO1999018387A1 (en) 1997-10-06 1998-02-20 Method and installation for filling a tank under pressure

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EP0968387A1 EP0968387A1 (en) 2000-01-05
EP0968387B1 true EP0968387B1 (en) 2008-10-01

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EP (1) EP0968387B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001507435A (en)
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JP2001507435A (en) 2001-06-05
CN1086457C (en) 2002-06-19
WO1999018387A1 (en) 1999-04-15
EP0968387A1 (en) 2000-01-05
FR2769354B1 (en) 1999-11-05
US6029473A (en) 2000-02-29
CN1241253A (en) 2000-01-12
DE69840068D1 (en) 2008-11-13
FR2769354A1 (en) 1999-04-09

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