Helium purification and liquefaction system
By designing a helium purification and liquefaction system, a compressor and heat exchanger are used to liquefy and purify helium, solving the problem of low utilization rate of helium cooling capacity, improving the utilization rate of cooling capacity, and achieving efficient helium liquefaction and purification.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423136810.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-18
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, the utilization rate of the cold energy of helium is low during the liquefaction process of cold energy, resulting in serious waste of cold energy during the rewarming process.
Design a helium purification and liquefaction system, including a purification unit and a liquefaction unit. The liquefaction unit, through a heat exchanger (including a compressor, liquefaction pipeline, reheating pipeline, multiple heat exchangers, and a helium collection tank), outputs high-pressure helium to the liquefaction pipeline via the compressor. The liquefaction pipeline passes through multiple heat exchangers for cooling and liquefaction. The purification unit performs low-temperature purification via an adsorber, using the heat exchangers in the liquefaction unit for initial cooling. The purification pipeline passes through multiple heat exchangers for gradual cooling and purification, and the high-purity helium is further liquefied in the liquefaction pipeline.
This improved the utilization rate of helium cooling capacity, reduced the waste of cooling capacity during the rewarming process, and achieved efficient liquefaction and purification of helium.
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Figure CN223636497U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to liquid helium technical field especially relates to a helium gas purification, liquefaction system. BACKGROUND
[0002] Helium is a scarce resource, but also an important strategic resource, in aerospace, national defense, low temperature superconducting research, semiconductor production, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, special metal smelting and gas leak detection has very important use.
[0003] In the related art, helium gas is purified to obtain high-purity helium gas for use. The high-purity helium gas obtained by purification is in a low-temperature state, and the low-temperature high-purity helium gas is collected after being warmed to room temperature. A large amount of cold energy is lost and wasted during the warming process.
[0004] Therefore, in view of the above problems, there is an urgent need for a system that utilizes helium purification cold energy. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT
[0005] The utility model embodiment provides a helium gas purification, liquefaction system, can provide a kind of cold energy in the application of liquefaction process in purification process.
[0006] The utility model embodiment provides a helium gas purification, liquefaction system, comprising a purification unit and a liquefaction unit;
[0007] The liquefaction unit includes a compressor, a liquefaction pipeline, a rewarming pipeline, a plurality of heat exchangers and a helium collection tank, the compressor is used to compress and output high-pressure helium to the liquefaction pipeline, the liquefaction pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers, so that the high-pressure helium in the liquefaction pipeline is cooled and liquefied to flow into the helium collection tank, the low-temperature low-pressure helium flowing out of the helium collection tank enters the rewarming pipeline, the rewarming pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers, and the cold energy is transferred to the liquefaction pipeline, and then the rewarming flows into the compressor;
[0008] The purification unit includes a purification pipeline and a plurality of adsorbers connected in series on the purification pipeline, the purification pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers to gradually reduce the temperature of the gas in the pipeline, a plurality of adsorption tanks are arranged between heat exchangers at different temperatures respectively, so that helium gas at different temperatures is purified by a plurality of adsorbers, helium gas passing through all the adsorbers is collected into the liquefaction pipeline through the purification pipeline, and then flows into the helium collection tank after being cooled and liquefied by the heat exchanger.
[0009] In one possible design, a plurality of groups of adsorbers are included, and the adsorbers in each group are connected in parallel to the purification pipeline, and the inlets and / or outlets of the adsorbers are provided with valves.
[0010] In one possible design, a regeneration pipeline is further included, and each adsorber in each group of adsorbers is connected in parallel to the regeneration pipeline.
[0011] In a possible design, the regenerative pipeline and the liquefaction pipeline are connected with a vacuum pump to provide power.
[0012] In a possible design, the multiple heat exchangers include, in sequence along the flow direction of the liquid ring pipeline, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger and a fifth heat exchanger, a portion of the liquefaction pipeline located in the second heat exchanger branches out a first branch, a first turbine is arranged on the first branch, and helium gas in the first branch flows into the re-warming pipeline after being cooled by the first turbine.
[0013] In a possible design, a portion of the first branch in communication with the outlet of the first turbine branches out a second branch, the second branch passes through the third heat exchanger and a second turbine in sequence along the fluid direction, and then is communicated to a portion of the re-warming pipeline located between the fourth heat exchanger and the fifth heat exchanger.
[0014] In a possible design, the adsorbers include a high-temperature adsorber and a low-temperature adsorber, the high-temperature adsorber is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the low-temperature adsorber is arranged downstream of the third heat exchanger, and high-purity helium gas flowing out of the low-temperature adsorber flows into the liquefaction pipeline between the third heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger through a pipeline.
[0015] In a possible design, a helium buffer tank is further included, the helium buffer tank is communicated with a portion of the liquefaction pipeline, the purification pipeline and the compressor through a pipeline with a valve, and the helium buffer tank is used to store high-purity helium.
[0016] In a possible design, the heat exchangers are communicated with liquid helium through a pipeline to supplement cold energy for the heat exchangers.
[0017] In a possible design, the helium collection tank is a Dewar.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0019] In the present application, the liquefaction unit itself can realize the liquefaction of helium through the heat exchanger and the compressor. When the purification unit is purified by the adsorption tank at low temperature, the heat exchanger of the liquefaction unit can be used for preliminary cooling, and after being cooled to a certain temperature, the helium is introduced into the adsorption tank for purification. Specifically, the purification pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers, the temperatures of the heat exchangers are different, and the temperature of the helium passing through the heat exchanger is also different. The adsorption tank is placed at the corresponding position to gradually purify the helium at different temperatures. The high-purity helium after gradual cooling and purification has a relatively low temperature, and the temperature requirement of the composite liquefaction is met. The high-purity helium is introduced into the liquefaction pipeline at a temperature corresponding to the temperature thereof. After the high-purity helium is mixed with the helium in the liquefaction pipeline and passes through one or more heat exchangers with a relatively low temperature, the helium is liquefied, and finally flows into the helium collection tank. In this way, the preliminary cooling of the purification unit can be realized by the heat exchanger of the liquefaction unit, and the high-purity low-temperature helium after purification can be introduced into the liquefaction pipeline to pass through the heat exchanger for further liquefaction, thereby improving the utilization rate of cold energy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.
[0021] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a helium purification and liquefaction system provided by the embodiment of the present application.
[0022] In the drawings:
[0023] 1-compressor; 2-liquefaction pipeline; 3-reheating pipeline; 4-first heat exchanger; 5-second heat exchanger; 6-third heat exchanger; 7-fourth heat exchanger; 8-fifth heat exchanger; 9-helium collection tank; 10-purification pipeline; 11-adsorber; 12-regeneration pipeline; 13-vacuum pump; 14-first branch; 15-second branch; 16-first turbine; 17-second turbine; 18-helium buffer tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or explained, the term "multiple" refers to two or more; the terms "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0026] In this specification, it should be understood that the directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" used in the description of the embodiments of this utility model are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this utility model. Furthermore, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that one element is connected "upper" or "lower" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element.
[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a helium purification and liquefaction system, including a purification unit and a liquefaction unit;
[0028] The liquefaction unit includes a compressor 1, a liquefaction pipeline 2, a rewarming pipeline 3, multiple heat exchangers, and a helium collection tank 9. The compressor 1 is used to compress and output high-pressure helium to the liquefaction pipeline 2. The liquefaction pipeline 2 passes through multiple heat exchangers to cool and liquefy the high-pressure helium in the liquefaction pipeline 2 before flowing into the helium collection tank 9. The low-temperature, low-pressure helium flowing out of the helium collection tank 9 enters the rewarming pipeline 3. The rewarming pipeline 3 passes through multiple heat exchangers to transfer the cooling capacity to the liquefaction pipeline 2 before rewarming and flowing into the compressor 1.
[0029] The purification unit includes a purification pipeline 10 and multiple adsorbers 11 connected in series on the purification pipeline 10. The purification pipeline 10 passes through multiple heat exchangers to gradually reduce the gas temperature in the pipeline. Multiple adsorption tanks are respectively set between heat exchangers at different temperatures so that helium gas at different temperatures can be purified by multiple adsorbers 11. The helium gas passing through all the adsorbers 11 flows into the liquefaction pipeline 2 through the purification pipeline 10, and after being cooled and liquefied by the heat exchangers, it flows into the helium collection tank 9.
[0030] In the present application, the liquefaction unit itself can realize the liquefaction of helium through the heat exchanger and the compressor 1. When the purification unit is purified by the adsorption tank at low temperature, the heat exchanger of the liquefaction unit can be used for preliminary cooling, and after being cooled to a certain temperature, the helium is introduced into the adsorption tank for purification. Specifically, the purification pipeline 10 passes through a plurality of heat exchangers, the temperatures of the heat exchangers are different, and the temperature of the helium passing through the heat exchanger is also different. The adsorption tank is placed at the corresponding position to gradually purify the helium at different temperatures. The high-purity helium purified by gradually cooling has a relatively low temperature, and the temperature requirement of the composite liquefaction is met. The high-purity helium is introduced into the liquefaction pipeline 2 at a temperature corresponding to the temperature, and the high-purity helium is mixed with the helium in the liquefaction pipeline 2 and then liquefied through one or more heat exchangers with a lower temperature, and finally flows into the helium collection tank 9. In this way, the preliminary cooling of the purification unit can be realized through the heat exchanger of the liquefaction unit, and the high-purity low-temperature helium purified can be introduced into the liquefaction pipeline 2 through the heat exchanger for further liquefaction, thereby improving the utilization rate of cold energy.
[0031] In some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of adsorbers 11 are included, and the adsorbers 11 in each group of adsorbers 11 are connected in parallel to the purification pipeline 10, and the inlet and / or outlet of the adsorber 11 is provided with a valve.
[0032] In the present embodiment, the adsorbers 11 in each group of adsorbers 11 are connected in parallel to the purification pipeline 10, and the adsorbers 11 can be simultaneously adsorbed or one adsorbed and the other standby by opening and closing the valves of the adsorbers 11.
[0033] In some embodiments of the present application, a regeneration pipeline 12 is further included, and each adsorber 11 in each group of adsorbers 11 is connected in parallel to the regeneration pipeline 12.
[0034] In the present embodiment, the regeneration pipeline 12 can introduce regenerative helium, and the valves of the adsorbers 11 can be controlled to realize the adsorption of one adsorber 11 and the regeneration of the other adsorber 11 in the same group of adsorbers 11.
[0035] In some embodiments of the present application, the regeneration pipeline 12 and the liquefaction pipeline 2 are connected with a vacuum pump 13 to provide power.
[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, the plurality of heat exchangers include a first heat exchanger 4, a second heat exchanger 5, a third heat exchanger 6, a fourth heat exchanger 7 and a fifth heat exchanger 8 in sequence along the flow direction of the liquid ring pipeline, and the portion of the liquefaction pipeline 2 located in the second heat exchanger 5 is branched out into a first branch 14, and the first turbine 16 is arranged on the first branch 14. The helium in the first branch 14 is cooled by the first turbine 16 and then flows into the re-warming pipeline 3.
[0037] The turbine on the first branch 14 can cool the gas by reducing pressure, and the cooled gas flows into the re-warming pipeline 3, and then flows through the second heat exchanger 5 and the first heat exchanger 4 to provide cold energy for the two heat exchangers.
[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, the first branch 14 is divided into a second branch 15 at the outlet of the first turbine 16, and the second branch 15 sequentially passes through the third heat exchanger 6 and the second turbine 17 in the fluid direction, and then communicates to the part of the re-warming pipeline 3 between the fourth heat exchanger 7 and the fifth heat exchanger 8.
[0039] In this embodiment, the gas flowing out of the first turbine 16 passes through the third heat exchanger 6 through the second branch 15 to provide cold energy for the third heat exchanger 6, and further, the gas passing through the third heat exchanger consumes part of the cold energy, so it is introduced into the second turbine 17 to be cooled again, and the cooled gas is collected into the re-warming pipeline 3 through the second branch 15 to provide cold energy for the front multiple heat exchangers.
[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, the adsorber 11 includes a high-temperature adsorber 11 and a low-temperature adsorber 11, the high-temperature adsorber 11 is arranged between the first heat exchanger 4 and the second heat exchanger 5, and the low-temperature adsorber 11 is arranged downstream of the third heat exchanger 6, and the high-purity helium gas flowing out of the low-temperature adsorber 11 flows into the liquefaction pipeline 2 between the third heat exchanger 6 and the fourth heat exchanger 7 through the pipeline.
[0041] In some embodiments of the present application, a helium buffer tank 18 is further included, the helium buffer tank 18 is communicated with the part of the liquefaction pipeline 2, the purification pipeline 10 close to the compressor 1 through the pipeline with a valve, and the helium buffer tank 18 is used for storing high-purity helium.
[0042] In this embodiment, the helium buffer tank 18 can be used to collect high-purity helium.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, the heat exchanger is circulated with liquid helium through the pipeline to supplement the cold energy of the heat exchanger.
[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, the helium collection tank 9 is a Dewar.
[0045] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.
Claims
1. A helium purification, liquefaction system, characterized by, The purification unit and the liquefaction unit are connected by a purification pipeline and a liquefaction pipeline. The liquefaction unit comprises a compressor, a liquefaction pipeline, a warming pipeline, a plurality of heat exchangers and a helium collection tank, the compressor is used to compress and output high-pressure helium gas to the liquefaction pipeline, the liquefaction pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers to cool and liquefy the high-pressure helium gas in the liquefaction pipeline, and then the liquefied helium gas flows into the helium collection tank, the low-temperature and low-pressure helium gas flowing out of the helium collection tank enters the warming pipeline, the warming pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers, and then the cold energy is transferred to the liquefaction pipeline, and finally the warmed gas flows into the compressor. The purification unit comprises a purification pipeline and a plurality of adsorbers connected in series on the purification pipeline, the purification pipeline passes through a plurality of heat exchangers to gradually reduce the temperature of the gas in the pipeline, a plurality of adsorption tanks are arranged between heat exchangers at different temperatures respectively, so that helium gas at different temperatures is purified by a plurality of adsorbers, helium gas passing through all the adsorbers is collected in the liquefaction pipeline through the purification pipeline, and then the helium gas is cooled and liquefied by the heat exchangers and flows into the helium collection tank.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein, Each group of adsorbers comprises a plurality of adsorbers connected in parallel to the purification pipeline, and the inlet and / or outlet of each adsorber is provided with a valve.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein, Each adsorber in each group of adsorbers is connected in parallel to a regeneration pipeline.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein, The regeneration pipeline and the liquefaction pipeline are connected with a vacuum pump to provide power.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of heat exchangers comprises, in sequence along the flow direction of the liquefaction pipeline, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger and a fifth heat exchanger, a first branch is branched from the part of the liquefaction pipeline located in the second heat exchanger, and a first turbine is arranged on the first branch, and the helium gas in the first branch flows into the warming pipeline after being cooled by the first turbine.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein, The first branch is branched into a second branch which passes through the third heat exchanger and a second turbine in sequence along the fluid direction, and then is connected to the part of the warming pipeline located between the fourth heat exchanger and the fifth heat exchanger.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein, The adsorbers comprise high-temperature adsorbers and low-temperature adsorbers, the high-temperature adsorbers are arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the low-temperature adsorbers are arranged downstream of the third heat exchanger, and the high-purity helium gas flowing out of the low-temperature adsorbers flows into the liquefaction pipeline between the third heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger through a pipeline.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein, A helium buffer tank is further provided, the helium buffer tank is connected to the part of the liquefaction pipeline and the purification pipeline close to the compressor through a pipeline with a valve, and the helium buffer tank is used to store high-purity helium gas.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein, The heat exchangers are communicated with liquid helium through a pipeline to supplement the cold energy of the heat exchangers.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein, The helium collection tank is a Dewar.