Liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilizing system and working method thereof

Abstract

According to the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilizing system and the working method thereof, cold helium output by a loading unit (12) sequentially passes through a first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), a vacuum electric heater (2), a temperature sensor (14), a first valve (3), a gasifier (4) and a second valve (6) to be reheated, and the reheated helium enters a helium recycling and purifying system; according to the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilizing system, redistribution caused by temperature distribution change of low-temperature components (such as a low-temperature heat exchanger) in a cold box of an existing helium liquefaction device during loading is avoided, the influence on the rated load operation state of the helium liquefaction device is avoided, and the influence on the liquefaction efficiency of the helium liquefaction device is avoided; meanwhile, a process pipeline is simple, control is easy, and the occupied area is small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of cryogenic refrigeration technology, and in particular to a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The strategic importance of helium resources is becoming increasingly prominent. However, my country's helium resources are extremely scarce, with very low concentrations, making extraction difficult and costly. Most helium is imported, severely restricting the development of some cutting-edge scientific and technological fields in my country. Helium liquefaction can significantly reduce transportation costs. Helium liquefaction equipment is a key component of this process. Liquid helium is stored in helium dewars or tanks. To transport large quantities of liquid helium from gas fields to liquid helium users or distributors, a liquid helium loading system is required to handle processes such as pre-cooling and filling tank trucks with liquid helium. These processes generate large amounts of cold helium. This large amount of cold helium exhibits unstable flow rates, extremely low temperatures, and high instantaneous flow rates. Failure to promptly handle and unload this cold helium will significantly impact loading progress and efficiency, impacting production efficiency.

[0003] The difficulties in stabilizing the pressure and flow of cold helium during liquid helium loading are: first, the cold helium flow is unstable, with both basic loading loads and peak loading loads; second, the cold helium temperature is extremely low, as low as approximately 4.5K, requiring a rewarming unit to rewarm or heat the cold helium to room temperature for further processing; third, the instantaneous flow is very large, requiring not only containers or process pipelines of sufficient capacity, but also a rewarming and heating system with sufficient reaction and processing speeds and a supporting applicable control system.

[0004] Existing methods and systems for stabilizing the pressure and flow of liquid helium loading have their own advantages and disadvantages. Overseas, liquid helium loading is typically performed using a cold recovery unloading method. This method incorporates cold recovery process piping and equipment at varying cryogenic temperatures within the helium liquefaction unit, allowing the cold energy from the large volume of cold helium to be recovered at different temperatures (e.g., 20K, 80K, etc.). However, this method can alter and redistribute the temperature distribution of cryogenic components (e.g., cryogenic heat exchangers) within the helium liquefaction unit's cold box, affecting the unit's liquefaction efficiency and, consequently, production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and its working method that has less impact on the liquefaction efficiency during loading, occupies a small area and is easy to control, in order to address the current technical defects that have a great impact on the liquefaction efficiency of the helium liquefaction device during loading, occupy a large area and are complex to control.

[0006] To solve the above problems, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] One of the purposes of this application is to provide a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system, comprising:

[0008] A first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), a vacuum electric heater (2), a first valve (3), a vaporizer (4), a second valve (6), a loading unit (12), a temperature sensor (14) and a vacuum electric heater controller (15); the two ends of the low-temperature transmission pipeline (1) are respectively connected to the vacuum electric heater (2) and the loading unit (12); the vacuum electric heater (2) is also connected to the temperature sensor (14); the temperature sensor (14) is connected to the vaporizer (4) through the first valve (3); the vaporizer (4) is connected to the second valve (6); one end of the temperature sensor (14) is also connected to the vacuum electric heater controller (15); the vacuum electric heater controller (15) can control the heating power of the vacuum electric heater (2) through a signal from the temperature sensor (14);

[0009] The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system.

[0010] In some embodiments, the invention further comprises a third valve (5), a compressor unit (7), a high-precision oil filtration system (8), a cold box (10) and a pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16), wherein the third valve (5) is connected to the vaporizer (4), and the two ends of the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) are respectively connected to the compressor unit (7) and the cold box (10);

[0011] The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence to be reheated and then enters the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) through the third valve (5). The helium gas in the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) enters the cold box (10) through the high-precision oil filtration system (8) under the action of the compressor unit (7). The extra liquid helium generated in the cold box (10) enters the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) for storage through the loading unit (12).

[0012] In some embodiments, a mobile liquid helium tank (13) connected to the loading unit (12) is further included, and the additional liquid helium produced in the cold box (10) is stored in other liquid helium dewars or fixed liquid helium tanks or mobile liquid helium tanks (13) through the loading unit (12).

[0013] In some embodiments, the low-temperature helium gas can be heated from an extremely low temperature to room temperature by the actively controlled vacuum electric heater (2) and the passively operated vaporizer (4).

[0014] In some embodiments, the invention further comprises a helium buffer tank (9) connected to the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16).

[0015] The second object of this application is to provide a method for operating the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system, comprising the following steps:

[0016] The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system.

[0017] In some embodiments, the following steps are also included:

[0018] The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence to be reheated and then enters the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) through the third valve (5). The helium gas in the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) enters the cold box (10) through the high-precision oil filtration system (8) under the action of the compressor unit (7). The extra liquid helium generated in the cold box (10) enters the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) for storage through the loading unit (12).

[0019] This application adopts the above technical solution, and its beneficial effects are as follows:

[0020] The present application provides a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and a working method thereof. The cold helium gas output by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system. The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system provided by the present application avoids the temperature distribution of the low-temperature components (such as the low-temperature heat exchanger, etc.) in the cold box of the existing helium liquefaction device from changing and being redistributed, thereby avoiding a significant impact on the liquefaction efficiency of the helium liquefaction device during loading; at the same time, the process pipeline is simpler, easier to control and occupies a smaller area.

[0021] In addition, the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and its working method provided by the present application adopt a combination of active rewarming technology and passive rewarming technology, that is, a vacuum electric heater (2) and its matching temperature sensor (14), a vacuum electric heater controller (15) and a helium vaporizer (4) are provided. The structure can not only cope with the basic loading load, but also cope with the extreme loading load with a large instantaneous flow rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system provided by one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present application, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, this application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] See also Figure 1The embodiment of the present application provides a liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system, comprising: a first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), a vacuum electric heater (2), a first valve (3), a vaporizer (4), a second valve (6), a loading unit (12), a temperature sensor (14) and a vacuum electric heater controller (15); the two ends of the low-temperature transmission pipeline (1) are respectively connected to the vacuum electric heater (2) and the loading unit (12), the vacuum electric heater (2) is also connected to the temperature sensor (14), the temperature sensor (14) is connected to the vaporizer (4) through the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) is connected to the second valve (6), one end of the temperature sensor (14) is also connected to the vacuum electric heater controller (15), and the vacuum electric heater controller (15) can control the heating power in the vacuum electric heater (2) through the signal of the temperature sensor (14).

[0029] The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system provided in the above embodiment of the present application works as follows:

[0030] The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the invention further comprises a third valve (5), a compressor unit (7), a high-precision oil filtration system (8), a cold box (10) and a pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16), wherein the third valve (5) is connected to the vaporizer (4), and the two ends of the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) are respectively connected to the compressor unit (7), the cold box (10) and the fixed helium buffer tank (9).

[0032] When the loading load is large (i.e., the basic loading load, the peak loading load, or the combined load of the basic loading load and the peak loading load, or the helium recovery and purification system is temporarily unable to handle the load), the cold helium output by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence to be reheated and then enters the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) through the third valve (5). The helium in the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) enters the cold box (10) through the high-precision oil filtration system (8) under the action of the compressor unit (7). The extra liquid helium generated in the cold box (10) enters the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) for storage through the loading unit (12).

[0033] It can be understood that the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and working method provided in this embodiment is provided with a three-way outlet between the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) and connected to the low-pressure suction side of the helium liquefaction device through the third valve (5). When the basic loading load and the peak loading load appear at the same time or when the cold helium with a large instantaneous flow rate that needs to react quickly is to be processed, the third valve (5) is opened, and at the same time, the operating frequency of the compressor unit of the helium liquefaction device is increased to introduce this part of the helium into the low-pressure suction side of the helium liquefaction device, thereby reducing the pressure of the helium recovery and purification system.

[0034] Furthermore, if the volume of the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) is sufficient to accommodate this portion of extra liquid helium, the liquid helium will continue to be stored in the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11); if the volume of the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) is insufficient to accommodate this portion of extra liquid helium, the liquid helium will be stored in other liquid helium dewars or fixed liquid helium tanks or mobile liquid helium tank boxes (13).

[0035] In some embodiments, the low-temperature helium gas can be heated from an extremely low temperature to room temperature by the actively controlled vacuum electric heater (2) and the passively operated vaporizer (4).

[0036] It can be understood that in this embodiment, the low-temperature helium is reheated from an extremely low temperature (4.5K) to room temperature (300K) by an actively controlled vacuum electric heater (2) and a passively operated vaporizer (4). The key to this reheating process is to control the pressure drop of this process. This combination of active and passive reheating methods and technologies is beneficial for coping with the situation where the basic loading load and the peak loading load occur at the same time. When the basic loading load occurs, the vaporizer (4) can be operated without turning on the vacuum electric heater (2); when the peak loading load occurs, in addition to the vaporizer (4), the vacuum electric heater (2) is turned on.

[0037] The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system provided in the present application avoids changes and redistribution of the temperature distribution of low-temperature components (such as low-temperature heat exchangers, etc.) in the cold box of the existing helium liquefaction device, thereby avoiding the impact on the liquefaction efficiency of the helium liquefaction device during loading; at the same time, the process pipeline is simpler, easier to control, and occupies a smaller area.

[0038] The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and working method disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application adopt a rewarming and heating method and technology that combines active and passive heating without cold recovery, which is conducive to coping with the situation where basic loading load and peak loading load occur simultaneously; the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system and working method provided by the above embodiments are significantly different from foreign liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization methods and systems with cold recovery. They can handle both basic loading load and peak loading load, as well as large amounts of extremely low-temperature cold helium that needs to be rewarmed or heated to room temperature, and can also handle cold helium with a large instantaneous flow rate that requires a fast reaction speed. They are particularly suitable for actual industrial production lines in the application scenario of supporting loading of helium liquefaction equipment at gas fields.

[0039] It can be understood that the various technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the various technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present application and only specifically describe the technical principles of the present application. These descriptions are intended only to explain the principles of the present application and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Based on the explanations herein, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application, as well as other specific implementations of the present application that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without inventive effort, shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system, characterized in that: include: A first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), a vacuum electric heater (2), a first valve (3), a vaporizer (4), a second valve (6), a loading unit (12), a temperature sensor (14) and a vacuum electric heater controller (15); the two ends of the low-temperature transmission pipeline (1) are respectively connected to the vacuum electric heater (2) and the loading unit (12); the vacuum electric heater (2) is also connected to the temperature sensor (14); the temperature sensor (14) is connected to the vaporizer (4) through the first valve (3); the vaporizer (4) is connected to the second valve (6); one end of the temperature sensor (14) is also connected to the vacuum electric heater controller (15); the vacuum electric heater controller (15) can control the heating power of the vacuum electric heater (2) through a signal from the temperature sensor (14); The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system.

2. The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a third valve (5), a compressor unit (7), a high-precision oil filtration system (8), a cold box (10) and a pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16), wherein the third valve (5) is connected to the vaporizer (4), and the two ends of the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) are respectively connected to the compressor unit (7) and the cold box (10); The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence to be reheated and then enters the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) through the third valve (5). The helium gas in the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) enters the cold box (10) through the high-precision oil filtration system (8) under the action of the compressor unit (7). The extra liquid helium generated in the cold box (10) enters the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) for storage through the loading unit (12).

3. The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a mobile liquid helium tank (13) connected to the loading unit (12), and the extra liquid helium produced in the cold box (10) is stored in other liquid helium dewars or fixed liquid helium tanks or mobile liquid helium tanks (13) through the loading unit (12).

4. The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-temperature helium gas can be heated from an extremely low temperature to room temperature by means of the actively controlled vacuum electric heater (2) and the passively operated vaporizer (4).

5. The liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a helium buffer tank (9) connected to the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16).

6. A method for operating the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps include: The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence, and the helium gas after being reheated enters the helium recovery and purification system.

7. The operating method of the liquid helium loading pressure and flow stabilization system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: The cold helium gas outputted by the loading unit (12) passes through the first low-temperature transmission pipeline (1), the vacuum electric heater (2), the temperature sensor (14), the first valve (3), the vaporizer (4) and the second valve (6) in sequence to be reheated and then enters the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) through the third valve (5). The helium gas in the pressure-stabilizing and flow-stabilizing pipeline (16) enters the cold box (10) through the high-precision oil filtration system (8) under the action of the compressor unit (7). The extra liquid helium generated in the cold box (10) enters the liquid helium dewar or the fixed liquid helium tank (11) for storage through the loading unit (12).

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