Low-temperature refrigerating device
By installing the turbine in a transverse offset on the cold box of the low-temperature refrigeration device and combining the arrangement of external heat exchangers, the problem of difficulty in optimizing the device capacity to size ratio in the prior art is solved, and a more efficient compactness and convenient assembly process is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380063806.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-03
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing low-temperature refrigeration devices have problems with complex structure, difficult assembly and additional assembly costs when optimizing system capacity to size ratios, especially when multiple turbines and heat exchangers are required.
By mounting at least one turbine to be laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the cold box center and installing a plurality of turbines at the longitudinal end of the cold box, combined with the arrangement of the external heat exchanger, the compactness and assembly ease of the device are optimized.
It is realized that the system capacity is increased within the fixed transportation size or the size is reduced at the fixed capacity, while reducing assembly complexity and cost, and improving the overall efficiency and compactness of the device.
Smart Images
Figure CN119836551A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a low-temperature refrigeration device.
[0002] The present invention more specifically relates to a device for refrigeration and / or liquefaction at low temperatures (i.e., at temperatures between -100 degrees Celsius and -273 degrees Celsius), the refrigeration device comprising a working circuit forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit comprising: a mechanism for compressing the working fluid including at least one compressor, a mechanism for cooling the working fluid, a mechanism for expanding the working fluid including at least one expansion turbine, and a mechanism for heating the working fluid, the working circuit being configured to subject the working fluid to a set thermodynamic cycle in which the working fluid is heated at the cold end of the cycle. To reach a relatively low temperature, the device includes a refrigeration heat exchanger, which is used to extract heat from at least one component or fluid by exchanging heat with the working fluid. The device includes an insulated cold box, which accommodates the refrigeration heat exchanger and the at least one expansion turbine. The cold box has an overall cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction around a central axis, and the axis is preferably horizontal in the use configuration. The at least one turbine is arranged in the cold box (9) near the first longitudinal end of the cold box. The at least one turbine is longitudinally installed in the cold box between the refrigeration heat exchanger and the longitudinal end wall of the cold box.
[0003] The invention relates in particular to cryogenic refrigerators or liquefiers comprising a turbine using a cryogenic turbine. These refrigerators also have a cooling and / or heating heat exchanger between an expansion stage and a cryogenic chamber, which is called a cold box (and is insulated, for example in a vacuum).
[0004] These refrigerators are mounted on a structure and there is a problem of maximizing the ratio between the capacity of the system (and therefore the number of components) and its width and height dimensions. This optimization can increase the capacity of the system while remaining within fixed transport dimensions, or minimize the dimensions with fixed capacity.
[0005] Another limitation is to achieve a reliable assembly without any welding at the destination of the refrigerator.
[0006] In one known embodiment, the turbine is mounted on the side of the cold box. This allows many turbines to be installed by manufacturing the turbine and the cold box separately. The heat exchanger is mounted near the turbine and is not subject to size restrictions. However, the disadvantage of this solution is that the turbine exceeds the shipping dimensions. Therefore, the turbine is shipped separately and the connection (welding) is performed at the destination. The exchanger is mounted directly on the turbine or on a separate support. This solution requires additional assembly costs and time after manufacturing.
[0007] Another solution is to install the equipment, in particular the turbine, on top of the cold box. However, this solution is not suitable for high-power turbines that require the exchanger to be mounted on a separate support. This requires the installation of the connecting pipe system on site.
[0008] Another solution consists in installing a single turbine at the bottom of the cold box, at the central axis of rotation. The heat exchanger of the turbine and the heat exchanger of the compressor can be combined into a single device. However, in the case of extremely low temperatures generated by the refrigerator, multiple turbine stages must be provided. The heat exchanger is installed near the chamber under vacuum, which reduces the capacity / size ratio when there are multiple heat exchangers and / or when the diameter of the exchanger increases.
[0009] The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.
[0010] To this end, according to the invention, and also according to the general definition given above in the preamble, the device is essentially characterized in that the at least one turbine is mounted transversely offset relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cold box.
[0011] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following features:
[0012] the at least one turbine is mounted at the end of the shaft of a motor which also drives the compressor of the compression mechanism, the motor being located outside the cold box, the end of the shaft bearing the turbine being mounted in a fluid-tight manner through an end wall of the cold box,
[0013] the end of the shaft bearing the turbine is mounted to pass through the end wall of the cold box in a fluid-tight manner via a tubular tapped connection mounted to protrude from the outer surface of the longitudinal end wall of the cold box,
[0014] - the longitudinal end walls of the cold box have a dome-like shape towards the outside of the cold box,
[0015] the device comprises at least one additional turbine arranged in the cold box, in the vicinity of the second longitudinal end of the cold box, the at least one additional turbine being longitudinally mounted in the cold box, between the refrigeration heat exchanger and an end wall of the second longitudinal end of the cold box, so as to be laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cold box,
[0016] - the device is arranged in and / or on the support,
[0017] the working circuit comprises at least one heat exchanger, which is located outside the cold box and forms part of the means for cooling the working fluid, said at least one heat exchanger being mounted in and / or on the support in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
[0018] the device comprises a plurality of heat exchangers located outside the cold box and forming part of the means for cooling the working fluid, said heat exchangers being mounted in and / or on the support in respective planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
[0019] - the support comprises at least one of the following: a set of one or more legs, a frame for supporting the cold box,
[0020] - The support consists of a plurality of structures assembled along the longitudinal direction.
[0021] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.
[0022] Further specific features and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the following description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will be better understood from reading the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] [ Figure 1 ] is a partial schematic top view of a refrigeration device according to a first exemplary embodiment,
[0025] [ Figure 2 ]yes[ Figure 1 ] is a partial schematic side view of the device in FIG.
[0026] [ Figure 3 ]yes[ Figure 1 ] is a simplified schematic diagram of the details of the device in FIG. 1, showing the working circuit,
[0027] [ Figure 4 ] is a simplified partial schematic top view of a refrigeration device according to another exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the drawings.
[0029] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description relates to one or more embodiments, it does not mean that these features only apply to a single embodiment. The individual features of different embodiments can also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments within the context of the claims.
[0030] The illustrated low-temperature refrigeration device 1 is, for example, a cryogenic refrigerator, ie, provides cooling capacity by cooling / liquefying a working fluid at a temperature between -100 degrees Celsius and -273 degrees Celsius.
[0031] The refrigeration device 1 is preferably at least partially arranged (mounted) in and / or on the rigid support 100 .
[0032] The refrigeration device 1 comprises a working circuit 2 which forms a loop and contains a working fluid (for example, at least one of helium, nitrogen, argon, neon, and hydrogen). Figure 3 ], the working loop 2 includes the following mechanisms arranged in series: a mechanism 3 for compressing a working fluid including at least one compressor, a mechanism 4, 7 for cooling the working fluid (e.g., one or more heat exchangers), a mechanism for expanding the working fluid including at least one expansion turbine 6, and a mechanism 7 for heating the working fluid. The working loop 2 is configured to subject the working fluid to a set thermodynamic cycle in which the working fluid reaches at least a relatively low temperature at the cold end of the cycle.
[0033] The compressor 3 is preferably driven in rotation by one or more electric motors 13 (for example mounted on a rotating shaft 12 of the motor 13). Preferably, at least some turbines 6 are also coupled to the same rotating shaft 12 driving the compressor or compressors 3 in order to recover their mechanical work (motor-turbine compressor).
[0034] The device 1 comprises one or more refrigeration heat exchangers 7 for extracting heat from at least one component 8 or fluid by exchanging heat with the working fluid at the cold end of the cycle. As shown in the figure, the refrigeration heat exchanger 7 can ensure heat exchange between the working fluid after expansion in the working circuit (before it returns to the compression mechanism) and the user fluid 8 to be cooled. The exchanger or exchangers 7 can ensure that the working fluid in the cycle is cooled and reheated simultaneously by countercurrent exchange.
[0035] Typically, the fluid to be cooled 8 may exchange heat with the working fluid at a plurality of temperature levels between ambient temperature and the coldest temperature of the cold end of the cycle.
[0036] The expansion mechanism comprises at least one expansion turbine 6 , preferably a plurality of expansion turbines 6 .
[0037] The device 1 comprises a cold box 9 , ie an insulated chamber (for example under vacuum) which accommodates at least some low-temperature components of the working circuit 2 , in particular a refrigeration heat exchanger 7 and at least one expansion turbine 6 , as well as corresponding parts of the working circuit 2 .
[0038] As shown, the cold box 9 has a cylindrical overall shape which, in the use configuration, preferably extends in a horizontal longitudinal direction about a central axis of rotation 10 .
[0039] For example, the cold box 9 has a cylindrical body, preferably with a circular cross section, the two longitudinal ends (or bottom) of which are domed, for example with an elliptical overall shape.
[0040] At least one turbine 6 (as shown, preferably a plurality of turbines 6) is mounted in the cold box 9 near a first longitudinal end of the cold box 9. In other words, the turbine(s) 6 are longitudinally mounted in the cold box 9 between the refrigeration heat exchanger 7 and the longitudinal end wall 11 of the cold box 9. As shown, the turbine 6 or turbines 6 are mounted to be laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal axis 10 of the cold box 9. In other words, the turbine(s) 6 are not mounted at the center of the end wall 11 along the central longitudinal axis 10 of rotation of the cold box 9, but are mounted to be laterally and / or vertically offset.
[0041] This configuration makes it possible to install a plurality of turbines 6 , even relatively large turbines 6 , on the same cold box 9 , while limiting the volume (particularly height and width) of the device 1 .
[0042] exist[ Figure 1 ]、[ Figure 2 ]and[ Figure 3 ], the device 1 comprises two turbines 6 mounted on the same longitudinal end of the cold box 9. The two turbines 6 are mounted on both sides of the central longitudinal axis 10, for example, in the middle or upper part of the cold box 9.
[0043] Of course, this example is by no means restrictive, and one or more turbines 6 may be installed in the lower portion of the end wall 11 .
[0044] Likewise, only one or more than two turbines 6 may be mounted on the end wall 11 .
[0045] For example, four turbines 6 can be mounted on the same end wall 11 (bottom). For example, two turbines 6 are in the lower part of the wall 11 (on both sides of the lower part of the central longitudinal axis 10), and two turbines 6 are in the upper part of the wall 11 (on both sides of the upper part of the central longitudinal axis 10).
[0046] like[ Figure 4 ], the turbine 6 can be installed at the two longitudinal ends of the cold box 9. Therefore, the device 1 can include four turbines 6, two turbines are distributed on each longitudinal side of the cold box 9. This can increase the number of machines (turbines 6) of the device and / or reduce the mechanical stress applied to each of the two end walls 11.
[0047] As shown, the turbine 6 may be mounted at the end of the shaft 12 of a motor 13 which also drives the compressor of the compression mechanism 3. The motor 13 is located outside the cold box 9, preferably mounted on a support 100 structure.
[0048] These motors 13 can be connected to a rigid support by bolts. This allows the forces to be absorbed without, in particular, weakening the cold box 9 on which the turbine 6 is mounted as described below.
[0049] As shown, the end of the shaft 12 supporting the turbine 6 may be mounted to pass through the end wall 11 of the cold box 9 in a fluid-tight manner via a tubular tapped connection 14 mounted to protrude from the outer surface of the longitudinal end wall 11 of the cold box 9 .
[0050] Thus, the tubular tapped connection 14 is eccentric (not on the central longitudinal axis 10). The tubular connection 14 provides a mechanical connection (e.g. by welding) to the elliptical surface of the end wall 11. To this end, the thickness can be adjusted locally and / or reinforcements can be provided, for example, at the connection 14.
[0051] As shown, the working circuit 2 comprises at least one heat exchanger 4, preferably a plurality of non-cryogenic heat exchangers 4, which are located outside the cold box 9 and form part of the means 4, 7 for cooling the working fluid and / or part of the means 7 for heating the working fluid. The heat exchanger 4 has, for example, a planar or oblong overall shape and is mounted in and / or on the support 100, preferably on a corresponding plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (central axis 10). At least some of these heat exchangers 4 can ensure heat exchange between the working gas and the fluid 15 (for example water) in order to ensure cooling after compression. The countercurrent exchanger 7 can also ensure heat exchange between two working gas flows with different temperatures.
[0052] This improves the compactness of the device 1 (optimizing the cost and footprint of the entire system).
[0053] like[ Figure 4 ], the heat exchanger 4 located outside the cold box 9 can be distributed on both sides of the cold box 9 (along the longitudinal direction).
[0054] As shown, the support 100 may be comprised of a structure or frame 102 including beams assembled and mounted on legs 101 .
[0055] The support member 100 may be a whole composed of a plurality of substructures assembled along the longitudinal direction.
[0056] The motor assembly 13 with the turbine 6 may be arranged along the longitudinal axis on the same structure or on separate structures.
[0057] The above structure has good mechanical strength and excellent compactness. This structure can be modular in particular (depending on the number of turbines 6 and / or heat exchangers 4 provided).
[0058] A plurality of devices may be mounted on the same (vertical) plane. In addition, one or more structures may be provided on the support 100 to support these elements.
Claims
1. A device for refrigerating and / or liquefying at low temperatures, i.e. at temperatures between -100 degrees Celsius and -273 degrees Celsius, the refrigeration device (1) comprising a working circuit (2) forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit (2) comprising: The invention relates to a device comprising at least one compressor for compressing a working fluid (3), a device for cooling the working fluid (4, 7), a device for expanding the working fluid (6) comprising at least one expansion turbine (6), and a device (7) for heating the working fluid. The working circuit (2) is configured to subject the working fluid to a set thermodynamic cycle in which the working fluid reaches a relatively low temperature at the cold end of the cycle. The device (1) comprises a refrigeration heat exchanger (7) for extracting heat from at least one component or fluid (8) by exchanging heat with the working fluid. The device comprises an insulated cold box (9) for accommodating the refrigeration heat exchanger (7) and the at least one expansion turbine (6). The cold box (9) has an overall cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction around a central axis (10). In the configuration for use, the cold box (9) has an overall cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction around a central axis (10). The axis (10) is horizontal, the at least one turbine (6) is arranged in the cold box (9) near the first longitudinal end of the cold box (9), the at least one turbine (6) is longitudinally mounted in the cold box (9) between the refrigeration heat exchanger (7) and the longitudinal end wall (11) of the cold box (9), characterized in that the at least one turbine (6) is mounted to be laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal axis (10) of the cold box (9), the at least one turbine (6) is mounted at the end of the shaft (12) of a motor (13), the motor also driving the compressor of the compression mechanism (3), the motor (13) is located outside the cold box (9), the end of the shaft (12) supporting the turbine (6) is mounted to pass through the end wall (11) of the cold box (9) in a fluid-tight manner, and the longitudinal end wall (11) of the cold box (9) has a dome-like shape facing the outside of the cold box (9).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The end of the shaft (12) supporting the turbine (6) is mounted to pass through the end wall (11) of the cold box (9) in a fluid-tight manner via a tubular tapped connection (14), which is mounted to protrude from the outer surface of the longitudinal end wall (11) of the cold box (9).
3. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that The device comprises at least one additional turbine (6), which is arranged in the cold box (9) near the second longitudinal end of the cold box (9), and the at least one additional turbine (6) is longitudinally mounted in the cold box (9) between the refrigeration heat exchanger (7) and the end wall of the second longitudinal end of the cold box (9) so as to be laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal axis (10) of the cold box.
4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The device is arranged in and / or on a support (100).
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The working circuit (2) comprises at least one heat exchanger (4), which is located outside the cold box (9) and forms part of the means (4) for cooling the working fluid, and the at least one heat exchanger (4) is mounted in the support (100) and / or on the support in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (10).
6. The device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that The device comprises a plurality of heat exchangers (4) which are located outside the cold box (9) and form part of the mechanism (4) for cooling the working fluid, the heat exchangers (4) being mounted in and / or on the support (100) in respective planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (10).
7. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The support member (100) includes at least one of the following: a group of one or more legs (102) for supporting the cold box (13), and a frame (102).
8. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that The support member (100) is composed of a plurality of structures assembled along the longitudinal direction.