System and method for supplying backup product in air separation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In air separation apparatuses, the existing systems for maintaining pressure during cold standby states result in energy loss and vaporization of cryogenic liquids when a portion of the product is circulated back to the storage tank, leading to pressure fluctuations and inefficiencies in supplying both low-pressure and high-pressure products.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a speed-adjustable cryogenic liquid pump driven by a variable speed motor, with a liquid pump outlet control valve and a vaporizer to pressurize and vaporize cryogenic liquids for delivery to the user, minimizing energy loss and maintaining pressure stability by using the pump's low-speed operation during normal operation and high-speed operation during shutdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a portion of the cryogenic liquid product is circulated back to the storage tank during cold standby state, then the pressure in the user's product supply pipeline can be maintained, but energy is lost and cryogenic liquid is vaporized and released into the air

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the cryogenic liquid pump by introducing variable speed control. During cold standby state, the pump operates at low speed to maintain pressure in the user's pipeline while minimizing energy consumption and preventing vaporization loss. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain reliability while reducing energy loss and cryogenic liquid vaporization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the cryogenic liquid pump is kept in cold standby state for long-term operation, then rapid response to shutdowns can be achieved, but continuous operation causes energy loss and cryogenic liquid vaporization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamic operation by enabling the cryogenic liquid pump to adjust its speed based on system requirements. The pump can operate at low speed during normal cold standby state to maintain readiness while minimizing energy loss, and quickly transition to high speed when rapid response is needed. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining fast response capability and reducing continuous energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stress or pressure

If the cryogenic liquid pump operates at high speed to meet user demand, then the required pressure can be achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepressureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes variable speed control to adjust the pump's operating parameters according to actual demand. When high pressure is required, the pump operates at high speed; when pressure maintenance is sufficient, the pump operates at low speed. This parameter adjustment strategy allows the system to achieve required pressure levels while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when full pressure is not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces energy loss, prevents vaporization of cryogenic liquids during standby, ensures rapid startup, and meets user demands for both high-pressure and low-pressure products with minimal additional equipment investment.

Implementation Method 1

a cryogenic liquid pump, which pressurizes the liquid product sent out from the storage tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

the liquid product is further pressurized to the required pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump, and is vaporized by heat exchange to form pressurized gaseous oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

vaporized by heat exchange to form pressurized gaseous oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3734206B1System and method for supplying backup product in air separation device
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP3734206B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A system and method for supplying a backup product in an air separation device, as well as a system and method for supplying a lower-pressure product to a user by means of pressurization of a cryogenic liquid pump (2) during normal operation of an air separation device, i.e., when the cryogenic liquid pump (2) is in the cold standby state. By means of the system and method, a cryogenic liquid product taken from a storage tank (1) is pressurized by the cryogenic liquid pump (2) to produce a lower-pressure product by taking full advantage of the low-speed operation of the cryogenic liquid pump (2) in the cold standby state, and the lower-pressure product is transmitted to product supply lines (7, 8) of a user, to achieve the function of supplying the lower-pressure product to the user. The system and method not only reduce the energy loss of the cryogenic liquid pump (2) in the cold standby state for a long time, but also avoid the bleeding rate of the cryogenic liquid product generated by sending a part of the cryogenic liquid product back to the storage tank (1), so that the advantage of quickly starting the cryogenic liquid pump (2) from the cold standby state is ensured, and the requirements of the user to the higher-pressure product and the lower-pressure product can be satisfied.