Helium cryo-adsorption device and helium production system

Abstract

The utility model belongs to helium adsorption field discloses a kind of helium cryogenic adsorption device and helium production system;Helium cryogenic adsorption device includes: casing heat exchanger, liquid air separation cylinder, multiple adsorbers, control valve;Casing heat exchanger input end is used to connect with crude helium, liquid air separation cylinder input end is connected with casing heat exchanger output end by first pipeline, the liquid air separation cylinder output end is connected with the input end of multiple adsorbers by second pipeline, the adjacent two adsorbers in multiple adsorbers are connected by third pipeline, the output end of multiple adsorbers is connected casing heat exchanger output end by fourth pipeline, for recycling cold quantity, every adsorber is through main adsorption, secondary adsorption, protection adsorption, precooling pressure charging, heating vacuumizing, six processes of liquid discharge pressure reduction, six adsorbers are in different process synchronous operation, shorten total processing time, solve the technical problem that regeneration time exceeds adsorption time in prior art, two groups of adsorption barrels cannot be used alternately, production is interrupted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of helium adsorption technology, and relates to a helium cryogenic adsorption device and a helium production system. Background Technology

[0002] Before converting crude helium into high-purity refined helium, it needs to be pretreated to remove impurities such as nitrogen and neon.

[0003] Existing helium pretreatment methods, such as Figure 1 As shown, while the first row of adsorption tank A adsorbs impurity gases mixed in the crude helium gas to treat the crude helium gas, the second row of adsorption tank B is activated and regenerated to discharge the impurity gases adsorbed by adsorption tank B during the adsorption of impurity gases, thus preparing for the next adsorption.

[0004] However, alternating adsorption and activation regeneration requires two sets of adsors. But when the regeneration time exceeds the adsorption time, it is impossible to switch to the already regenerated standby adsorption tank in time to continue working. The processing of materials on the production line will come to a standstill, which will cause the two sets of adsorption tanks to be unable to be used alternately, resulting in production interruption. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a helium cryogenic adsorption device and a helium production system, which solves the technical problem in the prior art where the regeneration time exceeds the adsorption time, and the two sets of adsorption tanks cannot be used alternately, resulting in production interruptions.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a helium cryogenic adsorption device includes: a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a liquid-air separation cylinder, multiple adsors, and a control valve; The input end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger is used to connect to crude helium gas. The input end of the liquid-air separator is connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger through a first pipe. The output end of the liquid-air separator is connected to the input ends of multiple adsorbers through a second pipe. Two adjacent adsorbers among the multiple adsorbers are connected through a third pipe. The output ends of the multiple adsorbers are connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger through a fourth pipe. The control valve is installed on the first, second, third, and fourth pipes.

[0007] Furthermore, multiple adsorbers (3) are arranged in sequence, and each adsorber (3) is used to perform primary adsorption, secondary adsorption, protective adsorption, liquid drainage and pressure reduction, heating and vacuuming, and pre-cooling and pressurizing.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes an online analyzer, which is connected to the output terminals of multiple adsorbers respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a liquid nitrogen storage tank, which is used to connect to the liquid-air separator and multiple adsors.

[0010] Furthermore, a liquid nitrogen pump is connected between the bottom of the adsorber and the liquid nitrogen storage tank to return the liquid nitrogen to the liquid nitrogen storage tank after depressurization.

[0011] Furthermore, the input end of the adsorber is connected to a vacuum pump for drawing a vacuum into the adsorber; the output end of the adsorber is connected to the venting pipeline of the adsorber cylinder for venting.

[0012] Furthermore, the output end of the adsorber is connected to a compressor, which is used to drain the liquid from the adsorber and reduce its pressure.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a nitrogen heater, which is connected to the input terminals of multiple adsorbers respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, the control valve state on the third pipeline is the opposite of the control valve state on the fourth pipeline.

[0015] A helium production system includes the aforementioned helium cryogenic adsorption device.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects: This utility model discloses a helium cryogenic adsorption device, which sets up multiple adsorbers, and each adsorber can execute multiple process procedures. Different process procedures can run simultaneously, so as to shorten the total processing time, improve the helium processing efficiency per unit time, and efficiently meet the increasing demand.

[0017] This utility model discloses a helium cryogenic adsorption device, in which two adjacent adsorbers are connected by a third pipe. In the event of a sudden shutdown, the remaining adsorbers can maintain part of the process, ensuring that the production line is always in operation.

[0018] This utility model discloses a helium cryogenic adsorption device in which the pre-cooling and pressurization and heating and vacuuming processes are not synchronized, thereby achieving staggered energy use and reducing system energy consumption.

[0019] This invention relates to a helium cryogenic adsorption device, which allows for immediate and convenient sampling of the gas inside the adsorber using an online analyzer to analyze the processing progress. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 Here is a structural diagram of an existing helium pretreatment system; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a helium cryogenic adsorption device according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the adsorber process in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure label: 1-Shell-tube heat exchanger; 2-Liquid-air separator; 3-Adsorber; 4-Online analyzer; 5-Liquid nitrogen storage tank; 6-Liquid nitrogen pump; 7-Vacuum pump; 8-Compressor; 9-Nitrogen heater. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, such as a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units, are not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0025] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings: Example 1 This utility model provides a helium cryogenic adsorption device, including a shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1, a liquid-air separator 2, multiple adsorbers 3, and a control valve. The input end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 is used to connect to crude helium. The input end of the liquid-air separator 2 is connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 through a first pipe. The output end of the liquid-air separator 2 is connected to the input ends of the multiple adsorbers 3 through a second pipe. Two adjacent adsorbers 3 are connected through a third pipe. The output ends of the multiple adsorbers 3 are connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 through a fourth pipe. The control valve is installed on the first, second, third, and fourth pipes and is used to control the multiple adsorbers 3 to operate in different processes.

[0026] The shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 preheats or cools the incoming crude helium gas. The liquid-air separator 2 performs preliminary separation on the gas processed by the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1, removing most impurities and unwanted components. Subsequently, multiple adsors 3 are used in series to further purify the gas through adsorption, achieving high-purity helium extraction. The processing time and flow rate are adjusted by precisely controlling the opening and closing of the control valves on each pipeline.

[0027] Multiple adsorbers 3 are arranged in sequence. Each adsorber 3 is used to perform the main adsorption, secondary adsorption, protective adsorption, liquid drainage and depressurization, heating and vacuuming or pre-cooling and pressurizing process, so that different processes can be processed simultaneously, or adsorbers 3 can be switched when needed.

[0028] The number of adsorbers 3 can be determined according to the process, preferably 2-8, and further, such as Figure 3 The example process shown is as follows.

[0029] The number of adsorbers 3 is preferably six, and the processing steps of each adsorber 3 are different. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the first adsorber 3 first performs the main adsorption, followed by liquid drainage and depressurization, heating and vacuuming, pre-cooling and pressurizing, protective adsorption, and finally adsorption.

[0030] The second adsorber 3 first performs secondary adsorption, followed by primary adsorption, liquid drainage and pressure reduction, heating and vacuuming, pre-cooling and pressurizing, and finally protective adsorption. Secondary adsorption is a relatively mild or preliminary adsorption process before primary adsorption to remove some impurities or pre-treated gases. Primary adsorption is for more effectively capturing the target gas or impurities. After primary adsorption, the liquid inside adsorber 3 needs to be drained and the pressure reduced. Heating promotes the release of gases or impurities adsorbed on the adsorbent, and vacuuming further reduces the pressure inside the adsorber to fully release impurity gases. After heating and vacuuming, the adsorber needs to be pre-cooled to prepare for the next adsorption cycle. Protective adsorption acts as a final line of defense to intercept any trace impurities that may not have been fully removed at the beginning.

[0031] The third adsorber, 3, first undergoes protective adsorption, followed by secondary adsorption, main adsorption, liquid drainage and depressurization, heating and vacuuming, and finally pre-cooling and pressurization. The fourth adsorber, 3, first undergoes pre-cooling and pressurization, followed by protective adsorption, secondary adsorption, main adsorption, liquid drainage and depressurization, and finally heating and vacuuming. The fifth adsorber, 3, first undergoes heating and vacuuming, followed by pre-cooling and pressurization, protective adsorption, secondary adsorption, main adsorption, and finally liquid drainage and depressurization. The sixth adsorber, 3, first undergoes depressurization and liquid drainage, followed by heating and vacuuming, pre-cooling and pressurization, protective adsorption, secondary adsorption, and finally main adsorption.

[0032] Through cyclic and alternating operation, each adsorber 3 can fully utilize its adsorption capacity, thereby improving the overall adsorption efficiency. Furthermore, the coordinated operation of multiple adsorbers 3 enables continuous processing, further enhancing production efficiency.

[0033] As shown in Table 1, if the first adsorber 3 is the main adsorbent, the second adsorber 3 performs secondary adsorption, the third adsorber 3 performs protective adsorption, the fourth adsorber 3 is pre-cooled and pressurized, the fifth adsorber 3 is heated and evacuated, and the sixth adsorber 3 is drained and depressurized.

[0034] If the first adsorber 3 is heated and evacuated, the second adsorber 3 is drained and depressurized, the third adsorber 3 is used for primary adsorption, the fourth adsorber 3 is used for secondary adsorption, the fifth adsorber 3 is used for protective adsorption, and the sixth adsorber 3 is used for pre-cooling and pressurization. In summary, the same adsorber 3 is used sequentially from top to bottom at different time periods, and different adsorbers 3 are used sequentially from left to right at the same time period.

[0035] Table 1

[0036] In summary, each adsorber 3 strictly executes six processes: primary adsorption, secondary adsorption, protective adsorption, pre-cooling and pressurization, heating and vacuuming, and liquid drainage and pressure reduction. Furthermore, the six adsorbers operate synchronously in different processes, shortening the total processing time, increasing the amount of helium raw material processed per unit time, and efficiently responding to the increase in demand.

[0037] Example 2 This invention provides a cryogenic helium adsorption device. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 receives crude helium from a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) device. The crude helium first undergoes heat exchange in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1, and then enters a liquid-air separator 2, where separation is achieved by utilizing the difference in boiling points of different gas components. Some impurities carried in the crude helium, such as small amounts of nitrogen and oxygen, are preferentially liquefied and enriched at the bottom of the liquid-air separator 2 under the cryogenic conditions, as the oxygen and nitrogen have higher boiling points.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the liquid-air separator 2 is connected to multiple adsorbers 3 via a second pipe. Valves are installed on the second pipe. During production, the six adsorbers 3 operate in different processes, as shown in Table 1. If the first adsorber 3 is the primary adsorbent, the second adsorber 3 is the secondary adsorbent, the third adsorber 3 is the protective adsorbent, the fourth adsorber 3 is the pre-cooling and pressurizing adsorbent, the fifth adsorber 3 is the heating and vacuuming adsorbent, and the sixth adsorber 3 is the depressurization and liquid discharge adsorbent. Taking the first adsorber 3 as an example, primary adsorption occurs first, followed by liquid discharge and depressurization, heating and vacuuming, pre-cooling and pressurizing, protective adsorption, and finally secondary adsorption. It should be noted that when each adsorber 3 is in primary adsorption, the online analyzer 4 measures the content of various impurities in the helium gas in the adsorber 3 to determine whether the current adsorption effect meets expectations. The liquid nitrogen pump 6 is used to adsorb liquid nitrogen after depressurization during liquid discharge. Furthermore, during liquid discharge and depressurization, when the pressure is high, the pressure is released to the compressor 8; when the pressure is low, it is discharged to the gas bag, thereby recovering unqualified helium gas. During the heating and vacuuming process, the nitrogen heater 9 heats the adsorber 3, and the nitrogen is vented through the adsorption tank vent pipe.

[0039] If the online analyzer 4 passes the test, the process for each adsorber 3 remains unchanged; if the test fails, the process switches to the next step. It should be noted that adsorbers 3 through 6 have the same apparatus, but the order of helium cryogenic adsorption differs. The second adsorber 3 first undergoes secondary adsorption, the third adsorber 3 first undergoes protective adsorption, the fourth adsorber 3 first undergoes pre-cooling and pressurization, the fifth adsorber 3 first undergoes heating and vacuuming, and the sixth adsorber 3 first undergoes depressurization and liquid drainage.

[0040] In summary, each adsorber 3 performs six processes: primary adsorption, secondary adsorption, protective adsorption, pre-cooling and pressurization, heating and vacuuming, and draining and depressurization. The six adsorbers 3 are in different processes, and the processes performed by different adsorbers 3 at the same time are different, so as to improve the processing efficiency and meet the needs of continuous production.

[0041] A helium production system includes the aforementioned helium cryogenic adsorption device, which will not be described in detail here.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the specific implementation of this utility model. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model should be covered within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A helium cryogenic adsorption device, characterized in that: Includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1), a liquid-air separator (2), multiple adsorbers (3), and control valves; The input end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1) is used to connect with crude helium gas. The input end of the liquid-air separator (2) is connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1) through a first pipe. The output end of the liquid-air separator (2) is connected to the input end of multiple adsorbers (3) through a second pipe. Two adjacent adsorbers (3) are connected through a third pipe. The output ends of multiple adsorbers (3) are connected to the output end of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1) through a fourth pipe. The control valve is set on the first pipe, the second pipe, the third pipe and the fourth pipe.

2. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple adsorbers (3) are arranged in sequence, and each adsorber (3) is used to perform primary adsorption, secondary adsorption, protective adsorption, liquid drainage and pressure reduction, heating and vacuuming, and pre-cooling and pressurizing.

3. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes an online analyzer (4), which is connected to the output terminals of multiple adsorbers (3).

4. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a liquid nitrogen storage tank (5), which is used to connect to the liquid-air separator (2) and multiple adsors (3).

5. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A liquid nitrogen pump (6) is connected between the bottom of the adsorber (3) and the liquid nitrogen storage tank (5) to return the liquid nitrogen to the liquid nitrogen storage tank (5) after depressurization.

6. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The input end of the adsorber (3) is connected to a vacuum pump (7) for drawing a vacuum into the adsorber (3); The output end of the adsorber (3) is connected to the venting pipeline of the adsorption cylinder for venting.

7. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The output end of the adsorber (3) is connected to a compressor (8), which is used to drain the liquid and reduce the pressure of the adsorber (3).

8. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a nitrogen heater (9), which is connected to the input of a plurality of adsorbers (3).

9. The helium cryogenic adsorption device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve on the third pipeline is in the opposite state to the control valve on the fourth pipeline.

10. A helium production system, characterized in that, The helium cryogenic adsorption device includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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