Multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device and system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of natural gas liquefaction, in particular to an automatic filling device and system for a multi-component mixed refrigerant. The device comprises a branch storage tank, a pressure detection element, a flow detection element, a temperature detection element, a flow adjusting part, a refrigerant conveying pipeline, a control device, a gas analysis device and a refrigerating system, the branch storage tanks, the pressure detection elements, the flow detection elements, the temperature detection elements and the flow adjusting parts are arranged on the refrigerant conveying pipeline, one end of the refrigerant conveying pipeline is connected with the refrigerating system, and the control device is electrically connected with the gas analysis device and the refrigerant conveying pipeline. According to the automatic filling device for the multi-component mixed refrigerant, the multi-component mixed refrigerant is adopted, multiple components can be monitored and adjusted at the same time only through the synergistic effect of the gas analysis device and the control device, and the time cost and complexity caused by setting the components respectively are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of natural gas liquefaction, in particular to a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device and system. Background Art

[0002] As energy shortages and environmental pollution become increasingly serious, natural gas has become an important choice for my country's energy transformation due to its low carbon emissions, in accordance with the principle of gradually replacing high carbon energy with low carbon energy. Liquefied natural gas uses refrigeration and liquefaction technology to cool natural gas to liquid state under normal pressure, thereby reducing storage and transportation volume and transportation costs. In the natural gas liquefaction process, the mixed refrigerant liquefaction process is the most widely used due to its low investment, strong adaptability and low energy consumption. Compared with single-component refrigerants, multi-component mixed refrigerants can cool natural gas step by step, realize energy cascade utilization, and reduce system energy consumption.

[0003] In the natural gas liquefaction process, the content of the mixed refrigerant affects the liquefaction effect. During the liquefaction process, the mixed refrigerant may have problems such as evaporation, leakage, and phase change, resulting in a reduction in the refrigerant circulation volume. When the content of the mixed refrigerant is too small, the system evaporation and condensation pressures both decrease, and the cooling capacity provided by the refrigerant decreases, resulting in low energy efficiency and poor reliability of the refrigeration equipment, affecting the natural gas liquefaction effect. At the same time, during the refrigerant circulation process, the content of each component in the mixed refrigerant changes dynamically within a certain range. When the content of a certain component or multiple components deviates too much from the range of variation, its role is reduced and cannot meet the actual operating conditions. Therefore, the ratio of the mixed refrigerant is particularly important. Once the components of the mixed ratio deviate, the heat exchange temperature difference of the heat exchanger will increase, and the heat exchange temperature difference of the cold and hot streams will be uneven, resulting in staged overcooling or temperature drop that does not meet the standard; at the same time, the composite curve of the cold and hot streams deviates greatly, the energy consumption of the liquefaction process increases, and the system In severe cases, the heat exchanger will cool rapidly and the heat exchange equipment will be damaged. Therefore, timely and accurate refrigerant filling is essential to ensure a more stable and reliable operation of the system and improve the system liquefaction efficiency.

[0004] However, in the existing mixed refrigerant charging process, on-site engineers often complete the refrigerant charging ratio based on production commissioning experience, which results in low ratio efficiency and high operating error rate. The input amount of each component cannot be accurately adjusted according to actual conditions, resulting in serious waste of refrigerant.

[0005] So far, there have been many studies on the problem of automatic filling of refrigerants. The Chinese invention patent "A method for automatically filling refrigerants, an automatic filling device and a refrigeration equipment" (application number 202110753641.4, publication date 2021.10.01) provides a method for automatically filling refrigerants, so that the refrigeration equipment can recover or remove the refrigerant according to different working conditions, adjust the total amount of refrigerant inside, improve the energy efficiency of the refrigeration equipment, and ensure the reliability of the refrigeration equipment. The Chinese patent "A device and method for automatically filling refrigerants" (application number 202010725820.2, publication date 2020.11.24) invents a refrigerant automatic filling device, including a filling tank, a data control system and a filling system. The device can be used for automatic filling of different refrigerants, relying on the precise control of the solenoid valve, and the accuracy of the refrigerant filling amount reaches ±1g, which is conducive to the optimization of the refrigeration system to achieve the best effect. The Chinese patent "Refrigerant Charging Device and Method" (application number 202310937426.9, publication date 2023.10.27) introduces a refrigerant charging device and method, which includes a conveying unit, a vacuum unit, a charging unit and a monitoring unit. By setting the conveying unit, the vacuum unit and the charging unit are connected to the refrigeration system to be filled with refrigerant. During the charging operation, it is only necessary to connect the output end of the conveying unit to the connection port of the refrigeration system, and there is no need to connect the various components of the charging device to the refrigeration system in sequence, which simplifies the steps of the refrigerant charging operation and improves the efficiency and accuracy of the operation. The Chinese patent "A Refrigerant Automatic Filling Device" (application number 202222750846.X, publication date 2023.03.28) discloses a new type of refrigerant automatic filling device, which can realize automatic filling of refrigerant through a booster pump and two pressure detection mechanisms arranged on the storage mechanism and the unit, and at the same time rely on a third detection mechanism to detect the refrigerant output of the storage mechanism to achieve accurate filling. The Chinese patent "A liquid storage assembly for automatic real-time replenishment of refrigerant circulation" (application number 202210704257.X, publication date 2022.09.13) provides a liquid storage assembly for automatic real-time replenishment of refrigerant circulation. By setting up a replenishment pipe, a foam plate, a foam block and other components to cooperate with each other, the reduced refrigerant is continuously replenished, thereby maintaining sufficient refrigerant supply inside the machine body.

[0006] In the past, automatic refrigerant filling devices were all designed for the case where the refrigerant was only a single-component refrigerant. When the refrigerant was a mixed refrigerant, in order to ensure that the actual ratio of each component of the mixed refrigerant during operation was as close as possible to the designed ratio of each component of the mixed refrigerant, a refrigerant component analyzer was required to perform real-time detection of each component of the mixed refrigerant. At the same time, each component needed to be filled separately during the refrigerant filling process to adjust the ratio of the mixed components. However, the above-mentioned invention device cannot monitor and fill each component of the mixed refrigerant at the same time, and its use conditions are limited, and its use scenarios are restricted. Utility Model Content

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the problem that when the refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant, each component cannot be monitored and filled at the same time, and the use conditions are limited, thereby providing a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device and system.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model provides a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device, including: a sub-storage tank and a pressure detection element, a flow detection element, a temperature detection element, a flow regulating member, a refrigerant delivery pipeline, a control device, a gas analysis device, and a refrigeration system; the sub-storage tank and the pressure detection element, the flow detection element, the temperature detection element, and the flow regulating member have multiple groups, which are respectively arranged on the refrigerant delivery pipeline, one end of the refrigerant delivery pipeline is connected to the refrigeration system, and the control device is electrically connected to the gas analysis device and the refrigerant delivery pipeline.

[0009] Furthermore, the sub-storage tanks and the pressure detection elements, flow detection elements, temperature detection elements, and flow adjustment components are in five groups.

[0010] Furthermore, the five groups of sub-storage tanks are respectively provided with CH4, C2H4, C3H8, i-C5H 12 , and N2.

[0011] Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger and a throttle valve, a buffer tank, a cooler, a gas-liquid separator, and a compressor connected in sequence.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure detection element is a pressure sensor.

[0013] Furthermore, the flow detection element is a flow sensor.

[0014] Furthermore, the temperature detection element is a temperature sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, the flow regulating member is a flow regulating valve.

[0016] Furthermore, the control device is a PLC controller.

[0017] The utility model also provides a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling system, comprising the multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device.

[0018] The technical solution of the utility model has the following advantages:

[0019] The utility model provides a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device, comprising: a sub-storage tank and a pressure detection element, a flow detection element, a temperature detection element, a flow regulating component, a refrigerant delivery pipeline, a control device, a gas analysis device, and a refrigeration system; the sub-storage tank and the pressure detection element, the flow detection element, the temperature detection element, and the flow regulating component have multiple groups, which are respectively arranged on the refrigerant delivery pipeline, one end of the refrigerant delivery pipeline is connected to the refrigeration system, and the control device is electrically connected to the gas analysis device and the refrigerant delivery pipeline.

[0020] Different types of refrigerants are transported to the refrigeration system through multiple groups of refrigerant delivery pipelines to form a mixed refrigerant in the refrigeration system; wherein a gas analysis device is arranged on the refrigeration system to analyze the multi-component content of the mixed refrigerant in the refrigeration system, and then control each of the refrigerant delivery pipelines, and adjust the amount of refrigerant delivered by each component storage tank to each group of branch lines through the flow regulating member to change the ratio of each refrigerant input into the refrigerant system, thereby preventing the mixed refrigerant from leaking, phase changing and other problems, resulting in a reduction in the content of one or more components, which cannot meet the actual refrigeration needs, resulting in reduced refrigeration capacity, poor refrigeration effect and other problems.

[0021] Compared with the traditional single-component refrigerant automatic filling device, it can only detect and adjust a single component. When the system requires more types of refrigerants, multiple devices can only be set up for operation, which requires a large amount of on-site space and is prone to quality accidents.

[0022] The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device is a multi-component mixed refrigerant. It can monitor and adjust multiple components simultaneously only through the coordinated action of the gas analysis device and the control device, thereby reducing the time cost and complexity caused by setting each component separately.

[0023] At the same time, compared with relying on operators to achieve accurate refrigerant charging through their work experience, this refrigerant charging operation has a high error rate, low efficiency, a complicated operation process, and numerous steps.

[0024] The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device automatically controls the opening of the flow regulating member on the refrigerant delivery pipeline where each component storage tank is located by receiving the content information of each component transmitted by the gas analysis device through the control device, thereby replenishing the insufficient components. The device can make the component filling more accurate, efficient and convenient.

[0025] Moreover, compared with most automatic refrigerant filling devices that have complex structures and high costs, this device only adds control devices, gas analysis devices, multiple detection elements, flow regulators and other devices to the original refrigerant delivery pipeline, making the installation process simple, the process flow simple, and it is universal and economical.

[0026] The utility model summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the following detailed description. The utility model summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 The utility model is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device.

[0029] Description of reference numerals:

[0030] 1. Sub-storage tank; 2. Pressure detection element; 3. Flow detection element; 4. Temperature detection element; 5. Flow adjustment element; 6. Gas analysis device; 7. Control device; 8. Heat exchanger; 9. Throttle valve; 10. Buffer tank; 11. Cooler; 12. Gas-liquid separator; 13. Compressor; 14. Refrigerant delivery pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following, only some exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the described embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and descriptions are considered to be exemplary and non-restrictive in nature.

[0032] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0033] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" 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, an electrical connection, or can communicate with each other; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0035] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples to realize different structures of the present disclosure. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present disclosure, the parts and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only examples, and the purpose is not to limit the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure can repeat reference numbers and / or reference letters in different examples, and this repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present disclosure provides various specific examples of processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art can be aware of the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and are not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0037] See also Figure 1 As shown, the utility model provides a multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device, including: a sub-storage tank 1 and a pressure detection element 2, a flow detection element 3, a temperature detection element 4, a flow regulating member 5, a refrigerant delivery pipeline 14, a control device 7, a gas analysis device 6, and a refrigeration system; the sub-storage tank 1 and the pressure detection element 2, the flow detection element 3, the temperature detection element 4, and the flow regulating member 5 have multiple groups, which are respectively arranged on the refrigerant delivery pipeline, one end of the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14 is connected to the refrigeration system, and the control device 7 is electrically connected to the gas analysis device 6 and the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14.

[0038] Different types of refrigerants are transported to the refrigeration system through multiple groups of refrigerant delivery pipelines 14, so that a mixed refrigerant is formed in the refrigeration system; wherein, a gas analysis device 6 is arranged on the refrigeration system to analyze the multi-component content of the mixed refrigerant in the refrigeration system, and then control each of the refrigerant delivery pipelines 14, and adjust the amount of refrigerant transported by each component storage tank 1 to each group of branch lines through the flow regulating element 5 to change the ratio of each refrigerant input into the refrigerant system, thereby preventing the mixed refrigerant from leaking, phase changing and other problems, resulting in a reduction in the content of one or more components, which cannot meet the actual refrigeration needs, resulting in reduced refrigeration capacity, poor refrigeration effect and other problems.

[0039] The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device can use the control device 7 to monitor the multi-component content of the mixed refrigerant and the numerical changes of pressure, temperature and flow rate in real time through the gas analysis device 6, and control the opening of the flow regulating member 5 of each refrigeration branch, thereby realizing the automatic filling of the multi-component mixed refrigerant, replenishing the components with insufficient content, and then the replenished components are fully mixed with the original mixed refrigerant, entering the compressor for pressurization and cooling, and continuing the refrigeration cycle. At the same time, the control device 7 can also timely adjust the refrigerant circulation amount in the refrigeration circuit according to the pressure test element 2, flow test element 3 and temperature test element 4 in the refrigeration system to meet the refrigeration load required by the refrigeration system.

[0040] In this process, the device can be used to automatically monitor and replenish the content of each component of the mixed refrigerant, preventing the system from operating inefficiently and increasing energy consumption due to insufficient content of the mixed refrigerant components. Automatic control can also reduce operational errors caused by manual refrigerant charging, thereby improving the safety and stability of the liquefaction process.

[0041] Compared with the traditional single-component refrigerant automatic filling device, it can only detect and adjust a single component. When the system requires more types of refrigerants, multiple devices can only be set up for operation, which requires a large amount of on-site space and is prone to quality accidents.

[0042] The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device is a multi-component mixed refrigerant. Only through the coordinated action of the gas analysis device 6 and the control device 7, multiple components can be monitored and adjusted simultaneously, reducing the time cost and complexity caused by setting each component separately.

[0043] At the same time, compared with relying on operators to achieve accurate refrigerant charging through their work experience, this refrigerant charging operation has a high error rate, low efficiency, a complicated operation process, and numerous steps.

[0044] The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device automatically controls the opening of the flow regulating member 5 on the refrigerant delivery pipeline where each component storage tank 1 is located by receiving the content information of each component transmitted by the gas analysis device 6 through the control device 7, thereby replenishing the insufficient component. The device can make the component filling more accurate, efficient and convenient.

[0045] Moreover, compared with most automatic refrigerant filling devices that have complex structures and high costs, this device only adds a control device 7, a gas analysis device 6, multiple detection elements, a flow adjustment device 5 and other devices to the original refrigerant delivery pipeline 14, making the installation process simple, easy to operate, and universal.

[0046] The sub-storage tanks 1 and the pressure detection elements 2, the flow detection elements 3, the temperature detection elements 4, and the flow adjustment elements 5 are in five groups.

[0047] The five groups of sub-storage tanks 1 are respectively provided with CH4, C2H4, C3H8, i-C5H 12 , and N2.

[0048] On the other hand, each of the refrigerant delivery pipelines 14 is provided with a flow detection element 3 , a temperature detection element 4 and a pressure detection element 2 .

[0049] In this embodiment, the flow rate of the transported refrigerant is detected by the flow detection element 3, the temperature of the transported refrigerant is detected by the temperature detection element 4, and the delivery pressure value in the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14 is detected by the pressure detection element 2, which is used as a judgment standard for the refrigerant delivery flow rate in the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14, so as to accurately judge the refrigerant delivery flow rate therein.

[0050] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14 is provided with the pressure detection element 2, the flow detection element 3 and the temperature detection element 4 at the same time to ensure accurate detection of the output flow without being affected by the temperature and pressure values.

[0051] Similarly, in this embodiment, the refrigeration system is provided with a pressure detection element 2, a flow detection element 3 and a temperature detection element 4. The pressure, flow and temperature in the refrigeration system are monitored by the pressure detection element 2, the flow detection element 3 and the temperature detection element 4 to determine whether the refrigerant can continue to be transported into the refrigeration system.

[0052] The pressure detection element 2 is a pressure sensor, the flow detection element 3 is a flow sensor, the temperature detection element 4 is a temperature sensor, and the flow adjustment element 5 is a flow adjustment valve.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 7 is a PLC controller, which mainly includes a memory, a processor, and a mixed refrigerant mixing control program stored in the memory.

[0054] The gas analysis device 6 is a fuel gas analyzer.

[0055] The refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger 8 and a throttle valve 9, a buffer tank 10, a cooler 11, a gas-liquid separator 12, and a compressor 13 which are connected in sequence.

[0056] When the gas analyzer on the refrigeration system detects that the content of one or more components in the mixed refrigerant is lower than the specified value, the PLC controller will control the flow control valve of the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14 where the component storage tank 1 is located to increase the opening, and the corresponding component will be output from the storage tank to make its content meet the specified value requirements. If the component content meets the specified value requirements, the PLC controller controls the flow control valve of the refrigerant delivery pipeline 14 where the component is located to reduce or close the opening, and the storage tank reduces or stops delivering the component.

[0057] At the same time, the PLC controller can also obtain the actual pressure of the refrigeration system according to the multiple pressure detection elements 2;

[0058] When the actual pressure is less than the preset pressure, the regulating valves on the plurality of refrigerant delivery pipelines 14 are controlled to open so as to deliver refrigerant into the refrigeration system.

[0059] When the actual pressure is greater than or equal to the preset pressure, the regulating valves on the plurality of refrigerant delivery pipelines 14 are controlled to close to stop delivering refrigerant into the refrigeration system.

[0060] In addition, the PLC controller can also determine the real-time temperature of the refrigeration system according to the plurality of temperature detection elements 4, thereby calculating the temperature change rate of the refrigeration system;

[0061] When the temperature change rate is lower than a preset change rate, the regulating valves on the plurality of refrigerant delivery pipelines are controlled to open and deliver the refrigerant at a preset ratio.

[0062] When the temperature change rate is higher than a preset change rate, the regulating valves on the plurality of refrigerant delivery pipelines 14 are controlled to close to stop delivering refrigerant into the refrigeration system.

[0063] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention of the utility model.

Claims

1. A multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device, characterized in that: include: A sub-storage tank (1), a pressure detection element (2), a flow detection element (3), a temperature detection element (4), a flow adjustment element (5), a refrigerant delivery pipeline (14), a control device (7), a gas analysis device (6), and a refrigeration system; The sub-storage tank (1) and the pressure detection element (2), the flow detection element (3), the temperature detection element (4), and the flow adjustment element (5) are provided in multiple groups and are respectively arranged on the refrigerant delivery pipeline. One end of the refrigerant delivery pipeline (14) is connected to the refrigeration system. The control device (7) is electrically connected to the gas analysis device (6) and the refrigerant delivery pipeline (14).

2. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sub-storage tank (1) and the pressure detection element (2), the flow detection element (3), the temperature detection element (4), and the flow adjustment element (5) are divided into five groups.

3. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The five groups of sub-storage tanks (1) are respectively provided with CH4, C2H4, C3H8, i-C5H 12 , and N2.

4. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The refrigeration system comprises a heat exchanger (8) and a throttle valve (9), a buffer tank (10), a cooler (11), a gas-liquid separator (12), and a compressor (13) which are connected in sequence.

5. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The pressure detection element (2) is a pressure sensor.

6. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flow detection element (3) is a flow sensor.

7. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The temperature detection element (4) is a temperature sensor.

8. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flow regulating member (5) is a flow regulating valve.

9. The multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic charging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control device (7) is a PLC controller.

10. A multi-component mixed refrigerant automatic filling system, characterized in that: The invention comprises the automatic filling device for multi-component mixed refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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