Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
  • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
  • F25J1/001—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
  • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
  • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
  • F25J1/0042—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by liquid expansion 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
  • F25J1/003—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
  • F25J1/003—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
  • F25J1/0052—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 vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
  • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
  • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
  • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
  • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
  • F25J1/0254—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation controlling particular process parameter, e.g. pressure, temperature
• • 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
  • F25J1/02—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
  • F25J1/0203—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
  • F25J1/0208—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. with deep flash recycle loop
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
  • F25J2230/08—Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler
• • 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
  • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
  • F25J2230/32—Compression of the product stream
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
  • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
  • F25J2270/14—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
  • F25J2270/16—External refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with mutliple gas expansion loops of the same refrigerant
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
  • F25J2290/60—Details about pipelines, i.e. network, for feed or product distribution
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
  • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

• the invention relates to an installation and a process for the liquefaction of hydrogen.
• the invention relates more particularly to a hydrogen liquefaction installation comprising a hydrogen circuit to be cooled comprising an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of hydrogen and a downstream end connected to at least one cryogenic storage of liquefied hydrogen , the cryogenic storage being provided with a withdrawal pipe configured to allow the supply of liquefied hydrogen to at least one tank to be filled, in particular a mobile tank, the installation comprising a set of heat exchanger(s) in exchange heat with the hydrogen circuit to be cooled, the installation comprising a cooling device in heat exchange with the set of heat exchanger(s), said cooling device comprising a refrigerator with a refrigeration cycle of a cycle in a working circuit, the cycle gas comprising at least one of: hydrogen, helium, the working circuit of the refrigerator comprising a member for compressing the cycle gas, a member for cooling the cycle gas, a member for expanding the cycle gas and a member for heating the cycle gas, the installation comprising at least a first pipe for recovering gas from vaporization comprising a first end
• the liquefaction of hydrogen within a liquefaction installation generally uses a stream of gaseous hydrogen under pressure at a pressure typically between 10 and 30 bar absolute.
• this stream can undergo a pre-cooling step by heat exchange with a first refrigeration cycle.
• This first refrigeration cycle may use a refrigerant such as nitrogen and/or a mixed refrigerant ("MR").
• MR mixed refrigerant
• the stream to be liquefied is then cooled in a cold box to a liquid state by a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant consisting of or comprising helium and/or hydrogen.
• a refrigerant consisting of or comprising helium and/or hydrogen.
• one or more intermediate cooling stage(s) may possibly be provided between the pre-cooling and the aforementioned cooling.
• the liquid hydrogen produced is typically dumped into at least one cryogenic storage used, for example, to fill mobile tanks (trucks or other mobile tanks, for example).
• Cryogenic storage is a first potential source of vaporization gas from previously liquefied hydrogen.
• the storage of liquefied hydrogen indeed generally produces a relatively constant flow of vaporization gas at relatively low pressure and relatively low temperature (typically around 20K but potentially much higher) which is the result of thermal inputs on said storage. This flow can be punctually greatly increased by the piston effect of the liquid coming from the liquefier, in the case where little or no liquid is withdrawn from the storage.
• the recycling of these vaporization gases is generally carried out in the hydrogen refrigeration cycle (at relatively low pressure) and cold (that is to say that there is recycling of the hydrogen molecules and their frigories) when the pressure differential between the pressure in the cryogenic storage and the refrigeration cycle is sufficient and the cold gas redistribution valves have been provided on the liquefaction plant.
• Another solution is to cancel or reduce this vaporization gas flow by producing subcooled liquid hydrogen at the outlet of the liquefier (especially in the configuration using a helium-based refrigeration cycle).
• the tanks intended to be filled with the liquid hydrogen produced by the installation are another source of vaporization gas.
• these mobile tanks or containers of liquid hydrogen generally generate vaporization gases at relatively low or medium pressure (typically between 7 to 1.1 bara) and at slightly higher temperatures (typically between 20 and 40K or even occasionally above 40K).
• This other source of vaporization gas is more discontinuous and even very variable in quantity and in thermodynamic conditions depending on the state of the reservoirs.
• the flash gases recovered from this second flash gas source are generally warmed to around ambient temperature and recycled to the hydrogen refrigeration cycle. When the pressure differential between the pressure of these gases and the cycle is sufficient, this recycling can be carried out without additional equipment provided for this purpose. Otherwise, additional equipment is necessary (for example a booster such as a cryogenic ejector, a booster, a compressor, etc.).
• the refrigerant constituting the cycle gas is not pure hydrogen (helium or other(s) for example)
• the recycling of this gaseous vaporization hydrogen in the cycle is not possible (risk of contamination of the refrigerant ).
• the vaporization gases must be avoided (by production of subcooled liquid hydrogen) or recovered via compression equipment at room temperature.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.
• the installation according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the first vaporization gas recovery pipe comprises a second end connected to the downstream end of the hydrogen circuit to be cooled, said first recovery pipe comprising at least one cryogenic compressor and a portion in heat exchange with at least a part of the set of heat exchanger(s), the first pipe recovery being configured to allow the recovery of vaporized hydrogen, its compression then its cooling and its mixing with the liquefied hydrogen at the level of the downstream end of the hydrogen circuit.
• embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
• the invention also relates to a method for liquefying hydrogen using an installation according to any one of the characteristics above or below, comprising a step for recovering vaporization gas within at least a cryogenic hydrogen tank , a step of compressing this recovered vaporization gas, a step of cooling this compressed gas and a step of transferring this cooled gas into the cryogenic storage.
• the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the characteristics above or below within the scope of the claims.
• FIG. 1 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of an example of installation according to the invention.
• the illustrated hydrogen liquefaction installation 1 comprising a hydrogen circuit 2 to be cooled comprising an upstream end 21 intended to be connected to a source 23 of gaseous hydrogen.
• the source 21 can for example provide a flow of pure and dry hydrogen gas at ambient temperature and having a pressure of between 10 and 80 absolute for example.
• the hydrogen circuit 2 to be cooled has at least one downstream end 22 connected to at least one cryogenic storage 8 of liquefied hydrogen to store therein the liquefied hydrogen produced.
• Cryogenic storage 8 is, for example, a vacuum-insulated cryogenic tank which stores liquefied hydrogen, for example, at a pressure of approximately 1.5 bar absolute and a temperature of around 20K.
• the cryogenic storage 8 can be provided with a pipe 11 or withdrawal orifice configured to allow the supply of liquefied hydrogen to one or more tanks 19 to be filled, in particular one or more mobile tanks.
• This transfer of liquefied hydrogen can be carried out by differential pressure and/or gravity and/or via a transfer device such as a pump for example.
• the installation 1 comprises a set of heat exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 in heat exchange with the hydrogen circuit 2 to be cooled and a cooling device in heat exchange with the set of heat exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 of heat to cool the circuit 2 of hydrogen.
• the cooling device comprises at least one cycle refrigerator 7 for refrigerating a cycle gas in a working circuit, the cycle gas comprising at least one of: hydrogen, helium.
• the working circuit of the refrigerator 7 comprises a member 9 for compressing the cycle gas (one or more compressors for example), a member 3, 4 for cooling the cycle gas (one or more cooling exchangers for example), a member 10 for expansion of the cycle gas (one or more turbine(s) and/or valve(s)) for expansion and a member 5, 4, 3 for heating the cycle gas (one or more heat exchangers).
• the heating and the cooling can in particular be provided at least in part by counter-current exchangers 3, 4, 5 in which two distinct portions of the cycle gas circulate under different thermodynamic conditions (temperature in particular).
• the working circuit of the refrigerator 7 is configured to subject the working gas to a thermodynamic cycle producing, at one end of the working circuit, a cold power which is transferred to the circuit 2 to be cooled via a or heat exchangers.
• the hydrogen circuit 2 can be pre-cooled to an intermediate temperature (for example around 80K) before its liquefaction.
• This pre-cooling can be achieved by at least one pre-cooling device 24 by heat exchange with a set of heat exchangers 3 for pre-cooling.
• the pre-cooling device 24 comprises a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant such as nitrogen and/or a refrigerant consisting of a mixture (“MR” for “mixed refrigerant”).
• MR refrigerant
• any other type of pre-cooling device 24 can be envisaged, such as for example a flow of cold fluid, a source of liquefied gas such as nitrogen for example.
• the installation 1 further comprises at least a first pipe 12 for recovering vaporization gas (hydrogen) comprising a first end intended to be connected to at least one tank 19 to be filled (in particular mobile) and a second end connected to the downstream end 22 of the hydrogen circuit 2 to be cooled.
• vaporization gas hydrogen
• This first recovery pipe 12 comprises at least one cryogenic compressor 13 and, downstream of the cryogenic compressor 13, a portion in heat exchange with at least a part of the set of exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 in the box cold.
• This first recovery pipe 12 is configured to allow the recovery of vaporized hydrogen, its compression then its cooling (its liquefaction in particular) and its mixing with the liquefied hydrogen produced at the downstream end 22 of the hydrogen circuit 2 .
• the first recovery line 12 may comprise a portion in heat exchange with one or more of the set of exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 cooled by the refrigerator 7.
• the first pipe 12 for recovery in heat exchange with at least part of the set of heat exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 may comprise at least one dedicated passage for the vaporization gas in the exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 of heat.
• This or these passages can be arranged in parallel with a cooling passage for the hydrogen circuit 2 in the exchanger 4, 5.
• the vaporized hydrogen circulates in a dedicated passage in parallel with a flow of the circuit 2 of hydrogen to be liquefied, for example between this flow of a flow of hydrogen circuit 2 and a flow of cycle gas.
• the exchanger(s) 4, 5 are, for example, plate or other exchangers, comprising dedicated passages for these different fluid flows.
• Dedicated passages may include one or more catalysis sections for the conversion of ortho hydrogen to para hydrogen.
• the first recovery line 12 can recover hydrogen vaporized in a tank 19 at a pressure between 1.1 bar absolute and 10 bar absolute and in particular 5 bar and at a temperature between 20 and 40K, for example 35K and at a flow rate which may be of the order of 1000 Nm 3 /h.
• the cryogenic compressor 13 is configured to compress a flow of cryogenic gas and for example to produce a flow of gaseous hydrogen at a pressure sufficient to overcome the pressure drops of the downstream circuit, i.e. for example approximately 2 bar absolute from flow of gases vaporized at a pressure of the order of 1.3 bar absolute for example.
• the pressure of the flow of vaporization gas at the inlet of the cryogenic compressor 13 can be between 1.0 and 2.0 bar absolute, and preferably between 1.0 and 1.5 bar absolute while, at the outlet of the compressor this gas pressure can be for example between 1.3 and 6 bar absolute and preferably between 1.3 and 2.5 bar absolute.
• the cryogenic compressor can be a compressor of the centrifugal or volumetric type.
• a bypass pipe 25 may be provided between, on the one hand, at least a first recovery pipe 12 (or the outlet of the tank 19) and, on the other hand, downstream of the compressor 13 This makes it possible to unload the compressor 13 when its use is not necessary if the vaporization gas is at a sufficient pressure.
• a set of valve(s) (not shown for the sake of simplification) may be provided to regulate the flow of gas admitted to pass or not through this bypass pipe. The method can thus comprise a step of bypassing the compressor 13 of at least part of the vaporized hydrogen when the latter is at a pressure greater than a determined level.
• the vaporization gases from the reservoir(s) 9 can be recycled directly cold (typically at temperatures between 50K and 20K) via a cryogenic compressor 13, whatever the liquefaction cycle.
• These vaporization gases are compressed and therefore possibly slightly heated, (for example up to +5 to 10K by quasi-adiabatic compression effect, depending on the performance of the cryogenic compressor 13).
• These cold and compressed vaporization gases are then introduced into one or more dedicated passages of the main exchange line of the refrigerator to be cooled in parallel with the hydrogen line to be liquefied.
• This cooled gaseous hydrogen stream (and in particular which may be at least partially liquefied) is then mixed with the liquefied hydrogen stream from circuit 2.
• This structure makes it possible to efficiently recover and recycle vaporization gases from reservoirs 19 (trucks in particular) which can be variable in time and in temperature conditions as well as in flow to be treated.
• the hydrogen circuit 2 to be cooled may comprise, downstream of the last heat exchanger 5 of the set of heat exchanger(s), a final expansion device 15, for example a turbine or a relaxation (for example of the Joule-Thomson type).
• the second end of the first vaporization gas recovery pipe 12 is preferably connected downstream of this final expansion member 15, that is to say between the final expansion member 15 and the cryogenic storage 8.
• This cooled vaporization hydrogen which is mixed with the liquefied hydrogen of circuit 2 can be essentially liquid (possibly partially two-phase: liquid-gas).
• Installation 1 can also be designed to recycle vaporization gases from cryogenic liquefied hydrogen storage 8 according to the same principle (compression, cooling then mixing with the liquefied hydrogen produced).
• the installation 1 may comprise at least a second recovery pipe 14 provided with a first end connected to the cryogenic storage 8 and a second end connected to the downstream end 22 of the circuit 2 of hydrogen to be cooled.
• this second recovery pipe 14 and the first recovery pipe 12 may share the cryogenic compressor 13 and the heat exchange portion described above. That is to say that the first 12 and second 14 vaporization gas recovery pipes may comprise separate upstream ends but may share the same common portion downstream of their first end.
• the vaporization gases collected in the first 12 and second 14 vaporization gas recovery pipes preferably share the same cryogenic compressor 13 and take the same passage in the set of exchanger(s) 3, 4, 5 heat to cool them.
• Such an installation 1 makes it possible to advantageously recover and recycle vaporization gases from mobile reservoirs 19 and/or storage 8 simultaneously and/or sequentially by adapting to variable flows both in quantity and in temperature and temperature conditions. depression.
• the installation 1 can be configured to allow the recovery of vaporization gas from several tanks 19 simultaneously (and/or sequentially).
• the installation 1 may comprise several first recovery pipes 12 (or a first recovery pipe 12 comprising several first ends).
• the installation 1 can be configured to allow the recovery of vaporization gas from several storages 8 if necessary.
• the first recovery pipe 12 may comprise, between its first end and the inlet of the cryogenic compressor 13, at least one of: a member 18 for analyzing the composition of the vaporization gas and in particular a device for measurement of impurity(ies), a member 18 for purifying the vaporization gas configured to remove at least one impurity.
• this analysis and/or purification can be carried out when connecting the tank 19.
• the installation 1 may comprise a bypass line 16 of the cryogenic compressor 13 making it possible to recycle at least part of the compressed flow at the suction of the cryogenic compressor 13 to ensure a minimum pressure or flow rate on suction.
• This bypass line 16 has a first end connected to the pipe 12, 14 by recovery, for example downstream of a portion in heat exchange with at least a part of the set of exchanger (s) 3, 4, 5 heat.
• the bypass line 16 includes a second end connected to the suction inlet of the cryogenic compressor 13.
• the installation 1 further comprises a member 17 for regulating the flow of fluid in the bypass line 16 configured to control the flow of vaporizing gas reinjected into the cryogenic compressor 13 to maintain the pressure or the flow rate at the inlet of suction of the cryogenic compressor 13 above a determined value.
• This regulating member 17 can comprise or consist of a set of valve(s) for example.
• This cryogenic bypass flow (when it is necessary) is therefore preferably cooled in the line of exchangers at 4.5 of the cycle before being reinjected at the suction of the compressor 13.
• this bypass can be interrupted and the performance of the cryogenic compressor 13 can be controlled (driven) by the flow to be treated (directly or indirectly), that is to say the cryogenic compressor 13 can be controlled or driven according to the pressure at its entrance.
• the regulating member 17 can be controlled by a programmable electronic controller 20 which can comprise a microprocessor. This controller 20 can be part of the compressor 13 if necessary.
• the device 1 can comprise several cryogenic compressors 13 arranged in series and/or in parallel in the recovery line.
• several cryogenic compressors arranged in series make it possible to increase the compression rate.
• the installation 1 may comprise an intermediate gaseous storage (buffer) for storing vaporization gas at a cryogenic temperature level, upstream of the suction of the cryogenic compressor 13 to decorrelate the operation of this compressor from the variable returns of vaporizing gas.
• buffer intermediate gaseous storage

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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• 2021
  • 2021-07-08 FR FR2107411A patent/FR3125115B1/fr active Active
• 2022
  • 2022-06-17 JP JP2024500009A patent/JP2024525059A/ja active Pending
  • 2022-06-17 US US18/577,513 patent/US20240384926A1/en active Pending
  • 2022-06-17 EP EP22733637.7A patent/EP4367461A1/de active Pending
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