A dual stroke helium-3 purification system

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of gas separation technology, and more particularly to a dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, including a separation unit. The separation unit includes: a shell, a refrigerator, a heat transfer component, a separation component, and a heat exchange component. The heat transfer component includes a first heat transfer component and a second heat transfer component. The separation component includes a first separation component and a second separation component. The first and second separation components are respectively disposed on the first and second heat transfer components. The heat exchange component is connected to the first and second separation components respectively through bidirectional pipes. Impurities are frozen in the separation components by freezing. Simultaneously, by setting up dual separation components and cooperating with a gas gap thermal switch, the first and second separation components operate in staggered shifts under the same cold source, thereby achieving continuous freezing and separation of the gas. This allows the helium-3 purification system to continuously and stably separate impurities for a long time, achieving continuous purification of helium-3 gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gas separation technology, and in particular to a two-stroke helium-3 purification system. Background Technology

[0002] Helium-3 gas plays a crucial role in fields such as neutron detection and quantum computing, and currently, helium-3 is mainly imported. However, domestically produced helium-3 sources often contain impurities such as methane, nitrogen, and neon. Existing technologies for removing these impurities primarily include cryogenic adsorption, cryogenic pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and membrane separation. The first two methods are effective at removing neon, but they introduce new impurities into the system, such as adsorbent powder. In long-term operating systems, adsorbent powder can slowly seep into the system's piping, negatively impacting the operation of pumps and other mechanical components.

[0003] Meanwhile, existing purification systems have difficulty achieving continuous purification of helium-3. When removing impurity gases through adsorption, the separation effect of the adsorption component deteriorates when the amount of impurity gases in the adsorption component reaches a certain level, and the system cannot continue to separate. At this point, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the adsorption component to a higher temperature for desorption and regeneration, and then cool the adsorption component down again before the next adsorption separation can be carried out.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and developed. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a two-stroke helium-3 purification system, which aims to solve the problem that the existing helium-3 purification system cannot achieve continuous purification.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A two-stroke helium-3 purification system includes a separation unit; the separation unit includes:

[0008] The casing is equipped with a vacuum chamber;

[0009] A refrigeration unit, including a cold head assembly; the cold head assembly is disposed within the vacuum chamber;

[0010] A heat transfer component is connected to the cold head assembly via an air gap thermal switch; the heat transfer component includes a first heat transfer component and a second heat transfer component.

[0011] A separation component includes a first separation component and a second separation component; the first separation component and the second separation component are respectively disposed on the first heat transfer component and the second heat transfer component.

[0012] The heat exchange component is thermally connected to the cold head component; the heat exchange component has air intake and exhaust through bidirectional pipes, and the heat exchange component is connected to the first separation component and the second separation component through bidirectional pipes respectively.

[0013] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system includes a cold head assembly comprising a primary cold head and a secondary cold head; the heat transfer assembly is connected to the secondary cold head via an air gap thermal switch.

[0014] In the dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, the first heat transfer component is connected to the secondary cold head via a first air gap thermal switch, and the second heat transfer component is connected to the secondary cold head via a second air gap thermal switch.

[0015] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system includes a heat exchange assembly comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger; the first heat exchanger is thermally connected to the first-stage cold head, and the second heat exchanger is thermally connected to the second-stage cold head.

[0016] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system further includes a gas delivery unit, a gas path control unit, and a gas storage unit; the gas path control unit is connected to the gas delivery unit and the gas storage unit via pipelines; the gas path control unit is connected to the heat exchange assembly via a bidirectional pipeline.

[0017] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system includes a gas delivery unit for supplying the gas to be purified to the gas path control unit, and a gas storage unit for storing the purified helium-3 gas.

[0018] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system includes an inlet shut-off valve on the pipeline connecting the gas delivery unit and the gas path control unit; and an outlet shut-off valve on the pipeline connecting the gas path control unit and the gas storage unit.

[0019] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, wherein the gas path control unit includes:

[0020] The intake pump assembly includes an intake molecular pump connected to the air delivery unit via a pipeline, and an intake dry pump connected to the intake molecular pump via a pipeline; the intake dry pump is connected to the separation unit via a separation return gas pipeline.

[0021] The circulation tank is connected to the intake dry pump and the separation unit respectively via a separation intake pipe;

[0022] The gas pump assembly includes a take-out dry pump connected to the circulation tank via a pipeline, and a take-out pressurization pump connected to the take-out dry pump via a pipeline; the take-out pressurization pump is connected to the gas storage unit via a pipeline.

[0023] The vacuum pump assembly is connected to the circulation tank via a pipeline.

[0024] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system includes a vacuum pump assembly comprising a vacuum pump connected to the circulation tank via a pipeline, and a vacuum molecular pump connected to the vacuum pump via a pipeline.

[0025] The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, wherein both the first separation component and the second separation component are composed of oxygen-free copper wire mesh.

[0026] Beneficial Effects: This utility model provides a dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, including a separation unit. The separation unit includes: a shell with a vacuum chamber; a refrigerator including a cold head assembly; the cold head assembly is disposed within the vacuum chamber; a heat transfer assembly connected to the cold head assembly via a gas gap thermal switch; the heat transfer assembly includes a first heat transfer assembly and a second heat transfer assembly; a separation assembly including a first separation assembly and a second separation assembly; the first separation assembly and the second separation assembly are respectively disposed on the first heat transfer assembly and the second heat transfer assembly; and a heat exchange assembly thermally connected to the cold head assembly. The heat exchange assembly is connected to the first separation assembly and the second separation assembly via bidirectional pipes for gas inlet and outlet. This utility model freezes impurities in the separation assembly by freezing; simultaneously, by setting up dual separation assemblies and cooperating with a gas gap thermal switch, the first and second separation assemblies can operate in staggered shifts under the same cold source, thereby achieving continuous freezing and separation of the gas. This allows the helium-3 purification system to continuously and stably separate impurities for a long time, achieving continuous purification of helium-3 gas. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the separation unit in a dual-stroke helium-3 purification system according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a dual-stroke helium-3 purification system according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas circuit control unit;

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: Separation unit 10, Housing 11, Vacuum chamber 12, Refrigeration unit 13, Cold head assembly 14, First-stage cold head 141, Second-stage cold head 142, Heat transfer assembly 15, First heat transfer assembly 151, Second heat transfer assembly 152, Air gap thermal switch 16, First air gap thermal switch 161, Second air gap thermal switch 162, Separation assembly 17, First separation assembly 171, Second separation assembly 172, Heat exchange assembly 18, First heat exchanger 181 Second heat exchanger 182, bidirectional pipeline 19, gas supply unit 20, gas path control unit 30, air inlet pump assembly 31, air inlet molecular pump 311, air inlet dry pump 312, separation return gas pipeline 313, circulation tank 32, separation air inlet pipeline 321, air outlet pump assembly 33, dry pump 331, pressurization pump 332, vacuum pump assembly 34, vacuum pump 341, vacuum molecular pump 342, gas storage unit 40, air inlet shut-off valve 50, air outlet shut-off valve 60. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This invention provides a two-stroke helium-3 purification system. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the following provides a more detailed description. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this invention and are not intended to limit it.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," and "rear," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features.

[0033] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, this utility model provides a two-stroke helium-3 purification system, including a separation unit 10; the separation unit 10 includes:

[0035] The housing 11 is provided with a vacuum chamber 12;

[0036] The refrigeration unit 13 includes a cold head assembly 14; the cold head assembly 14 is disposed within the vacuum chamber 12;

[0037] The heat transfer assembly 15 is connected to the cold head assembly 14 via an air gap thermal switch 16; the heat transfer assembly 15 includes a first heat transfer assembly 151 and a second heat transfer assembly 152.

[0038] The separation component 17 includes a first separation component 171 and a second separation component 172; the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 are respectively disposed on the first heat transfer component 151 and the second heat transfer component 152.

[0039] The heat exchange component 18 is thermally connected to the cold head component 14; the heat exchange component 18 is connected to the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 via bidirectional pipes for air intake and exhaust; the heat exchange component 18 is connected to the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 via bidirectional pipes.

[0040] In this embodiment, the impurity gas is frozen in the separation component by freezing. At the same time, by setting up dual separation components and cooperating with the gas gap thermal switch, the first and second separation components can operate in staggered shifts under the same cold source, thereby achieving continuous freezing and separation of the gas. This enables the helium-3 purification system to continuously and stably separate the impurity gas for a long time, thus achieving continuous purification of helium-3 gas.

[0041] Specifically, this invention uses the refrigerator 13 to cool the vacuum chamber 12 to below 4K. The gas to be purified passes through the heat exchange component 18 and then enters the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 for separation. Taking advantage of the fact that the temperatures of the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 are below 4K, and that the freezing components in the separation components freeze other gases in the helium-3, the purification of helium-3 is achieved. Since the separation components need to be regenerated by heating after a period of operation, this invention employs a dual-separation component structure to achieve dual-stroke helium-3 purification. When the first separation component 171 is working, the air gap thermal switch of the first separation component 171 is kept in the connected state to ensure that the first separation component 171 is at a low temperature. At this time, the second separation component 172 undergoes heating and regeneration. The air gap thermal switch of the second separation component 172 is kept in the closed state to isolate the second separation component 172 from the cold head component 14, thereby achieving parallel operation of the first and second separation components and ultimately realizing continuous gas circulation separation. In addition, when one of the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172 is at a low temperature, it is in the separation working state; while the other separation component can be in a high temperature state for heating and regeneration, and the frozen impurities are vaporized and removed through the impurity gas removal pipeline.

[0042] In some embodiments, the cold head assembly 14 includes a primary cold head 141 and a secondary cold head 142; the heat transfer assembly 15 is connected to the secondary cold head 142 via an air gap thermal switch 16. This structure is simple, easy to operate, and stable in operation, while fully utilizing the cooling capacity provided by the refrigerator to improve the overall performance of the helium-3 purification system.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first heat transfer component 151 is connected to the secondary cold head 142 via a first air gap thermal switch 161, and the second heat transfer component 152 is connected to the secondary cold head 142 via a second air gap thermal switch 162. The first air gap thermal switch 161 and the second air gap thermal switch 162 are used to control the cold air delivery to the first heat transfer component 151 and the second heat transfer component 152, respectively, allowing for independent temperature control of the two components. This enables the first separation component 171 and the second separation component 172, respectively mounted on the first heat transfer component 151 and the second heat transfer component 152, to operate simultaneously or alternately, achieving continuous gas circulation and separation.

[0044] In some embodiments, the heat exchange assembly 18 includes a first heat exchanger 181 and a second heat exchanger 182; the first heat exchanger 181 is thermally connected to the first-stage cold head 141, and the second heat exchanger 182 is thermally connected to the second-stage cold head 142. By thermally connecting the first heat exchanger 181 to the first-stage cold head 141 and the second heat exchanger 182 to the second-stage cold head 142, the first-stage cold head 141 and the second-stage cold head 142 can provide low-temperature conditions for the first heat exchanger 181 and the second heat exchanger 182, so that the gas to be purified passing through the first heat exchanger 181 and the second heat exchanger 182 sequentially decreases in temperature, thereby achieving the purpose of liquefaction and further purification; and, the thermal connection between the heat exchanger and the cold head not only achieves the cooling of helium, but also recovers some heat through heat exchange.

[0045] In some embodiments, the heat exchange assembly and the cold head assembly are thermally connected via an indium sheet.

[0046] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the dual-stroke helium-3 purification system also includes a gas delivery unit 20, a gas path control unit 30, and a gas storage unit 40; the gas path control unit 30 is connected to the gas delivery unit 20 and the gas storage unit 40 via pipelines; the gas path control unit 30 is connected to the heat exchange assembly 18 via a bidirectional pipeline.

[0047] Specifically, the raw gas is input into the gas path control system through the gas delivery unit 20, and the gas is continuously circulated under high vacuum conditions to avoid the influence of trace impurities in the system on the product gas. Finally, the gas is stored in the gas storage unit 40.

[0048] In some embodiments, the gas delivery unit 20 is used to deliver the gas to be purified (raw gas) to the gas circuit control unit 30; the gas storage unit 40 is used to store the purified helium-3 gas.

[0049] In some embodiments, an inlet shut-off valve 50 is provided on the pipe connecting the gas supply unit 20 and the gas path control unit 30; an outlet shut-off valve 60 is provided on the pipe connecting the gas path control unit 30 and the gas storage unit 40. The inlet shut-off valve 50 and the outlet shut-off valve 60 can be used to control the inflow and outflow of gas.

[0050] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the gas circuit control unit 30 includes:

[0051] The intake pump assembly 31 includes an intake molecular pump 311 connected to the air delivery unit 20 via a pipe, and an intake dry pump 312 connected to the intake molecular pump 311 via a pipe; the intake dry pump 312 is connected to the separation unit 10 via a separation return pipe 313.

[0052] The circulation tank 32 is connected to the intake dry pump 312 and the separation unit 10 respectively through the separation intake pipe 321;

[0053] The exhaust pump assembly 33 includes an exhaust dry pump 331 connected to the circulation tank 32 via a pipeline, and an exhaust pressurization pump 332 connected to the exhaust dry pump 331 via a pipeline; the exhaust pressurization pump 332 is connected to the gas storage unit 40 via a pipeline.

[0054] The vacuum pump assembly 34 is connected to the circulation tank 32 via a pipe.

[0055] In this embodiment, a circulation tank is used as a circulation subunit, an exhaust pump assembly as a product gas output subunit, and a vacuum pump assembly as a vacuum subunit. Under the action of the intake dry pump 312, the raw gas enters the circulation tank 32 through the intake shut-off valve 50 and the intake molecular pump 311, and the circulation tank is used to realize the continuous circulation of helium-3 gas. The gas in the circulation tank 32 enters the separation unit 10 through the separation intake pipe 321 for separation. After separation, under the action of the intake dry pump 312, the separated gas is recovered to the circulation tank 32 through the separation return pipe 313. After a total of three cycles, separation is achieved. The separated product gas is collected by the extraction dry pump 331 to the extraction pressurization pump 332, and then the extraction pressurization pump 332 is used to pressurize the product gas to the target pressure and store it in the gas storage unit 40. In addition, the vacuum of the gas path control unit 30 is maintained by the vacuum pump assembly 34.

[0056] In some embodiments, the intake dry pump 312 is connected to the first heat exchanger 181 via a separate return gas pipe 313; the circulation tank 32 is connected to the first heat exchanger 181 via a separate intake gas pipe 321.

[0057] In some embodiments, the vacuum pump assembly 34 includes a vacuum pump 341 connected to the circulation tank via a pipe, and a vacuum molecular pump 342 connected to the vacuum pump 341 via a pipe. The vacuum pump 341 and the vacuum molecular pump 342 are used to maintain the vacuum level of the gas path control unit 30.

[0058] In some embodiments, both the first separation component and the second separation component are composed of oxygen-free copper wire mesh. Using high-purity oxygen-free copper wire mesh to compose the separation components can avoid introducing adsorbents into the system.

[0059] In some embodiments, the pipelines of the two-stroke helium-3 purification system are equipped with shut-off valves.

[0060] In this embodiment, the bidirectional pipeline includes two pipelines, and the two pipelines deliver gas in opposite directions, so that the gas forms a circulation loop within the separation unit and between the gas path control unit and the separation unit.

[0061] In summary, this utility model provides a dual-stroke helium-3 purification system, comprising a separation unit; the separation unit includes: a shell with a vacuum chamber; a refrigerator including a cold head assembly; the cold head assembly is disposed within the vacuum chamber; a heat transfer assembly connected to the cold head assembly via an air gap thermal switch; the heat transfer assembly includes a first heat transfer assembly and a second heat transfer assembly; a separation assembly including a first separation assembly and a second separation assembly; the first separation assembly and the second separation assembly are respectively disposed on the first heat transfer assembly and the second heat transfer assembly; a heat exchange assembly thermally connected to the cold head assembly; the heat exchange assembly is connected to the first separation assembly and the second separation assembly via bidirectional pipes for gas inlet and outlet, and the heat exchange assembly is connected to the first separation assembly and the second separation assembly via bidirectional pipes. This utility model freezes impurities in the separation assembly by freezing; simultaneously, by setting up dual separation assemblies and cooperating with the air gap thermal switch, the first and second separation assemblies operate in staggered shifts under the same cold source, thereby achieving continuous freezing and separation of the gas, enabling the helium-3 purification system to continuously and stably separate impurities for a long time, achieving continuous purification of helium-3 gas.

[0062] It should be understood that the application of this utility model is not limited to the examples above. Those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dual-cycle helium-3 purification system, characterized by, Includes a separation unit; the separation unit includes: The casing is equipped with a vacuum chamber; A refrigeration unit, including a cold head assembly; the cold head assembly is disposed within the vacuum chamber; A heat transfer component is connected to the cold head assembly via an air gap thermal switch; the heat transfer component includes a first heat transfer component and a second heat transfer component. A separation component includes a first separation component and a second separation component; the first separation component and the second separation component are respectively disposed on the first heat transfer component and the second heat transfer component. The heat exchange component is thermally connected to the cold head component; the heat exchange component has air intake and exhaust through bidirectional pipes, and the heat exchange component is connected to the first separation component and the second separation component through bidirectional pipes respectively.

2. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 1, wherein, The cold head assembly includes a primary cold head and a secondary cold head; the heat transfer assembly is connected to the secondary cold head via an air gap thermal switch.

3. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 2, wherein, The first heat transfer component is connected to the secondary cold head via a first air gap thermal switch, and the second heat transfer component is connected to the secondary cold head via a second air gap thermal switch.

4. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 2, wherein, The heat exchange assembly includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger; the first heat exchanger is thermally connected to the first-stage cold head, and the second heat exchanger is thermally connected to the second-stage cold head.

5. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 1, wherein, The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system further includes a gas delivery unit, a gas path control unit, and a gas storage unit; the gas path control unit is connected to the gas delivery unit and the gas storage unit via pipelines; the gas path control unit is connected to the heat exchange assembly via a bidirectional pipeline.

6. The dual-stroke helium-3 purification system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The gas delivery unit is used to deliver the gas to be purified to the gas circuit control unit; the gas storage unit is used to store the purified helium-3 gas.

7. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 5, wherein, An inlet shut-off valve is provided on the pipe connecting the gas supply unit and the gas path control unit; an outlet shut-off valve is provided on the pipe connecting the gas path control unit and the gas storage unit.

8. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 5, wherein, The gas circuit control unit includes: The intake pump assembly includes an intake molecular pump connected to the air delivery unit via a pipeline, and an intake dry pump connected to the intake molecular pump via a pipeline; the intake dry pump is connected to the separation unit via a separation return gas pipeline. The circulation tank is connected to the intake dry pump and the separation unit respectively via a separation intake pipe; The gas pump assembly includes a take-out dry pump connected to the circulation tank via a pipeline, and a take-out pressurization pump connected to the take-out dry pump via a pipeline; the take-out pressurization pump is connected to the gas storage unit via a pipeline. The vacuum pump assembly is connected to the circulation tank via a pipeline.

9. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 8, wherein, The vacuum pump assembly includes a vacuum pump connected to the circulation tank via a pipe, and a vacuum molecular pump connected to the vacuum pump via a pipe.

10. The dual-cycle helium-3 purification system of claim 1, wherein, Both the first separation component and the second separation component are composed of oxygen-free copper wire mesh.

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