Apparatus for liquefying a gaseous mixture or separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation

Abstract

Title: Apparatus for Liquefying a Gaseous Mixture or Separating a Gaseous Mixture by Cryogenic Distillation. An apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation comprises equipment having an operating temperature below 0°C for separating the gaseous mixture, a thermally insulated enclosure (E) containing at least some of the equipment, at least three elongated supports (S) attached to the enclosure to allow the enclosure to rest on the ground through the at least three supports, and a cabinet (A) containing a programmable logic controller (PLC) for regulating the operation of the apparatus, recessed into a cavity in at least one of the supports. Figure from the abstract: FIG. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Apparatus for liquefying a gaseous mixture or separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for liquefying a gaseous mixture or separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation

[0002] Cryogenic distillation apparatus generally comprises a thermally insulated enclosure containing at least one distillation column and at least one heat exchanger for separating a low-temperature cooled gas mixture. Similarly, liquefaction apparatus producing at least one cryogenic liquid by liquefying a gas mixture comprises a similar enclosure containing at least one heat exchanger and at least one turbine to generate the cooling necessary for liquefaction. It will be understood that the term "gas mixture" applies to gases containing a trace amount of impurities.

[0003] Modern distillation apparatus include a cabinet containing at least one measuring device and / or at least one control device and / or at least one device connected to an electrical cable. The at least one measuring device and / or at least one control device may be connected to an electrical cable.

[0004] Transmitters of indicator signals, for example pressure or temperature, can be installed directly on the cold box, forming the insulated enclosure, with a cable running from the transmitter to the cabinet. The transmitter is then connected to the industrial process either outside the cold box (typically an external pipe) or inside the cold box (typically an internal pipe).

[0005] CN213631182U is known to have an electrical cabinet including a programmable logic controller on the wall of the insulated enclosure.

[0006] An object of the invention is to integrate this cabinet, which preferably contains all the instruments and equipment operating with electricity, into a thermally insulated enclosure of a gas liquefier or a cryogenic separation unit, typically an air separation device, without hindering the accessibility of these instruments or electrical equipment located in the lower part of the enclosure or below the enclosure, or even improving it and without increasing the transport dimensions.

[0007] The invention consists of placing the cabinet on one of the supports of the thermally insulated enclosure connecting the enclosure to the ground or to a horizontal flat surface. This allows all the instruments and equipment using electricity to be electrically connected to the cabinet in the workshop before transport without hindering accessibility and without increasing the transport dimensions.

[0008] According to usual practice, the cabinet is installed during the factory installation, at on the side of the thermally insulated enclosure. All cabling must be done on site.

[0009] In a thermally insulated enclosure of a cryogenic separation unit, typically an air separation device or a liquefier, and in particular a cylindrical enclosure thermally insulated with vacuum perlite, at least one measuring instrument and / or at least one control instrument and / or at least one piece of equipment requiring a power supply is installed in a cabinet embedded in a support of the enclosure. The cabinet may contain all the measuring and / or control instruments. For example, it may contain instruments for measuring and / or controlling level, pressure, temperature, or pressure difference. It may also contain equipment requiring a power supply, such as electric valves, solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, at least one turbine, at least one pump, and a defrost heater.

[0010] The cabinet preferably contains a programmable logic controller (PLC). A programmable logic controller is a programmable digital electronic device designed to control the liquefaction or separation unit through sequential processing. It sends commands to pre-actuators (operating part or PO on the actuator side) based on input data (sensors) (control part or PC on the sensor side), setpoints, and a computer program.

[0011] The automaton can fulfill a safety function.

[0012] The automaton may include a processor and a power supply.

[0013] The automaton may include at least one of the following elements: • at least one digital input card to connect at least one sensor and / or at least one button. • at least one digital output card to connect at least one actuator and / or at least one valve and / or at least one indicator light. • at least one human-machine interface module, such as a control panel • at least one communication module to communicate with at least one another automaton.

[0014] The cabinet preferably contains only equipment operating at room temperature, so that it does not need to be thermally insulated.

[0015] The cabinet preferably contains all the measuring and / or regulating instruments of the device.

[0016] The cabinet may sometimes contain all the valves of the device.

[0017] The cabinet is placed in the lower part of the device to allow access from the ground, without the need for a walkway or ladder. It can be at the same level as the bottom of the enclosure or below it. Every effort is made to use the entire available area to facilitate maintenance of the instruments and the equipment.

[0018] The supports are generally H-shaped bars welded to the shell of the cold box. The invention consists of choosing the dimensions of the cabinet A so as to reduce its width (and therefore increase its height) in order to be able to fit it into the H-shaped bar, by attaching it to the web of the H-shaped bar. Positioned in this way, it does not obstruct accessibility and does not increase (or only very slightly increases) the transport dimensions.

[0019] The cabinet A thus fixed is wired in the workshop before transport to the various instruments and electrical equipment of the cold box.

[0020] According to one object of the invention, a device for liquefying a gaseous mixture or for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation is provided, comprising equipment having an operating temperature below 0°C for separating and / or liquefying the gaseous mixture, a thermally insulated enclosure containing at least part of the equipment, at least three elongated supports attached to the enclosure to allow the enclosure to rest on the ground or a horizontal flat surface through the at least three supports, and a cabinet containing at least one measuring device for the device and / or at least one regulating device for the device and / or at least one device connected to an electrical cable and / or a programmable logic controller for regulating the operation of the device, characterized in that at least one of the supports includes a recess in which the cabinet is embedded.

[0021] According to other optional aspects of the invention: • the cabinet is arranged so that it is at most 2m from the floor or flat surface when the device is installed on the floor or horizontal flat surface. • the support has an H, I or U cross-section, the hollow being formed in the cross-section of the support. • The enclosure is cylindrical and thermally insulated using vacuum perlite. • the cabinet contains at least one level measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure measuring instrument and / or at least one temperature measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure difference measuring instrument. • the cabinet contains at least one level control instrument and / or at least one pressure control instrument and / or at least one temperature control instrument and / or at least one pressure differential control instrument. • the cabinet contains at least one piece of equipment which is at least one electric valve and / or at least one solenoid valve and / or at least one pneumatic valve and / or at least one turbine and / or at least one pump and / or minus a defrost heater. • at least one instrument and / or at least one piece of equipment is connected to an electrical cable. • The cabinet contains an industrial programmable logic controller (PLC). • The controller includes a processor to regulate the operation of the device and a power supply. • The automated system includes at least one of the following elements: • at least one digital input card to connect at least one sensor and / or at least one button. • at least one digital output card to connect at least one actuator and / or at least one valve and / or at least one indicator light. • at least one human-machine interface module, such as a control panel • at least one communication module to communicate with at least one another automaton. • The cabinet contains only equipment or instruments designed to operate at room temperature. • the ratio between the width and length of the cabinet is greater than 2, or even 3, the width being parallel to a web of the support. • the ratio between the depth and length of the cabinet is greater than 2, or even 3, the depth being perpendicular to a web of the support. • The cabinet is fixed against one side of the support.

[0022] According to another object of the invention, a method is provided for transporting an enclosure intended to be part of an apparatus as described above in which the cabinet is embedded in the hollow of the support fixed to the enclosure and connected to at least one electrical cable to supply equipment which it contains at a first site and the enclosure is transported from the first site to a second site where the enclosure is to be installed.

[0023] The invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures where:

[0024] [Fig-1] represents a device according to the invention seen from the side,

[0025] [Fig.2] represents a device according to the invention seen from above,

[0026] [Fig.3] represents a device according to the invention seen during transport.

[0027] [Fig.4] represents a support for a device according to the invention, in cross-section view.

[0028] [Fig. 1] represents an apparatus according to the invention seen from the side. The apparatus may be an apparatus for liquefying a gaseous mixture, for example of nitrogen, or an apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation, for example an air separation apparatus.

[0029] If the apparatus is a liquefier, it includes equipment having a temperature operating temperature below 0°C to separate and / or liquefy the gas mixture, for example a heat exchanger and at least one expansion turbine.

[0030] If the apparatus is a separation apparatus, it includes equipment having an operating temperature below 0°C for separating the gas mixture, for example at least one heat exchanger, at least one phase separator, at least one distillation column.

[0031] In both cases, the device comprises a thermally insulated enclosure containing at least part of the equipment, the enclosure resting on the ground or a flat surface by means of at least three elongated supports attached to the enclosure, for example by welding. The supports may be attached to the enclosure by welding or any other suitable means.

[0032] The enclosure can be in the shape of a parallelepiped or a cylinder. It can contain a particulate thermal insulator, for example perlite, which can be drawn under vacuum.

[0033] The device includes a cabinet containing at least one level measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure measuring instrument and / or at least one temperature measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure difference measuring instrument.

[0034] In addition or alternatively, the cabinet may contain at least one level control instrument and / or at least one pressure control instrument and / or at least one temperature control instrument and / or at least one pressure differential control instrument.

[0035] In addition or alternatively, the cabinet may contain a programmable logic controller (PLC). This includes a processor and a power supply.

[0036] The automaton may include at least one of the following elements: • at least one digital input card to connect at least one sensor and / or at least one button. • at least one digital output card to connect at least one actuator and / or at least one valve and / or at least one indicator light. • at least one human-machine dialogue module, such as a control panel. • at least one communication module to communicate with at least one another automaton.

[0037] In addition or alternatively, the cabinet may contain at least one piece of equipment which is at least one electric valve and / or at least one solenoid valve and / or at least one pneumatic valve and / or at least one turbine and / or at least one pump and / or at least one defrost heater.

[0038] In addition or alternatively, the cabinet may contain at least one electrical device, for example at least one of the following: • at least one transformer, • at least one circuit breaker, • at least one disconnect switch, • at least one switch, • at least one indicator light, • at least one flashing light, • at least one emergency stop button, • at least one electrical terminal block, • at least one measuring instrument and / or at least one regulating instrument located in the cabinet can be connected to an electrical cable.

[0039] The shape of the cabinet is chosen to be sufficiently elongated so that it can fit into a recess in one of the supports.

[0040] [Fig. 1] shows one of four supports S which has an H, I or U shaped section. The cabinet A has a height equal to between one quarter and three quarters of the length of the elongated support S, which is arranged vertically resting on the ground or a horizontal flat surface, either directly or through a base (for example a horizontal plate) welded to the support S, the base being connected to the anchors in the ground or the horizontal flat surface.

[0041] The support S has an H, I or U shaped cross-section, comprising a central web which is flat and arranged vertically when the device is installed. The web has two ends, each connected to one of two identical flanges.

[0042] The cabinet A is dimensioned to be embedded in the H-shaped section of the support S, such that one parallelepiped-shaped face of the cabinet is placed against the face of the web of the support S, the web touching each of the two flanges. In this way, the cabinet A is surrounded on three sides by the support S. As the cabinet is deeper horizontally than half the width of the flanges, the cabinet lies partly outside the recess formed in the support S, as can be seen in [Fig. 2].

[0043] Preferably, the cabinet is fixed against the web and / or at least one of the flanges of the support S. The cabinet A may be made of a material that can be compressed or deformed. In this way, the cabinet A is in contact with the web and / or at least one of the flanges.

[0044] [Fig.3] shows the device in position to be transported with the enclosure E preferably inside a transport case T, for example a container or a wooden case, for example of maritime type.

[0045] The enclosure E is already equipped with the cabinet A fixed to the support S in the workshop and preferably electrically connected so that at least one piece of equipment and / or instrument it contains can be powered by electricity while the enclosure is is still in the workshop and can therefore be tested on site. The transport case T is arranged so that the cabinet A, protruding beyond the support, is located in a corner of the parallelepiped-shaped case.

[0046] The enclosure E is therefore transported in the case T from a first place, after installation of the cabinet A, to a second place where the case T is removed and the enclosure E is installed.

[0047] [Fig.4] shows a support S seen in cross-section.

[0048] The support consists of a metal beam, the one illustrated being of the HEB type commonly used in the field. The beam S has a web 6 and two flanges 8, the web 6 being perpendicular to each of the two flanges 8 and the two flanges being parallel to each other.

[0049] The principal beams usable according to the invention are of the H, I or U type, for example of type: HEA, HEB, IPN, IPE, IPN, UAP. The shape of the beam is designated by the first letter of its name: • H: H-shaped beam.

[0050] HEA sections are approximately rectangular (flange width substantially greater than profile height). HEB sections, illustrated in [Fig. 4], have a web and flange of equal dimensions. For both beams, all angles are preferably sharp, except for re-entrant angles. • 1: beam in the shape of 1.

[0051] The beams 1 have a flange width equal to approximately half the profile height. The flanges of the IPN profiles are of variable thickness (non-parallel edges), while those of the IPE profiles are parallel. This variant of the type I beam is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 for the supports S.

[0052] All these beams are designated by their height. For example, an IPN 120 beam has a profile height of 120 mm.

[0053] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the support S has two flanges 8, each of width W and thickness tf. The web 6 has a length H and a thickness tw. Thus, by choosing the cabinet A with a width equal to H - 2tf, it is possible to fit the cabinet A between the two flanges 8, preferably with one face of the cabinet fixed to the web 6 of the support S. Depending on the materials used, it may be possible to choose the width of the cabinet A slightly greater than H - 2tf, even if it means slightly deforming it when fitting it into the recess of the support S. Alternatively, the width of the cabinet A can also be less than H - 2tf.

[0054] The length of the cabinet is chosen to be shorter than that of the support and large enough to contain all the necessary equipment.

[0055] The depth of cabinet A may be less than or equal to 0.5 times (W-tw) so that cabinet A does not extend beyond the volume of the support. Otherwise, cabinet A may The depth must be greater than 0.5 times (W-tw), preferably less than (W-tw), so as not to unnecessarily increase the enclosure's dimensions once the cabinet is in place.

[0056] The edges of the cabinet A may be rounded to facilitate installation, with the connection area between the core and the bases being rounded.

[0057] The dimensions of the supports are standardized, these being given in tables [TAB.1] and [TAB.2].

[0058] [TAB.l] HEB Height H Width W Web thickness tw 100 100 100 6 120 120 120 6.5 140 140 140 7 160 160 160 8 180 180 180 8.5 200 200 200 9 220 220 220 9.5 240 240 240 10 260 260 260 10 280 280 280 10.5 300 300 300 11 320 320 300 11.5 340 340 300 12 360 360 300 12.5 400 400 300 13.5 450 450 300 14 500 500 300 14.5 550 550 300 15 600 600 300 15.5 650 650 300 16 700 700 300 17 800 800 300 17.5 900 900 300 18.5 1000 1000 300 19

[0059] [TAB.2]. HEB Sole Thickness tf 100 10 120 11 140 12 160 13 180 14 200 15 220 16 240 17 260 17.5 280 18 300 19 320 20.5 340 21.5 360 22.5 400 24 450 26 500 28 550 29 600 30 650 31 700 32 800 33 900 35 1000 36

[0060] The width of the cabinet is preferably equal to or less than 470mm in order to allow its installation in a support of type HEA500 or HEB500.

Claims

Demands

1. Apparatus for liquefying a gas mixture or separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation comprising equipment having an operating temperature below 0°C for separating and / or liquefying the gas mixture, a thermally insulated enclosure (E) containing at least part of the equipment, at least three elongated supports (S) attached to the enclosure to allow the enclosure to rest on the ground or a horizontal flat surface through the at least three supports, and a cabinet (A) containing at least one measuring device and / or at least one controlling device and / or at least one device connected to an electrical cable and / or a programmable logic controller to regulate the operation of the device characterized in that at least one of the supports comprises a recess in which the cabinet is embedded.

2. Device according to claim 1 in which the cabinet (A) is arranged so that it is at most 2m from the ground or flat surface when the device is installed on the ground or horizontal flat surface.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the support (S) has an H, I or U cross-section, the hollow being formed in the cross-section of the support.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosure (E) is cylindrical and thermally insulated by means of vacuum perlite.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cabinet (A) contains at least one level measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure measuring instrument and / or at least one temperature measuring instrument and / or at least one pressure difference measuring instrument.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cabinet (A) contains at least one level control instrument and / or at least one pressure control instrument and / or at least one temperature control instrument and / or at least one pressure differential control instrument.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cabinet (A) contains at least one piece of equipment which is at least one electric valve and / or at least one solenoid valve and / or at least one pneumatic valve and / or at least one turbine and / or at least one pump and / or at least one defrost heater.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 in which at least one instrument and / or at least one piece of equipment is connected to an electrical cable.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cabinet (A) contains an industrial programmable logic controller.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cabinet (A) contains only equipment or instruments designed to operate at room temperature.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ratio between the width and length of the cabinet (A) is greater than 2, or even 3, the width being parallel to a web of the support (S).

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cabinet (A) is fixed against a web of the support (S).

13. Method of transporting an enclosure intended to be part of an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cabinet (A) is embedded in the hollow of the support (S) fixed to the enclosure (E) and connected to at least one electrical cable to supply equipment which it contains at a first site and the enclosure is transported from the first site to a second site where the enclosure is to be installed.

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