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EP3510317B1 - Facility, method for storing and liquefying a liquefied gas and associated transport vehicle - Google Patents

Facility, method for storing and liquefying a liquefied gas and associated transport vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3510317B1
EP3510317B1 EP17748836.8A EP17748836A EP3510317B1 EP 3510317 B1 EP3510317 B1 EP 3510317B1 EP 17748836 A EP17748836 A EP 17748836A EP 3510317 B1 EP3510317 B1 EP 3510317B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
facility
tank
liquefied gas
gas
cooling circuit
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
EP17748836.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3510317A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Bernhardt
Fabien Durand
Cécile GONDRAND
Véronique GRABIE
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
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP3510317A1 publication Critical patent/EP3510317A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3510317B1 publication Critical patent/EP3510317B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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
    • F17C5/02—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F25J1/0025—Boil-off gases "BOG" from storages
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/005—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by expansion of a gaseous refrigerant stream with extraction of work
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0062—Light or noble gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0065—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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0072—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0077—Argon
    • 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
    • F25J1/0211—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0212—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a single flow MCR cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—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
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • 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
    • F25J1/0277—Offshore use, e.g. during shipping
    • 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
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0285—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
    • F25J1/0288—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion of the refrigerant, so-called companders
    • 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
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
    • 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
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
    • 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
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0169—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL subcooled
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0339—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using the same 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
    • F17C2227/0337—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
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0348—Water cooling
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0348—Water cooling
    • F17C2227/0351—Water cooling using seawater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0355—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid in a closed loop
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0376—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact
    • F17C2227/0383—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact outside the 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
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/031—Treating the boil-off by discharge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F17C2265/033—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling
    • F17C2265/034—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling with condensing the gas phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F17C2265/033—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling
    • F17C2265/035—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling with subcooling the liquid phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/066—Fluid distribution for feeding engines for propulsion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
    • F25J2290/34—Details about subcooling of liquids
    • 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 for storing and cooling a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a storage method for storing a liquefied gas.
  • the cooling device described in the document US3302416A comprises several compressors, several motors, several heat exchangers configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank and at least one source of refrigeration, external to the gas storage installation.
  • the refrigeration source corresponds to independent equipment with respect to compressors, exchangers, etc.
  • This source of refrigeration can for example be a container in the form of a bottle of gas, called cycle gas.
  • DE102013018333 also discloses a liquefied natural gas storage facility in accordance with the preamble.
  • the storage installation described in this document comprises numerous independent components, which imposes numerous interfaces for linking them.
  • these numerous components form a large buffer volume which needs to be filled at each start of each cycle.
  • the use of an internal system makes it possible to store the cycle gas used to operate the installation, said cycle gas being stored in another external equipment when it is hot and returned to the circuit of the installation once 'he is cold.
  • the object of the present invention is in particular to solve, in whole or in part, the problems mentioned above.
  • the present invention may consist of the use of an installation which is described in particular in the document WO2009066044 .
  • the installation may include at least: a cryogenic device intended to transfer heat from a cold source to a hot source via a working fluid or cycle gas circulating in a working circuit or closed cycle circuit, the work comprising in series: an isothermal or substantially isothermal compression portion of the fluid, an isobaric or substantially isobaric cooling portion of the fluid, an isothermal or substantially isothermal expansion portion of the fluid and an isobaric or substantially isobaric heating portion of the fluid.
  • the compression portion comprises at least two compressors arranged in series, at least one compressed fluid cooling exchanger arranged at the outlet of each compressor.
  • the expansion portion comprises at least one expansion turbine and at least one exchanger for heating the expanded fluid, the compressors and the expansion turbine or turbines being driven by at least one so-called high-speed motor.
  • the engine comprises an output shaft, one end of which carries and drives in rotation by direct coupling a first compressor and the other end of which carries and drives in rotation by direct coupling a second compressor or an expansion turbine.
  • high-speed motor will be understood to mean motors typically rotating at a speed of rotation of 10,000 revolutions per minute or several tens of thousands of revolutions per minute.
  • a low-speed motor rotates rather with a speed of a few thousand revolutions per minute.
  • the subject of the invention is an installation for storing and cooling a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, as defined in claim 1.
  • this configuration is compact and space-saving, since there is no significant distance between the equipment in the cooling circuit. This reduced distance allows the use of a reduced quantity of cycle gas and therefore not to increase the pressure too much to descend in cold to arrive at an operating pressure.
  • the installation can operate with a single compressor, which reduces the dimensioning of the installation and of the fluidic connections between the various pieces of equipment in the cooling circuit.
  • connection line makes it possible to cool a liquefied gas to be cooled coming from a separate container and independent of the installation.
  • the term “container distinct and independent of the installation” will be understood to mean a container which is not part of the installation or of the cooling circuit, for example, the container is on the same ship , on another vessel or ashore.
  • the cooling device does not require valves between the compressor and the turbine, since it suffices to control and command the speed of the engine to regulate the flow of cooling fluid circulating in the first heat exchanger.
  • the installation is particularly quick to install and to put into service, which is particularly advantageous when the installation is to be installed on a vehicle for transporting liquefied gas, for example on a ship such as an LNG carrier.
  • the first heat exchanger makes it possible to cool, via the cycle gas, the liquefied gas coming from the tank to a temperature lower than the temperature of the liquefied gas contained in the tank. This cooling is usually referred to as “sub-cooling”.
  • the installation comprises at least one bypass pipe connected to the injection pipe, said bypass pipe being configured to transfer part of the cooled liquefied gas to a remote container, distinct and independent of the installation.
  • the supply line is merged at least in part with the branch line.
  • the supply line is separate from the branch line.
  • the motor can be connected to
  • the motor can be connected directly to the turbine.
  • the installation further comprises a pump configured to supply the cooling device with liquefied gas in the liquid state coming from the reservoir.
  • the cooling circuit is fluidically connected to the pump.
  • the pump is arranged in the lower region of the tank.
  • the outlet of the turbine is fluidically connected directly to the first heat exchanger.
  • the output of the compressor is fluidly connected indirectly to the first heat exchanger.
  • the cooling circuit further comprises a second heat exchanger configured to effect a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas originating from the compressor and the expanded cycle gas originating from the turbine.
  • the inlet of the compressor is fluidically connected to the outlet of the turbine without any intermediate member other than the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.
  • the turbine is fluidically connected to the first heat exchanger by a first connecting pipe, without any intermediate component.
  • the compressor is fluidically connected to the first heat exchanger by a second connecting pipe.
  • the cooling circuit comprises at least one first connecting member mechanically connecting the engine to the compressor, and at least one second connecting member mechanically connecting the engine to the turbine.
  • the first connecting member comprises a first shaft that is rotatable.
  • the second connecting member comprises a second rotatable shaft.
  • the cooling circuit is configured to operate according to a Brayton cycle.
  • Brayton cycle will be understood to mean a thermodynamic cycle developed by George Brayton that produces a gas, referred to herein as cycle gas.
  • the cooling circuit comprises a third heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the cycle gas and a fluid at ambient temperature, for example water or a cooling fluid, which makes it possible to evacuate the heat from the cycle gas to the outside.
  • a fluid at ambient temperature for example water or a cooling fluid
  • the injection member is arranged in the upper region of the reservoir.
  • the injection member injects the cooled liquefied gas into the vapor phase, that is to say above the level of the liquefied gas in the liquid state.
  • the injection member is arranged in the lower region of the reservoir.
  • the injection member injects the cooled liquefied gas into the liquid phase, that is to say below the level of the liquefied gas in the liquid state.
  • the injection member comprises several injection nozzles arranged in series and/or in parallel
  • the cooling circuit is configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank to a temperature between 35 K and 150 K, for example equal to 110 K or 80 K.
  • the cooling circuit is configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank at a rate of between 5m 3 /h and 50m 3 /h.
  • the tank contains a liquefied gas selected from the group consisting of a liquefied natural gas, or another gas rich in methane such as bio-methane, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and their mixtures.
  • a liquefied gas selected from the group consisting of a liquefied natural gas, or another gas rich in methane such as bio-methane, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and their mixtures.
  • the cooling circuit contains a cooling fluid selected from the group comprising nitrogen, argon, neon, helium, and mixtures thereof.
  • the bypass pipe comprises a terminal end comprising a connector intended to be connected to a separate container.
  • the bypass pipe comprises a valve, in particular an isolation valve.
  • the method comprises a transfer step carried out after the injection of the cooled liquefied gas, the transfer step consisting in transferring at least part of the cooled liquefied gas to at least one remote, distinct and independent of said installation by means of the injection pipe and the bypass pipe of the installation.
  • the transfer of the liquefied gas can be partial or total depending on the number of tanks of the installation and depending on the quantity of cooled liquefied gas requested.
  • the installation used comprises at least two tanks configured to contain liquefied gas, said method according to the invention being implemented during a trip during which the tanks are full.
  • At least one tank may be empty (empty or almost empty of liquid).
  • this refrigeration step is carried out after an unloading of liquefied gas and before a subsequent filling of the reservoir(s) of the installation or of the container(s) of at least one other installation.
  • this cooling step is carried out continuously to avoid leaving tanks empty and hot and to allow the thermal load to be smoothed in order to limit the losses linked to the final peak of vaporization of liquefied gas.
  • the advantage is thus to keep only liquid in the tanks of a boat allowing the return trip without considering the losses of refrigeration on arrival.
  • the refrigeration step is carried out during a trip during which at least one of the reservoirs is empty.
  • the present invention also relates to a transport vehicle, for example a transport ship, for transporting a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, the transport vehicle being characterized in that it comprises an installation according to the invention.
  • a transport vehicle for example a transport ship, for transporting a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas
  • the transport vehicle being characterized in that it comprises an installation according to the invention.
  • the installation 1 comprises a reservoir 4 comprising a lower region 4.1 intended to contain liquefied gas 2 in the liquid state and an upper region 4.2 intended to contain the vapors of the liquefied gas 2.
  • the installation 1 comprises a cooling circuit 10, illustrated in particular in picture 2 .
  • the cooling circuit 10 is located outside the tank, ie the liquefied gas is cooled (only) outside the tank. That is to say that the liquefied gas is taken from the tank, is cooled out of the tank and then reinjected cooled into the tank.
  • the cooling device 10 is connected to the fluid inside the tank 4 via a sampling line which is immersed in the tank.
  • the tank 4 is equipped with a pump 22 which makes it possible to bring the liquefied gas in the liquid state into the cooling circuit so as to cool it and with at least one injection member 20 which makes it possible to reinject the gas liquefied liquid cooled in the tank 4.
  • the injection unit comprises a return pipe which connects the cooling device (external to the tank) with the inside of the tank 4 and includes the injection unit 20.
  • the injection member 20 may comprise several nozzles.
  • the installation 1 comprises a connection line 31 configured to convey liquefied gas from at least one remote container 100, distinct and independent of the installation 1 towards the tank of the installation.
  • the installation 1 comprises an injection pipe 30 fluidly connecting the cooling circuit and the injection member 20, and at least one bypass pipe 32 connected to the injection pipe 30 and intended to transfer part of the liquefied gas 2 cooled to a container (not shown) remote, distinct and independent of the installation 1.
  • FIG. 3 Another reservoir 4 is shown in dotted line picture 3 .
  • This tank 4 from the same installation or from another installation can be supplied with liquefied gas via the pipe 32 by-pass and a respective injection member 20 if necessary.
  • the branch line 32 and the connection line 31 are installed on the same installation.
  • the cooling circuit 10 is closed and autonomous and is configured to be supplied with liquefied gas 2 in the liquid state coming from the tank 4.
  • the cooling circuit 10 comprises at least one compressor 12 configured to compress a cycle gas 3, at least one motor 14, at least one turbine 18, and at least one first heat exchanger 16 configured to perform a heat exchange between liquefied gas 2 and the cycle gas.
  • the motor 14 being mechanically connected on the one hand to the compressor 12 in order to drive the compressor 12 and on the other hand to the turbine 18 so that the turbine 18 drives the motor 14.
  • the cooling circuit 10 further comprises a second heat exchanger 24 configured to perform a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas 3 and the expanded cycle gas 3, as illustrated in figure 2 .
  • the cooling circuit 10 further comprises a third heat exchanger 26 configured to effect a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas 3 and water or air or any other cooling fluid coming from an external source.
  • one or more tanks 4 contain liquefied natural gas on a vehicle, in particular a boat
  • the natural gas which vaporizes can be used as fuel for an engine of the vehicle and the excess gas is burned in a torch for example .
  • the figure 4A illustrates the distribution of consumption (axis of ordinates y in tons per day) of natural gas vaporized on a boat as a function of time (axis of abscissas x) towards the engine (C: part with horizontal hatching), towards the flare (A : part with inclined hatching) and towards the reliquefaction system (B: part without hatching) for a known installation.
  • the figure 4B illustrates the distribution of the consumption in tonnes per day (y axis) of the natural gas vaporized on a boat as a function of time (x axis) towards the engine (C), towards the flare (A) and towards the reliquefaction system (B ) for the installation according to the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation pour stocker et refroidir un gaz liquéfié, par exemple un gaz naturel liquéfié. De plus, la présente invention concerne un procédé de stockage pour stocker un gaz liquéfié.The present invention relates to an installation for storing and cooling a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a storage method for storing a liquefied gas.

On connait du document US3302416A une installation de stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié permettant de stocker le gaz naturel liquéfié pendant son transport vers un autre bâtiment. Le dispositif de refroidissement décrit dans le document US3302416A comprend plusieurs compresseurs, plusieurs moteurs, plusieurs échangeurs thermiques configurés pour refroidir du gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir et au moins une source de réfrigération, extérieure à l'installation de stockage de gaz. La source de réfrigération correspond à un équipement indépendant par rapport aux compresseurs, échangeurs, etc. composant l'installation de stockage et permet de sous-refroidir des quantités limitées de gaz liquéfié stocké de manière à pouvoir éviter un apport de chaleur dans ladite installation; et de réinjecter le liquide sous-refroidi dans différentes zones de l'espace de stockage de manière à fournir des conditions de température relativement uniformes dans le gaz liquide stocké avec un minimum de perturbations des vapeurs stratifiées sur la surface liquide. Cette source de réfrigération peut être par exemple un contenant sous forme de bouteille de gaz, dit gaz de cycle.We know from the document US3302416A a liquefied natural gas storage facility for storing liquefied natural gas while it is being transported to another building. The cooling device described in the document US3302416A comprises several compressors, several motors, several heat exchangers configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank and at least one source of refrigeration, external to the gas storage installation. The refrigeration source corresponds to independent equipment with respect to compressors, exchangers, etc. composing the storage installation and allows sub-cooling of limited quantities of liquefied gas stored so as to be able to avoid a heat input into said installation; and reinjecting the subcooled liquid into different areas of the storage space so as to provide relatively uniform temperature conditions in the stored liquid gas with a minimum of disturbances from stratified vapors on the liquid surface. This source of refrigeration can for example be a container in the form of a bottle of gas, called cycle gas.

DE102013018333 divulgue également une installation de stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié conformément au préambule. Cependant, l'installation de stockage décrite dans ce document comprend de nombreux composants indépendants, ce qui impose de nombreuses interfaces de liaison entre eux. En outre, ces nombreux composants forment un grand volume tampon qui nécessite d'être rempli à chaque démarrage de chaque cycle. L'usage d'un système interne permet de stocker le gaz de cycle servant à faire fonctionner l'installation, ledit gaz de cycle étant stocké dans un autre équipement extérieur quand il est chaud et remis dans le circuit de l'installation une fois qu'il est froid. DE102013018333 also discloses a liquefied natural gas storage facility in accordance with the preamble. However, the storage installation described in this document comprises numerous independent components, which imposes numerous interfaces for linking them. In addition, these numerous components form a large buffer volume which needs to be filled at each start of each cycle. The use of an internal system makes it possible to store the cycle gas used to operate the installation, said cycle gas being stored in another external equipment when it is hot and returned to the circuit of the installation once 'he is cold.

En outre, dans ce document, seule la fonction de transport est mise en exergue, on ne se soucie pas du chargement et du déchargement du gaz liquéfié. En effet, dans ce document, il est simplement décrit que pendant le transport du gaz liquéfié, on s'assure que la pression ne monte pas et donc on reliquéfie tout ce qui s'évapore. Cependant il n'est pas question de la décharge dudit gaz une fois arrivé à destination.In addition, in this document, only the transport function is highlighted, we do not worry about the loading and unloading of the liquefied gas. Indeed, in this document, it is simply described that during the transport of the liquefied gas, it is ensured that the pressure does not rise and therefore everything that evaporates is reliquefied. However, there is no question of the discharge of said gas once it has arrived at its destination.

La liquéfaction du gaz naturel rend envisageable et rentable son transport par voie maritime. Pendant la navigation, sous les effets des entrées thermiques sur les stockages et des phénomènes de ballottement, de grandes quantités de gaz sont générés par évaporation. Pour réguler les fluctuations de pression résultantes, ce gaz évaporé peut être soit utilisé pour la propulsion, soit brûlé au niveau d'une torche soit reliquéfié. Tout transfert de liquide vers un stockage où les conditions de pression et de température diffèrent de celles du stockage d'origine engendre de l'évaporation du gaz naturel liquéfié, pour des raisons de température (réservoir chaud) et/ou pression (flash du liquide). Ce cas de figure se présente dans les situations suivantes : transfert d'un navire souteur à un client, remplissage d'un méthanier au terminal, remise en froid des stockages à la fin du voyage retour à vide d'un méthanier.The liquefaction of natural gas makes it possible and profitable to transport it by sea. During navigation, under the effects of thermal inputs on storage and sloshing phenomena, large quantities of gas are generated by evaporation. To regulate the resulting pressure fluctuations, this evaporated gas can either be used for propulsion, flared or reliquefied. Any transfer of liquid to storage where the pressure and temperature conditions differ from those of the original storage generates evaporation of the liquefied natural gas, for reasons of temperature (hot tank) and/or pressure (flash of the liquid ). This situation arises in the following situations: transfer of a bunker vessel to a customer, filling of an LNG carrier at the terminal, refrigeration of storage at the end of an empty return journey of an LNG carrier.

La présente invention a notamment pour but de résoudre, en tout ou partie, les problèmes mentionnés ci-avant.The object of the present invention is in particular to solve, in whole or in part, the problems mentioned above.

La présente invention peut consister en l'utilisation d'une installation qui est décrite notamment dans le document WO2009066044 .The present invention may consist of the use of an installation which is described in particular in the document WO2009066044 .

L'installation peut comprendre au minimum : un dispositif cryogénique destiné à transférer de la chaleur d'une source froide vers une source chaude via un fluide de travail ou gaz de cycle circulant dans un circuit de travail ou circuit de cycle fermé, le circuit de travail comprenant en série : une portion de compression isotherme ou sensiblement isotherme du fluide, une portion de refroidissement isobare ou sensiblement isobare du fluide, une portion de détente isotherme ou sensiblement isotherme du fluide et une portion de réchauffement isobare ou sensiblement isobare du fluide. La portion de compression comprend au moins deux compresseurs disposés en série, au moins un échangeur de refroidissement du fluide comprimé disposé à la sortie de chaque compresseur. La portion de détente comprend au moins une turbine de détente et au moins un échangeur de réchauffement du fluide détendu, les compresseurs et la ou les turbines de détente étant entrainés par au moins un moteur dit à haute vitesse. Le moteur comprend un arbre de sortie dont l'une des extrémités porte et entraine en rotation par accouplement direct un premier compresseur et dont l'autre extrémité porte et entraine en rotation par accouplement direct un second compresseur ou une turbine de détente.The installation may include at least: a cryogenic device intended to transfer heat from a cold source to a hot source via a working fluid or cycle gas circulating in a working circuit or closed cycle circuit, the work comprising in series: an isothermal or substantially isothermal compression portion of the fluid, an isobaric or substantially isobaric cooling portion of the fluid, an isothermal or substantially isothermal expansion portion of the fluid and an isobaric or substantially isobaric heating portion of the fluid. The compression portion comprises at least two compressors arranged in series, at least one compressed fluid cooling exchanger arranged at the outlet of each compressor. The expansion portion comprises at least one expansion turbine and at least one exchanger for heating the expanded fluid, the compressors and the expansion turbine or turbines being driven by at least one so-called high-speed motor. The engine comprises an output shaft, one end of which carries and drives in rotation by direct coupling a first compressor and the other end of which carries and drives in rotation by direct coupling a second compressor or an expansion turbine.

Dans la présente invention, on entendra par "moteur à haute vitesse" des moteurs tournant typiquement à une vitesse de rotation de 10 000 tours par minute ou plusieurs dizaines de milliers de tours par minute. Un moteur basse vitesse tourne plutôt avec une vitesse de quelques milliers de tours par minute.In the present invention, the term “high-speed motor” will be understood to mean motors typically rotating at a speed of rotation of 10,000 revolutions per minute or several tens of thousands of revolutions per minute. A low-speed motor rotates rather with a speed of a few thousand revolutions per minute.

L'invention a pour objet une installation, pour stocker et refroidir un gaz liquéfié, par exemple un gaz naturel liquéfié, telle que définie dans la revendication 1.The subject of the invention is an installation for storing and cooling a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, as defined in claim 1.

Grâce à cette configuration d'installation et notamment du fait du circuit de refroidissement fermé et autonome, il n'est pas nécessaire de faire appel à un volume tampon de stockage de gaz de cycle, ce qui diminue la capacité fluidique totale du circuit. En effet, dans cette configuration, la mise en froid est réalisée initialement: le gaz de cycle est déjà à une pression déterminée et sur-dimensionnée dans tous les équipements du circuit de refroidissement.Thanks to this installation configuration and in particular due to the closed and autonomous cooling circuit, it is not necessary to use a cycle gas storage buffer volume, which reduces the total fluidic capacity of the circuit. Indeed, in this configuration, cooling is carried out initially: the cycle gas is already at a determined and oversized pressure in all the equipment of the cooling circuit.

En outre, cette configuration est compacte et peu encombrante, car il n'y a pas de distance importante entre les équipements du circuit de refroidissement. Cette distance réduite permet l'utilisation d'une quantité de gaz de cycle réduite et donc de ne pas augmenter trop la pression pour descendre en froid pour arriver à une pression d'opération. De plus, comme la turbine est reliée mécaniquement au compresseur par l'intermédiaire du moteur, l'installation peut fonctionner avec un unique compresseur, ce qui réduit le dimensionnement de l'installation et des liaisons fluidiques entre les différents équipements du circuit de refroidissement.In addition, this configuration is compact and space-saving, since there is no significant distance between the equipment in the cooling circuit. This reduced distance allows the use of a reduced quantity of cycle gas and therefore not to increase the pressure too much to descend in cold to arrive at an operating pressure. Moreover, as the turbine is mechanically connected to the compressor via the engine, the installation can operate with a single compressor, which reduces the dimensioning of the installation and of the fluidic connections between the various pieces of equipment in the cooling circuit.

De plus, la ligne de connexion permet de refroidir un gaz liquéfié à refroidir provenant d'un contenant distinct et indépendant de l'installation.In addition, the connection line makes it possible to cool a liquefied gas to be cooled coming from a separate container and independent of the installation.

Dans la présente demande et selon l'invention, on entendra par "contenant distinct et indépendant de l'installation" un contenant qui ne fait pas partie de l'installation ni du circuit de refroidissement, par exemple, le contenant est sur le même navire, sur un autre navire ou à terre.In the present application and according to the invention, the term “container distinct and independent of the installation” will be understood to mean a container which is not part of the installation or of the cooling circuit, for example, the container is on the same ship , on another vessel or ashore.

En outre, le dispositif de refroidissement ne nécessite pas de vannes entre le compresseur et la turbine, car il suffit de contrôler et commander la vitesse du moteur pour réguler le débit de fluide de refroidissement circulant dans le premier échangeur thermique. Ainsi, l'installation est particulièrement rapide à implanter et à mettre en service, ce qui est particulièrement avantageux lorsque l'installation doit être implantée sur un véhicule de transport de gaz liquéfié, par exemple sur un navire tel qu'un méthanier.In addition, the cooling device does not require valves between the compressor and the turbine, since it suffices to control and command the speed of the engine to regulate the flow of cooling fluid circulating in the first heat exchanger. Thus, the installation is particularly quick to install and to put into service, which is particularly advantageous when the installation is to be installed on a vehicle for transporting liquefied gas, for example on a ship such as an LNG carrier.

Lorsque l'installation est en service, le premier échangeur thermique permet de refroidir, via le gaz de cycle, du gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir à une température inférieure à la température du gaz liquéfié contenu dans le réservoir. Ce refroidissement est usuellement dénommé « sous-refroidissement ».When the installation is in operation, the first heat exchanger makes it possible to cool, via the cycle gas, the liquefied gas coming from the tank to a temperature lower than the temperature of the liquefied gas contained in the tank. This cooling is usually referred to as “sub-cooling”.

L'installation comprend au moins une conduite de dérivation raccordée à la conduite d'injection, ladite conduite de dérivation étant configurée pour transférer une partie du gaz liquéfié refroidi vers un contenant distant, distinct et indépendant de l'installation.The installation comprises at least one bypass pipe connected to the injection pipe, said bypass pipe being configured to transfer part of the cooled liquefied gas to a remote container, distinct and independent of the installation.

Ceci permet d'alimenter au moins un contenant distinct et indépendant pour une utilisation de gaz liquéfié refroidi.This makes it possible to supply at least one separate and independent container for the use of cooled liquefied gas.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la ligne d'alimentation est confondue au moins en partie avec la conduite de dérivation. Alternativement, la ligne d'alimentation est distincte de la conduite de dérivation.According to a characteristic of the invention, the supply line is merged at least in part with the branch line. Alternatively, the supply line is separate from the branch line.

Le moteur peut être reliéThe motor can be connected

directement au compresseur. Le moteur peut être relié directement à la turbine.directly to the compressor. The motor can be connected directly to the turbine.

Selon une caractéristique possible, l'installation comprend en outre une pompe configurée pour alimenter le dispositif de refroidissement en gaz liquéfié à l'état liquide provenant du réservoir. En d'autres termes, le circuit de refroidissement est relié fluidiquement à la pompe.According to one possible characteristic, the installation further comprises a pump configured to supply the cooling device with liquefied gas in the liquid state coming from the reservoir. In other words, the cooling circuit is fluidically connected to the pump.

Selon une caractéristique possible, la pompe est agencée dans la région inférieure du réservoir.According to a possible characteristic, the pump is arranged in the lower region of the tank.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la sortie de la turbine est reliée fluidiquement directement au premier échangeur thermique.According to one characteristic of the invention, the outlet of the turbine is fluidically connected directly to the first heat exchanger.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la sortie du compresseur est relié fluidiquement indirectement au premier échangeur thermique.According to a characteristic of the invention, the output of the compressor is fluidly connected indirectly to the first heat exchanger.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le circuit de refroidissement comprend en outre un deuxième échangeur thermique configuré pour opérer un échange thermique entre le gaz de cycle comprimé provenant du compresseur et du gaz de cycle détendu provenant de la turbine.According to one characteristic of the invention, the cooling circuit further comprises a second heat exchanger configured to effect a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas originating from the compressor and the expanded cycle gas originating from the turbine.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, l'entrée du compresseur est reliée fluidiquement à la sortie de la turbine sans organe intermédiaire autre que le premier échangeur thermique et le deuxième échangeur thermique.According to one characteristic of the invention, the inlet of the compressor is fluidically connected to the outlet of the turbine without any intermediate member other than the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

Selon une autre caractéristique possible, la turbine est reliée fluidiquement au premier échangeur thermique par un premier conduit de liaison, sans composant intermédiaire.According to another possible characteristic, the turbine is fluidically connected to the first heat exchanger by a first connecting pipe, without any intermediate component.

Selon une autre caractéristique possible, le compresseur est relié fluidiquement au premier échangeur thermique par un deuxième conduit de liaison.According to another possible characteristic, the compressor is fluidically connected to the first heat exchanger by a second connecting pipe.

Selon une caractéristique possible, le circuit de refroidissement comprend au moins un premier organe de liaison reliant mécaniquement le moteur au compresseur, et au moins un deuxième organe de liaison reliant mécaniquement le moteur à la turbine.According to one possible characteristic, the cooling circuit comprises at least one first connecting member mechanically connecting the engine to the compressor, and at least one second connecting member mechanically connecting the engine to the turbine.

Selon une autre caractéristique possible, le premier organe de liaison comprend un premier arbre mobile en rotation.According to another possible characteristic, the first connecting member comprises a first shaft that is rotatable.

Selon une autre caractéristique de possible, le deuxième organe de liaison comprend un deuxième arbre mobile en rotation.According to another possible characteristic, the second connecting member comprises a second rotatable shaft.

Selon une caractéristique possible, le circuit de refroidissement est configuré pour fonctionner selon un cycle de Brayton. Dans la présente demande, on entendra par « cycle de Brayton », un cycle thermodynamique développé par George Brayton que réalise un gaz, appelé dans la présente invention gaz de cycle.According to one possible characteristic, the cooling circuit is configured to operate according to a Brayton cycle. In the present application, the term “Brayton cycle” will be understood to mean a thermodynamic cycle developed by George Brayton that produces a gas, referred to herein as cycle gas.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le circuit de refroidissement comprend un troisième échangeur thermique configuré pour réaliser un échange thermique entre le gaz de cycle et un fluide à température ambiante par exemple de l'eau ou un fluide refroidissant, ce qui permet d'évacuer la chaleur du gaz de cycle vers l'extérieur.According to one characteristic of the invention, the cooling circuit comprises a third heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the cycle gas and a fluid at ambient temperature, for example water or a cooling fluid, which makes it possible to evacuate the heat from the cycle gas to the outside.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, l'organe d'injection est agencé dans la région supérieure du réservoir. En d'autres termes, l'organe d'injection injecte le gaz liquéfié refroidi dans la phase vapeur, c'est-à-dire au-dessus du niveau du gaz liquéfié à l'état liquide.According to one characteristic of the invention, the injection member is arranged in the upper region of the reservoir. In other words, the injection member injects the cooled liquefied gas into the vapor phase, that is to say above the level of the liquefied gas in the liquid state.

En variante, l'organe d'injection est agencé dans la région inférieure du réservoir. En d'autres termes, l'organe d'injection injecte le gaz liquéfié refroidi dans la phase liquide, c'est-à-dire en-dessous du niveau du gaz liquéfié à l'état liquide.As a variant, the injection member is arranged in the lower region of the reservoir. In other words, the injection member injects the cooled liquefied gas into the liquid phase, that is to say below the level of the liquefied gas in the liquid state.

Selon une caractéristique possible, l'organe d'injection comprend plusieurs buses d'injection agencées en série et/ou en parallèleAccording to one possible characteristic, the injection member comprises several injection nozzles arranged in series and/or in parallel

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le circuit de refroidissement est configuré pour refroidir du gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir à une température comprise entre 35 K et 150 K, par exemple égale à 110K ou 80 K.According to one characteristic of the invention, the cooling circuit is configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank to a temperature between 35 K and 150 K, for example equal to 110 K or 80 K.

Selon une autre caractéristique possible, le circuit de refroidissement est configuré pour refroidir du gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir à raison d'un débit compris entre 5m3/h et 50m3/h.According to another possible characteristic, the cooling circuit is configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank at a rate of between 5m 3 /h and 50m 3 /h.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le réservoir contient un gaz liquéfié sélectionné dans le groupe constitué par un gaz naturel liquéfié, ou autre gaz riche en méthane comme le bio-méthane, l'azote, l'oxygène, l'argon et leurs mélanges.According to one characteristic of the invention, the tank contains a liquefied gas selected from the group consisting of a liquefied natural gas, or another gas rich in methane such as bio-methane, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and their mixtures.

Selon une caractéristique possible, le circuit de refroidissement contient un fluide de refroidissement sélectionné dans le groupe comprenant par de l'azote, l'argon, le néon, l'hélium, et leurs mélanges.According to one possible characteristic, the cooling circuit contains a cooling fluid selected from the group comprising nitrogen, argon, neon, helium, and mixtures thereof.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la conduite de dérivation comprend une extrémité terminale comprenant un raccord destiné à être raccordé à un contenant distinct.According to one characteristic of the invention, the bypass pipe comprises a terminal end comprising a connector intended to be connected to a separate container.

Selon l'invention, la conduite de dérivation comprend une vanne, notamment une vanne d'isolation.According to the invention, the bypass pipe comprises a valve, in particular an isolation valve.

L'invention a également pour objet un procédé d'utilisation d'une installation selon l'invention pour un gaz liquéfié, par exemple un gaz naturel liquéfié, le procédé comprenant au moins les étapes suivantes :

  • recevoir au moins partiellement du gaz liquéfié provenant d'un contenant distinct et indépendant de l'installation selon l'invention via la ligne de connexion reliant fluidiquement le au moins un réservoir au contenant distant, distinct et indépendant de l'installation,
  • alimenter le circuit de refroidissement en gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir,
  • refroidir le gaz liquéfié provenant du réservoir au moyen du circuit de refroidissement, et
  • injecter le gaz liquéfié refroidi dans le réservoir au moyen de l'organe d'injection.
The invention also relates to a method for using an installation according to the invention for a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, the method comprising at least the following steps:
  • receive at least partially liquefied gas from a container separate and independent of the installation according to the invention via the connection line fluidically connecting the at least one tank to the remote container, separate and independent of the installation,
  • supply the cooling circuit with liquefied gas from the tank,
  • cooling the liquefied gas coming from the tank by means of the cooling circuit, and
  • injecting the cooled liquefied gas into the tank by means of the injection member.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le procédé comprend une étape de transfert réalisée après l'injection du gaz liquéfié refroidi, l'étape de transfert consistant à transférer au moins une partie du gaz liquéfié refroidi vers au moins un contenant distant, distinct et indépendant de ladite installation au moyen de la conduite d'injection et de la conduite de dérivation de l'installation.According to one characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a transfer step carried out after the injection of the cooled liquefied gas, the transfer step consisting in transferring at least part of the cooled liquefied gas to at least one remote, distinct and independent of said installation by means of the injection pipe and the bypass pipe of the installation.

Avantageusement, le transfert du gaz liquéfié peut être partiel ou total suivant le nombre de réservoirs de l'installation et suivant la quantité de gaz liquéfié refroidi demandé.Advantageously, the transfer of the liquefied gas can be partial or total depending on the number of tanks of the installation and depending on the quantity of cooled liquefied gas requested.

Selon une caractéristique possible, l'installation utilisée comprend au moins deux réservoirs configurés pour contenir du gaz liquéfié, ledit procédé selon l'invention étant mis en œuvre lors d'un trajet au cours duquel les réservoirs sont pleins.According to one possible characteristic, the installation used comprises at least two tanks configured to contain liquefied gas, said method according to the invention being implemented during a trip during which the tanks are full.

Après livraison au moins un réservoir peut être vide (vide ou quasi vide de liquide).After delivery at least one tank may be empty (empty or almost empty of liquid).

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le procédé comprend une étape supplémentaire de remise en froid du au moins un réservoir vide de l'installation ou d'un ou plusieurs autres contenants vides d'au moins une autre installation, l'étape de remise en froid consistant à :

  • transférer du gaz liquéfié refroidi restant dans le au moins un réservoir de l'installation vers un ou plusieurs contenants vides d'au moins une autre installation ou
  • à transférer du gaz liquéfié refroidi restant dans au moins un contenant d'au moins une autre installation vers le au moins un réservoir vide de l'installation ou
  • lorsque l'installation comprend au moins deux réservoirs dont un est vide et l'autre non vide, à transférer du gaz liquéfié refroidi restant dans le réservoir non vide vers le réservoir vide.
According to one characteristic of the invention, the method comprises an additional step of returning to cold the at least one empty tank of the installation or one or more other empty containers of at least one other installation, the step of returning cold consisting of:
  • transfer cooled liquefied gas remaining in the at least one tank of the installation to one or more empty containers of at least one other installation or
  • transferring cooled liquefied gas remaining in at least one container of at least one other installation to the at least one empty tank of the installation or
  • when the installation comprises at least two tanks, one of which is empty and the other not empty, in transferring cooled liquefied gas remaining in the non-empty tank to the empty tank.

C'est-à-dire que, en vue notamment d'un trajet de l'installation (sur un bateau), au lieu de conserver un ou plusieurs réservoirs vides, du gaz liquéfié est transféré d'un réservoir non vide vers un ou plusieurs autres réservoir vides notamment pour les maintenir en froid.That is to say that, in view in particular of a journey of the installation (on a boat), instead of keeping one or more empty tanks, liquefied gas is transferred from a non-empty tank to one or several other empty tanks, in particular to keep them cold.

Avantageusement, cette étape de remise en froid est réalisée après un déchargement de gaz liquéfié et avant un remplissage ultérieur du ou des réservoirs de l'installation ou du ou des contenants d'au moins une autre installation.Advantageously, this refrigeration step is carried out after an unloading of liquefied gas and before a subsequent filling of the reservoir(s) of the installation or of the container(s) of at least one other installation.

Avantageusement, cette étape de remise en froid est réalisée en continu pour éviter de laisser des réservoirs vides et chauds et pour permettre de lisser la charge thermique afin de limiter les pertes liées au pic final de vaporisation de gaz liquéfié.Advantageously, this cooling step is carried out continuously to avoid leaving tanks empty and hot and to allow the thermal load to be smoothed in order to limit the losses linked to the final peak of vaporization of liquefied gas.

L'avantage est de conserver ainsi uniquement du liquide dans les réservoirs d'un bateau permettant le voyage retour sans considérer les pertes de mise en froid à l'arrivée.The advantage is thus to keep only liquid in the tanks of a boat allowing the return trip without considering the losses of refrigeration on arrival.

Ceci permet d'augmenter au final la quantité de liquide transportée à destination dans le même bateau.This makes it possible to ultimately increase the quantity of liquid transported to the destination in the same boat.

Selon une caractéristique possible, l'étape de remise en froid est réalisée lors d'un trajet au cours duquel au moins un des réservoirs est vide.According to one possible characteristic, the refrigeration step is carried out during a trip during which at least one of the reservoirs is empty.

Par ailleurs, la présente invention a également pour objet un véhicule de transport, par exemple un navire de transport, pour transporter un gaz liquéfié, par exemple un gaz naturel liquéfié, le véhicule de transport étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une installation selon l'invention.Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a transport vehicle, for example a transport ship, for transporting a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, the transport vehicle being characterized in that it comprises an installation according to the invention.

Les modes de réalisation et les variantes mentionnés ci-avant peuvent être pris isolément ou selon toute combinaison techniquement possible, dans le cadre des revendications.The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be taken individually or according to any technically possible combination, within the scope of the claims.

L'invention sera mieux comprise, grâce à la description ci-après, qui se rapporte à des modes de réalisation selon la présente invention, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et expliqués avec référence aux dessins schématiques annexés, dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique de l' installation
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de refroidissement composant l'installation de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique de l' installation;
    et
  • la figure 4A est une représentation graphique simplifiée illustrant la répartition de la consommation du gaz naturel vaporisé sur un bateau en fonction du temps vers le moteur, vers une torche et vers un système de reliquéfaction selon l'art antérieur,
  • la figure 4B est une représentation graphique simplifiée similaire à celle de la figure 4A illustrant la répartition de la consommation du gaz naturel vaporisé sur un bateau en fonction du temps vers le moteur, vers une torche et vers un système de reliquéfaction selon un exemple de l'invention.
The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below, which relates to embodiments according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic view of the installation
  • the picture 2 is a schematic view of a cooling device making up the installation of the figure 1 ;
  • the picture 3 is a schematic view of the installation;
    and
  • the figure 4A is a simplified graphical representation illustrating the distribution of the consumption of vaporized natural gas over a boat as a function of time to the engine, to a torch and to a reliquefaction system according to the prior art,
  • the figure 4B is a simplified graphical representation similar to that of the figure 4A illustrating the distribution of the consumption of the natural gas vaporized on a boat as a function of time towards the engine, towards a torch and towards a reliquefaction system according to an example of the invention.

Comme illustré en figure 1, l'installation 1 comprend un réservoir 4 comprenant une région inférieure 4.1 destinée à contenir du gaz liquéfié 2 à l'état liquide et une région supérieure 4.2 destinée à contenir les vapeurs du gaz liquéfié 2. En outre, l'installation 1 comprend un circuit de refroidissement 10, illustré notamment en figure 2. Le circuit 10 de refroidissement est situé à l'extérieur du réservoir, c'est-à-dire que le gaz liquéfié est refroidi (uniquement) à l'extérieur du réservoir. C'est-à-dire que le gaz liquéfié est prélevé dans le réservoir, est refroidi hors du réservoir puis réinjecté refroidi dans le réservoir. Le dispositif 10 de refroidissement est relié au fluide à l'intérieur du réservoir 4 via une conduite de prélèvement qui plonge dans le réservoir. Le réservoir 4 est équipé d'une pompe 22 qui permet d'amener le gaz liquéfié à l'état liquide dans le circuit de refroidissement de manière pour le refroidir et d'au moins un organe d'injection 20 qui permet de réinjecter le gaz liquéfié refroidi dans le réservoir 4. L'organe d'injection comprend une conduite de retour qui relie le dispositif de refroidissement (externe au réservoir) avec l'intérieur du réservoir 4 et comprend l'organe d'injection 20. Avantageusement, l'organe d'injection 20 peut comprendre plusieurs buses.As illustrated in figure 1 , the installation 1 comprises a reservoir 4 comprising a lower region 4.1 intended to contain liquefied gas 2 in the liquid state and an upper region 4.2 intended to contain the vapors of the liquefied gas 2. In addition, the installation 1 comprises a cooling circuit 10, illustrated in particular in picture 2 . The cooling circuit 10 is located outside the tank, ie the liquefied gas is cooled (only) outside the tank. That is to say that the liquefied gas is taken from the tank, is cooled out of the tank and then reinjected cooled into the tank. The cooling device 10 is connected to the fluid inside the tank 4 via a sampling line which is immersed in the tank. The tank 4 is equipped with a pump 22 which makes it possible to bring the liquefied gas in the liquid state into the cooling circuit so as to cool it and with at least one injection member 20 which makes it possible to reinject the gas liquefied liquid cooled in the tank 4. The injection unit comprises a return pipe which connects the cooling device (external to the tank) with the inside of the tank 4 and includes the injection unit 20. Advantageously, the injection member 20 may comprise several nozzles.

En outre et comme illustré en figure 1, l'installation 1 comprend une ligne de connexion 31 configurée pour acheminer du gaz à liquéfié d'au moins un contenant 100 distant, distinct et indépendant de l'installation 1 vers le réservoir de l'installation.In addition and as illustrated in figure 1 , the installation 1 comprises a connection line 31 configured to convey liquefied gas from at least one remote container 100, distinct and independent of the installation 1 towards the tank of the installation.

En figure 3, l'installation 1 comprend une conduite d'injection 30 reliant fluidiquement le circuit de refroidissement et l'organe d'injection 20, et au moins une conduite de dérivation 32 raccordée à la conduite d'injection 30 et destinée à transférer une partie du gaz liquéfié 2 refroidi vers un contenant (non représenté) distant, distinct et indépendant de l'installation 1.In picture 3 , the installation 1 comprises an injection pipe 30 fluidly connecting the cooling circuit and the injection member 20, and at least one bypass pipe 32 connected to the injection pipe 30 and intended to transfer part of the liquefied gas 2 cooled to a container (not shown) remote, distinct and independent of the installation 1.

Par exemple, un autre réservoir 4 est représenté en pointillé à la figure 3. Ce réservoir 4 de la même installation ou d'une autre installation peut être alimenté en gaz liquéfié via la conduite 32 de dérivation et un organe d'injection 20 respectif le cas échéant.For example, another reservoir 4 is shown in dotted line picture 3 . This tank 4 from the same installation or from another installation can be supplied with liquefied gas via the pipe 32 by-pass and a respective injection member 20 if necessary.

La conduite de dérivation 32 et la ligne de connexion 31 sont installées sur la même installation.The branch line 32 and the connection line 31 are installed on the same installation.

Comme illustré en figure 2 et quelle que soit la configuration de l'installation 1, le circuit de refroidissement 10 est fermé et autonome et est configuré pour être alimenté en gaz liquéfié 2 à l'état liquide provenant du réservoir 4. Le circuit de refroidissement 10 comprend au moins un compresseur 12 configuré pour comprimer un gaz de cycle 3, au moins un moteur 14, au moins une turbine 18, et au moins un premier échangeur thermique 16 configuré pour opérer un échange thermique entre du gaz liquéfié 2 et le gaz de cycle.As illustrated in figure 2 and whatever the configuration of the installation 1, the cooling circuit 10 is closed and autonomous and is configured to be supplied with liquefied gas 2 in the liquid state coming from the tank 4. The cooling circuit 10 comprises at least one compressor 12 configured to compress a cycle gas 3, at least one motor 14, at least one turbine 18, and at least one first heat exchanger 16 configured to perform a heat exchange between liquefied gas 2 and the cycle gas.

Comme on peut le voir en figure 2, le moteur 14 étant relié mécaniquement d'une part au compresseur 12 afin d'entrainer le compresseur 12 et d'autre part à la turbine 18 afin que la turbine 18 entraine le moteur 14.As can be seen in figure 2 , the motor 14 being mechanically connected on the one hand to the compressor 12 in order to drive the compressor 12 and on the other hand to the turbine 18 so that the turbine 18 drives the motor 14.

Le circuit de refroidissement 10 comprend en outre, un deuxième échangeur thermique 24 configuré pour opérer un échange thermique entre le gaz de cycle 3 comprimé et du gaz de cycle 3 détendu, comme illustré en figure 2.The cooling circuit 10 further comprises a second heat exchanger 24 configured to perform a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas 3 and the expanded cycle gas 3, as illustrated in figure 2 .

Le circuit de refroidissement 10 comprend en outre, un troisième échangeur thermique 26 configuré pour opérer un échange thermique entre le gaz de cycle 3 comprimé et de l'eau ou de l'air ou tout autre fluide de refroidissement provenant d'une source extérieure.The cooling circuit 10 further comprises a third heat exchanger 26 configured to effect a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas 3 and water or air or any other cooling fluid coming from an external source.

Dans le cas où un ou des réservoirs 4 contient du gaz naturel liquéfié sur un véhicule, notamment un bateau, le gaz naturel qui se vaporise peut être utilisé comme combustible pour un moteur du véhicule et le gaz en excès est brûlé dans une torche par exemple.In the case where one or more tanks 4 contain liquefied natural gas on a vehicle, in particular a boat, the natural gas which vaporizes can be used as fuel for an engine of the vehicle and the excess gas is burned in a torch for example .

La figure 4A illustre la répartition de la consommation (axe des ordonnées y en tonnes par jour) du gaz naturel vaporisé sur un bateau en fonction du temps (axe des abscisses x) vers le moteur (C : partie avec hachures horizontales), vers la torche (A : partie avec hachures inclinées) et vers le système de reliquéfaction (B : partie sans hachures) pour une installation connue.The figure 4A illustrates the distribution of consumption (axis of ordinates y in tons per day) of natural gas vaporized on a boat as a function of time (axis of abscissas x) towards the engine (C: part with horizontal hatching), towards the flare (A : part with inclined hatching) and towards the reliquefaction system (B: part without hatching) for a known installation.

La figure 4B illustre la répartition de la consommation en tonnes par jour (axe y) du gaz naturel vaporisé sur un bateau en fonction du temps (axe x) vers le moteur (C), vers la torche (A) et vers le système de reliquéfaction (B) pour l'installation selon l'invention.The figure 4B illustrates the distribution of the consumption in tonnes per day (y axis) of the natural gas vaporized on a boat as a function of time (x axis) towards the engine (C), towards the flare (A) and towards the reliquefaction system (B ) for the installation according to the invention.

On constate que selon l'installation connue (figure 4A), des pertes de gaz vaporisé persistent en fin de trajet car les moteurs et l'installation ne sont pas dimensionnés pour récupérer ce gaz. Tandis qu'en figure 4B, grâce à l'installation selon l'invention, il n'existe plus de pic en fin de trajet, les pertes sont minimes grâce notamment au système de remise en froid des réservoirs.It can be seen that according to the known installation ( figure 4A ), losses of vaporized gas persist at the end of the journey because the engines and the installation are not sized to recover this gas. While in figure 4B , thanks to the installation according to the invention, there is no longer any peak at the end of the journey, the losses are minimal thanks in particular to the system for re-cooling the tanks.

Claims (15)

  1. Facility (1) for storing and cooling a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, the facility comprising: - at least one tank (4) configured to contain liquefied gas (2), said tank (4) comprising at least one lower region (4.1) intended to contain the liquefied gas (2) in the liquid state, and at least one upper region (4.2) intended to contain the vapours of the liquefied gas (2), - at least one closed cooling circuit (10) situated outside the tank (4) and configured to be supplied with liquefied gas (2) in the liquid state coming from the tank (4), the cooling circuit (10) comprising at least one first heat exchanger (16) configured to effect a heat exchange outside the tank between liquefied gas (2) in the liquid state coming from the tank (4) and a cycle gas (3), for example nitrogen, so as to cool liquefied gas (2) coming from the tank (4) when the facility is in service, and - at least one injection member (20) fluidically connected to the cooling circuit (10) via an injection pipe (30), the injection member (20) being configured to reinject the cooled liquefied gas (2) into the tank, - at least one connection line (31) configured to recover a gas to be cooled (2) from at least one remote container (100), which is separate and independent from the facility, said connection line (31) being fluidically connected to the tank (4) of the facility, the facility (1) being characterized in that the cooling circuit (10) comprises at least one compressor (12) configured to compress a cycle gas (3), at least one motor (14), and at least one turbine (18), the motor (14) being mechanically connected, on the one hand, to the compressor (12) in order to drive the compressor (12) and, on the other hand, to the turbine (18) so that the turbine (18) drives the motor (14), and in that the facility comprises at least one bypass pipe (32) connected to the injection pipe (30), said bypass pipe comprising a valve, in particular an isolation valve, and being configured to transfer some of the cooled liquefied gas (2) to a remote container, which is separate and independent from the facility.
  2. Facility according to Claim 1, wherein the outlet of the turbine (18) is directly fluidically connected to the inlet of the first heat exchanger (16).
  3. Facility according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the outlet of the compressor (12) is indirectly fluidically connected to the first heat exchanger (16).
  4. Facility according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooling circuit (10) further comprises a second heat exchanger (24) configured to effect a heat exchange between the compressed cycle gas (3) coming from the compressor (12) and expanded cycle gas (3) coming from the turbine (18).
  5. Facility according to Claim 4, wherein the inlet of the compressor (12) is fluidically connected to the outlet of the turbine (18) without an intermediate member other than the first heat exchanger (16) and the second heat exchanger (24).
  6. Facility according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooling circuit (10) comprises at least one first connection member mechanically connecting the motor (14) to the compressor (12), and at least one second connection member mechanically connecting the motor (14) to the turbine (18).
  7. Facility according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooling circuit (10) comprises a third heat exchanger (26) configured to perform a heat exchange between the cycle gas (3) and a fluid at ambient temperature, for example water or a coolant.
  8. Facility according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the injection member (20) is arranged in the upper region (4.2) of the tank (4).
  9. Facility according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling circuit is configured to cool liquefied gas coming from the tank to a temperature between 35 K and 150 K, for example equal to 110 K or 80 K.
  10. Facility according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank (4) contains a liquefied gas selected from the group consisting of a liquefied natural gas, or another methane-rich gas such as biomethane, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and mixtures thereof.
  11. Facility according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling circuit (10) contains a coolant selected from the group comprising nitrogen, argon, neon, helium and mixtures thereof.
  12. Method for using a facility according to any one of the preceding claims, for a liquefied gas, the method comprising at least the following steps:
    - at least partially receiving liquefied gas coming from a container that is separate and independent from the facility (1) via the connection line (31) fluidically connecting the at least one tank (4) to the remote container (100), which is separate and independent from the facility,
    - supplying the cooling circuit (10) with liquefied gas (2) coming from the tank (4),
    - cooling the liquefied gas (2) coming from the tank (4) by means of the cooling circuit (10), and
    - injecting the cooled liquefied gas (2) into the tank (4) by means of the injection member (20).
  13. Method according to Claim 12, comprising a transfer step performed after the injection of the cooled liquefied gas, the transfer step consisting in transferring at least some of the cooled liquefied gas to at least the remote container, which is separate and independent from the facility, or to another remote container, which is separate and independent from the facility, by means of the injection pipe and the bypass pipe of the facility.
  14. Method according to Claim 13, comprising an additional step of re-cooling the at least one tank of the facility or one or more other empty containers of at least one other facility, the re-cooling step consisting in:
    - transferring cooled liquefied gas remaining in the at least one tank of the facility to one or more empty containers of at least one other facility, or
    - transferring cooled liquefied gas remaining in at least one container of at least one other facility to the at least one empty tank of the facility, or
    - transferring, when the facility comprises at least two tanks, one of which is empty and the other one of which is not empty, cooled liquefied gas remaining in the non-empty tank to the empty tank.
  15. Transport vehicle, for example a transport ship, for transporting a liquefied gas, for example a liquefied natural gas, the transport vehicle being characterized in that it comprises a facility according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.
EP17748836.8A 2016-09-06 2017-07-19 Facility, method for storing and liquefying a liquefied gas and associated transport vehicle Active EP3510317B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1658258A FR3055692B1 (en) 2016-09-06 2016-09-06 INSTALLATION, METHOD FOR STORING AND RELICITING LIQUEFIED GAS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT VEHICLE
PCT/FR2017/051964 WO2018046809A1 (en) 2016-09-06 2017-07-19 Facility, method for storing and liquefying a liquefied gas and associated transport vehicle

Publications (2)

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EP3510317A1 EP3510317A1 (en) 2019-07-17
EP3510317B1 true EP3510317B1 (en) 2022-11-16

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US (1) US11549646B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3510317B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7110179B2 (en)
KR (1) KR102370344B1 (en)
CN (1) CN109906337B (en)
AU (1) AU2017324488B2 (en)
CA (1) CA3035849C (en)
DK (1) DK3510317T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2935644T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3055692B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2018046809A1 (en)

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FR3132343B1 (en) 2022-01-28 2024-07-05 Air Liquide Liquefied gas storage installation and process.
EP4417861A1 (en) * 2023-02-15 2024-08-21 Horisont Energi AS System and method for refrigeration of contents of an lco2 intermediate storage tank at a co2 receiving terminal

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AU2017324488B2 (en) 2023-01-12
JP2019526763A (en) 2019-09-19
DK3510317T3 (en) 2023-02-06
CN109906337A (en) 2019-06-18
US20190257475A1 (en) 2019-08-22
KR102370344B1 (en) 2022-03-03
FR3055692B1 (en) 2018-08-24
CA3035849C (en) 2022-08-09
CN109906337B (en) 2021-08-17
JP7110179B2 (en) 2022-08-01
FR3055692A1 (en) 2018-03-09
WO2018046809A1 (en) 2018-03-15
CA3035849A1 (en) 2018-03-15
EP3510317A1 (en) 2019-07-17
ES2935644T3 (en) 2023-03-08
US11549646B2 (en) 2023-01-10
KR20190044108A (en) 2019-04-29
AU2017324488A1 (en) 2019-04-18

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