Refrigeration installation and process

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryogenic refrigeration installation and method comprising an enclosure (2) delimiting a sealed volume and housing at least two thermally conductive trays (4, 5, 6, 7) forming thermal stages, at least one of the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) being connected to a thermal screen (14, 15, 16, 17) forming a thermally insulated volume, the installation (1) comprising a set of support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27) mounted on the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) and forming a support for a set of cable(s) (30) and / or samples to be cooled, the installation (1) comprising a cryogenic temperature cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) and / or support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27),The cryogenic temperature cooling system includes a refrigerator (70) comprising a cryogenic cycle fluid and a cooling circuit (20) ensuring circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid at at least a portion of the periphery of at least one support plate (24, 25, 26, 27). Abbreviated figure: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Refrigeration installation and method

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigeration installation and method.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a cryogenic refrigeration installation comprising an enclosure delimiting a sealed vacuum volume closed by a cover, the enclosure housing at least two thermal conductive plates distributed in a distribution direction in the enclosure and forming thermal stages, at least one of the plates being connected to a thermal screen forming a thermal insulation volume, the installation comprising a set of support plate(s) mounted on the plates and forming a support for a set of cable(s) and / or samples to be cooled, the installation comprising a cryogenic temperature cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the plates and / or support plate(s), the cryogenic temperature cooling system comprising a refrigerator comprising a cryogenic cycle fluid.

[0003] The invention relates to a refrigeration device for cooling elements to a cryogenic temperature below 100K and in particular below 50K and / or below 4K.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to refrigeration devices which make it possible to cool to very low temperatures, of the order of millikelvin ("subKelvin refrigeration"). These very low temperatures are conventionally obtained via a dilution refrigerator or a Joule Thomson type cryogenic cooler using He4 or He3.

[0005] In these devices, it is necessary to provide cooling power up to a temperature of, for example, 4K to one or more refrigeration stages. An installation of this type must be able to be cooled quickly when it is started up. In addition, the experimental surface available for the samples or cables to be cooled must be optimized.

[0006] Dilution refrigerators require a supply of cooling power at a temperature lower than at least 4.2K to operate. This cooling power is generally supplied from pulsed gas tubes ("dry" dilution refrigerators), or via a liquid helium bath ("wet" dilution refrigerators). In "Qbits" applications, the cooling power must be increased.

[0007] Increasing the number of pulsed gas tubes limits the experimental area available for integrating Qbits.

[0008] Thus, this solution does not, however, provide very high cooling power to the samples to be cooled and also generates vibrations.

[0009] In addition, the increase in the power to be extracted can be slowed down by the resistors contact thermal resistances of the trays. For high-power dilution refrigerators, one of the critical needs is to pre-cool several thousand cables or samples. This cold power can be installed in the central part of the tray to cool the samples or cables at the edge of the tray. The increased distances between a point cold point that provides the cold power (pulsed gas tube) and the sample to be cooled face significant thermal resistances (conduction in the large tray and intermediate contact resistances). This is a reason for the loss of thermal efficiency. Thus, increasing the power does not necessarily allow for efficient cooling.

[0010] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

[0011] To this end, the installation according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the cooling circuit ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid at the level of at least one part of the periphery of at least one support plate.

[0012] The heat exchange is carried out as close as possible and preferably via contact with the support plate. The cold power is distributed at the level of the plates (on the periphery), for example at a distance between zero and 50cm and preferably zero and 2cm from the plate.

[0013] The contact surface can be maximized and the cooling power is provided as close as possible to the need. This avoids the problems induced by several contact resistors in series as in known solutions cooling the plate.

[0014] A colder temperature (or greater cooling power) is available at the support plates (or greater cooling power). The cooling time of these support plates is reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - at least part of the set of support plate(s) are mounted at the edge of the respective trays, in a plane located above or below the tray concerned or in the plane of the tray concerned in respective housings provided in the tray, - at least part of the set of support plate(s) are mounted in a removable manner relative to their plate, - the installation comprises a set of heat exchanger(s) in thermal exchange with both the tray and the associated support plate, the cooling circuit passing through the said heat exchanger(s), the installation comprises a set of exchanger(s) interposed between the plate and the associated support plates, the cooling circuit passing through said heat exchangers, the cooling circuit is in heat exchange with a heat shield associated with a tray, directly in the body of the heat shield and / or in a set of heat exchanger(s) in contact with the heat shield, interposed for example between the screen and the tray, the cooling circuit is in heat exchange with at least one tray, directly in the body of the tray and / or in a set of heat exchangers in contact with the tray, at least part of the heat exchanger assembly is removable from the plate concerned together with the support plates concerned or independently of the support plates concerned, the cooling circuit makes several separate passages around at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate, the cooling circuit ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid in series with at least part of the periphery of several support plates of the same plate, the cooling circuit ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid in parallel with at least part of the periphery of several support plates of the same plate, the cooling circuit ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid first at at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate of a first plate then, sequentially, circulation and heat exchange of the fluid at at least part of the periphery of at least one other support plate of a second plate, at least part of a peripheral edge of the set of support plate(s) coincides with the edge of the tray concerned, the cooling circuit passing around the periphery of at least one support plate with the exception of the edge coinciding with the edge of the tray, the set of plate(s) and heat exchangers of a tray are located in the same plane as the tray concerned, the plate assembly(s) or the corresponding heat exchangers of a tray are located in the same plane as the tray concerned, in the operating configuration of the installation, the set of plate(s) and heat exchangers and the plate concerned are horizontal, in the usage configuration the set of plate(s) and the tray concerned are horizontal while the corresponding heat exchangers are vertical, - the cooling circuit circulating in said heat exchangers passes through the heat exchangers via inlet(s) and outlet(s) opening onto the edge of the heat exchangers located adjacent to the peripheral edge of the corresponding plate and / or the central part of the corresponding plate, - at least part of the trays is made of a thermally conductive metal or alloy, for example aluminum and / or copper possibly coated with gold, - at least part of the support plates is made of a thermally conductive metal or alloy, for example aluminum and / or copper possibly coated with gold, - at least part of the heat exchangers is made of a thermally conductive metal or alloy, for example aluminum and / or copper.

[0016] The invention also relates to a refrigeration method using such an installation and comprising a step of storing and / or producing a liquid cryogenic cycle fluid at the refrigerator, a step of circulating said cryogenic fluid and of carrying out heat exchange of this fluid at at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate, and, after heat exchange(s), a step of returning this fluid to the refrigerator or a recuperator.

[0017] According to other possible particularities:

[0018] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

[0019] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, given with reference to the figures in which: Brief description of the figures

[0020] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a first example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a second example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial view, from above, of a detail of such an ins tallation illustrating a first example of the creation of a tray,

[0024] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial view, from above, of a detail of such an ins- tallation illustrating a second example of the production of a tray,

[0025] [Fig.5] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray in a first possible embodiment variant,

[0026] [Fig.6] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray in a second possible embodiment,

[0027] [Fig.7] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray in a third possible embodiment,

[0028] [Fig.8] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray in a fourth possible embodiment,

[0029] [Fig.9] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray connected to a heat shield in a first possible embodiment,

[0030] [Fig. 10] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray connected to a heat shield in a second possible embodiment,

[0031] [Fig. 11] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray connected to a heat shield in a third possible embodiment,

[0032] [Fig. 12] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray connected to a heat shield in a fourth possible embodiment,

[0033] [Fig. 13] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, of a detail of such a tray connected to a heat shield in a fifth possible embodiment. Detailed description

[0034] In all the figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0035] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0036] The cryogenic refrigeration installation 1 illustrated in [Fig.l] comprises an enclosure 2 delimiting a volume closed by a cover 3, for example made of aluminum. Preferably, the volume is under vacuum and houses a plurality of thermally conductive plates 4, 5, 6, 7 distributed in a distribution direction in the enclosure 2 and forming thermal stages having, for example, decreasing temperatures (for example vertically from top to bottom). The plates can be spaced from each other via supports 40, for example made of composite material.

[0037] In the example illustrated schematically, the enclosure 2 houses four trays 4, 5, 6, 7. Each tray 4, 5, 6, 7 is connected to a respective thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17 forming a thermal insulation volume. The tray 4, 5, 6, 7 and the corresponding screen 14, 15, 16, 17 encompass the following trays and screens in a direction of re partition. That is to say that the boards 4, 5, 6, 7 and screens 14, 15, 16, 17 are nested like “nesting” pieces.

[0038] For example, in the operating configuration, the cover 3 can be at room temperature (at least for its outer face) and the four inner plates 4, 5, 6, 7 are cooled to temperatures decreasing from top to bottom (for example respectively to 90K, 50K, 10K and 3K).

[0039] The installation 1 comprises a set of support plates 24, 25, 26, 27 mounted on the trays 4, 5, 6, 7. These plates 24, 25, 26, 27 form a support for a set of cable(s) 30 or samples to be cooled. As illustrated, a cable bundle 30 is mounted on the set of support plates 24, 25, 26, 27 mounted respectively on the different trays 4, 5, 6, 7 (according to the distribution direction). That is to say that the cables 30 extend vertically downwards in the enclosure 2 and are mounted in heat exchange with the increasingly cold trays 4, 5, 6, 7. Thus, the thermally conductive plates 4, 5, 6, 7 are distributed according to the distribution direction in the enclosure 2 and form thermal stages. At least a portion of the plates 4, 5, 6, 7 are cooled by the cryogenic cooler or refrigerator 70 to respective determined temperatures.

[0040] For this purpose, the installation 1 preferably comprises a set of passages formed through the cover 3 and the trays 4, 5, 6, 7 for the sealed passage of cable(s) and / or equipment(s) in the enclosure 2.

[0041] The plates 24, 25, 26, 27 supporting the different trays 4, 5, 6, 7 are for example arranged in line and spaced according to a distribution direction, for example a stacking direction which is vertical in the operating position in the enclosure 2.

[0042] The installation 1 has at least one cryogenic temperature cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the trays 4, 5, 6, 7 and / or support plate(s) 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0043] This cryogenic temperature cooling system preferably comprises a refrigerator 70 comprising a cryogenic cycle fluid (for example helium-based) and a cooling circuit 20 ensuring circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0044] The cooling circuit 20 may in particular comprise a set of pipe(s) for supplying the cycle fluid produced by the refrigerator to the elements to be cooled in the enclosure 2 and a set of pipes for returning said fluid having cooled these elements to the refrigerator 70.

[0045] That is to say that, instead of cooling the plates 4, 5, 6, 7 by conduction only by pulsed gas tubes for example or a helium bath, the installation 1 plans to transfer the cold power via a cycle fluid flow as close as possible to the support plates 24, 25, 26, 27 (as detailed below) and in particular preferably in contact with the plates 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0046] Preferably, the cycle fluid contains or consists of helium. The cycle fluid may be cooled to a supercritical or superfluid state before being put into heat exchange with plates. This circulation of a flow of supercritical helium as close as possible to the plates makes it possible to very efficiently distribute the cold power to the location where it is needed.

[0047] For example, the refrigerator 70 is mounted through the cover 3 and has a first end located outside the enclosure 2 and a second end located inside the enclosure 2. The refrigerator 70 is configured to provide cold at its second end,

[0048] The refrigerator 70 is for example of the type using a cold source of liquefied cycle fluid such as helium or nitrogen. The cold power of the refrigerator is stored and / or produced at its first end and this cold power is transferred to the plates via a flow of the cycle fluid transferring cold power from the first end to the second end of the refrigerator. After heat exchange with the plate(s), the cycle fluid is returned to restart the cycle (compression, etc.).

[0049] The refrigerator 70 comprises for example a cycle circuit configured to subject the cycle fluid to a thermodynamic cycle bringing the cycle fluid to at least one cold end of the cycle circuit at a determined cryogenic temperature. The cycle fluid circuit comprising a mechanism 9 for compressing the cycle fluid (compressor(s)), at least one member for cooling the cycle fluid (heat exchanger(s)), a mechanism 19 for expanding the cycle fluid (valve(s) and / or turbine(s)) and at least one member for reheating (heat exchanger(s)) the expanded cycle fluid. The reheating and cooling can be provided in part at least by one or more countercurrent heat exchangers for simultaneously cooling and reheating two parts of the cycle circuit.

[0050] The refrigerator 70 uses for example a cycle fluid comprising at least one of: helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon. The installation comprising a set of pipe(s) for supplying at least a portion of the fluid from the cycle circuit to the plates to be cooled forming the cooling circuit 20.

[0051] As illustrated in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], all or part of the support plates 24, 25, 26, 27 may be located at the edge of their respective plate 4, 5, 6, 7. For example, the support plates 24, 25, 26, 27 carrying the cables are mounted in a removable manner on the plates 4, 5, 6, 7 (interlocking, screwing, etc.).

[0052] The plates 24, 25, 26, 27 support with cables 30 and heat exchangers 21 can be mounted in the enclosure 2 via the same passage in the cover 3, for example via the same flange of the cover 3.

[0053] The heat exchange between the cold cycle fluid flow (preferably in a supercritical state) and the plates 24, 25, 26, 27 can be carried out via a set of heat exchanger(s) 21 in heat exchange with both the plate 4, 5, 6, 7 and the support plate 24, 25, 26, 27 concerned. For example, the cooling circuit 20 passes through said heat exchanger(s) 21. For example, heat exchangers 21 are interposed between the plate 4, 5, 6, 7 and the support plates 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0054] Heat exchangers 21 may be mounted on the trays / plates to exchange heat by conduction and contact.

[0055] In the example of [Fig.5], the exchanger 21 is located in the same plane as the plate 24, 25, 26, 27 and the tray 4, 5, 6, 7. For example, the plate 24, 25, 26, 27 is embedded (surrounded) in its exchanger 21 which is itself embedded in a housing of the tray 4, 5, 6, 7. In this configuration the plate 24, 25, 26, 27 does not bear directly on the tray 4, 5, 6, 7 (but via the heat exchanger 21)

[0056] As visible in [Fig. 3], a part of a peripheral edge of the support plate 24, 25, 26, 27 may coincide with the edge of the tray 4, 5, 6, 7 concerned. The cooling circuit 20 (the heat exchanger 21) passes around the periphery of the support plate 24, 25, 26, 27 with the exception of the edge coinciding with the edge of the tray. For example, the inlets / outlets of the cooling circuit 20 are located at this edge of the plate and the tray.

[0057] In the example of [Fig.6], the plate 24, 25, 26, 27 is located above the tray 4, 5, 6, 7, and the exchanger 21 is interposed vertically between the latter. For example, the heat exchanger 21 has a vertical structure (which extends perpendicular to the plane of the tray. This configuration makes it possible to limit the size of the exchanger on the tray 4, 5, 6, 7 while ensuring optimal cooling.

[0058] The example of [Fig.7] differs from that of [Fig.6] in that the heat exchanger 21 has a horizontal structure (which extends parallel to the plane of the plate 4, 5, 6, 7). In addition, as illustrated, the cooling circuit 20 can make several separate passages (back and forth) in the heat exchanger 21 around at least a portion of the periphery of at least one support plate 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0059] In the example of [Fig.8], the plate 24, 25, 26, 27 is located in the plane of the tray 4, 5, 6, 7 (in a housing provided for this purpose), and the exchanger 21 is interposed on the latter (in the vertical direction). For example, the heat exchanger 21 has a flat or horizontal structure.

[0060] Preferably, the heat exchanger 21 ensures cooling of the plate 4, 5, 6, 7 by thermal conduction, via contact with the plate, in particular at the level of at least part of its periphery.

[0061] Of course, other embodiments can be envisaged.

[0062] Thus, the cooling circuit 20 can be arranged to be in heat exchange with the thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17 associated with a plate 4, 5, 6, 7, for example between the plate (or plate) and the thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17 as illustrated in [Fig.9].

[0063] As illustrated in [Fig. 10], the cooling circuit 20 can pass directly into the body of the thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17 near the plate or tray.

[0064] In the example of [Fig. 11], the heat exchanger 21 containing the cooling circuit 20 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17 close to the periphery of the plate or tray.

[0065] In the example of [Fig. 12], the cooling circuit 20 can pass directly into the body of the tray 4, 5, 6, 7

[0066] In the example of [Fig. 13], one or more heat exchangers 21 containing the cooling circuit 20 are arranged on the upper and / or lower surface of the tray and / or the plate and possibly also in contact with the thermal screen 14, 15, 16, 17.

[0067] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the cooling circuit 20 can be configured to ensure serial cooling of the plates 24 of the same tray 4, 5, 6. That is to say that the cooling circuit carries out circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid with the plates 24 one after the other (in this example via respective heat exchangers 21). That is to say that the cooling circuit 20 cools a first plate 24 of the tray, then a second, a third etc., before being evacuated (to another tray or to the refrigerator 70). The cooling circuit 20 can then define a peripheral path around the tray 4.

[0068] In the variant shown in [Fig.4] the cooling circuit 20 is distributed in parallel to simultaneously cool the different plates 24 of the plate 4 with separate flows.

[0069] Similarly, the cooling circuit 20 can provide parallel and / or series cooling of the various trays 4, 5, 6, 7 and corresponding plates 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0070] Thus, the cooling circuit 20 can ensure a heat exchange of the cycle fluid first at the level of at least a part of the periphery of at least one support plate of a first plate 7 then, sequentially, a circulation and a heat exchange of the fluid at the level of at least a part of the periphery of at least one other support plate 6 of a second plate and so on. In the example of [Fig.l] the cooling circuit 20 first cools the coldest plates 27 / tray 7 (the innermost according to the distribution direction) then this flow then cools the previous plates 26 / tray 6 (in the opposite direction of distribution) and so on to then return warmer to the refrigerator cycle to be cooled again.

[0071] Of course, and as shown in [Fig. 2] one or more trays / plates can be cooled via dedicated cooling circuits 20 (in parallel). For example, a flow of very cold cycle fluid is guided to cool the coldest tray 7 / plates 27 before returning directly to the cycle of the refrigerator 70 while the other trays 6, 5, 4 / plates 26, 25, 24 are cooled (in parallel or in series) by one or more separate flows coming from the refrigerator 70 (for example relatively less cold flows). For example, the cycle circuit of the refrigerator 70 is configured to subject the cycle fluid to a thermodynamic cycle bringing the cycle fluid to several distinct cold temperatures at respectively several ends of the cycle circuit.Thus, several distinct flows of the cycle fluid at said distinct cold temperatures can be put into heat exchange with the respective support plates of distinct trays via respective distinct conduits (distinct circulation loops). The cycle fluid is for example configured to bring the cycle fluid to at least one cold temperature from: approximately 80K, between 20 and 70K, between 2K and 5K and / or in a supercritical state.

[0072] The installation 1 may further comprise in the enclosure 2, connected for example to the coldest plate 4, a sub-kelvin refrigerator, for example a dilution refrigerator or a JT (Joule-Thomson) refrigerator, in heat exchange with this plate 7 to reach temperatures lower than 4K, in particular lower than 1K, and in particular around the milliKelvin. Such a dilution refrigerator conventionally uses a mixture of helium 3 and helium 4 in a working circuit comprising a boiler, a mixing chamber and a member for circulating the helium flow. Cooling is obtained at the mixing chamber from the mixing enthalpy when the helium-3 is diluted in the helium 4.

[0073] Alternatively or in combination, the cold power could be produced in another installation / device (other physical entity) and transferred to this first end, for example by a heat transfer fluid or any other heat transfer member. Thus, the cold power (or cold source) is produced or stored outside the enclosure 2.

[0074] The invention is not limited to these embodiments and other configurations for the trays / plates are possible. For example, the trays 4, 5, 6, 7 and plates 24, 25, 26, 27 could be thermalized at a decreasing temperature from bottom to top, or they could be arranged in a horizontal direction and be thermalized at decreasing temperatures from left to right or vice versa or according to another distribution.

Claims

Claims

1. Cryogenic refrigeration installation comprising an enclosure (2) delimiting a vacuum-sealed volume closed by a cover (3), the enclosure (2) housing at least two thermally conductive trays (4, 5, 6, 7) distributed in a distribution direction in the enclosure (2) and forming thermal stages, at least one of the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) being connected to a thermal screen (14, 15, 16, 17) forming a thermal insulation volume, the installation (1) comprising a set of support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27) mounted on the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) and forming a support for a set of cable(s) (30) and / or samples to be cooled, the installation (1) comprising a cryogenic temperature cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the trays (4, 5, 6, 7) and / or support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27),the cryogenic temperature cooling system comprising a refrigerator (70) comprising a cryogenic cycle fluid and a cooling circuit (20) ensuring circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate (24, 25, 26, 27).,

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the set of support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27) are mounted at the edge of the respective trays (4, 5, 6, 7), in a plane located above or below the tray (4, 5, 6, 7) concerned or in the plane of the tray (4, 5, 6, 7) concerned in respective housings provided in the tray.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least part of the set of support plate(s) (24, 25, 26, 27) are mounted in a removable manner relative to their plate (4, 5, 6, 7).

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a set of heat exchanger(s) (21) in heat exchange with both the plate (4, 5, 6, 7) and the associated support plate (24, 25, 26, 27), the cooling circuit (20) passing through said heat exchanger(s) (21).

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a set of exchanger(s) (21) interposed between the plate (4, 5, 6, 7) and the associated support plates (24, 25, 26, 27), the cooling circuit (20) passing through said heat exchangers (21).

6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) is in heat exchange with a thermal screen (14, 15, 16, 17) associated with a plate (4, 5, 6, 7), directly in the body of the thermal screen and / or in a set of heat exchanger(s) (21) in contact with the thermal screen, interposed for example between the screen (14, 15, 16, 17) and the plate (4, 5, 6, 7).

7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) is in heat exchange with at least one tray (4, 5, 6, 7), directly in the body of the tray (4, 5, 6, 7) and / or in a set of heat exchangers (21) in contact with the tray (4, 5, 6, 7).

8. Installation according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least part of the heat exchanger assembly (21) is removable from the plate (4, 5, 6, 7) concerned together with the support plates (24, 25, 26, 27) concerned or independently of the support plates (24, 25, 26, 27) concerned.

9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) makes several separate passages around at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate (24, 25, 26, 27).

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid in series with at least part of the periphery of several plates (24, 25, 26, 27) supporting the same plate (4, 5, 6, 7).

11. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid in parallel with at least part of the periphery of several plates (24, 25, 26, 27) supporting the same plate (4, 5, 6, 7).

12. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cooling circuit (20) ensures circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid first at the level of at least one part of the periphery of at least one plate (24, 25, 26, 27) supporting a first plate (4, 5, 6, 7) then, sequentially, circulation and heat exchange of the fluid at the level of at least one part of the periphery of at least one other plate (24, 25, 26, 27) supporting a second plate (4, 5, 6, 7).

13. Refrigeration method using an installation according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a step of storing and / or producing a liquid cryogenic cycle fluid at the refrigerator (70), a step of circulating said cryogenic fluid and carrying out heat exchange of this fluid at at least part of the periphery of at least one support plate (24, 25, 26, 27), and, after heat exchange(s), a step of returning this fluid to the refrigerator (70) or a recuperator.

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