Apparatus and method for pre-liquefaction fluid treatment for improved liquefaction operations

Abstract

An apparatus and method for processing a fluid (e.g., hydrogen) for liquefaction may allow for flexibility in reducing power consumption and improving operational efficiency. Embodiments may be configured to account for a large change in feed to be provided for liquefaction, and also allow for a reduction in operating costs associated with the liquefaction process, so that the total power consumption and operating costs for liquefaction may be greatly reduced while also providing improved operational flexibility. For example, embodiments may be configured to supply fluid to multiple liquefiers of a series of liquefiers based on a pre-selected set of feed route criteria to improve power consumption and provide greater operational flexibility for liquefaction operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to systems, devices and methods for controlling how a fluid (e.g., hydrogen) is supplied to a plurality of liquefiers in a series of liquefiers to liquefy the fluid through the liquefiers and liquefaction equipment, which are configured to implement a control scheme for supplying the fluid to the liquefier to undergo liquefaction. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen production can be provided by using one or more electrolyzers. The electrolyzer can produce hydrogen from water by electrolysis. U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2022 / 0290309 and 2022 / 0033983 disclose examples of producing hydrogen by one or more electrolyzers, wherein the produced hydrogen can be hydrogen that can be liquefied by cryogenic cooling. Examples of hydrogen liquefaction can be found in U.S. Patents Nos. 7,559,213, 4,765,813, and 3,095,274. Hydrogen production that relies on renewable energy to power the operation of various production units can be considered green hydrogen manufacturing. Summary of the invention

[0003] We have determined that a new method and apparatus for controlling the liquefaction of hydrogen and other types of gases may be needed to provide improved operational flexibility to account for the large variations in hydrogen production that may occur in green hydrogen production due to inconsistent availability of electricity to power the operation of the hydrogen production process (e.g., due to lack of availability of renewable electricity from renewable sources such as, for example, solar, wind, etc.). For example, we have determined that the liquefaction of hydrogen can be significantly improved to reduce operating costs associated with cryogenic cooling and liquefaction of the gas, thereby significantly improving operating efficiency, which can also significantly reduce power consumption. For a given power supply, the reduced power consumption can allow for higher hydrogen production rates and / or lower cost production processes, thereby providing more economical and energy-efficient processes. This type of improvement can further increase the utilization of renewable energy sources, which can help avoid or minimize carbon-based energy systems that power the operation of hydrogen production facilities.

[0004] In some embodiments, a feed of a fluid to be liquefied (e.g., a gaseous fluid composed of more than 95 volume percent (vol %) hydrogen or a fluid composed of more than 99 volume % hydrogen, or a fluid composed of greater than 95 volume % hydrogen up to 100 volume % hydrogen, etc.) or other liquefied feed may be split into multiple fractions for supplying different liquefiers in a series of liquefiers. The splitting of the feed may be controlled so that each liquefier in the series of liquefiers receives a sufficient amount of feed to operate at a preselected minimum operating capacity level, while also supplying fractions of the feed to different liquefiers to maximize the efficiency of the liquefier in liquefying gas into liquid. Such a determination may be made based on: (1) empirical data about the liquefier regarding the efficiency with which the liquefier operates to liquefy the feed; (2) ambient temperatures that may affect the operation of the liquefier (e.g., the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature at the liquefier); (3) a maintenance schedule; and / or (4) a preselected set of criteria defined to minimize fluctuations in the allocation of feed to different liquefiers that may result in relatively instantaneous changes in feed availability that are not of sufficient duration to warrant a change in the operation of at least one liquefier to result in a transient increase or decrease in feed availability (e.g., a liquefier operating at minimum capacity may not receive additional feed within such a short predefined period of time that a change in increased operating capacity and the costs and efficiency losses that may result from the temperature increase process associated with such a change is not warranted for the brief period that the liquefier may operate above the minimum operating capacity threshold). Examples of empirical data for a liquefier regarding the efficiency with which the liquefier operates to liquefy a feed may include (i) data obtained from off-line first principles or analytical data describing the size and configuration of the liquefier of the plant and the process conditions, or (ii) data obtained from factory testing of the performance of the liquefier of the plant.

[0005] In other embodiments, the control scheme that can be used to allocate fluid to supply a series of liquefiers in different fractionation sections may include one or more of the following: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature at the liquefier; (2) the minimum operating flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates between 20% and 30% of its full operating capacity, or the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at 20% to 40% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (3) empirical data on liquefactions performed by different liquefiers, which indicates which liquefiers can perform liquefaction more efficiently; (4) the feed flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates between 20% and 30% of its full operating capacity, or the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at 20% to 40% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (5) the feed flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates between 20% and 30% of its full operating capacity, or the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at 20% to 40% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (6) the feed flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at between 20% and 30% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (7) the feed flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at between 20% and 40% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (8) the feed flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates at between 20% and 40% of its full operating capacity, a current flow rate of a portion of the feed to the liquefier; (5) an expected feed distribution of feed to be provided from upstream feed production equipment (e.g., an expected hydrogen feed to be provided by an electrolyzer powered by renewable energy to provide hydrogen feed, etc.); and / or (6) data related to how the feed available for provision to the liquefier may change within a preselected deadband control time period, wherein the deadband control time period may be defined to minimize significant operating rate adjustments of the liquefier to avoid a rapid sudden increase in the operating capacity of the liquefier followed by a sudden decrease in the liquefier (e.g., data for a predefined deadband control criterion). An example of a preselected deadband control time period may be a preselected hysteresis control time period. An example of an expected feed distribution of feed to be provided from upstream feed production equipment may include an estimate of feed, which may be based on a predefined distribution of available feed generation, which may be provided by the upstream feed production equipment based on a solar and / or wind generation distribution in the event that wind and / or solar power is used to power the equipment used to form the feed. In different embodiments, only one of items 1 to 6 may be used, or a combination of items 1 to 6 may be used (for example, all of items 1 to 6, a combination of two or more of items 1 to 6, a combination of three or more of items 1 to 6, a combination of 4 of items 1 to 6, a combination of 5 of items 1 to 6, etc.).

[0006] Other types of liquefier operating condition data may also be included in the control scheme. For example, the liquefier's liquefaction efficiency of feeds from past liquefaction processes, scheduled maintenance and / or estimated maintenance requirements, and / or other liquefier operating parameters may be evaluated in conjunction with the evaluation of the liquefier operating condition to determine how to allocate feeds to different liquefiers in a series of liquefiers.

[0007] In some embodiments, the feed to be supplied to the liquefier may be pre-treated by one or more pre-liquefaction treatment systems, which may be arranged to purify the feed and may provide pre-cooling and pressurization of the feed as required, so that the feed is suitable for supply to the liquefier before the feed is separated into multiple fractions. Where there are multiple such systems, fractionation or diversion of the feed provided by implementation of an embodiment of such a predefined control scheme may be provided before the feed is supplied to the one or more pre-liquefaction systems. Alternatively (or in addition), fractionation or diversion of the feed may be provided by implementation of an embodiment of such a predefined control scheme, such that the diversion or fractionation is performed downstream of the pre-liquefaction treatment between the feed inlet of the liquefier and one or more outlets of the one or more pre-liquefaction treatment systems.

[0008] For example, the splitting or fractionation of the feed may be performed by an arrangement of conduits and / or one or more splitting mechanisms (e.g., control valves, compander flow set point adjustment mechanisms, etc.) positioned between one or more liquefied feed storage units that receive and store feed output from the one or more pre-liquefaction processing systems and a liquefier positioned and configured to liquefy the feed. As another example, such splitting may be performed by an arrangement of conduits and / or one or more splitting mechanisms (e.g., control valves or compander flow set point control mechanisms) positioned between one or more pre-liquefaction processing systems that output feed for liquefaction and the one or more liquefiers in the series of liquefiers positioned and configured to liquefy the feed.

[0009] We have surprisingly found that embodiments can be provided to allow for greater operational flexibility, which can allow liquefaction to be performed through multiple liquefiers to receive feed for undergoing liquefaction, while also allowing for more efficient utilization of the liquefiers. In some embodiments, it has been surprisingly found that a 1% to 5% improvement in energy efficiency can be provided, which can provide significant improvements. For example, for embodiments included in a facility that may require 100 MW of power, this type of improvement can be equivalent to 1 MW to 5 MW, which can provide improvements in operational efficiency, which can be equivalent to millions of dollars in value for increased hydrogen production efficiency and / or reduced energy use, while also providing improvements in operational flexibility.

[0010] In a first aspect, a method for controlling feed distribution to a series of liquefiers to liquefy the feed is provided. The series of liquefiers may include a plurality of liquefiers (e.g., a first liquefier, a second liquefier, etc.), and embodiments of the method may include: determining a feed stream available for supplying the series of liquefiers and a current operating condition of a liquefier in the series of liquefiers; determining how to divert the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; and communicating instructions for diverting the stream of the feed to supply portions of the feed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers, so that each of the liquefiers can operate at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity, and minimizing power usage for liquefying the feed according to the preselected set of control criteria.

[0011] In a second aspect, the communicating instructions for diverting the flow of the feed to supply portions of the feed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers may include a controller communicating with one or more diverting mechanisms to divert the flow of the feed. In some embodiments, each diverting mechanism may be a valve (e.g., a control valve, a three-way valve, etc.). Other embodiments may utilize other types of diverting mechanisms.

[0012] In the third aspect, the stream of the feed may be a pre-cooled feed stream output from at least one pre-liquefaction processing system or a feed stream output from a feed source. For example, in some embodiments, the feed may include hydrogen formed by upstream feed production equipment, the upstream feed production equipment including an electrolyzer powered by at least one renewable energy source, and the determining how to split the feed based on the pre-selected set of control criteria may include an expected feed distribution of the feed provided from the upstream feed production equipment.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, the determining the feed stream available to supply the series of liquefiers and the current operating conditions of the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers may include a controller communicating with at least one sensor positioned in a conduit between the feed source and the series of liquefiers.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, the preselected set of control criteria may include one or more of the following: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature at the liquefier; (2) the minimum operating flow rate of each of the liquefiers; (3) empirical data on liquefactions performed by the different liquefiers; (4) the current flow rate of the portion of the feed supplied to the liquefier; (5) the expected feed distribution of the feed to be supplied from upstream feed production equipment; and / or (6) data related to how the feed available for supply to the liquefier may change within a preselected deadband control time period or a preselected lag time period. Some embodiments may utilize all six of these control criteria items and additional items to the preselected set of control criteria. Other embodiments may combine two or more of these control criteria items for the preselected set of control criteria, three or more of these control criteria items, four or more of these control criteria items, or five or more of these control criteria items.

[0015] In some embodiments, the preselected hysteresis period is selected to minimize adjustments in the operating rate of the liquefier to avoid a period of increasing operating capacity followed by decreasing operating capacity within the preselected hysteresis period.

[0016] In a sixth aspect, the determining how to split the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria includes a model predictive controller utilizing the liquefaction empirical data to facilitate the determining how to split the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria. In some embodiments, the model predictive controller may be incorporated into a controller, or may be a remote device that can communicate with at least one controller.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, the method of the first aspect may include one or more features of the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect. Therefore, it should be understood that other embodiments of the method may include other process steps or features. Examples of these features or process steps can be understood from the discussion of exemplary embodiments of the method provided herein.

[0018] In an eighth aspect, a control system for controlling the distribution of feed to a series of liquefiers to liquefy the feed is provided. The control system may include a controller having a processor connected to a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The controller may be communicatively connected to at least one diversion mechanism and at least one sensor of at least one feed conduit arrangement, the feed conduit arrangement being positionable between a series of liquefiers and a feed source. The controller is configured to: determine a feed flow available for supplying the series of liquefiers and a current operating condition of a plurality of liquefiers in the series of liquefiers; determine how to divert the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; and communicate with the at least one diversion mechanism to divert the flow of the feed so as to supply a portion of the feed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers, so that each of the liquefiers is capable of operating at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity, and to minimize the power usage used to liquefy the feed according to the preselected set of control criteria.

[0019] In a ninth aspect, the preselected set of control criteria may include: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature at the liquefier; (2) the minimum operating flow rate of each of the liquefiers; (3) empirical data on liquefactions performed by the different liquefiers; (4) the current flow rate of the portion of the feed being supplied to the liquefier; (5) the expected feed distribution of the feed to be supplied from upstream feed production equipment; and / or (6) data related to how the feed available for supply to the liquefier may change within a preselected hysteresis period or a preselected deadband control period. As described above, some embodiments may utilize all six of these control criteria items as well as additional items of the preselected set of control criteria, while other embodiments may utilize combinations of these control criteria that are less than all six of these items and may or may not include other control criteria.

[0020] In some embodiments, the preselected hysteresis period may be a period selected to minimize adjustments in the operating rate of the liquefier to avoid a period of time during which the operating capacity is increased and then decreased within the preselected hysteresis period.

[0021] In the tenth aspect, the controller may be configured to communicate with or utilize a model predictive controller to evaluate the liquefaction empirical data to facilitate the determination of how to split the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria.

[0022] In an eleventh aspect, the control system may include at least one flow diverter mechanism. The at least one flow diverter mechanism may be connected to a conduit arrangement positioned between the feed source and the series of liquefiers. In some embodiments, the at least one flow diverter mechanism may include at least one valve connected to the conduit arrangement or a plurality of valves incorporated into the conduit arrangement.

[0023] In the twelfth aspect, the control system may include at least one flow diversion mechanism. The at least one flow diversion mechanism may be connected to a conduit arrangement, the conduit arrangement being positioned between a pre-liquefaction treatment system for the feed and the series of liquefiers, the pre-liquefaction treatment system being configured to pre-cool the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature.

[0024] In the thirteenth aspect, the control system may further include the pre-liquefaction processing system, the series of liquefiers and / or at least one conduit arrangement.

[0025] In a fourteenth aspect, the control system of the eighth aspect may include one or more features of the ninth aspect, the tenth aspect, the eleventh aspect, the twelfth aspect, and / or the thirteenth aspect. It should therefore be understood that other embodiments of the control system may include other features. Examples of other features may be understood from the discussion of the exemplary embodiments provided herein.

[0026] In a fifteenth aspect, an apparatus for liquefying a fluid may include a feed source configured to output a fluid feed. In some embodiments, the fluid may contain hydrogen or may be hydrogen. The apparatus may also include a conduit arrangement positioned between the feed source and a series of liquefiers having a first liquefier and a second liquefier. The apparatus may also include a control system including a controller positioned and configured to communicate with at least one flow diversion mechanism and at least one sensor connected to the conduit arrangement. The control system can be configured to: determine a feed flow available for supplying the series of liquefiers and current operating conditions of the first liquefier and the second liquefier in the series of liquefiers; determine how to divert the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; and communicate with the at least one diversion mechanism to divert the flow of the feed so as to supply a first portion of the feed flow to the first liquefier and a second portion of the feed flow to the second liquefier, so that each of the liquefiers can operate at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity and minimize power usage for liquefying the feed according to the preselected set of control criteria.

[0027] In a sixteenth aspect, the apparatus may further include a pre-liquefaction processing system positioned between the feed source and the series of liquefiers. The conduit arrangement may be positioned between the pre-liquefaction system and the series of liquefiers. The conduit arrangement may include a first liquefier feed conduit through which the first portion of the feed stream may be delivered to the first liquefier and a second liquefier feed conduit through which the second portion of the feed stream may be delivered to the second liquefier.

[0028] In some embodiments, the pre-liquefaction system may be configured to pre-cool the feed to a preselected liquefaction feed temperature such that the first portion of the flow of the feed may be supplied to the first liquefier at the preselected liquefaction feed temperature, and such that the second portion of the feed flow may be supplied to the second liquefier at the preselected liquefaction feed temperature.

[0029] In some embodiments, the preliquefaction system may be positioned and configured such that the preliquefaction process may be optimized regardless of how the first portion of the feed stream and the second portion of the feed stream are formed and delivered to the first liquefier and the second liquefier.

[0030] In the seventeenth aspect, the conduit arrangement of the apparatus may include a first liquefier feed conduit and a second liquefier feed conduit, wherein the first portion of the feed flow may be delivered to the first liquefier through the first liquefier feed conduit, and the second portion of the feed flow may be delivered to the second liquefier through the second liquefier feed conduit.

[0031] In the eighteenth aspect, the apparatus of the fifteenth aspect may include one or more features of the sixteenth aspect and / or the seventeenth aspect. It should be understood that the embodiments of the apparatus may also include other features or combinations of features, and examples of the apparatus may be understood from the discussion of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

[0032] In the nineteenth aspect, the device and / or the control system may be configured to implement an embodiment of the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

[0033] It should be understood that embodiments of the method for liquefaction processing and the apparatus for liquefaction processing may utilize various conduit arrangements and process control elements. For example, embodiments may utilize sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, temperature sensors, flow rate sensors, analyzers, concentration sensors, etc.), controllers, valves, pipelines, and other process control elements. As another example, some embodiments may utilize automated process control systems and / or distributed control systems (DCS). Various different conduit arrangements and process control systems may be utilized to meet a specific set of design criteria.

[0034] As certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below, other details, objects and advantages of the present invention for a method for liquefaction processing, a control system for supplying hydrogen to a liquefaction system having multiple liquefiers, a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction, a system for fluid liquefaction, and methods of making and using the same will become apparent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of a method for a liquefaction process, a control system for supplying hydrogen to a liquefaction system having multiple liquefiers, a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction, a system for fluid liquefaction, and methods of making and using the same are shown in the accompanying drawings included herein. It should be understood that the same reference characters used in the drawings may identify the same components.

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for a liquefaction process including a first exemplary embodiment of a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction.

[0037] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for a liquefaction process including a second exemplary embodiment of a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction.

[0038] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for a liquefaction process including a third exemplary embodiment of a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction.

[0039] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a computer device 11 that may be used in the first exemplary embodiment, the second exemplary embodiment, and / or the third exemplary embodiment of a control system for dispensing a fluid for liquefaction.

[0040] Figure 5is a flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method for a liquefaction process for distributing a fluid feed to a series of liquefiers for liquefaction. Embodiments of a control system for distributing a fluid for liquefaction and embodiments of an apparatus for a liquefaction process may utilize embodiments of this method. For example, Figures 1 to 4 The illustrated exemplary embodiment may implement an embodiment of this method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , the apparatus 1 for liquefaction processing may include a feed source 2 (feed) that may provide at least one feed stream to at least one pre-liquefaction processing system 4 (pre-liquefaction) and / or a series of liquefiers 7. The feed source 2 may include one or more electrolyzer chambers including an electrolyzer for forming hydrogen by electrolysis of water to supply the pre-liquefaction system 4. The electrolyzer may be powered by one or more renewable energy sources, such that the formation of hydrogen is performed solely by renewable electricity or by a majority of renewable electricity for green hydrogen production.

[0042] Feed 2 may be provided by a source that utilizes only renewable energy (e.g., a zero-carbon hydrogen feed) or may be a very low-carbon feed source (e.g., a hydrogen feed provided by a carbon capture-based hydrogen production facility, a substantially renewable powered hydrogen production facility, etc.). Such a feed source 2 may include large variations in feed supply due to inconsistent power availability (e.g., variations from high wind to low wind conditions for wind power generation, variations from cloudy to non-cloudy conditions for solar power generation).

[0043] The hydrogen output from the electrolyzer may be a feed source 2 that supplies the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 through at least one pre-liquefaction treatment system feed conduit positioned between the feed source 2 and the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4, or a feed source that supplies the series of liquefiers 7 through at least one liquefier feed conduit arrangement 2C positioned between the feed source 2 and the series of liquefiers 7.

[0044] For example, the pre-liquefaction processing system 4 may be positioned between the feed source 2 and the series of liquefiers 7, so that the conduit arrangement 2C is positioned between the pre-liquefaction system 4 and the series of liquefiers 7. The conduit arrangement 2C may include a first liquefier feed conduit and a second liquefier feed conduit, through which a first portion of the feed stream may be delivered to the first liquefier 7a, and a second portion of the feed stream may be delivered to the second liquefier 7b through the second liquefier feed conduit. The conduit arrangement 2C may include at least one flow diversion mechanism V (e.g., a valve, etc.) and at least one sensor S. The pre-liquefaction system 4 may be configured to pre-cool the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature, so that a first portion of the feed stream may be supplied to the first liquefier 7a at the pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature, and a second portion of the feed stream may be supplied to the second liquefier 7b at the pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature.

[0045] As another example, an embodiment of the apparatus may include a conduit arrangement 2C having a first liquefier feed conduit and a second liquefier feed conduit, through which a first portion of the feed stream may be delivered to a first liquefier 7a, and through which a second portion of the feed stream may be delivered to a second liquefier 7b. The conduit arrangement 2C may include at least one flow splitter V and at least one sensor S, and may be adapted so that feed may be provided from a feed source 2 to the liquefier, for example, Figure 5 as shown in .

[0046] The feed source 2 may include a storage device or a storage unit, which may include one or more storage containers for storing hydrogen supplied to the pre-liquefaction system 4. The feed source 2 may also include a pre-purification unit and / or a compression system, which is configured to purify the hydrogen (e.g., by removing hydrocarbons, oxygen and / or water from the feed), and the compression system is configured to compress the hydrogen to a pre-liquefaction feed pressure (e.g., a pressure between 1.1 bar and 40 bar, a pressure not exceeding 50 bar, etc.). The compression system may include at least one compressor, and the pre-purification unit (PPU) may include one or more adsorbers having adsorbent materials therein and / or one or more reactors configured for feed (e.g., hydrogen) purification. Optionally, the pre-liquefaction system 4 may include a pre-purification unit, a compression system and / or a storage unit.

[0047] The pre-liquefaction processing system 4 may include one or more pre-cooling devices for pre-cooling the feed to a pre-selected liquefied feed temperature. In some embodiments, the pre-selected liquefied feed temperature may be a temperature within a pre-selected range of liquefied feed temperatures between -110°C and -200°C, between -170°C and -200°C, or within another suitable temperature range (e.g., between -150°C and -200°C, etc.). For example, such a temperature range may be selected for some embodiments in which the feed is hydrogen.

[0048] The pre-liquefaction feed temperature of the pre-cooled feed 5 for liquefaction can be a temperature defined so that each feed stream is mainly gas or all gas. In some embodiments, each stream can be completely gas, can be at least 95 volume percent (vol%) gas and no more than 5 volume % liquid, can be between 100 volume % gas and 90 volume % gas and between 0 volume % liquid and 10 volume % liquid, or can be between 80 volume % gas and 100 volume % gas and between 20 volume % liquid and 0 volume % liquid. Therefore, it should be understood that the pre-cooled feed 5 for liquefaction can be completely gas or include a large amount of gas and a partial amount of liquid (e.g., at least 80 volume % gas and no more than 20 volume % liquid, etc.) for supplying a series of liquefiers to undergo basic liquefaction, thereby forming a completely liquefied or almost completely liquid product stream 8.

[0049] As described above, the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 may also include one or more pre-purification units (PPUs) and / or compression devices for pressurizing the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed pressure and / or purifying the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed hydrogen concentration to supply the series of liquefiers 7. The pre-cooled feed may be output from each pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 as a pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction, for supplying the pre-cooled feed stream to the series of liquefiers 7 through at least one liquefier feed conduit positioned between the series of liquefiers 7 and the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4.

[0050] The pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 may be positioned and configured for optimization of pre-cooling equipment independently of the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers 7. This may be, for example, optimization of parameters within a pre-cooling treatment unit or optimization of flows between pre-cooling units of the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4. Such optimization of the pre-cooling equipment of the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 is independent of determining criteria that may be used to divert feed flows that feed different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers (e.g., optimization of flows fed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers 7 may be independent of control criteria for the pre-liquefaction treatment system to pre-cool the feed to the pre-liquefaction feed temperature, or may be largely independent of optimization of flows within the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers 7).

[0051] Each of the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers 7 may include an arrangement of an expander, an orthohydrogen to parahydrogen converter, and at least one liquefaction heat exchanger for liquefying a portion of the precooled feed stream 5 received for liquefaction to form a completely liquid product stream 8 or a nearly completely liquid product stream. The formed liquid product stream 8 may be at a preselected liquefied product stream temperature or within a preselected liquefied product stream temperature range (e.g., not higher than -240°C, not higher than -250°C and not lower than -255°C, between -250°C and -260°C, between -240°C and -260°C, not higher than the liquefaction temperature of hydrogen, or not higher than the critical temperature of hydrogen when the feed from the feed source 2 is hydrogen, etc.). For embodiments described above in which the feed from feed source 2 includes hydrogen or is hydrogen, the liquid product stream 8 output by each liquefier may include liquid hydrogen or be liquid hydrogen (e.g., at least 99% by volume liquid hydrogen, between 99% by volume liquid hydrogen and 100% by volume liquid hydrogen, etc.). The liquid product stream 8 may be supplied to a plant process for use of the liquid hydrogen, or may be supplied to a liquid hydrogen storage unit for storage and subsequent use and / or transportation of the liquid hydrogen.

[0052] The series of liquefiers 7 may include a plurality of liquefiers. For example, the series of liquefiers may include a first liquefier 7a and a second liquefier 7b. In some embodiments, the series of liquefiers 7 may also include more than two liquefiers (e.g., Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1 The third liquefier 7c shown in the dashed line and / or Figure 2 The fourth liquefier 7d shown in FIG. 8 ).

[0053] As described above, the feed from the feed source 2 can be split into multiple parts. For example, the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction can be split into multiple parts. The split of the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction can also be considered as a fractionation of the stream. For example, the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction can be split into a first liquefier feed part 5a and a second liquefier feed part 5b, the first liquefier feed part supplies the first liquefier 7a to form a first liquid stream 8a, and the second liquefier feed part supplies the second liquefier 7b to form a second liquid stream 8b. The precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction can also be split to form a third liquefier feed part 5c, which is used to supply the third liquefier 7c to form a third liquid stream 8c. Each part of the precooled feed 5 for liquefaction can be completely gaseous or substantially gaseous (e.g., at least 80% by volume of gas and no more than 20% by volume of liquid as described above, etc.).

[0054] The formation of the various portions by diverting the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction may be controlled by a computer device 11 configured as a controller (CTRL), which may be communicatively connected to one or more diverting mechanisms V and sensors S. The diverting mechanism V may include a first liquefier feed valve V positioned in or connected to a first liquefier feed conduit, through which the first liquefier feed portion 5a may be supplied to the first liquefier 7a, and / or a second liquefier feed valve V positioned in or connected to a second liquefier feed conduit, through which the first liquefier feed portion 5a may be supplied to the first liquefier 7a, and through which the second liquefier feed portion 5b may be supplied to the second liquefier 7b. Some embodiments may utilize only one such valve, while other embodiments may utilize two valves.

[0055] Embodiments that may utilize additional liquefiers in a series of liquefiers 7 may also include other valves V and liquefier feed conduits. For example, the valve V may also include a third liquefier feed valve V, which is positioned in or connected to a third liquefier feed conduit, and the third liquefier feed portion 5c may be supplied to the third liquefier 7c through the third liquefier feed conduit. Each of the valves can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, and includes a number of different intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position to adjust the proportion of the pre-cooled feed stream 5 used for liquefaction, which is included in each of the split portions of this stream. One or more sensors S may also be connected to each of the first liquefier feed conduit, the second liquefier feed conduit, and / or the third liquefier feed conduit.

[0056] The one or more diverting mechanisms V and the one or more sensors S may be communicatively connected to a controller (CTRL), which may be a computer device 11 including a processor connected to at least one transceiver and at least one non-transitory memory. The controller (CTRL) may communicate with the diverting mechanism V to adjust the position of the one or more diverting mechanisms for controlling how the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction is diverted to supply the liquefier in a series of liquefiers 7 based on a predefined set of control criteria defined in the code of at least one automated process control application (App). The controller (CTRL) may run the automated process control application (App) stored in the memory of the controller through its processor (e.g., a hardware processor element, a core processor, another type of processing element, etc.). The application (App) may be defined so that the controller (CTRL) also uses one or more data storages (e.g., one or more databases, files, or other data storages) stored in the memory of the controller when running the control application (App). The one or more data storages may include data received by the controller from the one or more sensors S and other data received from the liquefier, the feed source 2, and / or the elements of the pre-liquefaction system 4. The sensor data may be stored in at least one data store (DS) stored in a memory of the controller (CTRL) or in a memory communicatively accessible to the controller (CTRL).

[0057] The controller (CTRL) can communicate with the diverter mechanism to adjust the position of the diverter mechanism (such as a valve or a compressor / expander flow set point, etc.) so that the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction is diverted into different proportions for supplying different parts of the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction to different liquefiers, or so that each liquefier receives a similar part of the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction, depending on how the pre-defined control criteria run by the processor of the controller evaluate the different conditions detected by the sensor S and other data related to the operation of the liquefier.

[0058] according to Figure 1 It is understood that such flow splitting adjustment may be provided in the flow splitting mechanism V of the conduit arrangement 2C positioned between the pre-liquefaction system 4 and the liquefier. Figure 2It is understood that when more than one preliquefaction system is utilized, such adjustment may alternatively (or simultaneously) be provided by one or more flow diverting mechanisms V and sensors S positioned in a preliquefaction system feed conduit arrangement 2C, which is positioned between the feed source 2 and different preliquefaction systems 4. For example, the controller may be communicatively connected to at least one flow diverting mechanism V and at least one sensor S connected to the conduit arrangement 2C positioned between the feed source 2 and the preliquefaction system 4, for adjusting a portion of the feed stream supplied from the feed source 2 to each preliquefaction system 4, so as to adjust how the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction output from the preliquefaction system 4 is supplied to different liquefiers connected to these systems.

[0059] For example, Figure 2 The apparatus may be arranged so that a feed of hydrogen or other gas to be liquefied is supplied to the first preliquefaction system 4 and the second preliquefaction system 4 through the preliquefaction feed conduit arrangement 2C. The feed may be split to form a first portion of the feed for supplying the first preliquefaction system and to form a second portion of the feed for supplying the second preliquefaction system 4 through at least one feed splitter valve or other type of splitting mechanism V in communication with the controller (CTRL).

[0060] The first pre-liquefaction system 4 may output a first pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction, which may be split into a first liquefier feed portion 5a and a second liquefier feed portion 5b, the first liquefier feed portion supplies the first liquefier 7a to form a first liquid stream 8a, and the second liquefier feed portion supplies the second liquefier 7b to form a second liquid stream 8b. The second pre-liquefaction system 4 may output a second pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction, which may be split into a third liquefier feed portion 5d and a fourth liquefier feed portion 5e, the third liquefier feed portion supplies the third liquefier 7c to form a third liquid stream 8c, and the fourth liquefier feed portion supplies the fourth liquefier 7d to form a fourth liquid stream 8d.

[0061] The controller (CTRL) may be communicatively connected to one or more valves V of the first liquefier feed conduit, one or more valves V of the second liquefier feed conduit, one or more valves V of the third liquefier feed conduit, and one or more valves V of the fourth liquefier feed conduit for actuating valve adjustments to adjust how the precooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction is split to supply different liquefiers, the first liquefier feed portion 5a may be delivered to the first liquefier 7a through the first liquefier feed conduit, the second liquefier feed portion 5b may be delivered to the second liquefier 7b through the second liquefier feed conduit, the third liquefier feed portion 5d may be delivered to the third liquefier 7c through the third liquefier feed conduit, and the fourth liquefier feed portion 5e may be delivered to the fourth liquefier through the fourth liquefier feed conduit. The controller (CTRL) may also be connected to sensors S of the first liquefier feed conduit, the second liquefier feed conduit, the third liquefier feed conduit, and the fourth liquefier feed conduit.

[0062] The controller (CTRL) may also be communicatively connected to at least one valve V and at least one sensor S of a supplementary liquefier feed conduit 5s positioned between the pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 and the liquefier, so that the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction output from the first pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 may be supplied to the third liquefier 7c and the fourth liquefier 7d, and so that the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction output from the second pre-liquefaction treatment system 4 may also be supplied to the first liquefier 7a and the second liquefier 7b, so that the pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction output from any pre-liquefaction system may be divided into a plurality of different parts for supplying all different liquefiers in a series of liquefiers. This type of supplementary conduit 5s may be positioned to allow a single pre-liquefaction system 5 to provide pre-cooled feed of liquefied fluid to all liquefiers in situations where there may be major maintenance issues affecting the pre-liquefaction system or where there may be unexpected situations (e.g., unexpected equipment failures, power outages, etc.). The supplementary conduit 5s helps to further improve operational flexibility to address these issues.

[0063] In still other embodiments, each of the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers may include a pre-cooling device, a purification device, and a liquefaction compression system, so that the liquefier may directly receive feed from the feed source 2 for liquefaction. In such an embodiment, the feed source 2 may provide a feed stream 15 for liquefaction, which may be split into multiple parts to supply different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers (e.g., as described above for Figure 1The arrangement is similar to that discussed in the exemplary embodiment of , but without the pre-liquefaction system 4). In this arrangement, the controller CTRL can be communicatively connected to one or more valves V and one or more sensors S connected to the first liquefier feed conduit, and the first part 15a of the feed stream 15 for liquefaction can be delivered through the first liquefier feed conduit to supply the first liquefier 7a to form a first liquid stream 8a. The controller CTRL can also be communicatively connected to one or more valves V and one or more sensors S connected to the second liquefier feed conduit, and the second part 15b of the feed stream 15 for liquefaction can be delivered through the second liquefier feed conduit to supply the second liquefier 7b to form a second liquid stream 8b. In addition, the controller CTRL can be communicatively connected to one or more valves V and one or more sensors S connected to the third liquefier feed conduit, and the third part 15c of the feed stream 15 for liquefaction can be delivered through the third liquefier feed conduit to supply the third liquefier 7c to form a third liquid stream 8c (in the case of Figure 3 If additional liquefiers are provided in the series, the controller may also be similarly connected to one or more valves and sensors of the feed conduits of the other liquefiers.

[0064] For Figure 3 In a similar embodiment to the exemplary embodiment shown in the configuration of FIG, the feed stream 15 for liquefaction supplied to the liquefier may not be pre-cooled and may be at ambient temperature or other temperature (e.g., between 40°C and -5°C, between 90°C and 0°C, or between 90°C and -10°C, etc.) for supplying the liquefier, and each liquefier may include its own pretreatment system to facilitate cooling, purification and / or pressurization of the feed for undergoing liquefaction. The controller (CTRL) may be configured to control the fraction of the liquefied feed stream 15 using the feed temperature of the feed stream 15 for liquefaction and other data according to predefined control criteria.

[0065] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a computer device 11 is shown. The controller (CTRL) may be the computer device 11. Figure 4It is understood that the controller (CTRL) may be a computer device including a processor connected to a non-transitory memory or other types of non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory may have at least one application (App) and at least one data storage (DS) stored thereon. The processor and / or the memory may be communicatively connected to at least one transceiver of the computer device 11. The computer device 11 may be communicatively connected to one or more input devices (input), output devices (output), sensors (sensors) and / or one or more other computer devices 11. The input device (input) may include a keyboard, a pointer device, a keypad, a microphone, a touch screen or other types of input devices. The output device (output) may include at least one display, a printer, a speaker or other types of output devices. The sensor may include a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, an analyzer, a concentration sensor and other types of sensors or detection devices.

[0066] Other computer devices 11 that can be communicatively connected to the computer device 11 configured as a controller (CTRL) can be operator devices and / or host devices that can be communicatively connected to the controller (CTRL) through at least one network connection and / or other types of communication connections (e.g., local area network connection, Internet connection, wide area network connection, etc.). The communication connection between the controller (CTRL) and other computer devices 11 and / or sensors can include intermediate nodes (e.g., access points, base stations, border control devices, etc.).

[0067] In some configurations, the controller (CTRL) may include a model predictive controller included in an application stored in a memory of the controller. In other configurations, the model predictive controller may be another type of computer device 11 that may be communicatively connected to the controller (CTRL). In some embodiments, the controller (CTRL) may be communicatively connected to an operator device such that the operator device may provide input from an operator to the controller (CTRL) using an input device of the operator device and a communication interface between the operator device and the controller (CTRL). For example, such communication may facilitate adjustment of control parameters or other settings or parameters utilized by the controller (CTRL).

[0068] Figure 5Flow chart showing a control scheme with which a controller (CTRL) can control how one or more feed streams 15 for liquefaction or at least one pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction is split into different portions to feed different liquefiers in a series of liquefiers. The process control scheme can be predefined by code of an application (App) stored on the controller (CTRL), which code can be executed by a processor of the controller. The method can also be considered as a method for a liquefaction process or a method for distributing a fluid feed to a series of liquefiers for liquefaction of the feed.

[0069] An embodiment of the method may include a first step S1, which may utilize sensor data received from one or more sensors to determine a feed stream that can be used to supply a column of liquefiers and a current liquefier operating condition of the liquefier. The operating condition of the liquefier may include, for example, the operating efficiency of the liquefier in liquefying a fluid feed, planned maintenance and / or estimated maintenance requirements for the liquefier, and / or other operating parameters that may affect the operating performance of the liquefier. For example, the determination of the efficiency of the liquefier in liquefying the feed may be based on empirical data regarding the past liquefaction performance of the liquefier as well as maintenance-related data or other parameters. Examples of empirical data of the liquefier regarding the efficiency of the liquefier in operating to liquefy the feed may include data obtained from offline first principles or analytical data describing the size and configuration of the liquefier of the device and the process conditions of the liquefier, or (ii) data obtained from performance testing of the liquefier of the device.

[0070] As can be understood from the above, the feed streams available for supplying a series of liquefiers can be determined based on the feed streams provided by the feed source 2 and / or at least one pre-cooled feed stream 5 for liquefaction output by one or more pre-liquefaction treatment systems 4. As described above, the feed supplied to the liquefier can be completely gaseous or can be substantially gaseous (e.g., between 100% gas and 80% gas by volume and between 0% liquid and 20% liquid by volume, etc.).

[0071] In a second step S2, the controller (CTRL) may determine how to divert the feed flow based on a preselected set of control criteria. The determination may be based on an evaluation of sensor data and other data stored in at least one data storage device and other more recent and / or real-time sensor data. The preselected set of control criteria may include an evaluation of: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature at the liquefier; (2) the minimum operating flow rate required for each of the liquefiers to operate (e.g., the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates between 10% and 25% of its full operating capacity, or the feed flow rate at which the liquefier operates between 10% and 40% of its full operating capacity, etc.); (3) empirical data on liquefaction performed by different liquefiers, which indicates which liquefiers can perform liquefaction more efficiently; (4) the current flow rate of the portion of the feed supplied to the liquefier. (e.g., data related to a preselected deadband control criterion.) In some embodiments, empirical data on liquefaction performed by different liquefiers indicating which liquefiers may perform liquefaction more efficiently may include (i) data obtained from an offline first person responsible or analytical data describing the size and configuration of the liquefier at the facility, or (ii) data derived from factory testing of the performance of the liquefier at the facility.

[0072] An example of an expected feed distribution of feed to be provided from upstream feed production equipment may include an estimate of feed, which may be based on a predefined distribution of available feed generation, which may be provided by the upstream feed production equipment based on a solar and / or wind generation distribution in the case where wind and / or solar power is used to power the equipment used to form the feed. For example, in the case where the hydrogen feed is provided by upstream production equipment, the upstream production equipment may include an electrolyzer powered by solar and / or wind energy, and the expected feed may be determined based on available hydrogen formation capacity, which may be provided based on a solar and / or wind power generation distribution. The estimate may be used to adjust the diversion of the feed to the liquefier.

[0073] In different embodiments, only one of the items 1 to 6 may be used, or a combination of the items 1 to 6 may be used (e.g., all of the items 1 to 6, a combination of two or more of the items 1 to 6, a combination of three or more of the items 1 to 6, a combination of 4 of the items 1 to 6, a combination of 5 of the items 1 to 6, etc.). For some embodiments, additional data related to other criteria may also be considered in the evaluation of the preselected set of control criteria performed in the second step S2.

[0074] In the third step S3, the feed stream may be split based on the determination performed in the second step S2 to distribute the split feed to the liquefier. For example, the splitting of the feed stream may be performed so that each of the liquefiers can be operated at a minimum operating capacity and the power usage for feed liquefaction may be minimized. Such splitting may be achieved based on the determination made by the controller in the second step S2 and the controller communicates with the splitting mechanism V to adjust the feed stream to different liquefiers based on, for example, the determination made in the second step S2.

[0075] Figure 5 The embodiments of the method shown in can be used in many different ways. The following provides a non-limiting example of an embodiment implementation of this exemplary control scheme to help further illustrate how to use the control scheme. Of course, other embodiments can utilize other variations of this process.

[0076] For example, the feed may initially be available at a first rate that allows both liquefiers to operate at 100% capacity. In this case, where the series of liquefiers has two liquefiers, the feed may be split into two equal parts to be provided to the first liquefier and the second liquefier. If there are three liquefiers or more than three liquefiers in the series of liquefiers, the flow may be split so that there are three equal parts, etc. The total feed flow supplied to the series of liquefiers 7 is the first feed rate. However, each liquefier has a specific feed rate based on the fractionation of the feed or the splitting of the feed.

[0077] Thereafter, changes in available feed may be detected from sensor data and / or a predicted feed distribution of the feed, and the fractionation of the feed may be altered. Such changes may be based on empirical liquefier performance and other factors, according to a preselected set of control criteria as described above. For example, this assessment may result in the feed stream being diverted such that a first liquefier is supplied with 80% of the feed and a second liquefier is supplied with 20% of the feed, such that the second liquefier is operated at a minimum operating capacity. As described above, the total feed rate supplied to a series of liquefiers is the feed stream supplied to the apparatus, however, the fractionation of the feed may be adjusted such that the feed is diverted between different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers, and different liquefiers receive different portions of the total feed stream. A split of the feed can then be implemented to accommodate such determination of the feed variation provided, whereby a first portion of the feed is supplied to the first liquefier such that the first liquefier operates at a relatively high operating capacity and receives 80% of the feed flow, while the second liquefier receives a second portion of the feed and operates at its minimum capacity.

[0078] Thereafter, another change in available feed may be detected, indicating an increase in available feed. However, this increased amount of available feed is detected as available only for a relatively short period of time, which is within a pre-selected hysteresis period or other type of pre-selected deadband control period. Thus, only the split of feed may be adjusted so that the rate of feed to the second liquefier remains unchanged and the first liquefier receives more feed to operate closer to its full operating capacity condition.

[0079] Thereafter, a further change in available feed may be detected, indicating an increase in available feed, and such increased available feed amount is detected as being available for longer than a preselected hysteresis period or other type of preselected deadband control period. Accordingly, the split of feed may be adjusted such that the rate of feed to the second liquefier is increased, and the rate of feed to the first liquefier is also increased or remains unchanged, such that the second liquefier receives a greater proportion of the total feed flow.

[0080] As processing continues, the available feed may subsequently change multiple times.As understood above, the fractionation of the feed may continue to be adjusted according to preselected control criteria.

[0081] Embodiments of the method for liquefaction processing for distributing a fluid feed to a series of liquefiers for liquefaction may also include additional steps. For example, additional steps may be performed in which the controller exchanges communications with one or more computer devices 11 (e.g., a model predictive controller computer device, an operator device, etc.) and the controller communicates with a sensor S and a diversion mechanism V (e.g., a valve, etc.). For example, in conjunction with the second step, the controller may communicate with the model predictive controller computer device to receive data related to the past empirical liquefaction performance of the liquefier, thereby facilitating an assessment of which liquefiers may liquefy more efficiently at a particular feed rate and / or ambient temperature, which may be used to select a ratio or fractionation of the feed to divert the feed so as to provide portions of the feed to different liquefiers.

[0082] As yet another example of additional method steps, embodiments of the method may also include retrofitting a controller into an apparatus for liquefaction or upgrading the software of the controller and / or installing a conduit arrangement, a flow diversion mechanism V, a sensor S, and / or liquefier equipment. Embodiments of the method may also utilize other steps or other criteria.

[0083] from Figure 5 The exemplary method shown in and discussed above can also be understood as an embodiment of a feed liquefaction method. For example, an embodiment of such a method may include steps of an exemplary method for a liquefaction process for distributing a fluid feed to a series of liquefiers for liquefaction.

[0084] In some embodiments, it was surprisingly found that a 1% to 5% improvement in energy efficiency could be provided, which could provide a significant improvement. For example, for embodiments included in a facility that may require 100 MW of power, this type of improvement could be equivalent to 1 MW to 5 MW, which could provide improvements in operating efficiency, which could be worth millions of dollars in terms of increased hydrogen production efficiency and / or reduced energy use, while also providing improvements in operational flexibility. For example, embodiments could be provided so that the energy savings that can be achieved can be used to improve hydrogen production and / or reduce operating costs through feed sources and improve the use of renewable energy, while also reducing operating costs, which could make the production of hydrogen using renewable electricity more cost-effective, thereby making more widespread use of renewable energy.

[0085] It should be understood that the embodiments clearly shown and discussed herein can be modified to meet a specific set of design goals or a specific set of design standards. For example, the arrangement of the flow diversion mechanism, pipeline and other conduit elements (for example, conduit connection mechanism, pipe, seal, etc.) for interconnecting the different units of the factory to realize the fluid communication of fluid flow between different elements (for example pumps, conduits, valves, etc.) can be arranged to meet a specific factory layout design, which takes into account the available area of ​​the factory, the size of the factory and other design considerations. As another example, the flow rate, pressure and temperature of the fluid through various equipment or system elements can be changed to consider different design configurations and other design standards.

[0086] Embodiments of a plant, an apparatus for pre-liquefaction processing, a method for pre-liquefaction processing, a system for hydrogen liquefaction and / or a system for fluid liquefaction may each be configured to include process control elements that are positioned and configured to monitor and control operations (e.g., temperature and pressure sensors, flow sensors, an automated process control system having at least one workstation, the automated process control system including a processor, non-volatile memory and at least one transceiver for communicating with sensor elements, valves and controllers for providing a user interface for the automated process control system that can be run at a workstation in the plant and / or at another computer device, etc.).

[0087] As another example, it is contemplated that a particular feature discussed alone or as part of an embodiment may be combined with other features discussed alone or as part of other embodiments. Thus, the elements and actions of the various embodiments discussed herein may be combined to provide further embodiments. Thus, although certain exemplary embodiments of methods, devices, systems, and methods of making and using the same have been shown and discussed above, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously implemented and practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the distribution of a feed to a series of liquefiers to liquefy the feed, the series of liquefiers comprising a plurality of liquefiers, the method comprising: determining a feed stream available to supply the series of liquefiers and current operating conditions of a liquefier in the series of liquefiers; determining how to split the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; as well as Instructions are communicated to split the feed flow to supply portions of the feed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers so that each of the liquefiers can operate at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity and so that power usage for liquefying the feed is minimized according to the preselected set of control criteria. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the instruction comprises a controller communicating with one or more diverting mechanisms to divert the feed stream.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feed stream is a pre-cooled feed stream output from at least one pre-liquefaction processing system or a feed stream output from a feed source.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the feed includes hydrogen formed by upstream feed production equipment, the upstream feed production equipment includes an electrolyzer powered by at least one renewable energy source, and wherein determining how to divert the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria includes a predicted feed distribution of the feed to be provided from the upstream feed production equipment.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the feed stream available to supply the series of liquefiers and the current operating conditions of the liquefiers in the series of liquefiers comprises a controller communicating with at least one sensor positioned in a conduit between a source of the feed and the series of liquefiers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preselected set of control criteria comprises: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature of the liquefier, (2) the minimum operating flow rate of each of the liquefiers, (3) empirical data on liquefaction performed by the different liquefiers, (4) the current flow rate of the portion of the feed being supplied to the liquefier, (5) the expected feed distribution of feed to be provided by upstream feed production equipment, and / or (6) Data relating to how the feed available for supply to the liquefier may vary over a preselected deadband control period or a preselected hysteresis period.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the preselected hysteresis period is selected to minimize adjustments in the operating rate of the liquefier to avoid a period of increasing operating capacity followed by decreasing operating capacity within the preselected hysteresis period.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining how to split the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria comprises a model predictive controller utilizing the liquefaction empirical data to facilitate determining how to split the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria.

9. A control system for controlling the distribution of a feed to a series of liquefiers to liquefy the feed, the control system comprising: A controller having a processor connected to a non-transitory computer readable medium, the controller communicatively connected to at least one flow diversion mechanism and at least one sensor of at least one feed conduit arrangement, the feed conduit arrangement positionable between a series of liquefiers and a feed source, the controller configured to: determining a feed stream available to supply the series of liquefiers and current operating conditions of a plurality of liquefiers in the series of liquefiers; determining how to split the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; as well as communicating with the at least one flow diversion mechanism to divert the flow of the feed to supply portions of the feed to different liquefiers in the series of liquefiers such that each of the liquefiers can operate at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity and such that power usage for liquefying the feed is minimized based on the preselected set of control criteria.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the preselected set of control criteria comprises: (1) the temperature of the feed and / or the ambient temperature of the liquefier, (2) the minimum operating flow rate of each of the liquefiers, (3) empirical data on liquefaction performed by the different liquefiers, (4) the current flow rate of the portion of the feed being supplied to the liquefier, (5) the expected feed distribution of feed to be provided by upstream feed production equipment, and / or (6) Data relating to how the feed available for supply to the liquefier may vary over a preselected hysteresis period or a preselected deadband control period.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the preselected hysteresis period is selected to minimize adjustments in the operating rate of the liquefier to avoid a period of increasing operating capacity followed by decreasing operating capacity within the preselected hysteresis period.

12. The control system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with or utilize a model predictive controller to evaluate the liquefaction empirical data to facilitate determining how to divert the feed based on the preselected set of control criteria.

13. The control system according to claim 9, comprising: The at least one flow diverter mechanism is connected to a conduit arrangement positioned between the feed source and the series of liquefiers.

14. The control system according to claim 9, comprising: The at least one flow diverter mechanism is connectable to a conduit arrangement positioned between a pre-liquefaction treatment system for the feed and the series of liquefiers, the pre-liquefaction treatment system being configured to pre-cool the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature.

15. The control system according to claim 14, comprising: The pre-liquefaction processing system, the series of liquefiers and the conduit arrangement.

16. An apparatus for liquefying a fluid, comprising: a feed source configured to output a fluid feed, the fluid comprising hydrogen, a conduit arrangement positioned between the feed source and a series of liquefiers; The series of liquefiers has a first liquefier and a second liquefier, A control system comprising a controller positioned and configured to communicate with at least one flow diversion mechanism and at least one sensor connected to the catheter arrangement, the control system being configured to: determining a feed stream available to supply the series of liquefiers and current operating conditions of the first liquefier and the second liquefier in the series of liquefiers; determining how to split the feed based on a preselected set of control criteria; as well as communicating with the at least one flow splitting mechanism to split the flow of the feed so as to supply a first portion of the feed flow to the first liquefier and a second portion of the feed flow to the second liquefier, such that each of the liquefiers is capable of operating at least at a preselected minimum operating capacity and to minimize power usage for liquefying the feed in accordance with the preselected set of control criteria.

17. The device according to claim 16, comprising: a pre-liquefaction processing system, the pre-liquefaction processing system being positioned between the feed source and the series of liquefiers, the conduit arrangement being positioned between the pre-liquefaction system and the series of liquefiers, the conduit arrangement comprising a first liquefier feed conduit and a second liquefier feed conduit, the first portion of the feed stream being transferable to the first liquefier through the first liquefier feed conduit, the second portion of the feed stream being transferable to the second liquefier through the second liquefier feed conduit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the pre-liquefaction system is configured to pre-cool the feed to a pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature so that the first portion of the flow of the feed can be supplied to the first liquefier at the pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature, and so that the second portion of the feed flow can be supplied to the second liquefier at the pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the preliquefaction system is positioned and configured to enable optimization of the preliquefaction process regardless of how the first portion of the feed stream and the second portion of the feed stream are formed and delivered to the first liquefier and the second liquefier.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the conduit arrangement comprises a first liquefier feed conduit through which the first portion of the feed flow is transferable to the first liquefier and a second liquefier feed conduit through which the second portion of the feed flow is transferable to the second liquefier.

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