cryogenic fluid production facility

Abstract

Title: Cryogenic Fluid Production Installation. The invention relates to an installation (1) for the production of a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied hydrogen, comprising a circuit for the gas to be cooled (2), a first cold box (3) in which is arranged a first part of a set of heat exchangers (5) for cooling the circuit (2) to a first determined temperature, a purification stage (10) on the circuit (2), and a regeneration circuit on the circuit (2) configured to regenerate the purification stage (10). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: installation for producing a cryogenic fluid

[0001] The field of the present invention is that of an installation for producing a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied hydrogen.

[0002] It is known that the installations for producing a cryogenic fluid such as liquefied hydrogen are divided into two successive parts: 1) pre-cooling and 2) cooling ensuring liquefaction. The pre-cooling can be carried out with a pre-cooling device using for example a nitrogen cycle (or other pre-cooling fluid or a mixture) in a first and possibly a second cold box. The cooling can be carried out by a cooling device using for example a hydrogen or helium cycle (or other cooling fluid or a mixture). These pre-cooling and cooling devices require large capacity heat exchangers to carry out the pre-cooling and cooling of the hydrogen circuit to be liquefied, also called the hydrogen circuit to be cooled.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known to integrate into the hydrogen circuit to be liquefied, a purification member such as a cryogenic adsorber (TSA or other) in a third cold box. This purification member is configured to purify the hydrogen and rid it of impurities such as N2, CO for example, which could freeze in the cold part of the hydrogen liquefaction exchanger. It comprises several adsorbers in the form of adsorption bottles and integrates bulky regeneration and adsorption cycle instruments. This regeneration cycle operates partly at a higher temperature than the cryogenic temperatures of the installation for producing a cryogenic fluid, in particular those of the pre-cooling device.

[0004] This type of installation has, among other things, the consequence of having bulky cold boxes in order to contain the heat exchangers, which leads to significant bulk. It also has a negative impact on the overall performance of the pre-cooling device due to the high temperature of the regeneration cycle.

[0005] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks cited above.

[0006] The subject of the invention relates to an installation for producing a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied hydrogen, comprising a gas circuit to be cooled having an upstream end intended to be connected to a gas source and a downstream end intended to be connected to at least one receiving system, for example cryogenic storage, the installation comprising: - a set of heat exchangers in thermal exchange with the gas circuit to be cooled, - a pre-cooling device in heat exchange with at least a first part of the set of heat exchangers and configured to pre-cool the gas circuit to be cooled to a first determined temperature, - a cryogenic cooling device in heat exchange with at least a second part of the heat exchanger assembly and configured to cool the gas circuit to be cooled to a second determined temperature lower than the first temperature, - a first cold box in which is placed: - the first part of the heat exchanger assembly for cooling the gas circuit to be cooled to the first determined temperature, - a purification stage, in particular of the TSA type, on the gas circuit to be cooled, - a regeneration circuit on the gas circuit to be cooled and configured to regenerate the purification stage, and arranged at least partially in the first box, - possibly a catalytic device on the gas circuit to be cooled, - a second vacuum cold box, separate from the first cold box, and in which the second part of the heat exchanger assembly is arranged to cool the gas circuit to be cooled to the second determined temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0007] The installation is thus less bulky by comprising two cold boxes instead of three cold boxes in conventional installations.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-cooling device comprises a cycle gas, in particular nitrogen or a mixture composed of a mixed refrigerant MR of hydrocarbon type of crude formula CnHm, or MR and nitrogen and / or argon, allowing the pre-cooling of the gas circuit to be cooled.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling device comprises a cycle gas, in particular hydrogen, allowing the cooling of the gas circuit to be cooled.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles have a cylindrical shape.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the number of adsorption bottles is at less than two.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles are sized so that they have a minimum of space requirement in the first cold box. In particular, the adsorption bottles can be sized so that they occupy wasted spaces, in other words dead spaces which would not be used, in the first cold box.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the purification stage comprises adsorption bottles, in particular of the TSA type, Temperature Swing Adsorption in English, at least one of the adsorption bottles having an H / D ratio between a height and a diameter of the adsorption bottle of between 1 and 30, preferably between 3 and 20, with a diameter greater than or equal to 300 mm.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the H / D ratio is chosen in particular as a function of the total adsorption volume and the pressure drop of the purification stage.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles have a pressure drop of less than 1 bar and greater than 1 mbar, preferably greater than 5 mbar and in particular between 50 mbar and 500 mbar.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the first cold box can house both the purification stage, the operation of which can be carried out cold, in particular at a temperature between -210°C and -140°C and preferably between -195°C and -175°C, and the regeneration circuit, in particular operating hot, in other words at ambient temperature, due to a regeneration gas which is hot.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the first cold box comprises a carbon steel enclosure, called carbon steel in English, which maintains perlite or rock wool, called rockwool in English, swept with nitrogen gas so as to maintain a slight overpressure in the enclosure by this inert gas.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the first cold box houses the components, in particular the adsorption bottles and pipes.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the first cold box optionally houses one or more cycle turbines.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the regeneration circuit comprises a regeneration gas among the gases: pure nitrogen, mixture: nitrogen and / or helium and / or hydrogen, pure hydrogen, pure helium.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the gas contained in the regeneration circuit has a pressure higher than the pressure of the gas to be cooled.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the regeneration temperature is higher at least 100°C at the adsorption temperature.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the purification stage comprises cryogenic valves, making it possible to avoid exchanges between the gas circuit to be cooled (hydrogen to be liquefied) and a fluid in the regeneration circuit.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the cryogenic valves which connect the pipes subject to temperature variations are placed, for example, opposite the adsorption bottles in the enclosure of the first cold box.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles each have a cylindrical wall.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the isolation distance between the wall of the adsorption bottles and the wall of the enclosure of the first cold box is chosen so that the temperature difference between the wall of the adsorption bottles and the wall of the enclosure of the first cold box is in a ratio of between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles are placed, in the first cold box, away from the pre-cooling and cooling devices at a separation distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of the adsorption bottles.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the pipes of the pre-cooling and cooling devices are separated from the adsorption bottles at a distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of these cold pipes.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the pipes of the regeneration circuit are to be separated from the pre-cooling and cooling devices at a distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of these pipes.

[0030] Alternatively, the adsorption bottles and / or the pipes are surrounded by a super insulator, for example MLI Multi Layers Insulation, so as to reduce the separation distance by 0.1 to 1.25 times the diameter of the adsorption bottle.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the adsorption bottles comprise a free sliding point located in the lower part of the adsorption bottles in order to allow the movement induced by the thermal expansion of the adsorption bottles.

[0032] Alternatively, the adsorption bottles are placed on the ground, supported by a skirt, with flexibility to compensate for movements induced by thermal expansion permitted by the piping connected to the adsorption bottles.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the catalytic device comprises a catalyst allowing the gas contained in the gas circuit, in particular hydrogen, to be converted from the orthohydrogen isomer, called oH2, to the parahydrogen isomer, called pH2.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the second cold box comprises, in addition to the second part of the heat exchanger assembly(s), one or more final expansion members.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the expansion member may be a Joule-Thompson valve.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the second cold box optionally houses one or more cycle turbines.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the second cold box contains catalytic equipment and possibly one or more catalytic converters.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the production installation comprises a cabinet in which the components of the first cold box are housed.

[0039] This cabinet notably forms a structure comprising a plurality of metal uprights and bars, these uprights and bars are notably configured to support walls which support thermal insulation allowing the temperature of the first cold box to be maintained.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the structure comprises a plurality of metal bars at the top and bottom of the first cold box, metal bars configured to be connected to the uprights, making it possible to support the components of the first cold box in the structure.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the structure comprises a support device configured to carry the adsorption bottles, this support device comprising at least one transverse arm comprising at least one extension, in particular at least two extensions, configured to form a space capable of accommodating an adsorption bottle, the extension comprising a wedge, and a mechanical connector of the adsorption bottle resting on this wedge.

[0042] Alternatively, the support device comprises three arm extensions, accommodating two adsorption bottles.

[0043] The adsorption bottle comprising a mechanical connector resting on the arm, in particular on an extension of this arm.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the mechanical connector is in the form of a tab.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab has a triangular profile.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab is made of metal.

[0047] Alternatively, the tab may be formed from another material.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab has a straight edge, in particular resting on the wedge.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab has an edge welded to the wall of the adsorption bottle.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the wedge is generally in the form of a straight block in two parts.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the wedge has an upper part and a lower part.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper part of the wedge is made of metal or other material.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the lower part is made of insulating material compatible with cryogenic temperatures.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the lower part is formed from another material.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the lower part rests on the orthogonal arm.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper part comprises a support surface configured to cooperate with the mechanical connector.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the shim comprising the lower part having a thickness e as a function of the diameter of the adsorption bottle. The shim has a thickness e of the lower part as a function of the diameter of the adsorption bottle.

[0058] For example, the shim has a thickness of between 10 and 100 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm for an adsorption bottle with a diameter of 610 mm and a length of 5000 mm.

[0059] Alternatively, the adsorption bottle comprises two mechanical connectors resting on a single wedge.

[0060] Alternatively, the adsorption bottle is supported by two wedges diametrically opposed to the wall of the adsorption bottle so as to keep it resting on two extensions.

[0061] The invention also relates to a method for regenerating at least two adsorption bottles in the cryogenic fluid production installation comprising the following steps: - passage of the gas circuit to be cooled into a first adsorption bottle then closing of the cryogenic valves to divert this gas circuit to be cooled into a second adsorption bottle, - passage of the regeneration gas in the regeneration circuit (regeneration gas comprising in particular pure nitrogen, a mixture composed of a mixed MR refrigerant of hydrocarbon type of empirical formula CnHm, or MR and nitrogen and / or argon, or pure hydrogen) in the first adsorption bottle, the direction of the regeneration circuit being reversed with respect to the direction of passage of the gas circuit to be cooled carried out simultaneously in the second adsorption bottle, - refilling the first adsorption bottle with pure hydrogen.

[0062] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0063] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a block diagram symbolizing different components of an ins plant for the production of liquefied hydrogen according to the subject of the invention;

[0064] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective representation of the first cold box of a liquefied hydrogen production facility according to [Fig.l];

[0065] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective representation of a mechanical connector resting on a wedge according to the invention.

[0066] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0067] [Fig.l] shows very schematically a liquefied hydrogen production plant 1, divided into two successive parts: 1) pre-cooling and 2) cooling ensuring liquefaction. Pre-cooling is carried out with a pre-cooling device 8 which uses a nitrogen cycle or a mixture composed of a mixed refrigerant MR of hydrocarbon type of crude formula CnHm, or MR and nitrogen and / or argon in a first cold box 3. Cooling is carried out by a cooling device 9 which uses a hydrogen cycle or a helium cycle in the first cold box 3 and a second cold box 4. These pre-cooling 8 and cooling 9 devices use heat exchangers 5, 6 to carry out the pre-cooling and cooling of the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2.The installation 1 comprises a cabinet 100 forming a structure provided with walls 105 which hold a thermal insulator which allows the temperature of the first cold box 3 to be maintained, as can be seen in [Fig.2]. The thermal insulator can be expanded perlite or rock wool. The walls 105 are for example made of carbon steel. The cabinet 100 comprises four uprights 101 connected by four metal bars 102 at the top and four metal bars 102 at the bottom of the first cold box 3. The uprights and bars, which support the walls 105, allow the first cold box 3 to be housed between the latter. Thus, the cabinet 100 allows thermal insulation of the components of the first cold box 3.

[0068] The first cold box 3 includes a heat exchanger 5, a purification stage 10 and a catalytic device 20. The installation 1 also includes a second cold box 4 which includes a heat exchanger 6, a final expansion member such as a Joule-Thompson valve 23, as well as a cooling cycle turbine 39.

[0069] Alternatively, the first cold box 3 includes several heat exchangers.

[0070] The second cold box 4 may contain catalytic equipment / components and / or one or more catalytic converters.

[0071] In the description, reference is sometimes made to temperatures in Kelvin and other times to temperatures in degrees Celsius.

[0072] Inside the installation 1, there is a hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 with an upstream end 21 intended to be connected to a gas source and a downstream end 22 intended to be connected to a cryogenic storage 40. The installation 1 comprises the set of heat exchangers 5, 6 in heat exchange with the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2. It further comprises pipes which connect different components. It also comprises the pre-cooling device 8 in heat exchange with the heat exchanger 5 and configured to pre-cool the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 to 80 Kelvin as well as pre-cooling cycle turbines 38. It also comprises the cryogenic cooling device 9 in heat exchange with the heat exchangers 5, 6 and configured to cool the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 to 20 Kelvin. Finally, it comprises the first and second cold box 3 and 4.The first cold box 3 comprises the heat exchanger 5 for cooling the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 of gas to be cooled to 80 Kelvin. It also comprises the purification stage 10, of the TSA type, Temperature Swing Adsorption in English, on the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2. In addition, it comprises a regeneration circuit on the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 and configured to regenerate the purification stage 10, and is partially arranged in the first box 3. Finally, it comprises the catalytic device 20 with a catalyst which allows the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2, to be converted from the orthohydrogen isomer, called oH2 to the parahydrogen isomer, called pH2. The second cold box 4 under vacuum, separated from the first cold box 3, comprises the heat exchanger 6 for cooling the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 to 20 Kelvin.

[0073] Thus, the installation 1 is less bulky and comprises two cold boxes 3 and 4 instead of three cold boxes as presented in conventional installations known in the prior art.

[0074] The purification stage 10 which is included in the first cold box 3, comprises two adsorption bottles 11A and 11B with cylindrical walls 110. These adsorption bottles 11A and 11B are carried by a support device of the cabinet or structure 100 which comprises a vertical upright 81 at the end of which is fixed a transverse arm 82. The latter comprises three extensions 84, two of which are configured to form a space which accommodates one of the adsorption bottles 1 IA or 1 IB. With the three extensions 84, the transverse arm 82 accommodates the two adsorption bottles 11A and 11B.

[0075] The adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB each comprise a mechanical connector 50 resting on a wedge 60 included on the extension 84 of the transverse arm 82 as shown in [Fig.3].

[0076] Alternatively, the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB each comprise two mechanical connectors 50 which cooperate with a single wedge 60.

[0077] The mechanical connector 50 is in the form of a tab, for example of substantially triangular profile, made of resilient metal. It has a straight bearing edge 52 on the wedge 60 and a welded edge 51 to the wall 110 of the adsorption bottles 11A and 11B.

[0078] On the other hand, the shim 60 is generally in the form of a straight block in two parts, including an upper part 61 made of metal and a lower part 64 made of insulating material compatible with cryogenic temperatures such as Teflon. The lower part 64 rests on the extension 84 of the transverse arm 82. The upper part 61 comprises a bearing surface 62 configured to cooperate with the bearing edge 52 of the mechanical connector 50. These two parts 61 and 64 of the shim are assembled by screw-nuts.

[0079] In addition, the lower part 64 of the shim 60 has a thickness e which is a function of the diameter of the adsorption bottle 1 IA and 1 IB. For example, the lower part 64 has a thickness of between 10 and 100 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm for an adsorption bottle with a diameter of 610 mm and a length of 5000 mm.

[0080] As a variant, the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB are each supported by two wedges 60. These wedges 60 are diametrically opposed relative to the wall 110 of the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB so as to keep the latter supported on two extensions 84. More wedges can be provided.

[0081] The first cold box 3 comprises a carbon steel enclosure which is filled with perlite swept with nitrogen gas so as to maintain a slight overpressure in the enclosure.

[0082] In the first cold box 3, the purification stage 10 operates cold, in other words, the purification is carried out at a temperature between -210°C and -140°C and preferably between -195°C and -175°C. The latter also includes the regeneration circuit. This regeneration circuit enters hot into one of the adsorption bottles 1 IA or 1 IB to be regenerated, that is to say at room temperature and comes out cooled and loaded with impurities. This cycle allows the regeneration of the purification stage fication 10, in particular one of the adsorption bottles 11A or 11B used for the purification of the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2.

[0083] The adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB are sized so that they have a minimum of space requirement in the first cold box 3 in which they occupy wasted spaces, i.e. dead spaces which would not be used. The choice of the dimensions of the adsorption bottles 11A and 11B is made according to a ratio between the height and the diameter H / D of the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB, which is between 1 and 30, preferably between 3 and 20, in the case of a diameter of adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB greater than or equal to 300 mm. In addition, the H / D ratio is chosen according to the total volume of adsorbent and the pressure drop of the purification stage 10, and specifically of the adsorption bottles 11A and 11B. The pressure drop is for example less than 1 bar and greater than 1 mbar. Preferably it is greater than 5 mbar and is between 50 mbar and 500 mbar.

[0084] The isolation distance between the wall 110 of the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 1B and the wall 105 of the enclosure of the first cold box 3 is to be considered. It is chosen as a function of the temperature difference between these two walls 110 and 105. Thus, a ratio between the isolation distance and the temperature difference is for example between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5. The adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 1B are also distant from the pre-cooling 8 and cooling 9 devices by a separation distance which is between a factor of 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of the adsorption bottles 1 1A and 1 1B. Finally, the pipes of the pre-cooling devices 8, cooling 9 and the regeneration circuit have a distance from the adsorption bottles 11A and 11B which is between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of these pipes.

[0085] Alternatively, the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB and / or the pipes are surrounded by a super insulator, for example MLI Multi Layers Insulation, so as to reduce the separation distance by 0.1 to 1.25 times the diameter of the adsorption bottle.

[0086] The purification stage 10 comprises cryogenic valves which allow the isolation of the hydrogen to be liquefied from the adsorption bottles 11 in order to minimize heat input. These cryogenic valves are placed opposite the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB in the enclosure of the first cold box 3. In addition, in order to allow the movement induced by the thermal expansion of the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB, the latter comprise a free sliding point located in the lower part of the bottles.

[0087] Alternatively, the adsorption bottles 1 IA and 1 IB are placed on the ground and are supported by a skirt which has flexibility to compensate for movements induced by thermal expansion. This thermal expansion which is permitted by the piping connected to adsorption bottles 11A and 11B.

[0088] The purification stage can be used in a process for regenerating the adsorption bottles 11A and 11B according to the following steps: - passage of the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 into the first adsorption bottle 11A or 11B then closing of the cryogenic valves to divert the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 into the second adsorption bottle HA or 11B, - passage of the regeneration gas into the first adsorption bottle 1 IA or 1 IB, the direction of the regeneration circuit is reversed compared to the direction of the passage of the hydrogen circuit to be cooled 2 carried out simultaneously in the second adsorption bottle 1 IA or 1 IB, - refilling the first adsorption bottle 1 IA or 1 IB with pure hydrogen.

Claims

1. Claims Installation (1) for producing a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied hydrogen, comprising a gas circuit to be cooled (2) having an upstream end (21) intended to be connected to a gas source and a downstream end (22) intended to be connected to at least one receiving system, for example a cryogenic storage (40), the installation (1) comprising: - a set of heat exchangers (5, 6) in heat exchange with the gas circuit to be cooled (2), - a pre-cooling device (8) in heat exchange with at least a first part (5) of the set of heat exchangers and configured to pre-cool the gas circuit to be cooled (2) to a first determined temperature, - a cryogenic cooling device (9) in heat exchange with at least a second part (6) of the heat exchanger assembly and configured to cool the gas circuit to be cooled (2) to a second determined temperature lower than the first temperature, - a first cold box (3) in which is placed: • the first part (5) of the heat exchanger assembly for cooling the gas circuit to be cooled (2) to the first determined temperature, • a purification stage (10), in particular of the TSA type, on the gas circuit to be cooled (2), • a regeneration circuit on the gas circuit to be cooled (2) and configured to regenerate the purification stage (10), and arranged at least partially in the first box, • possibly a catalytic device (20) on the gas circuit to be cooled (2), - a second cold box (4) under vacuum, separate from the first cold box, and in which the second part (6) of the heat exchanger assembly is arranged for cooling the gas circuit to be cooled (2) to the second determined temperature lower than the first temperature.

2. Installation (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the purification stage comprises adsorption bottles (1 IA, 1 IB), in particular of the TSA type, at least one of the adsorption bottles (1 IA, 1 IB) having an H / D ratio between a height and a diameter of the adsorption bottle (11A, 11B) of between 1 and 30, preferably between 3 and 20, with a diameter greater than or equal to 300 mm.

3. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the purification stage (10) comprises cryogenic valves.

4. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the isolation distance between a wall (110) of the adsorption bottles (1 IA, 1 IB) and a wall (105) of an enclosure of the first cold box (3) is chosen so that the temperature difference between the wall (110) of the adsorption bottles (1 IA, 1 IB) and the wall (105) of the enclosure of the first cold box (3) is in a ratio of between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 3.

5.

5. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B) are placed in the first cold box (3), distant from the pre-cooling (8) and cooling (9) devices at a separation distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of the adsorption bottles (HA, 11B).

6. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pipes of the pre-cooling (8) and cooling (9) devices are separated from the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B) at a separation distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of these cold pipes.

7. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pipes of the regeneration circuit are separated from the pre-cooling (8) and cooling (9) devices by a distance of between 0.2 and 2.5 times the diameter of these pipes.

8. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B) comprise a free sliding point located in the lower part of the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B) in order to allow the movement induced by the thermal expansion of the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B).

9. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cabinet (100) in which the components of the first cold box (3) are housed.

10. Installation (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the cabinet (100) forms a structure comprising a plurality of uprights (101) and metal bars (102), these uprights (101) and metal bars (102) being in particular configured to support walls (105) which support thermal insulation allowing the temperature of the first cold box (3) to be maintained.

11. Installation (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the structure comprises a plurality of metal bars (102) at the top and bottom of the first cold box (3), metal bars (102) configured to be connected to the uprights (101), making it possible to support the components of the first cold box (3) in the structure.

12. Installation (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the structure comprising a support device configured to carry the adsorption bottles (11A, 11B), this support device comprising at least one transverse arm (82) comprising at least one extension (84), in particular at least two extensions (84), configured to form a space capable of accommodating an adsorption bottle (11A, 11B), the extension (84) comprising a wedge (60), and a mechanical connector (50) of the adsorption bottle (11A, 11B) resting on this wedge (60).

13. Method for regenerating at least two adsorption bottles in a cryogenic fluid production installation according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - passing the gas circuit to be cooled into a first adsorption bottle then closing the cryogenic valves to divert this gas circuit to be cooled into a second adsorption bottle, - passing the regeneration gas from the regeneration circuit into the first adsorption bottle, the direction of the regeneration circuit being reversed with respect to the direction of passage of the gas circuit to be cooled carried out simultaneously in the second adsorption bottle, - replenishing the first adsorption bottle with pure hydrogen.

Images