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EP2665979B1 - Installation and method for producing liquid helium - Google Patents

Installation and method for producing liquid helium Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2665979B1
EP2665979B1 EP12704863.5A EP12704863A EP2665979B1 EP 2665979 B1 EP2665979 B1 EP 2665979B1 EP 12704863 A EP12704863 A EP 12704863A EP 2665979 B1 EP2665979 B1 EP 2665979B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
working
circuit
helium
tanks
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.)
Active
Application number
EP12704863.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2665979A2 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Bernhardt
David Grillot
Véronique GRABIE
Eric Fauve
Michel Bonneton
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.)
Air Liquide SA
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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Publication date
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Publication of EP2665979A2 publication Critical patent/EP2665979A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2665979B1 publication Critical patent/EP2665979B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
    • F25J1/0007—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0035—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work
    • F25J1/0037—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work of a return stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0201—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration
    • F25J1/0202—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration in a quasi-closed internal refrigeration loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • F25J1/0247—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control start-up of the process
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0269—Arrangement of liquefaction units or equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple "trains" concept
    • F25J1/0271—Inter-connecting multiple cold equipments within or downstream of the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/02—Multiple feed streams, e.g. originating from different sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/02—Separating impurities in general from the feed stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/04—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
    • F25J2270/06—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with multiple gas expansion loops
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/60—Details about pipelines, i.e. network, for feed or product distribution
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation and a method for producing helium, in accordance with the preambles of claims 1 and 7 respectively and known from document JP-A-2 056 213 .
  • the invention relates more particularly to an installation for the production of liquid helium comprising a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the refrigeration / liquefaction device comprising a working circuit subjecting a working fluid enriched in helium to a thermodynamic cycle in order to produce water.
  • liquid helium the circuit comprising at least one working fluid compression member and several heat exchangers for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle
  • the installation comprising several fluid recovery pipes having respective upstream ends intended to be selectively connected to respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from the reservoirs to the refrigeration / liquefaction device
  • the installation comprising a first collecting pipe having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes and a downstream end connected to a susceptible receptor organ to supply the working circuit with working fluid.
  • the invention relates in particular to the production and distribution of liquid helium.
  • Helium a noble gas
  • the distribution of helium generally requires cooling the helium to a temperature below 4.5 K (liquid state), then its transport and distribution in mobile tanks, for example on semi-trailers. These tanks, which can be insulated with nitrogen, should generally be maintained at a temperature not exceeding 50 to 60 K. For this reason, it is not recommended to completely empty these tanks of their helium.
  • the cooling of the tanks is usually achieved in filling stations by circulating (in a loop) helium from the station through the tank to be cooled, thereby lowering the temperature.
  • gaseous helium which may be produced during the cooling may exceed the capacity of the helium liquefaction installations equipping the installation.
  • the "hot" gas returns from the tanks are returned to the refrigerator / liquefier at different levels in the refrigerator / liquefier.
  • these recovered hot gases are reinjected at determined locations in the working circuit of the refrigeration / liquefaction device between the “cold” and “hot” ends, that is to say at determined temperature levels of the liquefaction. helium in the working circuit.
  • the fluid from the various reservoirs is either sent to the installation's recovery and purification system (when it has impurities), or is collected in a common collector before being injected into the working circuit of the installation. liquefier / refrigerator (when the fluid is relatively pure).
  • This mixture of pure fluids collected in the various reservoirs concerned is sent into the working circuit at a pressure / temperature level corresponding to the temperature level of the mixture of fluids.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.
  • the installation according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least a second and a third collecting pipes each having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the downstream ends of the second and third manifold pipes being connected to determined distinct positions of the working circuit corresponding respectively to distinct temperature levels of the working fluid in the working circuit.
  • the vapors which return from the various reservoirs are not necessarily at the same temperatures and their mixture results in an average temperature.
  • the differentiated recovery of “clean” (pure) vapors according to their temperature allows the best use of the cold energy conveyed by the recovered fluid.
  • the liquid helium production installation shown in the figure conventionally comprises a refrigeration / liquefaction device 1, that is to say an apparatus capable of refrigerating and / or liquefying helium at very low temperature, by example up to 4 to 5 K or below.
  • a refrigeration / liquefaction device 1 that is to say an apparatus capable of refrigerating and / or liquefying helium at very low temperature, by example up to 4 to 5 K or below.
  • the refrigeration / liquefaction device 1 thus comprising a working circuit 2 subjecting a working fluid enriched in helium to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium.
  • the working circuit 2 comprises at least one member 3 for compressing the working fluid, such as compressors and several heat exchangers 4 for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle.
  • the working circuit 2 can also conventionally include one or more fluid expansion members such as turbines (not shown for the sake of simplification).
  • the working fluid (generally helium) thus undergoes a cycle in the working circuit between a hot end (compression) and a cold end where it is liquefied (by expansion and cooling).
  • the installation comprises several pipes 5 for recovering the fluid.
  • Each fluid recovery pipe 5 has an upstream end intended to be selectively connected to a mobile reservoir 6.
  • the installation also comprises a first fluid collecting pipe 7 having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes 5 and a downstream end connected to a receiving member 8 capable of storing gas with a view to supplying the working circuit 2 with working fluid. job.
  • the installation comprises a second collecting pipe 9 and a third collecting pipe 10 each having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes 5.
  • the downstream end of the second collecting pipe 9 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a first determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.
  • the downstream end of the third collecting pipe 10 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a second determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.
  • downstream end of the third collecting pipe 10 is connected to the working circuit 2 at a relatively warmer place of the working circuit 2 than the downstream end of the second collecting pipe 9.
  • the second 9 and third collecting conduits 10 are fluidly connected to places distinct from the working cycle, that is to say to places of the working circuit 2 where the working fluid presents conditions different thermodynamics, especially in terms of temperature.
  • each reservoir 6 can be selectively connected either to the receiving member 8, or to the second collecting pipe 9 or to the third collecting pipe 10.
  • each reservoir 6 can be connected, independently of the other reservoirs 6, to separate levels of the working circuit 2 and in particular to a cycle temperature level adapted to the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir 6. This is that is to say that when the fluid from the reservoir 6 is more or less "hot”, it is reinjected at more or less hot levels of the working circuit 2 in order to disturb the efficiency of said working circuit 2 as little as possible.
  • the downstream end of the second and third collecting conduits 9, 10 may include branches 110, 109 so that each collecting conduit 9, 10 concerned is selectively connectable to several determined distinct positions of the working circuit 2.
  • the installation makes it possible to multiply the possibilities of injection into the working circuit 2 (and therefore to multiply the temperature levels of the cycle).
  • the second and third manifold pipes 9, 10 may include respective distribution valves 20.
  • the recovery pipes 5 each have an upstream end which can be connected to a reservoir 6 and a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end.
  • the downstream ends of each recovery pipe 5 are connected respectively to the various collecting pipes 7, 9, 10, for example via respective valves 11.
  • the working circuit 2 can be supplied with a working fluid enriched in helium via a working fluid supply line 13 having an upstream end connected to at least one source 8, 14 of fluid and a downstream end connected. to working circuit 2.
  • the supply line 13 may comprise at least one purification member 12 for enriching the fluid coming from the source or sources 8, 14 in helium.
  • a source 14 may comprise, for example, a supply. in treated natural gas.
  • Another source 8 can for example store the impure gas recovered from the reservoirs 6 via the first collecting pipe 7.
  • the gas coming from one or both sources 8, 14 can be compressed (compressors 21) then purified in the purification member 12 (for example of the adsorption type) in order to supply the working circuit 2 with helium.
  • the installation can include a buffer reservoir 17 selectively connected to the working circuit 2 to store the working fluid coming from the compression station (hot end of the working circuit 2 ).
  • This buffer tank 17 is connected to a purge pipe 117 selectively connectable to at least one reservoir 6 (in the figure the first reservoir on the left being in a purge situation).
  • the installation can also include a pipe 16 for supplying liquid helium having an upstream end connected to the end. cold of the working circuit 2 and at least one downstream end selectively connected to at least one storage 15.
  • the liquid storage 15 is intended to supply liquid helium to the reservoir or reservoirs 6.
  • the third tank 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a cooling situation: a circulation of helium is carried out from a storage 15 to the tank 6 then this helium is reinjected into the working circuit via the third collecting pipes 10 ( at a relatively “hot” temperature level, see arrows with solid lines).
  • the fourth tank 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a filling situation: a helium circulation loop is produced from the working circuit 2 to the storage 15 then to the tank 6 (see arrows). with solid lines). The excess helium from the reservoir 6 is reinjected into the working circuit via the second collecting pipes 9 (at a relatively “cold” temperature level).
  • the second reservoir 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a situation of gas transfer from the reservoir 6 to the source 8 via the first collecting pipe 7 (cf. the arrows with solid lines).
  • This distribution of the vapors is carried out as a function of the nature and in particular of the temperature of the vapors contained in each of the reservoirs 6.
  • the Applicant has observed that by independently treating the various contents of the reservoirs 6 (without mixing between the contents of the reservoirs 6 at different temperatures before injection into the working circuit 2), it is possible to optimize the recoveries of frigories from the vapors in the refrigeration / liquefaction device. This improves the efficiency of the latter and in particular its efficiency with regard to its energy consumption.
  • the invention is not limited to the example described above.
  • the number of recovery pipes 5 which can be connected to tanks 6 is not limited to four but may be less or greater than four.
  • the number of collecting pipes may be greater than the number of pipes 7, 9, 10 described above.
  • the number of collecting pipes may be less than the number of pipes 7, 9, 10 described above.
  • the vapors recovered from the tanks can come from stationary applications which use liquid helium for cooling (for example for the cooling of superconducting cables).
  • one or more mobile reservoirs 6 in the figure are replaced by a fluidic connection which brings back helium which has been exchanged thermally with an application to be cooled.

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

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation et un procédé de production d'hélium, conformément aux préambules des revendications 1 et 7 respectivement et connus du document JP-A-2 056 213 .The present invention relates to an installation and a method for producing helium, in accordance with the preambles of claims 1 and 7 respectively and known from document JP-A-2 056 213 .

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement une installation de production d'hélium liquide comportant un dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction, le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction comprenant un circuit de travail soumettant un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium à un cycle thermodynamique pour produire de l'hélium liquide, le circuit comprenant au moins un organe de compression du fluide de travail et plusieurs échangeurs de chaleur pour refroidir/réchauffer le fluide à des niveaux de température déterminés au cours du cycle, l'installation comprenant plusieurs conduites de récupération de fluide ayant des extrémités amont respectives destinées à être raccordées sélectivement à des réservoirs respectifs pour transférer du fluide des réservoirs vers le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction, l'installation comprenant une première conduite collectrice ayant une extrémité amont reliée aux conduites de récupération et une extrémité aval reliée à un organe récepteur susceptible d'alimenter le circuit de travail en fluide de travail.The invention relates more particularly to an installation for the production of liquid helium comprising a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the refrigeration / liquefaction device comprising a working circuit subjecting a working fluid enriched in helium to a thermodynamic cycle in order to produce water. liquid helium, the circuit comprising at least one working fluid compression member and several heat exchangers for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle, the installation comprising several fluid recovery pipes having respective upstream ends intended to be selectively connected to respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from the reservoirs to the refrigeration / liquefaction device, the installation comprising a first collecting pipe having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes and a downstream end connected to a susceptible receptor organ to supply the working circuit with working fluid.

L'invention concerne notamment la production et la distribution d'hélium liquide. L'hélium, gaz noble, s'obtient généralement à partir de gaz naturel dans des installations où le gaz naturel est purifié (enrichi en hélium) puis liquéfié dans un dispositif réfrigérateur et/ou liquéfacteur.The invention relates in particular to the production and distribution of liquid helium. Helium, a noble gas, is generally obtained from natural gas in installations where the natural gas is purified (enriched in helium) then liquefied in a refrigerator and / or liquefier device.

La distribution d'hélium nécessite généralement un refroidissement de l'hélium à une température inférieure à 4,5 K (état liquide), puis son transport et sa distribution dans des réservoirs mobiles, par exemple sur des semi-remorques. Ces réservoirs, qui peuvent être isolés à l'azote, doivent généralement être maintenus à une température ne dépassant pas 50 a 60 K. Pour cette raison, il n'est pas recommandé de vider complètement ces réservoirs de leur hélium.The distribution of helium generally requires cooling the helium to a temperature below 4.5 K (liquid state), then its transport and distribution in mobile tanks, for example on semi-trailers. These tanks, which can be insulated with nitrogen, should generally be maintained at a temperature not exceeding 50 to 60 K. For this reason, it is not recommended to completely empty these tanks of their helium.

En pratique, après livraison, ces réservoirs « vidés » reviennent aux stations de remplissage à des températures de l'ordre de 150 K et plus. Ainsi, lorsque le réservoir revient après livraison du client et avant de le remplir avec de l'hélium, il faut le refroidir à 4,5 K car sinon l'hélium liquide introduit s'évaporerait.In practice, after delivery, these “emptied” tanks return to the filling stations at temperatures of the order of 150 K and above. Thus, when the tank returns after delivery from the customer and before filling it with helium, it must be cooled to 4.5 K because otherwise the liquid helium introduced would evaporate.

Généralement, le contenu restant dans ces réservoirs est réinjecté dans l'installation de production d'hélium pour éviter des pertes de ce gaz coûteux.Generally, the content remaining in these tanks is reinjected into the helium production installation to avoid losses of this expensive gas.

Le refroidissement des réservoirs est réalisé habituellement dans les stations de remplissage en faisant circuler (en boucle) de l'hélium de la station à travers le réservoir à refroidir pour ainsi en abaisser la température.The cooling of the tanks is usually achieved in filling stations by circulating (in a loop) helium from the station through the tank to be cooled, thereby lowering the temperature.

Du fait des évaporations potentielles, il est parfois nécessaire de purifier ce gaz et de le re-liquéfier.Because of the potential evaporations, it is sometimes necessary to purify this gas and to re-liquefy it.

Cette récupération de gaz relativement chaud, sa purification éventuelle et sa liquéfaction nécessitent de grandes consommations énergétiques.This relatively hot gas recovery, its possible purification and its liquefaction require high energy consumption.

En outre, l'hélium gazeux éventuellement produit pendant le refroidissement peut dépasser la capacité des installations de liquéfaction d'hélium équipant l'installation.In addition, the gaseous helium which may be produced during the cooling may exceed the capacity of the helium liquefaction installations equipping the installation.

Pour certains liquéfacteurs et/ou réfrigérateurs hélium, les retours de gaz « chauds » des réservoirs (c'est-à-dire à une température supérieure à la température de production nominale de liquide) sont renvoyés dans le réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur à différents niveaux dans le réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur. Par exemple, ces gaz chauds récupérés sont réinjectés à des endroits déterminés dans le circuit de travail du dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction entre les extrémités « froide » et «chaude », c'est-à-dire à des niveaux déterminés de températures de l'hélium dans le circuit de travail.For some helium liquefiers and / or refrigerators, the "hot" gas returns from the tanks (i.e. at a temperature above the nominal liquid production temperature) are returned to the refrigerator / liquefier at different levels in the refrigerator / liquefier. For example, these recovered hot gases are reinjected at determined locations in the working circuit of the refrigeration / liquefaction device between the “cold” and “hot” ends, that is to say at determined temperature levels of the liquefaction. helium in the working circuit.

De plus, lorsque le fluide contenu dans les réservoirs présente un taux d'impuretés important il est nécessaire de le purifier au préalable dans système de récupération et d'épuration de l'installation.In addition, when the fluid contained in the tanks has a high level of impurities, it is necessary to purify it beforehand in the recovery and purification system of the installation.

Ainsi, le fluide des différents réservoirs est soit envoyé dans le système de récupération et d'épuration de l'installation (lorsqu'il présente des impuretés), soit est collecté dans un collecteur commun avant d'être injecté dans le circuit de travail du liquéfacteur/réfrigérateur (lorsque le fluide est relativement pur). Ce mélange de fluides purs collectés dans les différents réservoirs concernés est envoyé dans le circuit de travail à un niveau de pression/température correspondant au niveau de température du mélange de fluides.Thus, the fluid from the various reservoirs is either sent to the installation's recovery and purification system (when it has impurities), or is collected in a common collector before being injected into the working circuit of the installation. liquefier / refrigerator (when the fluid is relatively pure). This mixture of pure fluids collected in the various reservoirs concerned is sent into the working circuit at a pressure / temperature level corresponding to the temperature level of the mixture of fluids.

Ces procédés connus nécessitent des consommations énergétiques importantes pour assurer la production d'hélium liquide tout en récupérant les fluides plus ou moins chauds provenant des réservoirs vides.These known methods require significant energy consumption to ensure the production of liquid helium while recovering the more or less hot fluids from empty tanks.

Un but de la présente invention est de pallier tout ou partie des inconvénients de l'art antérieur relevés ci-dessus.An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

A cette fin, l'installation selon l'invention, par ailleurs conforme à la définition générique qu'en donne le préambule ci-dessus, est essentiellement caractérisée en ce que qu'elle comprend au moins une seconde et une troisième conduites collectrices ayant chacune une extrémité amont reliée aux conduites de récupération et une extrémité aval reliée au circuit de travail, les extrémités aval des seconde et troisième conduites collectrices étant raccordées à des positions distinctes déterminées du circuit de travail correspondants respectivement à des niveaux de température distincts du fluide de travail dans le circuit de travail.To this end, the installation according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least a second and a third collecting pipes each having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the downstream ends of the second and third manifold pipes being connected to determined distinct positions of the working circuit corresponding respectively to distinct temperature levels of the working fluid in the working circuit.

De cette façon, en supprimant le mélange des fluides purs avant injection dans le circuit de travail du réfrigérateur/liquéfacteur, la demanderesse a constaté une augmentation significative de l'efficacité énergétique de l'installation.In this way, by eliminating the mixing of pure fluids before injection into the working circuit of the refrigerator / liquefier, the applicant has observed a significant increase in the energy efficiency of the installation.

En effet, les vapeurs qui reviennent des différents réservoirs ne sont pas forcement aux mêmes températures et leur mélange aboutit à une température moyenne. La récupération différenciée des vapeurs « propres » (pures) selon leur température permet d'utiliser au mieux l'énergie froide véhiculée par le fluide récupéré.In fact, the vapors which return from the various reservoirs are not necessarily at the same temperatures and their mixture results in an average temperature. The differentiated recovery of “clean” (pure) vapors according to their temperature allows the best use of the cold energy conveyed by the recovered fluid.

Par ailleurs, des modes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • au moins l'extrémité aval de l'une conduites collectrices comprend une dérivation de sorte que la conduite collectrice concernée est sélectivement raccordable à au moins deux positions distinctes déterminées du circuit de travail correspondant respectivement à des niveaux distincts de température du fluide de travail dans le circuit de travail,
  • les conduites de récupération comportent chacune une extrémité amont raccordable à un réservoir et une pluralité d'extrémité aval reliées en parallèle à l'extrémité amont, lesdites extrémités aval étant raccordées respectivement aux différentes conduites collectrices, les extrémités aval des conduites de récupération étant munies de vannes respectives pour distribuer le fluide du réservoir sélectivement vers la ou les conduites collectrices,
  • l'installation comporte une conduite d'alimentation en fluide de travail ayant une extrémité amont raccordée à au moins une source de fluide et une extrémité aval raccordée au circuit de travail, la conduite d'alimentation comportant au moins un organe de purification pour enrichir en hélium le fluide provenant de la ou des sources, pour alimenter le circuit avec un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium, l'organe récepteur étant disposé en amont de l'organe de purification et constituant une source de fluide,
  • l'installation comporte une conduite de fourniture d'hélium liquide ayant une extrémité amont reliée au circuit de travail et au moins une extrémité aval reliée sélectivement à au moins un stockage destiné à alimenter en hélium liquide sélectivement au moins un réservoir,
  • l'installation comporte un réservoir tampon raccordé sélectivement au circuit de travail pour stocker du fluide de travail, le réservoir tampon étant raccordé en outre à une conduite de purge sélectivement connectable à au moins un réservoir.
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:
  • at least the downstream end of one collecting ducts comprises a bypass so that the collecting duct concerned is selectively connectable to at least two determined distinct positions of the working circuit corresponding respectively to distinct levels of temperature of the working fluid in the working circuit,
  • the recovery pipes each comprise an upstream end which can be connected to a reservoir and a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end, said downstream ends being respectively connected to the various collecting pipes, the downstream ends of the recovery pipes being provided with respective valves for distributing the fluid from the reservoir selectively to the collecting pipe (s),
  • the installation comprises a working fluid supply pipe having an upstream end connected to at least one source of fluid and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the supply pipe comprising at least one purification member to enrich in helium the fluid coming from the source (s), to supply the circuit with a working fluid enriched in helium, the receiving member being arranged upstream of the purification member and constituting a source of fluid,
  • the installation comprises a liquid helium supply pipe having an upstream end connected to the working circuit and at least one downstream end selectively connected to at least one storage intended to supply liquid helium selectively to at least one tank,
  • the installation comprises a buffer tank selectively connected to the working circuit for storing working fluid, the buffer tank being further connected to a purge line selectively connectable to at least one tank.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de production d'hélium liquide à partir d'une installation comportant un dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction, le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction comprenant un circuit de travail soumettant un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium à un cycle thermodynamique pour produire de l'hélium liquide, le circuit comprenant au moins un organe de compression du fluide de travail et plusieurs échangeurs de chaleur pour refroidir/réchauffer le fluide à des niveaux de température déterminés au cours du cycle, l'installation comprenant plusieurs conduites de récupération ayant des extrémités amont respectives destinées à être raccordées sélectivement à des réservoirs respectifs pour transférer du fluide des réservoirs vers le circuit, le procédé comportant :

  • une étape de raccordement de plusieurs réservoirs au niveau des extrémités amont de conduites de récupération respectives,
  • une étape de transfert du fluide contenu dans les réservoirs vers de dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction, le procédé étant caractérisé en ce que :
    les fluides des différents réservoirs sont transférés indépendamment les uns des autres dans le circuit de travail à des niveaux de température respectifs déterminés en fonction des température respectives du fluide dans les réservoirs considérés.
The invention also relates to a method for producing liquid helium from an installation comprising a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the refrigeration / liquefaction device comprising a working circuit subjecting a working fluid enriched in helium in a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium, the circuit comprising at least one member for compressing the working fluid and several heat exchangers for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined at the during the cycle, the installation comprising several recovery pipes having respective upstream ends intended to be selectively connected to respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from the reservoirs to the circuit, the method comprising:
  • a step of connecting several tanks at the upstream ends of the respective recovery pipes,
  • a step of transferring the fluid contained in the tanks to a refrigeration / liquefaction device, the method being characterized in that:
    the fluids of the various reservoirs are transferred independently of one another in the working circuit at respective temperature levels determined as a function of the respective temperatures of the fluid in the reservoirs considered.

Selon d'autres particularités possibles:

  • l'installation comportant une conduite d'alimentation en fluide de travail ayant une extrémité amont raccordée à au moins une source de fluide et une extrémité aval raccordée au circuit de travail, la conduite d'alimentation comportant au moins un organe de purification pour enrichir en hélium le fluide provenant de la au moins une source et alimenter le circuit avec un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium, lorsque le fluide d'un ou plusieurs réservoirs présente une concentration d'impuretés supérieure à un seuil, le contenu des réservoirs concernés étant transféré à une source, en amont de l'organe de purification,
  • lorsque le fluide d'un ou plusieurs réservoirs présente une concentration en hélium inférieure à un seuil, le contenu des réservoirs considérés est transféré à une source, en amont de l'organe de purification, et lorsque le fluide d'un ou plusieurs réservoirs présente une température supérieure à un premier seuil déterminé, le contenu des réservoirs considérés est transféré au niveau d'au moins une première position du circuit de travail correspondant à des premiers niveaux de température, lorsque le fluide d'un ou plusieurs réservoirs présente une température inférieure audit premier seuil déterminé, le contenu des réservoirs considérés étant transféré au niveau d'au moins une seconde position du circuit de travail correspondant à des seconds niveaux de température,
  • l'étape de transfert du fluide contenu dans un réservoir (6) vers l'installation comprend au moins l'une parmi :
    • une étape de dépressurisation du réservoir par transfert du gaz sous pression contenu dans le réservoir vers l'installation,
    • une étape de refroidissement du contenu dudit réservoir par circulation d'hélium provenant du dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction vers le réservoir et puis retour de cet hélium vers le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction,
    • une étape de remplissage du réservoir refroidi avec de l'hélium provenant du dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction.
According to other possible features:
  • the installation comprising a working fluid supply pipe having an upstream end connected to at least one source of fluid and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the supply pipe comprising at least one purification member to enrich in helium the fluid coming from the at least one source and supplying the circuit with a working fluid enriched in helium, when the fluid of one or more reservoirs has an impurity concentration greater than a threshold, the contents of the reservoirs concerned being transferred at a source, upstream of the purification unit,
  • when the fluid from one or more reservoirs has a helium concentration below a threshold, the content of the reservoirs considered is transferred to a source, upstream of the purification device, and when the fluid from one or more reservoirs has a temperature greater than a first determined threshold, the content of the reservoirs considered is transferred to the level of at least a first position of the working circuit corresponding to the first temperature levels, when the fluid of one or more reservoirs has a lower temperature at said first determined threshold, the content of the reservoirs considered being transferred to the level of at least one second position of the working circuit corresponding to second temperature levels,
  • the step of transferring the fluid contained in a reservoir (6) to the installation comprises at least one of:
    • a step of depressurizing the reservoir by transferring the pressurized gas contained in the reservoir to the installation,
    • a step of cooling the contents of said tank by circulating helium coming from the refrigeration / liquefaction device to the tank and then return of this helium to the refrigeration / liquefaction device,
    • a step of filling the cooled tank with helium coming from the refrigeration / liquefaction device.

D'autres particularités et avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description ci-après, faite en référence à la figure unique qui représente une vue schématique et partielle illustrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'une installation selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention.Other features and advantages will become apparent on reading the description below, made with reference to the single figure which represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an installation according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. .

L'installation de production d'hélium liquide représentée à la figure comporte classiquement un dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction 1, c'est-à-dire un appareil susceptible de réfrigérer et/ou de liquéfier de l'hélium à très basse température, par exemple jusqu'à 4 à 5 K ou en dessous.The liquid helium production installation shown in the figure conventionally comprises a refrigeration / liquefaction device 1, that is to say an apparatus capable of refrigerating and / or liquefying helium at very low temperature, by example up to 4 to 5 K or below.

Le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction 1 comprenant ainsi un circuit 2 de travail soumettant un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium à un cycle thermodynamique pour produire de l'hélium liquide. A cet effet, le circuit 2 de travail comprend au moins un organe 3 de compression du fluide de travail tel que des compresseurs et plusieurs échangeurs 4 de chaleur pour refroidir/réchauffer le fluide à des niveaux de température déterminés au cours du cycle.The refrigeration / liquefaction device 1 thus comprising a working circuit 2 subjecting a working fluid enriched in helium to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium. For this purpose, the working circuit 2 comprises at least one member 3 for compressing the working fluid, such as compressors and several heat exchangers 4 for cooling / heating the fluid to temperature levels determined during the cycle.

Le circuit 2 de travail peut comprendre également classiquement un ou plusieurs organes de détente du fluide tel que des turbines (non représentées par soucis de simplification).The working circuit 2 can also conventionally include one or more fluid expansion members such as turbines (not shown for the sake of simplification).

Le fluide de travail (généralement de l'hélium) subit ainsi un cycle dans le circuit de travail entre une extrémité chaude (compression) et une extrémité froide où il est liquéfié (par détente et refroidissement).The working fluid (generally helium) thus undergoes a cycle in the working circuit between a hot end (compression) and a cold end where it is liquefied (by expansion and cooling).

Pour récupérer le fluide restant dans les réservoirs 6 de retour de livraison, l'installation comprend plusieurs conduites 5 de récupération de fluide.To recover the fluid remaining in the delivery return tanks 6, the installation comprises several pipes 5 for recovering the fluid.

Chaque conduite 5 de récupération de fluide comporte une extrémité amont destinée à être raccordée sélectivement à un réservoir 6 mobile.Each fluid recovery pipe 5 has an upstream end intended to be selectively connected to a mobile reservoir 6.

L'installation comprend également une première conduite 7 collectrice de fluide ayant une extrémité amont reliée aux conduites 5 de récupération et une extrémité aval reliée à un organe 8 récepteur susceptible de stocker du gaz en vue d'alimenter le circuit 2 de travail en fluide de travail.The installation also comprises a first fluid collecting pipe 7 having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes 5 and a downstream end connected to a receiving member 8 capable of storing gas with a view to supplying the working circuit 2 with working fluid. job.

L'installation comprend une seconde conduite collectrice 9 et une troisième conduite collectrice 10 ayant chacune une extrémité amont reliée aux conduites 5 de récupération.The installation comprises a second collecting pipe 9 and a third collecting pipe 10 each having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes 5.

L'extrémité aval de la seconde conduite collectrice 9 est raccordée à une position déterminée du circuit 2 de travail correspondant respectivement à un premier niveau de température déterminé du fluide de travail dans le circuit 2 de travail.The downstream end of the second collecting pipe 9 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a first determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.

L'extrémité aval de la troisième conduite collectrice 10 est raccordée à une position déterminée du circuit 2 de travail correspondant respectivement à un second niveau de température déterminé du fluide de travail dans le circuit 2 de travail.The downstream end of the third collecting pipe 10 is connected to a determined position of the working circuit 2 corresponding respectively to a second determined temperature level of the working fluid in the working circuit 2.

Par exemple, l'extrémité aval de la troisième conduite collectrice 10 est raccordée au circuit 2 de travail à un endroit relativement plus chaud du circuit 2 de travail que l'extrémité aval de la seconde conduite collectrice 9.For example, the downstream end of the third collecting pipe 10 is connected to the working circuit 2 at a relatively warmer place of the working circuit 2 than the downstream end of the second collecting pipe 9.

C'est-à-dire que les seconde 9 et troisième conduites collectrices 10 sont raccordées fluidiquement à des endroits distincts du cycle de travail, c'est-à-dire à des endroits du circuit 2 travail où le fluide de travail présente des conditions thermodynamiques différentes, notamment en terme de température.That is to say that the second 9 and third collecting conduits 10 are fluidly connected to places distinct from the working cycle, that is to say to places of the working circuit 2 where the working fluid presents conditions different thermodynamics, especially in terms of temperature.

Le contenu de chaque réservoir 6 peut être raccordé sélectivement soit à l'organe 8 récepteur, soit à la seconde 9 conduite collectrice soit à la troisième conduites collectrices 10.The contents of each reservoir 6 can be selectively connected either to the receiving member 8, or to the second collecting pipe 9 or to the third collecting pipe 10.

Ainsi, le contenu de chaque réservoir 6 peut être raccordé, indépendamment des autres réservoirs 6, à des niveaux distincts du circuit 2 de travail et en particulier à un niveau de température de cycle adapté à la température du fluide du réservoir 6. C'est-à-dire que lorsque le fluide du réservoir 6 est plus ou moins « chaud », il est réinjecté à des niveaux plus ou moins chaud du circuit 2 de travail pour perturber le moins possible le rendement dudit circuit 2 de travail.Thus, the content of each reservoir 6 can be connected, independently of the other reservoirs 6, to separate levels of the working circuit 2 and in particular to a cycle temperature level adapted to the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir 6. This is that is to say that when the fluid from the reservoir 6 is more or less "hot", it is reinjected at more or less hot levels of the working circuit 2 in order to disturb the efficiency of said working circuit 2 as little as possible.

Comme représenté, l'extrémité aval des seconde et troisième conduites collectrices 9, 10 peuvent comporter des dérivations 110, 109 de sorte que chaque conduite collectrice 9, 10 concernée est sélectivement raccordable à plusieurs positions distinctes déterminées du circuit 2 de travail. De cette façon, l'installation permet de multiplier les possibilités d'injection dans le circuit 2 de travail (et donc multiplier les niveaux de température du cycle). A cet effet, les seconde et troisième conduites collectrices 9, 10 peuvent comporter des vannes 20 de distribution respectives.As shown, the downstream end of the second and third collecting conduits 9, 10 may include branches 110, 109 so that each collecting conduit 9, 10 concerned is selectively connectable to several determined distinct positions of the working circuit 2. In this way, the installation makes it possible to multiply the possibilities of injection into the working circuit 2 (and therefore to multiply the temperature levels of the cycle). For this purpose, the second and third manifold pipes 9, 10 may include respective distribution valves 20.

De même, les conduites 5 de récupération comportent chacune une extrémité amont raccordable à un réservoir 6 et une pluralité d'extrémités aval reliées en parallèle à l'extrémité amont. Les extrémités aval de chaque conduite 5 de récupération sont raccordées respectivement aux différentes conduites collectrices 7, 9, 10 par exemple via des vannes 11 respectives.Likewise, the recovery pipes 5 each have an upstream end which can be connected to a reservoir 6 and a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end. The downstream ends of each recovery pipe 5 are connected respectively to the various collecting pipes 7, 9, 10, for example via respective valves 11.

Comme représenté, le circuit 2 de travail peut être alimenté avec un fluide de travail enrichi en hélium via une conduite 13 d'alimentation en fluide de travail ayant une extrémité amont raccordée à au moins une source 8, 14 de fluide et une extrémité aval raccordée au circuit 2 de travail. En aval des sources 8, 14, la conduite 13 d'alimentation peut comporter au moins un organe 12 de purification pour enrichir en hélium le fluide provenant de la ou des sources 8, 14. Une source 14 peut comprendre, par exemple, une alimentation en gaz naturel traité. Une autre source 8 peut par exemple stocker le gaz impur récupéré des réservoirs 6 via la première conduite 7 collectrice. Le gaz provenant du l'une ou des deux sources 8, 14 peut être comprimé (compresseurs 21) puis purifié dans l'organe 12 de purification (par exemple du type à adsorption) pour alimenter en hélium le circuit 2 de travail.As shown, the working circuit 2 can be supplied with a working fluid enriched in helium via a working fluid supply line 13 having an upstream end connected to at least one source 8, 14 of fluid and a downstream end connected. to working circuit 2. Downstream of the sources 8, 14, the supply line 13 may comprise at least one purification member 12 for enriching the fluid coming from the source or sources 8, 14 in helium. A source 14 may comprise, for example, a supply. in treated natural gas. Another source 8 can for example store the impure gas recovered from the reservoirs 6 via the first collecting pipe 7. The gas coming from one or both sources 8, 14 can be compressed (compressors 21) then purified in the purification member 12 (for example of the adsorption type) in order to supply the working circuit 2 with helium.

Pour assurer la purge préalable des réservoirs 6 avant leur refroidissement et remplissage, l'installation peut comporter un réservoir 17 tampon raccordé sélectivement au circuit 2 de travail pour stocker du fluide de travail provenant de la station de compression (extrémité chaude du circuit 2 de travail). Ce réservoir 17 tampon est relié à une conduite 117 de purge sélectivement connectable à au moins un réservoir 6 (sur la figure le premier réservoir de gauche étant en situation de purge).To ensure the prior purging of the reservoirs 6 before their cooling and filling, the installation can include a buffer reservoir 17 selectively connected to the working circuit 2 to store the working fluid coming from the compression station (hot end of the working circuit 2 ). This buffer tank 17 is connected to a purge pipe 117 selectively connectable to at least one reservoir 6 (in the figure the first reservoir on the left being in a purge situation).

Pour assurer le refroidissement et le remplissage des réservoirs 6 avec de l'hélium liquide froid (4 à 5 K par exemple), l'installation peut également comporter une conduite 16 de fourniture d'hélium liquide ayant une extrémité amont reliée à l'extrémité froide du circuit 2 de travail et au moins une extrémité aval reliée sélectivement à au moins un stockage 15. Les stockages 15 de liquide sont destinés à alimenter en hélium liquide le ou les réservoirs 6. Sur la figure, le troisième réservoir 6 (de gauche à droite) est représenté schématiquement en situation de refroidissement : une circulation d'hélium est réalisée d'un stockage 15 vers le réservoir 6 puis cet hélium est réinjecté dans le circuit de travail via la troisième conduites collectrices 10 (à un niveau de température relativement « chaud », cf. les flèches avec traits pleins).To ensure the cooling and filling of the tanks 6 with cold liquid helium (4 to 5 K for example), the installation can also include a pipe 16 for supplying liquid helium having an upstream end connected to the end. cold of the working circuit 2 and at least one downstream end selectively connected to at least one storage 15. The liquid storage 15 is intended to supply liquid helium to the reservoir or reservoirs 6. In the figure, the third tank 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a cooling situation: a circulation of helium is carried out from a storage 15 to the tank 6 then this helium is reinjected into the working circuit via the third collecting pipes 10 ( at a relatively “hot” temperature level, see arrows with solid lines).

Sur la figure, le quatrième réservoir 6 (de gauche à droite) est représenté schématiquement en situation de remplissage : une boucle de circulation d'hélium est réalisée du circuit 2 de travail vers le stockage 15 puis vers le réservoir 6 (cf. les flèches avec traits pleins). L'hélium excédentaire du réservoir 6 est réinjecté dans le circuit de travail via la seconde conduites collectrices 9 (à un niveau de température relativement « froid »).In the figure, the fourth tank 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a filling situation: a helium circulation loop is produced from the working circuit 2 to the storage 15 then to the tank 6 (see arrows). with solid lines). The excess helium from the reservoir 6 is reinjected into the working circuit via the second collecting pipes 9 (at a relatively “cold” temperature level).

Sur la figure, le second réservoir 6 (de gauche à droite) est représenté schématiquement en situation de transfert du gaz depuis le réservoir 6 vers la source 8 via la première conduite 7 collectrice (cf. les flèches avec traits pleins).In the figure, the second reservoir 6 (from left to right) is shown schematically in a situation of gas transfer from the reservoir 6 to the source 8 via the first collecting pipe 7 (cf. the arrows with solid lines).

L'installation selon l'invention permet ainsi de relier les vapeurs contenues dans les réservoirs 6 « vides » sélectivement et indépendamment à trois conduites collectrices :

  • la première 7 pour diriger les vapeurs impures et relativement chaudes en amont de l'organe 12 de purification,
  • la seconde 9 pour diriger les vapeurs pures relativement froides dans une zone relativement froide du circuit 2 de travail en vue de la re-liquéfaction de ces vapeurs,
  • la troisième 10 pour diriger les vapeurs pures relativement chaudes dans une zone relativement chaude du circuit 2 de travail en vue de la re-liquéfaction de ces vapeurs.
The installation according to the invention thus makes it possible to connect the vapors contained in the “empty” reservoirs 6 selectively and independently to three collecting pipes:
  • the first 7 to direct the impure and relatively hot vapors upstream of the purification member 12,
  • the second 9 to direct the relatively cold pure vapors into a relatively cold zone of the working circuit 2 for the re-liquefaction of these vapors,
  • the third 10 to direct the relatively hot pure vapors into a relatively hot zone of the working circuit 2 for the re-liquefaction of these vapors.

Cette répartition des vapeurs est réalisée en fonction de la nature et notamment de la température des vapeurs contenues dans chacun des réservoirs 6.This distribution of the vapors is carried out as a function of the nature and in particular of the temperature of the vapors contained in each of the reservoirs 6.

La demanderesse a constaté qu'en traitant indépendamment les divers contenus des réservoirs 6 (sans mélange entre les contenus de réservoirs 6 à des températures distinctes avant injection dans le circuit 2 de travail), permet d'optimiser les récupérations de frigories des vapeurs dans le dispositif de réfrigération/liquéfaction. Ceci améliore l'efficacité de ce dernier et notamment son rendement au regard de sa consommation énergétique.The Applicant has observed that by independently treating the various contents of the reservoirs 6 (without mixing between the contents of the reservoirs 6 at different temperatures before injection into the working circuit 2), it is possible to optimize the recoveries of frigories from the vapors in the refrigeration / liquefaction device. This improves the efficiency of the latter and in particular its efficiency with regard to its energy consumption.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée à l'exemple décrit ci-dessus. Ainsi, par exemple, le nombre conduites 5 de récupération pouvant être reliées à des réservoirs 6 n'est pas limité à quatre mais peut être inférieur ou supérieur à quatre.Of course, the invention is not limited to the example described above. Thus, for example, the number of recovery pipes 5 which can be connected to tanks 6 is not limited to four but may be less or greater than four.

De même, le nombre de conduites collectrices peut être supérieur au nombre de conduites 7, 9, 10 décrit ci-dessus.Likewise, the number of collecting pipes may be greater than the number of pipes 7, 9, 10 described above.

Dans une alternative non couverte par la présente invention, le nombre de conduites collectrices peut être inférieur au nombre de conduites 7, 9, 10 décrit ci-dessus. De même, dans une alternative non couverte par la présente invention, les vapeurs récupérés des réservoirs peuvent provenir d'applications stationnaires qui utilisent de l'hélium liquide pour un refroidissement (par exemple pour le refroidissement de câbles supraconducteurs). Dans ce cas, un ou des réservoirs 6 mobiles de la figure sont remplacés par une liaison fluidique qui ramène de l'hélium ayant échangé thermiquement avec une application à refroidir.In an alternative not covered by the present invention, the number of collecting pipes may be less than the number of pipes 7, 9, 10 described above. Likewise, in an alternative not covered by the present invention, the vapors recovered from the tanks can come from stationary applications which use liquid helium for cooling (for example for the cooling of superconducting cables). In this case, one or more mobile reservoirs 6 in the figure are replaced by a fluidic connection which brings back helium which has been exchanged thermally with an application to be cooled.

Claims (10)

  1. Installation for the production of liquid helium comprising a refrigeration/liquefaction device (1), the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1) comprising a working circuit (2) subjecting a working fluid enriched with helium to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium, the circuit (2) comprising at least one compressor member (3) of the working fluid and several heat exchangers (4) to cool/reheat the fluid to determined temperature levels during the cycle, the installation comprising several fluid recovery pipes (5) having respective upstream ends selectively connectable to respective mobile tanks (6), in particular semi-trailers, to transfer the fluid from the tanks (6) to the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1) such that the working circuit (2) is of open type and selectively collects the fluid external to the circuit at the recovery pipes (5), the installation comprising one receptor member (8) capable of feeding the working circuit (2) with working fluid and a first collecting pipe (7) having an upstream end connected to the recovery pipes (5) and one downstream end connected to the receptor member (8), the installation being characterised in that it comprises at least one second (9) and one third (10) collecting pipe each having one upstream end connected to the recovery pipes (5) and one downstream end connected to the working circuit (2), the downstream ends of the second (9) and third (10) collecting pipes being connected to separate determined positions of the working circuit (2) corresponding respectively to the separate temperature levels of the working fluid in the working circuit (2).
  2. Installation according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the downstream end of one of the collecting pipes (9, 10) comprises a bypass (110, 109) such that the collecting pipe (9, 10) concerned is selectively connectable to the at least two separate determined positions of the working circuit (2) corresponding respectively to the separate temperature levels of the working fluid in the working circuit (2).
  3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the recovery pipes (5) each comprise a plurality of downstream ends connected in parallel to the upstream end, said downstream ends being connected respectively to the different collecting pipes (7, 9, 10), the downstream ends of the recovery pipes (5) being equipped with respective valves (11) to distribute the fluid from the tank (6) selectively to the collecting pipes (7, 9, 10).
  4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises at least one source of fluid (8, 14) and one supply pipe (13) of working fluid having one upstream end connected to the at least one source (8, 14) of fluid and one downstream end connected to the working circuit (2), the supply pipe (13) comprising at least one purification member (12) to enrich with helium the fluid coming from the sources (8, 14), to supply the circuit (2) with a working fluid enriched with helium, the receptor member (8) being arranged upstream of the purification member (12) and constituting a source of fluid.
  5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises at least one storage (15) intended to supply selectively with liquid helium at least one tank (6) and one pipe (16) of liquid helium supply having one upstream end connected to the working circuit (2) and at least one downstream end selectively connected to the at least one storage (15).
  6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a buffer tank (17) selectively connected to the working circuit (2) to store the working fluid, the buffer tank (17) being furthermore connected to a bleed pipe (117) selectively connectable to the at least one tank (6).
  7. Method for producing liquid helium from an installation comprising a refrigeration/liquefaction device (1), the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1) comprising a working circuit (2) subjecting a working fluid enriched with helium to a thermodynamic cycle to produce liquid helium, the circuit (2) comprising at least one compressor member (3) of the working fluid and several heat exchangers (4) to cool/reheat the fluid to determined temperature levels during the cycle, the installation comprising several fluid recovery pipes (5) having respective upstream ends selectively connectable to respective mobile tanks (6), in particular semi-trailers, to transfer the fluid from the tanks (6) to the circuit (2) such that the working circuit (2) is of open type and selectively collects the fluid external to the circuit at the recovery pipes (5), the method comprising:
    - a step of connecting several tanks (6) at the upstream ends of the respective recovery pipes (5),
    - a step of transferring the fluid contained in the tanks (6) to the refrigeration/liquefaction device, the method being characterised in that:
    - the fluids from the different tanks (6) are transferred independently from one another in the working circuit (2) at determined respective temperature levels according to the respective temperatures of the fluid in the tanks (6) in question.
  8. Method according to claim 7, the installation comprising a supply pipe (13) of working fluid having an upstream end connected to at least one source of fluid (8, 14) and a downstream end connected to the working circuit (2), the supply pipe (13) comprising at least one purification member (12) to enrich the fluid coming from the at least one source (8, 14) with helium, and to provide the circuit (2) with a helium-enriched working fluid, the method being characterised in that, when the fluid of one or more tanks (6) has a concentration of impurities greater than a threshold, the content of the tanks (6) in question is transferred to a source (8), upstream from the purification member (12).
  9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that when the fluid of one or more tanks (6) has a helium concentration less than a threshold, the content of the tanks (6) in question is transferred to a source (8), upstream from the purification member (12), and when the fluid of one or more tanks (6) has a temperature greater than a first determined threshold, the content of the tanks (6) in question is transferred to the level of at least one first position of the working circuit (2) corresponding to first temperature levels, and in that when the fluid of one or more tanks (6) has a temperature less than said first determined threshold, the content of the tanks (6) in question is transferred to the level of at least one second position of the working circuit (2) corresponding to second temperature levels.
  10. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the step of transferring the fluid contained in a tank (6) to the installation comprises at least one from among:
    - a step of depressurising the tank (6) by transferring pressurised gas contained in the tank (6) to the installation,
    - a step of cooling the content of said tank (6) by circulation of helium coming from the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1) to the tank (6) and then return this helium to the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1),
    - a step of filling the cooled tank (6) with helium coming from the refrigeration/liquefaction device (1).
EP12704863.5A 2011-01-19 2012-01-12 Installation and method for producing liquid helium Active EP2665979B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1150416A FR2970563B1 (en) 2011-01-19 2011-01-19 INSTALLATION AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HELIUM
PCT/FR2012/050079 WO2012098326A2 (en) 2011-01-19 2012-01-12 Installation and method for producing liquid helium

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EP2665979A2 EP2665979A2 (en) 2013-11-27
EP2665979B1 true EP2665979B1 (en) 2020-08-12

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US (1) US9657986B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2665979B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2012208462B2 (en)
FR (1) FR2970563B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2578508C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012098326A2 (en)

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FR3014543B1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2018-11-09 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude LOW TEMPERATURE COOLING AND / OR LIQUEFACTION DEVICE AND METHOD
DE102020204186B4 (en) 2020-03-31 2022-06-09 Bruker Switzerland Ag Mobile liquefaction plant for liquefying helium, associated system and associated use of the system
US20240401876A1 (en) 2021-09-24 2024-12-05 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L’Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for the recovery of boil-off gas from the liquefaction of hydrogen
WO2025043480A1 (en) * 2023-08-29 2025-03-06 中国科学院理化技术研究所 Integrated liquid helium loading system
CN119532626B (en) * 2023-08-29 2025-10-21 中国科学院理化技术研究所 An integrated liquid helium loading system

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JP2621975B2 (en) * 1988-04-15 1997-06-18 テイサン株式会社 Purification method for low-boiling substances
SU1651014A1 (en) * 1989-01-19 1991-05-23 Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский институт гелиевой техники Method for filling a vessel with cryogenic liquid
DE4017611A1 (en) * 1990-05-31 1991-12-05 Linde Ag METHOD FOR LIQUIDATING GASES
CH683368A5 (en) * 1991-06-26 1994-02-28 Linde Ag Method and apparatus for transporting and distributing helium.
JPH05223381A (en) * 1992-02-14 1993-08-31 Hitachi Ltd Cryogenic helium cooling system
US5505232A (en) * 1993-10-20 1996-04-09 Cryofuel Systems, Inc. Integrated refueling system for vehicles
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DE102006051880A1 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-08 Linde Ag Method for cooling superconducting magnets
FR2919716B1 (en) * 2007-07-31 2014-12-19 Air Liquide LOW TEMPERATURE COOLING METHOD AND USE THEREOF
DE102008007923A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-08-13 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method for cooling a storage container

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RU2578508C2 (en) 2016-03-27
US20130291585A1 (en) 2013-11-07
WO2012098326A3 (en) 2013-08-29
WO2012098326A2 (en) 2012-07-26
FR2970563B1 (en) 2017-06-02
AU2012208462B2 (en) 2016-11-10
RU2013138460A (en) 2015-02-27
AU2012208462A1 (en) 2013-08-01
EP2665979A2 (en) 2013-11-27
US9657986B2 (en) 2017-05-23
FR2970563A1 (en) 2012-07-20

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