Management system for managing state of fluid
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022090711
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-06-04
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-12
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ships that use, store, and / or transport liquefied natural gas and / or liquefied petroleum gas, and more particularly to the field of systems for managing the state of liquefied natural gas and / or liquefied petroleum gas transported by such ships.
Background Art
[0002] Such ships conventionally include tanks that contain natural gas in a liquid state and / or petroleum gas in a liquid state. Such ships may include, for example, a first tank for storing liquid natural gas and a second tank for storing liquid petroleum gas. On the other hand, such ships may transport a first petroleum gas contained in the first tank and a second petroleum gas contained in the second tank, and the composition of the first petroleum gas is, for example, different from that of the second petroleum gas. That is, such ships may transport a first fluid that can be liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas and a second fluid that is different from the first fluid and can be liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.
[0003] Natural gas is liquid, for example, at a temperature below -160°C at atmospheric pressure. Such tanks are never completely thermally insulated, which means that at least a portion of the natural gas evaporates within the tank. Therefore, such tanks contain both liquid natural gas and gaseous natural gas, and the gaseous natural gas, also called "BOG" or "boil-off gas", accumulates at the top of the tank. The pressure at the top of this tank needs to be controlled so as not to damage the tank.
[0004] Petroleum gas generally has a boiling point of 0°C to 50°C at atmospheric pressure depending on its composition. Also, petroleum gas tends to evaporate at least partially when stored in a tank, and the pressure at the top of the tank caused by the evaporated petroleum gas also needs to be controlled so as not to damage the tank.
[0005] Generally, such vessels are equipped with multiple systems for managing the state of the first and second fluids in order to prevent each of these fluids from evaporating at the top of the tank. For example, such a management system may be configured to liquefy the first fluid on the one hand, and to liquefy the second fluid independently of the reliquefaction of the first fluid on the other hand.
[0006] However, each control system generally includes multiple compression elements that compress the evaporated first fluid and / or evaporated second fluid, and these compression elements can increase the pressure of the gas. These compression elements are generally large, and the control system occupies a considerable amount of surface area and / or volume on the vessel.
[0007] Furthermore, for reasons of redundancy, it is customary to add additional thermal control circuits, which further increase the surface area and / or volume occupied by the management system on the vessel. Adding these additional thermal control circuits incurs further costs on top of the costs already required to install and use the rest of the management system. [Overview of the Initiative]
[0008] The present invention aims to reduce the space occupied by such compression elements in order to reduce the volume occupied by such a management system and the energy consumed by such a management system. To this end, the present invention proposes a system for managing the state of the evaporated first fluid, which also makes it possible to cool the liquid second fluid, and as a result, the technical resources used to manage the state of the second fluid and the financial impact of installing such a state management system can be reduced.
[0009] The present invention relates primarily to a management system for managing the state of a first fluid contained in a first tank and the state of a second fluid contained in a second tank, wherein the first fluid has a lower boiling point than the second fluid at the same pressure, and the management system includes at least a first pipe, which is intended for the first fluid taken in from the first tank in a gaseous state to flow through, and extends from a gas inlet configured to open into the first tank to a heat exchange element configured to condense the first fluid, wherein the first pipe includes at least a first compression element and a second compression element, and the management system includes a second pipe, which is intended for the first fluid in a liquid state and / or a two-phase state to flow through. The control system includes a second pipe extending from a heat exchange element to a second port configured to open to a first tank, and the control system includes at least one cooling pipe extending from the second pipe to the first pipe, intended for a first fluid to flow through, and connected to the first pipe between a first and a second compression element, and the control system includes at least one control pipe for controlling the state of the second fluid, intended for a second fluid to flow through, and the control system includes at least one cooling unit for cooling the second fluid flowing through the control pipe, wherein the cold air generated by the cooling unit is produced by the evaporation (boil-off) of the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe.
[0010] In one optional configuration, the management system includes a first fluid and a second fluid, specifically, these fluids flow through the management system.
[0011] The control system controls the state of the first and second fluids contained in the first and second tanks, respectively, namely at least the pressure and / or temperature of the first or second fluid. The second fluid flowing through the control piping is cooled by the cooling unit, and the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the control piping downstream of the cooling unit is lower than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe downstream of the cooling unit. This has the effect of lowering the temperature of the second fluid contained in the second tank, and as a result, the evaporation of the second fluid present in the second tank is limited. Furthermore, the evaporated second fluid flowing through the second tank is also cooled and can condense by contact with the cooled second fluid flowing through the control piping downstream of the cooling unit and / or by contact with the second fluid sprayed into the tank.
[0012] The cold air used to lower the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the control piping is brought about by the evaporation of a portion of the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe. More specifically, this portion of the first fluid is expanded, meaning that the pressure of this portion of the first fluid is reduced, and as a result, this first fluid lowers the temperature of the second fluid.
[0013] The first and second fluids are, for example, petroleum gas. The first fluid is a mixture consisting of, for example, 92% propane and 8% butane, with a boiling point of -47°C at atmospheric pressure. The second fluid is, for example, 100% butane, with a boiling point of 0°C at atmospheric pressure.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid is a natural gas such as methane, which has a boiling point of about -160°C, that is, the first fluid is liquid when the temperature is below -160°C at atmospheric pressure.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid consists of, for example, 100% ethane and has an evaporation temperature of -89°C, and the second fluid consists of liquefied petroleum gas containing a mixture of 92% propane and 8% butane and has an evaporation temperature of -47°C.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid consists of, for example, 100% ethane having an evaporation temperature of -89°C, and the second fluid consists of 100% ammonia having an evaporation temperature of -33°C.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid consists of, for example, 100% propane and has an evaporation temperature of -42°C, and the second fluid 8 consists of 100% ammonia and has an evaporation temperature of -33°C.
[0018] The above temperatures are measured at atmospheric pressure.
[0019] Furthermore, condensation of the first fluid within the first pipe occurs due to the exchange of thermal energy between the first fluid and the coolant in the heat exchange element.
[0020] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the cooling unit includes at least a heat exchanger and an expansion element attached to a cooling pipe between a second pipe and the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe and a second fluid flowing through a control pipe.
[0021] More specifically, the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe is expanded by an expansion element before flowing through the heat exchanger. The second fluid flowing through the control piping transfers thermal energy to the expanded first fluid that has flowed through the cooling pipe and also passed through the heat exchanger as it passes through the heat exchanger.
[0022] In other words, the first fluid, flowing through the cooling pipe and passing through the heat exchanger, gains thermal energy from the second fluid flowing through the control pipe, thereby being heated and evaporating within the heat exchanger. The heated and evaporated first fluid is then drawn in by one of several compression elements attached to the first pipe.
[0023] Furthermore, the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the control pipe decreases inside the heat exchanger. Specifically, it approaches the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe due to the transmission of thermal energy from the second fluid flowing through the control pipe to the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe. Note that the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the control pipe decreases during the exchange of thermal energy that takes place within the heat exchanger.
[0024] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the heat exchanger includes at least a first passage constituting the cooling pipe and a second passage constituting the control pipe, and an expansion element is disposed between the second pipe and the first passage.
[0025] Note that in this configuration, the pressure of the first fluid flowing through the cooling pipe is reduced by the expansion element before the first fluid flows through the first passage of the heat exchanger.
[0026] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the control system includes at least one pump element disposed on the control pipe upstream of the cooling unit. The pump element is configured to circulate the second fluid through the control pipe.
[0027] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the control system includes at least one pipe extending between the second pipe and the first pipe, and this pipe is connected to the first pipe between the first compression element and the second compression element. The control system includes at least one cooling device for cooling the first fluid flowing through the second pipe, and the cold air generated by the cooling device is caused by the evaporation of the first fluid flowing through the pipe.
[0028] The cold air used to lower the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the second pipe is brought about by the evaporation of a part of the first fluid flowing through the pipe. More specifically, a part of this first fluid is expanded, that is, the pressure of a part of this first fluid is reduced, and as a result, the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the second pipe is lowered by this first fluid.
[0029] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the cooling device includes at least a heat exchanger and an expansion device. The heat exchanger includes a first passage forming a second pipe and a second passage forming a pipe. The expansion device is disposed on the pipe between the second pipe and the second passage. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a first fluid flowing through the second pipe and a first fluid flowing through the pipe.
[0030] More specifically, the first fluid flowing through the pipe is expanded by the expansion device before flowing through the heat exchanger. When the first fluid flowing through the second pipe passes through the heat exchanger, the expanded first fluid flowing through the pipe transfers heat energy to this first fluid.
[0031] In other words, the first fluid flowing through the pipe and passing through the heat exchanger is heated and evaporated in the heat exchanger by obtaining heat energy from the first fluid flowing through the second pipe. Then, the heated and evaporated first fluid is sucked in by one of a plurality of compression elements attached to the first pipe.
[0032] Furthermore, the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the second pipe decreases inside the heat exchanger. Specifically, by the transmission of heat energy from the first fluid flowing through the second pipe to the first fluid flowing through the pipe, it approaches the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the pipe.
[0033] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes at least a first heat exchange element for heat exchange between the first fluid and the coolant, and a second heat exchange element for heat exchange between the first fluid and the coolant. The first heat exchange element is attached between the first compression element and the second compression element, and the pipe is connected to the first pipe between the first heat exchange element and the second compression element. The gaseous first fluid flowing through the pipe is mixed with the gaseous first fluid flowing through the first pipe at a position between the first heat exchange element and the second compression element.
[0034] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the cooling tube is connected to a pipe between the first piping and the cooling device. Note that the first fluid in a gaseous state flowing through the cooling tube is mixed with the first fluid in a gaseous state flowing through the pipe after passing through the cooling device.
[0035] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a cooling pipe and a branch of a second pipe installed between a second port located in a first tank and a cooling device.
[0036] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a first cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through a second pipe and a second cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through the second pipe, and the management system includes a branch of the second pipe and a cooling pipe installed downstream of the second cooling device.
[0037] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a cooling pipe and a branch of the second piping, installed between the second compression element and the cooling device.
[0038] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a first cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through a second pipe and a second cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through a second pipe, and the management system includes a cooling pipe and a branch of the second pipe installed upstream of the first cooling device.
[0039] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes at least one phase separator for a first fluid attached to the second piping between the intersection of the pipe and the second piping and the second compression element, the management system includes a gas pipe extending between the phase separator and the second piping, the gas pipe being connected to the second piping between the intersection of the pipe and the second piping and the cooling device, the first fluid in liquid form being able to flow from the phase separator through the second piping to the intersection of the pipe and the second piping, and the first fluid in gaseous form being able to flow from the phase separator through the gas pipe to the second piping.
[0040] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a phase separator for a first fluid attached to a second pipe downstream of the cooling device, and the management system includes a return pipe extending between the phase separator and the first pipe through which the first fluid in a gaseous state flows.
[0041] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the management system includes a first pipe extending between a first pipe and a second pipe and a second pipe extending between the first pipe and the second pipe, the management system includes a third compression element attached to the first pipe, the second compression element attached between the first and third compression elements, the first pipe opening to the first pipe between the second and third compression elements, the second pipe opening to the first pipe between the first and second compression elements, the management system includes a first cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through the second pipe and a second cooling device for cooling a first fluid flowing through the second pipe, the cold air generated by the first cooling device is produced by the evaporation of the first fluid flowing through the first pipe, the cold air generated by the second cooling device is produced by the evaporation of the first fluid flowing through the second pipe, and the first cooling device is attached to the second pipe upstream of the second cooling device. In this case, please note that the first fluid flowing through the second pipe to the first tank will be cooled twice: once in the first cooling device and again in the second cooling device.
[0042] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the cooling pipe is connected to the second piping between the first cooling device and the second cooling device.
[0043] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the cooling tube is connected to a second pipe downstream of the second cooling device.
[0044] According to the alternative plan, the cooling pipe is connected to the second pipe upstream of the first cooling device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0045] Further features, details, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer, on the one hand, by reading the following description, and on the other hand by reading some embodiments provided as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,
[0046] [Figure 1] A schematic representation of the first embodiment of the management system according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic representation of a second embodiment of the management system according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] A schematic representation of a third embodiment of the management system according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the management system according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the management system according to the present invention is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0047] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the present invention may be related to each other in various combinations, provided they are not contradictory or mutually exclusive. Specifically, variations of the present invention comprising only one of the features described below, apart from other features described, may be envisioned, provided that the selected feature provides a technical advantage and / or is sufficient to differentiate the present invention from the prior art.
[0048] Furthermore, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” as used in the following description refer to the direction of circulation of the first and / or second fluids within the management system according to one of the embodiments described in detail below.
[0049] Figure 1 shows a management system 1 for managing the states of at least the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8, a first tank 2 for containing the first fluid 4, and a second tank 6 for containing the second fluid 8. The first tank 2, the second tank 6, and / or the management system 1 can be installed, for example, on a vessel transporting the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8.
[0050] The first fluid 4 has a lower boiling point than the second fluid 8, and these two temperatures are measured at the same pressure. The first fluid 4 is a natural gas such as methane, with a boiling point of approximately -160°C; that is, the first fluid 4 is liquid at atmospheric pressure and temperatures below -160°C. The second fluid 8 is a petroleum gas such as propane, butane, or a mixture of propane and butane, with a boiling point of 0°C to -51°C at atmospheric pressure. However, the first fluid 4 can also be a petroleum gas such as propane, butane, or a mixture of propane and butane, as long as the first fluid 4 has a lower boiling point than the second fluid 8.
[0051] According to the examples shown herein, the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8 are petroleum gases, the first fluid 4 being a mixture consisting of, for example, about 92% propane and about 8% butane, with a boiling point of -47°C at atmospheric pressure, and the second fluid 8 being, for example, about 100% butane, with a boiling point of 0°C at atmospheric pressure.
[0052] According to a first alternative example of the present invention, the first fluid 4 is ethane with a boiling point of -89°C, and the second fluid 8 is liquefied petroleum gas containing a mixture of propane and butane with a boiling point of -47°C.
[0053] According to a second alternative example of the present invention, the first fluid 4 is ethane with an evaporation temperature of -89°C, and the second fluid 8 is ammonia with a boiling point of -33°C.
[0054] According to a third alternative example of the present invention, the first fluid 4 is propane with a boiling point of -42°C, and the second fluid 8 is ammonia with a boiling point of -33°C.
[0055] The first tank 2 and the second tank 6 are designed to store the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8 in liquid form at temperatures below their respective boiling points at atmospheric pressure. To this end, each of tanks 2 and 6 comprises at least a sealing membrane in contact with one of the fluids and an adiabatic barrier surrounding the sealing membrane to help keep one of the fluids below its boiling point. Advantageously, each of tanks 2 and 6 has a primary layer comprising a primary sealing membrane in contact with one of the fluids and a primary adiabatic barrier surrounding the primary sealing membrane, and a secondary layer comprising a secondary sealing membrane surrounding the primary layer and in contact with the primary adiabatic barrier and a secondary adiabatic barrier surrounding the secondary sealing membrane.
[0056] According to the alternative of the present invention, the second tank 6 comprises only a primary layer, and the primary insulating barrier is in direct contact with the external environment of the second tank 6. It should be noted that in this alternative, the second tank 6 has no secondary layer, and insulation is provided solely by the primary insulating barrier of the primary layer.
[0057] The first fluid 4 is stored in the first tank 2 in a mostly liquid state under atmospheric pressure. However, a portion of the first fluid 4 evaporates and forms a cover at the top 10 of the first tank 2, and therefore, the first fluid 4 exists in a gaseous state at the top 10.
[0058] Similarly, the second fluid 8 is stored in the second tank 6 in a mostly liquid state under atmospheric pressure. However, a portion of the second fluid 8 evaporates and forms a cover at the top 11 of the second tank 6, and therefore, the second fluid 8 exists in a gaseous state at the top 11.
[0059] The management system 1 is configured, on the one hand, to reliquefy at least a portion of the gaseous first fluid 4 present at the top 10 of the first tank 2, and on the other hand, to supply the first fluid 4 to a consuming machine that uses the first fluid 4 as fuel. To this end, the management system 1 includes, on the one hand, a first pipe 12 through which the first fluid 4 flows from the first tank 2 to a plurality of compression elements 14, and a second pipe 16 through which the first fluid 4 flows from the first pipe 12 to the first tank 2 in a liquid state and / or two-phase state, and on the other hand, a pipeline 45 extending between the second pipe 16 and the consuming machine. Furthermore, the management system 1 includes a cooling pipe 18 through which the first fluid 4 flows from the second pipe 16 to the first pipe 12.
[0060] The control system 1 further includes at least one control pipe 20 for managing the state of the second fluid, through which at least a portion of the second fluid 8 flows from the second tank 6 to a liquid outlet 22 for the second fluid 8 in the second tank 6. Specifically, the liquid outlet 22 allows cooled second fluid 8 to be sprayed into the second tank 6 in order to cool the second fluid 8 present specifically at the top 11 of the second tank 6. Lowering the temperature of the second fluid 8 present at the top 11 of the second tank 6 can reduce the pressure exerted by the evaporated second fluid 8 present at the top 11 of the second tank 6. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 herein, the liquid outlet 22 takes the form of a spray rod that facilitates the distribution of the second fluid 8 sprayed at the top 11.
[0061] According to the present invention, the management system 1 includes a cooling unit 24 that cools the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the management piping 20, and the cold air generated by the cooling unit 24 is the result of the evaporation of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18. Note that when the first fluid 4 flows through the cooling pipe 18 and the cooling unit 24 to cool the second fluid 8 flowing through the management piping 20, the first fluid 4 is at a sufficiently low temperature. In this case, the second fluid 8 transfers thermal energy to the first fluid 4.
[0062] The first piping 12 extends from inside the first tank 2 and, more specifically, includes a gas inlet 26 located at the top 10 of the first tank 2, which opens into the top 10 of the first tank 2 where the gaseous first fluid 4 is present. Thus, the gaseous first fluid 4 present at the top 10 of the first tank 2 comes into direct contact with the gas inlet 26 of the first piping 12, and as a result, the gaseous first fluid 4 can be drawn in by the multiple compression elements 14.
[0063] The gaseous first fluid 4 moves from the top 10 of the first tank 2 through the first piping 12 to the multiple compression elements 14 under the influence of suction generated by the multiple compression elements 14. More specifically, the multiple compression elements 14 are configured to increase the pressure of the gaseous first fluid 4 before it is sent to the consuming machine.
[0064] As shown in Figure 1, the multiple compression elements 14 include a first compression element 14a, a second compression element 14b, and a third compression element 14c, arranged on the first piping 12 in this order in the direction of circulation of the first fluid 4 within the first piping. The multiple compression elements 14 help define a first portion 28 of the first piping 12 extending between the gas inlet 26 and the first compression element 14a, a second portion 30 of the first piping 12 extending between the first compression element 14a and the second compression element 14b, a third portion 32 of the first piping 12 extending between the second compression element 14b and the third compression element 14c, and a fourth portion 34 of the first piping 12 extending between the third compression element 14c and the second piping 16.
[0065] The pressure of the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state increases as it flows through the first pipe 12 via multiple compression elements 14, reaching atmospheric pressure in the first section 28 and a pressure of approximately 24 bar in the fourth section 34.
[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the coolant circulation system 36 includes at least one heat exchange element 38 for heat exchange between the coolant flowing through the circulation system 36 and the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the first pipe 12. This heat exchange element 38 separates the first pipe 12 from the second pipe 16. More specifically, the heat exchange element 38 is located downstream of the fourth section 34 of the first pipe 12.
[0067] The heat exchange element 38 exchanges thermal energy between the coolant and the first fluid 4. The coolant can be water containing a heat-conducting fluid and / or glycol, and the circulation system 36 can be installed, for example, on a ship and directly connected to the water in which the ship is navigating.
[0068] Advantageously, the circulation system 36 includes a first heat exchange element 40 attached to the second section 30 of the first pipe 12, a second heat exchange element 42 attached to the third section 32 of the first pipe 12, and a third heat exchange element 38 attached to the fourth section 34 of the first pipe 12, each of which exchanges thermal energy between the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the first pipe 12 and the coolant. It should be noted that by alternating the compression element 14 and the heat exchange elements 38, 40, and 42 arranged along the first pipe 12, the temperature of the first fluid 4 can be lowered after each stage of compression performed by the compression element.
[0069] In the example shown in Figure 1 of this specification, as the first fluid 4 passes through multiple compression elements 14, the fluid pressure and temperature increase. To prevent this temperature from becoming too high, the first fluid 4 exchanges thermal energy with a coolant using first, second, and third heat exchange elements 40, 42, and 38. For example, the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 downstream of the first heat exchange element 40 is approximately 7°C, the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the third section 32 downstream of the second heat exchange element 42 is approximately 40°C, and the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the fourth section 34 downstream of the third heat exchange element 38 is above 43°C.
[0070] Furthermore, the boiling point of a fluid also changes depending on the pressure it is subjected to. For example, the first fluid 4, which can be a mixture consisting of approximately 92% propane and approximately 8% butane, has a boiling point of approximately 43°C when subjected to a pressure of approximately 24 bar. Therefore, the first fluid 4 is in a gaseous state in the fourth section 34 upstream of the third heat exchange element 38, and as it passes through the third heat exchange element 38, it transitions to a liquid phase or two-phase state by exchanging thermal energy with the coolant, and flows in the second piping 16 downstream of the third heat exchange element 38 in a liquid or two-phase state. Thus, the first fluid 4 flows in the second piping 16 downstream of the third heat exchange element 38 in a liquid or two-phase state.
[0071] Furthermore, a "two-phase state" refers to a state in which a portion of the first fluid 4 is in a liquid state, and another portion of the first fluid 4 is in a gaseous state.
[0072] The first fluid 4 flows from the first pipe 12 through the second pipe 16, and more specifically from the third heat exchange element 38 to the first tank 2.
[0073] As shown in Figure 1, the management system 1 includes a phase separator 44 for the first fluid 4 located on the second pipe 16. The phase separator 44 is configured to separate the multiple phases present in the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16. In other words, the phase separator 44 is configured to separate the liquid state of the first fluid 4 from the gaseous state of the first fluid 4. The liquid state of the first fluid 4 separated in the phase separator 44 then flows to the second pipe 16 and / or to the consuming machine through the pipeline 45. The management system 1 also includes a gas pipe 46 through which the first fluid 4 flows in a gaseous state from the phase separator 44 to the second pipe 16.
[0074] As shown in Figure 1, the management system 1 connects the first pipe 12 to the second pipe 16 and includes at least one pipe 48 through which the first fluid 4 flows from the second pipe 16 to the first pipe 12. The management system 1 includes at least one cooling device 50 for cooling the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16, and the cold air generated by the cooling device 50 is produced by the evaporation of the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48.
[0075] An intersection 52 is formed between pipe 48 and the second pipe 16, and the first fluid 4 can flow at this intersection either through the second pipe 16 to the first tank 2 or through pipe 48 to the first pipe 12. The cooling device 50 is configured such that the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 decreases due to the evaporation of the first fluid 4 flowing through pipe 48.
[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the gas pipe 46 is connected to the second pipe 16 downstream of the intersection 52 of the second pipe 16 and pipe 48. As the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the gas pipe 46 mixes with the liquid first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 downstream of the intersection 52, the first fluid 4 is in a two-phase state between the intersection 52 and the cooling device 50 in the second pipe 16.
[0077] More specifically, the cooling device 50 includes at least a heat exchanger 54 and an expansion device 56, the heat exchanger 54 includes a first passage 58 that constitutes the second piping 16 and a second passage 60 that constitutes the pipe 48, and the expansion device 56 is located on the pipe 48 upstream of the second passage 60. The heat exchanger 54 is configured to exchange heat between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second piping 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48.
[0078] In this configuration, the heat exchanger 54 exchanges thermal energy between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48. Specifically, the exchange of thermal energy between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 takes place in the first passage 58 and the second passage 60 of the heat exchanger 54. The thermal energy exchanged between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 lowers the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16, and the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 transfers thermal energy to the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48.
[0079] This transfer of thermal energy is achieved thanks to the presence of an expansion device 56 that reduces the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through pipe 48, thereby facilitating a change in its state.
[0080] The temperature drop between the first fluid 4 flowing upstream of the first passage 58 of the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the first passage 58 of the second pipe 16 is at least 20°C. Advantageously, this temperature difference is 25°C to 35°C.
[0081] As the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 decreases, the first fluid 4 changes from a two-phase state to a liquid state. Therefore, the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the first passage 58 of the heat exchanger 54 in the second pipe 16 is in a liquid state and will have, for example, a temperature of approximately 14°C and a pressure of approximately 24 bar.
[0082] As shown in Figure 1, the expansion element 56 of the cooling device 50 is attached to the pipe 48 upstream of the second passage 60. In other words, it should be noted that the first fluid 4, which is in a liquid state and supplied to the second passage 60, expands before reaching the second passage 60, that is, its pressure decreases and its state changes, resulting in a transition from a two-phase state to a gaseous state within the second passage 60. For example, the first fluid 4 may expand to a pressure of approximately 3 bar, changing from a pressure of approximately 24 bar upstream of the expansion element 56 to a pressure of 3 bar between the expansion element 56 and the first pipe 12.
[0083] Due to the pressure difference between the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the second passage 60 and the liquid or two-phase first fluid 4 flowing through the first passage 58, and the resulting temperature difference, the liquid or two-phase first fluid 4 flowing through the first passage 58 is cooled, causing the two-phase first fluid 4 entering the second passage 60 to evaporate.
[0084] As shown in Figure 1, the first fluid 4 in an expanded gaseous state, flowing downstream of the second passage 60, then reaches the first pipe 12. Advantageously, the pipe 48 is connected to the first pipe 12 at its second section 30, more specifically between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b. Thus, the first fluid 4 in an expanded gaseous state is mixed with the first fluid 4 from the first heat exchange element 40, and this mixture is drawn into the third section 32 of the first pipe 12 by the second compression element 14b.
[0085] As shown in Figure 1, the control system 1 includes a phase separator 62 for the first fluid 4 attached to the second piping 16 downstream of the cooling device 50, and the control system 1 includes a return pipe 64 extending between the phase separator 62 and the first piping 12, through which the gaseous first fluid 4 flows.
[0086] The phase separation device 62 includes a main phase separation device section 66 and an expansion element 68 positioned on the second piping 16 upstream of the main phase separation device section 66. The expansion element 68 makes it possible to bring the first fluid 4 flowing to the main phase separation device section 66 to approximately the same pressure as the first fluid 4 contained in the first tank 2, i.e., atmospheric pressure.
[0087] More specifically, it should be noted that the liquid first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 to the first tank 2 expands before reaching the first tank 2 in order to match the pressure of the first fluid 4 contained in the first tank 2; in other words, its pressure decreases. The expansion of the first fluid 4 by the expansion element 68 changes the state of the first fluid 4, resulting in a transition from a liquid state to a two-phase state in which part of the first fluid 4 is liquid and the other part is gaseous. This decrease in pressure also causes a decrease in the temperature of the first fluid 4. For example, the first fluid 4 may be expanded to a pressure of approximately 1.2 bar, changing from a pressure of approximately 24 bar upstream of the expansion element 68 to approximately 1.2 bar downstream of the expansion element 68, and the first fluid 4 will have a temperature of approximately -50°C.
[0088] The first fluid 4 then flows to the main section 66 of the phase separation device, where it is in a liquid state and / or a two-phase state depending on its precise temperature. The main section 66 of the phase separation device is configured to separate the multiple phases present in the first fluid 4 that flows from the expansion element 68 to the first tank 2. In other words, the main section 66 of the phase separation device is configured to separate the liquid state of the first fluid 4 from the gaseous state of the first fluid 4. The liquid state of the first fluid 4 separated in the main section 66 then flows to the first tank 2, while the gaseous state of the first fluid 4 moves through the return pipe 64 to the first section 28 of the first piping 12.
[0089] Advantageously, the second pipe 16 opens into the first tank 2, specifically to a fluid outlet 65 at the bottom of the first tank 2, so that the liquid first fluid 4 flows from the main part of the phase separator 66 through the second pipe 16 to the bottom of the first tank 2. According to the alternative, the second pipe 16 opens at the top 10 of the first tank 2, so that the liquid first fluid 4 is sprayed, for example, at the top 10 of the first tank 2, thereby cooling the gaseous first fluid 4 present at the top 10 of the first tank 2.
[0090] In the example shown in Figure 1 of this specification, the control system 1 includes an expansion block 70 for expanding the first fluid 4, which is located on the return pipe 64 and configured to allow the first fluid 4, for example, in a gaseous state, to flow through the return pipe 64 and change the pressure from 1.2 bar to atmospheric pressure.
[0091] The management system 1 further includes a discharge pipe 72 which is connected to a return pipe 64 downstream of the expansion block 70 and opens to the external environment of the management system 1.
[0092] The management system 1 includes a control valve 74 located on a discharge pipe 72 for controlling the flow rate of the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state, in order to control the flow rate of the first fluid 4 discharged to the external environment of the management system 1.
[0093] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling pipe 18 extends between the second pipe 16 and the first pipe 12. Therefore, the first fluid 4 flows from the second pipe 16 to the first pipe 12 through the cooling pipe 18.
[0094] According to one feature of the present invention, the cooling pipe 18 is connected to a pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50. The first fluid 4 flowing from the second pipe 16 to the first pipe 12 through the cooling pipe 18 passes through at least a portion of the pipe 48 and is mixed with the first fluid 4 flowing in the pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50. Thus, the first fluid 4 from the cooling pipe 18 is injected between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b and is mixed with the first fluid 4 flowing in the second portion 30 of the first pipe 12.
[0095] According to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the control system 1 includes control piping 20 for controlling the state of the second fluid 8, specifically its pressure and / or temperature, and the second fluid 8, taken in from the second tank 6 in a liquid state, is intended to flow through this control piping 20. To this end, the control piping 20 includes a liquid inlet 76 located at the bottom of the second tank 6, which is in contact with the second fluid 8 in a liquid state contained in the second tank 6, for example.
[0096] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the management system 1 includes at least one pump element 78 located on a management pipe 20 upstream of the cooling unit 24. The pump element 78 is configured to cause a liquid second fluid 8 to flow through the management pipe 20. For this purpose, the pump element 78 is attached to a liquid inlet 76. In other words, the pump element 78 is immersed in the liquid second fluid 8 contained in the second tank 6. However, the pump element 78 can be attached anywhere on the management pipe 20, as long as it is distributing the liquid second fluid 8 through the management pipe 20.
[0097] The pump element 78 increases the pressure of the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the control piping 20. For example, the liquid second fluid 8 flowing downstream of the pump element 78 has a pressure of approximately 4 bar, and as a result, the pump element 78 changes the pressure of the liquid second fluid 8 from atmospheric pressure upstream of the pump element 78 to approximately 4 bar downstream of the pump element 78.
[0098] As shown in Figure 1, the control piping 20 includes a liquid outlet 22, and the liquid second fluid 8 flows through the control piping 20 to this liquid outlet 22. According to one embodiment, the liquid outlet 22 may include a spray element that can spray the liquid second fluid 8 from the control piping 20 located at the top 11 of the second tank 6.
[0099] According to the present invention, the management system 1 includes a cooling unit 24 that cools the second fluid 8 flowing through the management piping 20, and the cold air generated by the cooling device 24 is produced by the evaporation of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18. Therefore, the management piping 20 includes a first section 80 upstream of the cooling unit 24 and a second section 82 downstream of the cooling unit 24. Thus, the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the second section 82 of the management piping 20 has a temperature lower than the temperature of the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the first section 80 of the management piping 20.
[0100] More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the cooling unit 24 includes at least a heat exchanger 84 and an expansion element 86 attached to a cooling pipe 18 upstream of the heat exchanger 84, the heat exchanger 84 being configured to exchange heat between a first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 and a second fluid 8 flowing through the control pipe 20. Note that the heat exchanger 84 is attached to either the cooling pipe 18 or the control pipe 20 so that the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8 pass through the heat exchanger 84.
[0101] To this end, the heat exchanger 84 includes at least a first passage 88 that constitutes the cooling pipe 18 and a second passage 90 that constitutes the control pipe 20, with an expansion element 86 positioned upstream of the first passage 88. The first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 passes through the heat exchanger 84 via the first passage 88, and the second fluid 8 flowing through the control pipe 20 passes through the heat exchanger 84 via the second passage 90. With this configuration, the heat exchanger 84 exchanges thermal energy between the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 and the second fluid 8 flowing through the control pipe 20, and this exchange of thermal energy between the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 and the second fluid 8 flowing through the control pipe 20 takes place specifically in the first passage 88 and the second passage 90 of the heat exchanger 84. The thermal energy exchanged between the first fluid 4 and the second fluid 8 lowers the temperature of the second fluid 8, and the second fluid 8 transfers thermal energy to the first fluid 4.
[0102] Furthermore, this transfer of thermal energy is achieved thanks to the presence of an expansion element 86 that reduces the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18, thereby facilitating a change in its state.
[0103] As shown in Figure 1, the expansion element 86 of the cooling unit 24 is attached to the cooling pipe 18 upstream of the first passage 88. In other words, note that the first fluid 4, which is in a liquid state and supplied to the first passage 88, expands before reaching the first passage 88, that is, its pressure decreases and it evaporates in the first passage 88. This expansion changes the state of the first fluid 4, causing it to transition from a two-phase state to a gaseous state in the second passage 90. Therefore, note that the first fluid 4 is expanded to a pressure of approximately 3 bar, and the pressure of the first fluid 4 can change from approximately 24 bar upstream of the expansion element 86 to 3 bar downstream of the expansion element 86.
[0104] As the pressure of the first fluid 4 passing through the expansion element 86 decreases, the state of the first fluid 4 changes, and in parallel, its temperature decreases. For example, the first fluid 4 has a temperature of approximately 14°C upstream of the expansion element 86 and a temperature of approximately -30°C between the expansion element 86 and the first passage 88 of the heat exchanger 84.
[0105] Advantageously, the temperature difference between the first fluid 4 flowing through the first passage 88 and the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the second passage 90 cools the liquid second fluid 8 flowing through the second passage 90, causing the two-phase first fluid 4 entering the first passage 88 to evaporate. Here, the second fluid 8 flowing through the second passage 90 transfers thermal energy to the first fluid 4 flowing through the first passage 88, and as the first fluid 4 passes through the first passage 88, its temperature rises, resulting in a change in its state from a two-phase state to a gaseous state.
[0106] For example, the temperature of the second fluid 8 in liquid state is approximately 0°C upstream of the second passage 90 of the control piping 20, i.e., the first part 80 of the control piping 20, i.e., the second passage 90 of the heat exchanger 84, and approximately -10°C downstream of the second part 82 of the control piping 20, i.e., the second passage 90.
[0107] Furthermore, the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18 upstream of the expansion element 86 is in a liquid state, the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18 between the expansion element 86 and the heat exchanger 84 is in a two-phase state, and the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18 is in a gaseous state inside and downstream of the heat exchanger 84. For example, the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18 upstream of the expansion element 86 is approximately 14°C, the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling tube 18 between the expansion element 86 and the heat exchanger 84 is approximately -30°C, and the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the heat exchanger 84 is approximately -3°C.
[0108] According to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the cooling pipe 18 downstream of the heat exchanger 84 is mixed with the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50, and this mixture is then incorporated into the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the second section 30 of the first piping 12 between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b.
[0109] Advantageously, the expansion element 86, the expansion device 56, and the first compression element 14a are configured to bring the first fluid 4 to the same pressure. Thus, the first compression element 14a will raise the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 12 to, for example, 3 bar. The expansion element 86 and the expansion device 56 will reduce the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 to a pressure similar to the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 of the first pipe 12, i.e., 3 bar. Thus, the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50 is at a pressure of, for example, 3 bar, and the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 downstream of the heat exchanger 84 is also at a pressure of 3 bar.
[0110] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with particular reference to Figure 2. The elements that differentiate the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below. For elements that are the same, please refer to the detailed description of the first embodiment.
[0111] In the second embodiment, pipe 48 is connected to the first piping 12 at a third section 32, i.e., between the second heat exchange element 42 and the third compression element 14c. Note that the gaseous first fluid 4 flows through pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50 up to the third section 32 of the first piping 12. The gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through pipe 48 downstream of the cooling device 50 is mixed with the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the third section 32 of the first piping 12 at a position between the second heat exchange element 42 and the third compression element 14c.
[0112] In this case, the expansion device 56 is configured to reduce the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 to approximately the same pressure as the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the third section 32 of the first piping 12 between the second heat exchange element 42 and the third compression element 14c. For example, the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the cooling device 50 is approximately 10.5 bar, and the expansion device 56 changes the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the pipe 48 from approximately 24 bar upstream of the expansion device 56 to approximately 10.5 bar downstream of the expansion device 56.
[0113] As shown in Figure 2, the cooling pipe 18 extends between the second pipe 16 and the second section 30 of the first pipe 12. The cooling pipe 18 is directly connected to the first pipe 12 at the second section 30. The first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the cooling pipe 18 downstream of the cooling unit 24 is mixed with the first fluid 4 in a gaseous state flowing through the second section 30 of the first pipe 12 at a position between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b.
[0114] In this case, the expansion element 86 is configured to reduce the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 to approximately the same pressure as the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 of the first piping 12. For example, the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 downstream of the cooling unit 24 is approximately 3 bar, and the expansion element 86 changes the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 from approximately 24 bar upstream of the expansion element 86 to approximately 3 bar downstream of the expansion element 86.
[0115] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with particular reference to Figure 3. The elements that differentiate the third embodiment from the first and second embodiments will be described below. For elements that are the same, please refer to the detailed descriptions of those embodiments.
[0116] As shown in Figure 3, the control system 1 includes a first pipe 92 and a second pipe 94, each extending independently between the second pipe 16 and the first pipe 12.
[0117] The first pipe 92 is connected to the second pipe 16 on one end and to the third section 32 of the first pipe 12 between the second heat exchange element 42 and the third compression element 14c on the other end. Note that the first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 mixes with the first fluid 4 flowing through the third section 32 of the first pipe 12 at a position between the second heat exchange element 42 and the third compression element 14c.
[0118] The management system 1 includes a first cooling device 96 attached to the second piping 16 and the first pipe 92, the first cooling device 96 including a first heat exchanger 98 and a first expansion device 100 located on the first pipe 92 upstream of the first heat exchanger 98. The first heat exchanger 98 is configured to exchange thermal energy between a first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 and a first fluid 4 flowing through the second piping 16. To this end, the first heat exchanger 98 includes a first conduit 102 that constitutes the second piping 16 and a second conduit 104 that constitutes the first pipe 92. Note that the first fluid 4 flowing through the second piping 16 passes through the first heat exchanger 98 via the first conduit 102, and the first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 passes through the first heat exchanger 98 via the second conduit 104.
[0119] Furthermore, it should be noted that the first intersection 521 of the first pipe 92 and the second pipe 16 is located between the phase separator 44 and the first cooling device 96. Thus, the first fluid 4 flowing through the first intersection 521 can continue to flow through the second pipe 16 to the first cooling device 96 and / or through the first pipe 92 to the first pipe 12.
[0120] In this case, the first expansion device 100 is configured to reduce the pressure of the liquid first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 to approximately the same pressure as the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the third section 32 of the first piping 12. For example, the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the first cooling device 96 is approximately 10.5 bar, and the first expansion device 100 changes the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 from approximately 24 bar upstream of the first expansion device 100 to approximately 10.5 bar downstream of the first expansion device 100.
[0121] Heat exchange between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the first pipe 92 takes place specifically in the first heat exchanger 98, and more specifically in the first conduit 102 and the second conduit 104. The first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 102 transfers thermal energy to the expanded first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 104. In other words, the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 104 cools the first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 102, causing the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 102 to decrease, while the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 104 increases. Due to the increase in the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 104, the first fluid 4 transitions from a two-phase state to a gaseous state.
[0122] As shown in Figure 3, the second pipe 94 is connected to the second piping 16 on one end and to the second section 30 of the first piping 12 between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b on the other end. Note that the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 mixes with the first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 of the first piping 12 at a location between the first heat exchange element 40 and the second compression element 14b.
[0123] Furthermore, the second pipe 94 is connected to the second piping 16 downstream of the first cooling device 96. Note that the second intersection 522 of the second pipe 94 and the second piping 16 is located between the first cooling device 96 and the phase separator 62. The first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 originates from the first fluid 4 that is cooled by the first cooling device 96 and flows through the second piping 16.
[0124] Management system 1 includes a second cooling device 106 attached to a second piping 16 and a second pipe 94, the second cooling device 106 including a second heat exchanger 108 and a second expansion device 110 located on the second pipe 94 upstream of the second heat exchanger 108. The second heat exchanger 108 is configured to exchange thermal energy between a first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 and a first fluid 4 flowing through the second piping 16 downstream of the first cooling device 96. To this end, the second heat exchanger 108 includes a first conduit 112 that constitutes the second piping 16 and a second conduit 114 that constitutes the second pipe 94. Note that the first fluid 4 flowing through the second piping 16 passes through the second heat exchanger 108 via the first conduit 112, and the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 passes through the second heat exchanger 108 via the second conduit 114.
[0125] In this case, the second expansion device 110 is configured to reduce the pressure of the liquid first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 to approximately the same pressure as the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 of the first piping 12. For example, the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing downstream of the second cooling device 106 is approximately 3 bar, and the second expansion device 110 changes the pressure of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 from approximately 24 bar upstream of the second expansion device 110 to approximately 3 bar downstream of the second expansion device 110.
[0126] The expansion of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 from a pressure of approximately 24 bar to a pressure of approximately 3 bar causes the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 114 to decrease. The first fluid 4 flowing between the second expansion device 110 and the second conduit 114 is in a two-phase state, and the first fluid 4 evaporates as it passes through the second conduit 114.
[0127] Heat exchange between the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 and the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 takes place specifically in the second heat exchanger 108, and more specifically in the first conduit 112 and the second conduit 114. The first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 112 transfers thermal energy to the expanded first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 114. In other words, the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 114 cools the first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 112, causing the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the first conduit 112 to decrease, while the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 114 increases. Due to the increase in the temperature of the first fluid 4 flowing through the second conduit 114, the first fluid 4 transitions from a two-phase state to a gaseous state.
[0128] According to the present invention, the branch 116 of the cooling pipe 18 and the second pipe 16 is located between the first cooling device 96 and the second cooling device 106. It should be noted that the first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 16 downstream of the first cooling device 96 can flow through the cooling pipe 18 to the cooling unit 24, or through the second pipe 94 to the first pipe 12, or through the second pipe 16 to the first tank 2. Advantageously, the branch 116 of the cooling pipe 18 and the second pipe 16 is installed between the second intersection 522 of the second pipe 16 and the second pipe 94 and the first cooling device 96.
[0129] In this configuration, the cooling pipe 18 extends between the second piping 16 and the second pipe 94, and the cooling pipe 18 is connected to the second pipe 94 downstream of the second cooling device 106. Note that the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the cooling pipe 18 downstream of the cooling unit 24 mixes with the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the second pipe 94 downstream of the second cooling device 106 before being incorporated into the gaseous first fluid 4 flowing through the second section 30 of the first piping 12.
[0130] Therefore, as described above, a portion of the first fluid 4 is recirculated by the management system 1, and this portion of the first fluid 4 mainly helps to cool the first fluid 4 and / or the second fluid 8.
[0131] According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4, the cooling pipe 18 and the branch 116 of the second pipe 16 are installed between the second cooling device 106 and the phase separator 62. Note that the first fluid 4 in liquid state flowing downstream of the second cooling device 106 flows through the second pipe 16 to the phase separator 62, or through the cooling pipe 18 to the cooling unit 24.
[0132] Therefore, as described above, this configuration allows the first fluid 4 to reach the expansion element 86 at a lower temperature compared to the configurations described in the first, second, and third embodiments. After passing through the expansion element 86, the first fluid 4 is expanded, further reducing its temperature, and as a result, the cooling of the second fluid 8 in the heat exchanger 84 is optimized. In other words, in the example shown here, the first fluid 4 flowing between the expansion element 86 and the heat exchanger 84 has a much lower temperature than the first fluid 4 flowing in the configurations described in the first, second, and third embodiments, which makes it possible to lower the temperature of the second fluid 8 in the heat exchanger 84 more efficiently.
[0133] According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5, the cooling pipe 18 and the branch 116 of the second pipe 16 are installed between the phase separator 44 and the first cooling device 96. Note that the first fluid 4 in liquid state flowing downstream of the phase separator 44 flows to the first cooling device 96 through the second pipe 16 or the first pipe 92, or to the cooling unit 24 through the cooling pipe 18. More specifically, the branch 116 of the second pipe 16 and the cooling pipe 18 is installed at the first intersection 521 of the second pipe 16 and the first pipe 92. However, a management system 1 in which the branch 116 of the second pipe 16 and the cooling pipe 18 is installed between the intersection 521 of the second pipe 16 and the first pipe 92 and the phase separator 44, or between the intersection 521 of the second pipe 16 and the first pipe 92 and the first cooling device 96, would not depart from the scope of the present invention.
[0134] However, the present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and shown herein, and extends to all equivalent means and configurations, as well as any technically functional combination of such means. Specifically, all elements that change the pressure, temperature, and / or state of the first fluid 4, and / or the pressure, temperature, and / or state of the second fluid 8, can be modified without disadvantage to the present invention, provided that those elements provide the functions described herein.
Claims
1. A management system (1) for managing the state of a first fluid (4) contained in a first tank (2) and the state of a second fluid (8) contained in a second tank (6), said first fluid (4) having a boiling point lower than the boiling point of said second fluid (8) at the same pressure, said management system (1) comprising at least a first pipe (12) intended for the flow of said first fluid (4) taken from said first tank (2) in a gaseous state, said first pipe (12) extending from a gas inlet (26) configured to open into said first tank (2) to a heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) configured for condensing said first fluid (4), said first pipe (12) comprising at least a first compression element (14a) and a second compression element (14b), said management system (1) comprising a second pipe (16) intended for the flow of said first fluid (4) in a liquid state and / or in a two-phase state, said second pipe (16) extending from said heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) to a heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) configured for condensing said first fluid (4), a second pipe (16) extending from the first tank (2) to a second port (65) configured to open into the first tank (2), said management system (1) comprising at least one cooling pipe (18) extending from the second pipe (16) to the first pipe (12) and intended for the first fluid (4) to flow, said cooling pipe (18) being connected to the first pipe (12) between the first compression element (14a) and the second compression element (14b), said management system (1) comprising at least one control pipe (20) intended for the second fluid (8) to flow and for controlling a state of said second fluid (8), said management system (1) comprising at least one cooling unit (24) for cooling the second fluid (8) flowing through said control pipe (20), said cold air resulting from evaporation of the first fluid (4) generated by the cooling unit (24) and flowing through the cooling pipe (18).
2. 2. The management system (1) of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit (24) includes at least a heat exchanger (84) and an expansion element (86) attached to the cooling pipe (18) between the second piping (16) and the heat exchanger (84), the heat exchanger (84) being configured to exchange heat between the first fluid (4) flowing through the cooling pipe (18) and the second fluid (8) flowing through the management piping (20).
3. 3. The management system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchanger (84) includes at least a first passage (88) constituting the cooling pipe (18) and a second passage (90) constituting the management piping (20), and the expansion element (86) is disposed between the second piping (16) and the first passage (88).
4. The management system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one pump element (78) arranged on the management piping (20) upstream of the cooling unit (24).
5. 4. The management system (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pipe (48) extending between the second piping (16) and the first piping (12), the pipe (48) being connected to the first piping (12) between the first compression element (14a) and the second compression element (14b), the management system (1) further comprising at least one cooling device (50) for cooling the first fluid (4) flowing through the second piping (16), the cold air generated by the cooling device (50) being generated by evaporation of the first fluid (4) flowing through the pipe (48).
6. 6. The management system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cooling device (50) comprises at least a heat exchanger (54) and an expansion device (56), the heat exchanger (54) comprising a first passage (58) constituting the second piping (16) and a second passage (60) constituting the pipe (48), the expansion device (56) being arranged on the pipe (48) between the second piping (16) and the second passage (60), and the heat exchanger (54) being configured to exchange heat between the first fluid (4) flowing through the second piping (16) and the first fluid (4) flowing through the pipe (48).
7. 6. The management system (1) according to claim 5, comprising at least a first heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) for heat exchange between the first fluid (4) and a cooling liquid, and a second heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) for heat exchange between the first fluid (4) and the cooling liquid, the first heat exchange element (38, 40, 42) being attached between the first compression element (14a) and the second compression element (14b), and the pipe (48) being connected to the first piping (12) between the first heat exchange element (40) and the second compression element (14b).
8. The management system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cooling line (18) is connected to the pipe (48) between the first piping (12) and the cooling device (50).
9. 6. The management system (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a branch (116) between the second piping (16) and the cooling pipe (18), attached between the second port (65) arranged in the first tank (2) and the cooling device (50).
10. 6. The management system (1) according to claim 5, comprising a branch (116) between the second piping (16) and the cooling pipe (18), attached between the second compression element (14b) and the cooling device (50).
11. The management system (1) includes at least one phase separation device (44) for the first fluid (4) attached to the second piping (16) between the second compression element (14b) and an intersection (52) between the pipe (48) and the second piping (16), the management system (1) includes a gas line (46) extending between the phase separation device (44) and the second piping (16), the gas line (46) being connected to the cooling device (50) and the pipe (48) and the second piping (16).
6. The management system (1) of claim 5, wherein the phase separation device (44) is connected to the second piping (16) between the intersection (52) between the pipes (16), such that the first fluid (4) in a liquid state can flow from the phase separation device (44) through the second piping (16) to the intersection (52) between the pipe (48) and the second piping (16) and the first fluid (4) in a gas state can flow from the phase separation device (44) through the gas pipe (46) to the second piping (16).
12. 6. The management system (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a separation device (62) for the first fluid (4) attached to the second piping (16) downstream of the cooling device (50), the management system (1) further comprising a return pipe (64) extending between the separation device (62) and the first piping (12) and through which the first fluid (4) in a gaseous state flows.
13. The management system (1) includes a first pipe (92) extending between the first piping (12) and the second piping (16) and a second pipe (94) extending between the first piping (12) and the second piping (16). The management system (1) includes a third compression element (14c) attached to the first piping (12), the second compression element (14b) being disposed beside the first compression element (14a) and the third compression element (14c), the first pipe (92) opening into the first piping (12) between the second compression element (14b) and the third compression element (14c), and the second pipe (94) opening into the first piping (12) between the first compression element (14a) and the second compression element (14b).
4. The management system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the management system (1) comprises a first cooling device (96) for cooling the first fluid (4) flowing in the second piping (16) and a second cooling device (106) for cooling the first fluid (4) flowing in the second piping (16), wherein the cold air generated by the first cooling device (96) is generated by evaporation of the first fluid (4) flowing in the first pipe (92) and the cold air generated by the second cooling device (106) is generated by evaporation of the first fluid (4) flowing in the second pipe (94), and wherein the first cooling device (96) is attached to the second piping (16) upstream of the second cooling device (106).
14. The management system (1) according to claim 13, wherein the cooling pipe (18) is connected to the second piping (16) between the first cooling device (96) and the second cooling device (106).
15. The management system (1) according to claim 13, wherein said cooling line (18) is connected to said second pipe (94) downstream of said second cooling device (106).