Helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system

Abstract

The invention provides a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system, and relates to the field of isotope separation. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system comprises a helium-4 liquefying device, a helium-3 enriching device and a helium-3 purifying device; the helium-4 liquefying device is used for liquefying helium to form liquid helium; the helium-3 enriching device is communicated with the helium-4 liquefying device, and the helium-3 enriching device is used for increasing the concentration of helium-3 in liquid helium; the helium-3 purification device is communicated with the helium-3 enrichment device and the helium-4 liquefaction device, and the helium-3 purification device is used for purifying helium-3. According to the helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the invention, helium-3 is continuously purified on the basis of helium extraction, and helium-3 can be extracted on a large scale at a relatively low cost. The main economic cost of the process is at the front end, namely the helium extraction part and the helium liquefaction part in the helium-rich natural gas, the cost of a helium-3 enrichment and helium-3 purification device is low, and the helium-3 extraction cost is greatly reduced on the whole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of isotope separation, and in particular to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system. Background Art

[0002] Helium-3 is a rare isotope of helium. It is an irreplaceable working fluid for mK-class dilution refrigerators, clean nuclear fusion and other devices. It is an indispensable strategic material for the development of quantum computers in my country and the acquisition of long-term safe fusion energy. At present, my country's helium-3 is completely dependent on imports. The realization of domestic industrialization of helium-3 is related to national strategic security. Therefore, it is crucial to study domestic industrialized helium-3 enrichment methods and equipment. At present, there are three main known sources of helium-3: tritium nucleus β decay, helium-rich natural gas and lunar soil. my country has discovered that the helium-3 content in rich sea natural gas fields in some areas is relatively high, which has industrial extraction value. The existing technology has high extraction costs, and how to reduce the extraction cost of helium-3 has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system to solve the problem of high extraction cost in the prior art.

[0004] The present invention provides a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system, comprising: A helium-4 liquefaction device, wherein the helium-4 liquefaction device is used to liquefy helium gas to form liquid helium; a helium-3 enrichment device, the helium-3 enrichment device being connected to the helium-4 liquefaction device, and the helium-3 enrichment device being used to increase the concentration of helium-3 in the liquid helium; A helium-3 purification device is connected to the helium-3 enrichment device and the helium-4 liquefaction device, and the helium-3 purification device is used to purify helium-3.

[0005] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the helium-4 liquefaction device comprises: A first heat exchanger assembly, wherein the first heat exchanger assembly is in communication with a liquid nitrogen storage tank and a helium storage tank; a primary purifier assembly, the primary purifier assembly being in communication with the first heat exchanger assembly; a second heat exchanger assembly in communication with the primary purifier assembly; a secondary purifier assembly in communication with the second heat exchanger assembly; a third heat exchanger assembly in communication with the secondary purifier assembly; a liquid helium dewar, wherein the liquid helium dewar is in communication with the third heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device, and the helium-3 purification device; A compressor assembly is connected to the first heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device and the helium-3 purification device.

[0006] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the first heat exchanger assembly includes a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger assembly includes a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger and a fifth heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger assembly includes a sixth heat exchanger, the liquid nitrogen heat exchange channel of the primary heat exchanger is connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank through a first pipeline; the primary heat exchanger, the secondary heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger, the fourth heat exchanger, the fifth heat exchanger and the sixth heat exchanger The first heat exchange channel of the heat exchanger is connected in series with the second pipeline in sequence, one end of the second pipeline is connected with the helium storage tank and the compressor assembly, and the other end of the second pipeline is connected with the liquid helium Dewar; the second heat exchange channels of the first-stage heat exchanger, the second-stage heat exchanger, the third-stage heat exchanger, the fourth-stage heat exchanger, the fifth-stage heat exchanger and the sixth-stage heat exchanger are connected in series with the third pipeline in sequence, one end of the third pipeline is connected with the compressor assembly, and the other end of the third pipeline is connected with the liquid helium Dewar.

[0007] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the first-stage purifier assembly includes two first-stage purifiers and two first control valves, the two first-stage purifiers are connected in parallel to the second pipeline between the second-stage heat exchanger and the third-stage heat exchanger, and the two first control valves are arranged at the inlets of the two first-stage purifiers in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0008] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the second heat exchanger assembly also includes a first-stage turbine expander, a second-stage turbine expander and a turbine control valve, the inlet of the first-stage turbine expander is connected to the outlet of the first-stage purifier through the turbine control valve, the outlet of the first-stage turbine expander is connected to the inlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger, the inlet of the second-stage turbine expander is connected to the outlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger, and the outlet of the second-stage turbine expander is connected to the third pipeline between the fifth-stage heat exchanger and the sixth-stage heat exchanger.

[0009] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the secondary purifier assembly includes two secondary purifiers and two second control valves, the two secondary purifiers are connected in parallel to the second pipeline between the fifth-stage heat exchanger and the sixth-stage heat exchanger, and the two second control valves are arranged at the inlets of the two secondary purifiers in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0010] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, a first helium control valve is provided at one end of the second pipeline, and a throttle valve is provided at the other end of the second pipeline.

[0011] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the first pipeline between the primary heat exchanger and the liquid nitrogen storage tank is provided with a liquid nitrogen control valve.

[0012] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the helium-3 enrichment device includes a helium-3 enricher, a third control valve, a first liquid outlet pipe and a first gas outlet pipe, the inlet of the helium-3 enricher is connected to the other end of the second pipeline through the third control valve, one end of the first liquid outlet pipe is connected to the liquid outlet of the helium-3 enricher, the first liquid outlet pipe is provided with a first liquid outlet control valve, and the other end of the first liquid outlet pipe is connected to the liquid helium Dewar through a connecting pipe; one end of the first gas outlet pipe is connected to the gas outlet of the helium-3 enricher, the first gas outlet pipe is provided with a first gas outlet control valve, and the other end of the first gas outlet pipe is connected to the compressor assembly through a low-pressure pipeline.

[0013] According to a helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention, the helium-3 purification device includes a helium-3 purifier, a fourth control valve, a second liquid outlet pipe and a second gas outlet pipe, the inlet of the helium-3 purifier is connected with the outlet of the helium-3 enricher, the outlet of the helium-3 purifier is connected with the helium-3 storage through the fourth control valve, the liquid outlet of the helium-3 purifier is connected with the connecting pipe through the second liquid outlet pipe, and the second liquid outlet pipe is provided with a second liquid outlet control valve; the gas outlet of the helium-3 purifier is connected with the low-pressure pipeline through the second gas outlet pipe, and the second gas outlet pipe is provided with a second gas outlet control valve.

[0014] The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention can purify helium-3 on the basis of helium extraction, and can extract helium-3 on a large scale at a relatively low cost. The main economic cost of the process is at the front end, that is, the helium extraction part and the helium liquefaction part in the helium-rich natural gas. The cost of helium-3 enrichment and helium-3 purification equipment is relatively low, which greatly reduces the cost of helium-3 extraction overall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0016] Figure 1It is a structural schematic diagram of the helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention.

[0017] Reference numerals: 1. Helium-4 liquefaction device; 2. Helium-3 enrichment device; 3. Helium-3 purification device; 4. First pipeline; 5. Second pipeline; 6. Third pipeline; 11. Liquid nitrogen control valve; 12. First helium control valve; 13. First control valve; 14. First purifier; 15. Turbine control valve; 16. Second control valve; 17. Second purifier; 18. Throttle valve; 19. Third control valve; 20. Liquid helium dewar; 24. Liquid helium output control valve; 25. Fourth control valve; 26. Helium-3 enricher; 27. Helium-3 purifier; 31. Compressor assembly; 32. First-stage turbine expander; 33. Second-stage turbine expander; 34. First liquid outlet control valve; 35. Second gas outlet control valve; 36. Second liquid outlet control valve; 37. Second gas outlet control valve; 41. First-stage heat exchanger; 42. Second-stage heat exchanger; 43. Third-stage heat exchanger; 44. Fourth-stage heat exchanger; 45. Fifth-stage heat exchanger; 46. Sixth-stage heat exchanger; 52. First liquid outlet pipe; 53. First gas outlet pipe; 54. Second liquid outlet pipe; 55. Second gas outlet pipe; 56. Connecting pipe; 57. Low-pressure pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0021] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0022] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system includes a helium-4 liquefaction device 1, a helium-3 enrichment device 2 and a helium-3 purification device 3. The helium-4 liquefaction device 1 is used to liquefy helium gas to form liquid helium; the helium-3 enrichment device 2 is connected to the helium-4 liquefaction device 1, and the helium-3 enrichment device 2 is used to increase the concentration of helium-3 in liquid helium; the helium-3 purification device 3 is connected to the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-4 liquefaction device 1, and the helium-3 purification device 3 is used to purify helium-3.

[0024] The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system provided by the present invention can purify helium-3 on the basis of helium extraction, and can extract helium-3 on a large scale at a relatively low cost. The main economic cost of the process is at the front end, that is, the helium extraction part and the helium liquefaction part in the helium-rich natural gas. The cost of helium-3 enrichment and helium-3 purification equipment is relatively low, which greatly reduces the cost of helium-3 extraction overall.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the helium-4 liquefaction device 1 includes a first heat exchanger assembly, a first-stage purifier assembly, a second heat exchanger assembly, a second-stage purifier assembly, a third heat exchanger assembly, a liquid helium dewar 20 and a compressor assembly 31. The first heat exchanger assembly is connected to a liquid nitrogen storage tank and a helium storage tank. The first-stage purifier assembly is used to reduce the temperature of the helium. The first-stage purifier assembly is connected to the first heat exchanger assembly. The first-stage purifier assembly is mainly used to remove impurities such as nitrogen and oxygen in the helium. The second heat exchanger assembly is connected to the first-stage purifier assembly. The second-stage purifier assembly is connected to the second heat exchanger assembly. The second-stage purifier assembly is mainly used to remove neon and hydrogen impurities in the helium. The third heat exchanger assembly is connected to the second-stage purifier assembly. The helium dewar is connected to the third heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-3 purification device 3. The compressor assembly 31 is connected to the first heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-3 purification device 3. The first heat exchanger assembly, the first purifier assembly, the second heat exchanger assembly, the second purifier assembly, the third heat exchanger assembly, the liquid helium dewar 20 and the compressor assembly 31 constitute the Collins cycle. Of course, the specific structural type of the helium-4 liquefaction device 1 is not limited thereto, and may also be a Claude cycle or a dual-pressure cycle.

[0026] The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system has economic advantages. The crude helium is liquefied and purified by the helium-4 liquefaction device 1. After obtaining liquid helium, helium-3 purification continues. The separation of helium-3 from liquid helium needs to be carried out below the helium-4 superfluid transition temperature (2.17K). If the process of separating helium-3 from natural gas is carried out simultaneously with the process of extracting helium-4 from natural gas, after helium-4 is liquefied, it is only 1°C away from helium-3 liquefaction. Most of the energy required for cooling and most of the cost of infrastructure and equipment for liquefaction and separation are already included in the extraction cost of helium-4. By adding a terminal ultra-low temperature helium-3 enrichment device 2, the enrichment, concentration and purification of helium-3 in helium-4 can be achieved, so the extraction cost of helium-3 is relatively low.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the first heat exchanger assembly includes a first-stage heat exchanger 41 and a second-stage heat exchanger 42. Of course, the number of heat exchangers in the first heat exchanger assembly is not limited to two, and three or more heat exchangers may be provided. The second heat exchanger assembly includes a third-stage heat exchanger 43, a fourth-stage heat exchanger 44, and a fifth-stage heat exchanger 45. Of course, the number of heat exchangers in the second heat exchanger assembly is not limited to three, and two or more heat exchangers may be provided. The third heat exchanger assembly includes a sixth-stage heat exchanger 46. Of course, the number of heat exchangers in the third heat exchanger assembly is not limited to one, and two, three or more heat exchangers may be provided.

[0028] The liquid nitrogen heat exchange channel of the primary heat exchanger 41 is connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank through the first pipeline 4; the first heat exchange channels of the primary heat exchanger 41, the secondary heat exchanger 42, the tertiary heat exchanger 43, the quaternary heat exchanger 44, the fifth heat exchanger 45 and the sixth heat exchanger 46 are connected in series to the second pipeline 5 in sequence, one end of the second pipeline 5 is connected to the helium storage tank and the compressor assembly 31, and the other end of the second pipeline 5 is connected to the liquid helium Dewar 20; the second heat exchange channels of the primary heat exchanger 41, the secondary heat exchanger 42, the tertiary heat exchanger 43, the quaternary heat exchanger 44, the fifth heat exchanger 45 and the sixth heat exchanger 46 are connected in series to the third pipeline 6 in sequence, one end of the third pipeline 6 is connected to the compressor assembly 31, and the other end of the third pipeline 6 is connected to the liquid helium Dewar 20.

[0029] It should be noted here that, in the present invention, sequentially refers to the direction along which the helium flows in the second pipeline 5 .

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary purifier assembly includes two primary purifiers 14 and two first control valves 13. The two primary purifiers 14 are connected in parallel to the second pipeline 5 between the secondary heat exchanger 42 and the tertiary heat exchanger 43. The two first control valves 13 are arranged at the inlets of the two primary purifiers 14 in a one-to-one correspondence. When working, one first control valve 13 is opened to make the corresponding primary purifier 14 work. When the primary purifier 14 is used up, the first control valve 13 is closed, and the other first control valve 13 is opened to make the other primary purifier 14 work. Of course, the number of purifiers in the primary purifier assembly is not limited to two, and can also be three or more, which is determined according to actual needs.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchanger assembly further includes a first-stage turbine expander 32, a second-stage turbine expander 33 and a turbine control valve 15. The inlet of the first-stage turbine expander 32 is connected to the outlet of the first-stage purifier 14 through the turbine control valve 15. The outlet of the first-stage turbine expander 32 is connected to the inlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger 44. The inlet of the second-stage turbine expander 33 is connected to the outlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger 44. The outlet of the second-stage turbine expander 33 is connected to the third pipeline 6 between the fifth-stage heat exchanger 45 and the sixth-stage heat exchanger 46. The first-stage turbine expander 32 and the second-stage turbine expander 33 are used to reduce the temperature and pressure of the helium. Of course, the number of turbine expanders is not limited to two, and can also be three or more, which is specifically determined according to the number of heat exchangers in the second heat exchanger assembly.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1As shown, the secondary purifier assembly includes two secondary purifiers 17 and two second control valves 16. The two secondary purifiers 17 are connected in parallel to the second pipeline 5 between the fifth-stage heat exchanger 45 and the sixth-stage heat exchanger 46. The two second control valves 16 are arranged at the inlets of the two secondary purifiers 17 in a one-to-one correspondence. When working, one second control valve 16 is opened to make the corresponding secondary purifier 17 work. When the secondary purifier 17 is used up, the second control valve 16 is closed, and the other second control valve 16 is opened to make the other secondary purifier 17 work. Of course, the number of purifiers in the secondary purifier assembly is not limited to two, and can also be three or more, which is determined according to actual needs.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, a first helium control valve 12 is provided at one end of the second pipeline 5. When the first helium control valve 12 is opened, helium enters the second pipeline 5, and the outlet of the compressor assembly 31 is connected to the second pipeline 5 between the first helium control valve 12 and the primary heat exchanger 41. A throttle valve 18 is provided at the other end of the second pipeline 5. After passing through the throttle valve 18, the liquid helium is divided into two paths, one path enters the liquid helium dewar 20, and the other path enters the helium-3 enricher 26.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pipeline 4 between the primary heat exchanger 41 and the liquid nitrogen storage tank is provided with a liquid nitrogen control valve 11. After the liquid nitrogen control valve 11 is opened, the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen storage tank enters the primary heat exchanger 41 through the first pipeline 4 to exchange heat with the helium, so that the temperature of the helium is reduced.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the helium-3 enrichment device 2 includes a helium-3 enricher 26, a third control valve 19, a first liquid outlet pipe 52 and a first gas outlet pipe 53. The inlet of the helium-3 enricher 26 is connected to the other end of the second pipeline 5 through the third control valve 19. One end of the first liquid outlet pipe 52 is connected to the liquid outlet of the helium-3 enricher 26. The first liquid outlet pipe 52 is provided with a first liquid outlet control valve 34. The other end of the first liquid outlet pipe 52 is connected to the liquid helium dewar 20 through a connecting pipe 56. The connecting pipe 56 is provided with a liquid helium output control valve 24. One end of the first gas outlet pipe 53 is connected to the gas outlet of the helium-3 enricher 26. The first gas outlet pipe 53 is provided with a first gas outlet control valve. The other end of the first gas outlet pipe 53 is connected to the compressor assembly 31 through a low-pressure pipeline 57. The helium containing helium-3 enters the helium-4 liquefaction process for liquefaction. The helium-3 content in the liquid helium is about 10 -6 , the helium-3 concentration can be increased by 1000-10000 times through the helium-3 enricher, and the helium-3 content is 10 -3 -10 -2The enrichment method of the helium-3 enricher 26 includes but is not limited to cryogenic distillation, thermal diffusion, and membrane separation.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the helium-3 purification device 3 includes a helium-3 purifier 27, a fourth control valve 25, a second liquid outlet pipe 54 and a second gas outlet pipe 55. The inlet of the helium-3 purifier 27 is connected to the outlet of the helium-3 enricher 26, and the outlet of the helium-3 purifier 27 is connected to the helium-3 storage through the fourth control valve 25. The liquid outlet of the helium-3 purifier 27 is connected to the connecting pipe 56 through the second liquid outlet pipe 54, and the second liquid outlet pipe 54 is provided with a second liquid outlet control valve 36; the gas outlet of the helium-3 purifier 27 is connected to the low-pressure pipeline 57 through the second gas outlet pipe 55, and the second gas outlet pipe 55 is provided with a second gas outlet control valve 3735. The helium-3 after passing through the helium-3 enricher 26 enters the helium-3 purifier 27. After passing through the helium-3 purifier 27, the helium-3 content can reach 99.9%. The remaining helium-4 in the helium-3 enricher 26 and the helium-3 purifier 27 enters the helium-4 liquefaction device 1 again through the low-pressure pipeline 57 for circulation and recovery.

[0037] The working principle of the helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system of the present invention is as follows: Helium enters the first heat exchanger 41 from the first pipeline 4 in the helium storage tank, where the helium exchanges heat with liquid nitrogen. The temperature of the helium at the outlet of the first heat exchange channel of the first heat exchanger 41 is about 80K. Then the helium enters the second heat exchanger 42, and then enters the first purifier 14 to remove impurities such as nitrogen and oxygen. After the helium leaves the first purifier 14, a part of the helium enters the first turbine expander 32 and the second turbine expander 33 branch to reduce temperature and pressure. The temperature of the helium at the outlet of the second turbine expander 33 is about 11K. This part of the helium is mixed with the liquid helium from the liquid helium dewar 2. 0 escaped helium loops merge, enter the fifth-stage heat exchanger 45, the fourth-stage heat exchanger 44, the third-stage heat exchanger 43, the second-stage heat exchanger 42 and the first-stage heat exchanger 41 in sequence, and exchange heat with the helium in the second pipeline 5 in the above-mentioned heat exchangers; the helium in the second pipeline 5 passes through the third-stage heat exchanger 43, the fourth-stage heat exchanger 44 and the fifth-stage heat exchanger 45 in sequence, and then enters the second-stage purifier 17, in which neon and hydrogen impurities are removed, and then enters the sixth-stage heat exchanger 46, and after passing through the throttle valve 18, liquid helium is obtained, that is, a mixture of helium-3 and helium-4, and the content of helium-3 is about 10 -6 , part of the liquid helium enters the liquid helium dewar 20 for storage (when the flow rate of helium-3 processed by the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-3 purification device 3 is less than the output flow rate of the helium-4 liquefier), and the other part of the liquid helium enters the helium-3 enricher 26 through the pipeline and the third control valve 19, enriching the concentration of helium-3 by 1000-10000 times, and the content of helium-3 is about 10 -3 -10 -2, and then enters the helium-3 purifier 27, where the purity of helium-3 is as high as 99.9%. If the remaining helium-4 in the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-3 purification device 3 is discharged as liquid, this part of the liquid enters the liquid helium dewar 20 for storage through the first liquid outlet pipe 52 and the second liquid outlet pipe 54 respectively; if the remaining helium-4 in the helium-3 enrichment device 2 and the helium-3 purification device 3 is discharged as gas, it is respectively discharged through the first gas outlet pipe 53 and the second gas outlet pipe 55 into the low-pressure pipeline 57, and then enters the helium-4 liquefaction device 1 again for liquefaction after passing through the compressor assembly 31.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system, characterized in that: include: A helium-4 liquefaction device (1), wherein the helium-4 liquefaction device (1) is used to liquefy helium gas to form liquid helium; a helium-3 enrichment device (2), the helium-3 enrichment device (2) being connected to the helium-4 liquefaction device (1), the helium-3 enrichment device (2) being used to increase the concentration of helium-3 in the liquid helium; A helium-3 purification device (3), wherein the helium-3 purification device (3) is connected to the helium-3 enrichment device (2) and the helium-4 liquefaction device (1), and the helium-3 purification device (3) is used to purify helium-3.

2. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The helium-4 liquefaction device (1) comprises: A first heat exchanger assembly, wherein the first heat exchanger assembly is in communication with a liquid nitrogen storage tank and a helium storage tank; a primary purifier assembly, the primary purifier assembly being in communication with the first heat exchanger assembly; a second heat exchanger assembly in communication with the primary purifier assembly; a secondary purifier assembly in communication with the second heat exchanger assembly; a third heat exchanger assembly in communication with the secondary purifier assembly; a liquid helium dewar (20), the liquid helium dewar (20) being in communication with the third heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device (2) and the helium-3 purification device (3); A compressor assembly (31), the compressor assembly (31) being in communication with the first heat exchanger assembly, the helium-3 enrichment device (2) and the helium-3 purification device (3).

3. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first heat exchanger assembly comprises a first-stage heat exchanger (41) and a second-stage heat exchanger (42); the second heat exchanger assembly comprises a third-stage heat exchanger (43), a fourth-stage heat exchanger (44) and a fifth-stage heat exchanger (45); the third heat exchanger assembly comprises a sixth-stage heat exchanger (46); the liquid nitrogen heat exchange channel of the first-stage heat exchanger (41) is connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank via a first pipeline (4); the first heat exchange channels of the first-stage heat exchanger (41), the second-stage heat exchanger (42), the third-stage heat exchanger (43), the fourth-stage heat exchanger (44), the fifth-stage heat exchanger (45) and the sixth-stage heat exchanger (46) are connected in series in sequence. A second pipeline (5), one end of the second pipeline (5) is in communication with the helium storage tank and the compressor assembly (31), and the other end of the second pipeline (5) is in communication with the liquid helium dewar (20); the second heat exchange channels of the first-stage heat exchanger (41), the second-stage heat exchanger (42), the third-stage heat exchanger (43), the fourth-stage heat exchanger (44), the fifth-stage heat exchanger (45), and the sixth-stage heat exchanger (46) are sequentially connected in series to a third pipeline (6), one end of the third pipeline (6) is in communication with the compressor assembly (31), and the other end of the third pipeline (6) is in communication with the liquid helium dewar (20).

4. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The primary purifier assembly comprises two primary purifiers (14) and two first control valves (13); the two primary purifiers (14) are connected in parallel to the second pipeline (5) between the secondary heat exchanger (42) and the tertiary heat exchanger (43); and the two first control valves (13) are arranged at the inlets of the two primary purifiers (14) in a one-to-one correspondence.

5. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second heat exchanger assembly further comprises a first-stage turbine expander (32), a second-stage turbine expander (33) and a turbine control valve (15); the inlet of the first-stage turbine expander (32) is connected to the outlet of the first-stage purifier (14) through the turbine control valve (15); the outlet of the first-stage turbine expander (32) is connected to the inlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger (44); the inlet of the second-stage turbine expander (33) is connected to the outlet of the helium heat exchange channel of the fourth-stage heat exchanger (44); and the outlet of the second-stage turbine expander (33) is connected to the third pipeline (6) between the fifth-stage heat exchanger (45) and the sixth-stage heat exchanger (46).

6. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The secondary purifier assembly comprises two secondary purifiers (17) and two second control valves (16); the two secondary purifiers (17) are connected in parallel to the second pipeline (5) between the fifth-stage heat exchanger (45) and the sixth-stage heat exchanger (46); and the two second control valves (16) are arranged at the inlets of the two secondary purifiers (17) in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: A first helium control valve (12) is provided at one end of the second pipeline (5), and a throttle valve (18) is provided at the other end of the second pipeline (5).

8. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The first pipeline (4) between the primary heat exchanger (41) and the liquid nitrogen storage tank is provided with a liquid nitrogen control valve (11).

9. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The helium-3 enrichment device (2) comprises a helium-3 enricher (26), a third control valve (19), a first liquid outlet pipe (52) and a first gas outlet pipe (53); the inlet of the helium-3 enricher (26) is connected to the other end of the second pipeline (5) through the third control valve (19); one end of the first liquid outlet pipe (52) is connected to the liquid outlet of the helium-3 enricher (26); the first liquid outlet pipe (52) is provided with a first liquid outlet control valve; the other end of the first liquid outlet pipe (52) is connected to the liquid helium dewar (20) through a connecting pipe (56); one end of the first gas outlet pipe (53) is connected to the gas outlet of the helium-3 enricher (26); the first gas outlet pipe (53) is provided with a first gas outlet control valve; the other end of the first gas outlet pipe (53) is connected to the compressor assembly (31) through a low-pressure pipeline (57).

10. The helium-3 and helium-4 co-production system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The helium-3 purification device (3) comprises a helium-3 purifier (27), a fourth control valve (25), a second liquid outlet pipe (54) and a second gas outlet pipe (55); the inlet of the helium-3 purifier (27) is communicated with the outlet of the helium-3 enricher (26); the outlet of the helium-3 purifier (27) is communicated with the helium-3 storage device through the fourth control valve (25); the liquid outlet of the helium-3 purifier (27) is communicated with the connecting pipe (56) through the second liquid outlet pipe (54); the second liquid outlet pipe (54) is provided with a second liquid outlet control valve; the gas outlet of the helium-3 purifier (27) is communicated with the low-pressure pipeline (57) through the second gas outlet pipe (55); the second gas outlet pipe (55) is provided with a second gas outlet control valve.

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