Installation and method for liquefying a cryogenic fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen liquefaction installations are expensive and require a large number of components due to their complex architecture.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fluid liquefaction installation with a common heater connected in parallel to multiple storage tanks via pressurization lines, allowing simultaneous pressurization and heating of the liquid, and a shared return pipe system for vaporization gas, reducing the need for redundant equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each storage tank is equipped with its own heater and pressurization system, then each tank can be pressurized independently, but the number of components increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual heaters into a single common heater that serves all storage tanks through a shared pressurization system. The common heater is connected to multiple storage tanks via pressurization lines with valves, allowing one heater to perform the function of multiple heaters, thereby reducing component count and cost while maintaining pressurization capability for all tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The common heater is designed as a universal component that can service multiple storage tanks simultaneously or individually. By equipping the common heater with multiple pressurization lines and valves, it gains multi-functionality to pressurize any combination of tanks, replacing the need for dedicated heaters for each tank.
2Productivity
If separate pressurization lines are used for each storage tank, then each tank can be pressurized simultaneously, but the piping system becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate pressurization piping systems into a single integrated common pressurization system. The common heater connects to all storage tanks through shared pressurization lines with individual valves for each tank, allowing simultaneous pressurization while reducing the total amount of piping and associated components compared to completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurization system incorporates valves on each pressurization line that can be dynamically opened or closed to control which tanks receive pressurization. This dynamic control allows flexible operation where any combination of tanks can be pressurized simultaneously or individually, maintaining productivity while simplifying the overall piping architecture.
3Device complexity
If a common heater is shared among multiple storage tanks, then equipment cost is reduced, but the heater must handle variable flow requirements from different tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses valves on each pressurization line connected to the common heater to dynamically control flow distribution. These valves can be adjusted to match the specific flow requirements of each storage tank, allowing the common heater to adapt to variable demands from different tanks while maintaining ease of operation through straightforward valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of flow parameters (flow rate, pressure) to each storage tank through the valves on the pressurization lines. This enables the common heater to handle variable flow requirements by changing the operational parameters of each branch circuit, accommodating different tank sizes and pressurization needs without requiring separate heaters.
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 configuration allows for cost-effective pooling of equipment and lines, reducing storage costs and operational complexity while maintaining efficient liquefaction and storage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a set of heat exchanger(s) 3 in heat exchange with the supply circuit 2
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device 7 in heat exchange with the set of heat exchanger(s) 3, said cooling device comprising a refrigerator 7 with a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 3
a common heater 4 connected in parallel to the plurality of cryogenic fluid storages tanks 8 via a set of pressurization lines 5, 6... a heating of the withdrawn liquid in the common heater 4
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a cryogenic fluid liquefaction installation, for example hydrogen, comprising a fluid supply circuit to be cooled having an upstream end and a downstream end (22) connected in parallel to several cryogenic storage tanks (8), a set of heat exchanger(s) (3) in thermal exchange with the supply circuit (2) and a cooling device (7) comprising a refrigerator (7) with a cycle refrigeration gas, the installation (1) comprising a set of liquid withdrawal lines (18) equipped with a set of valve(s) (38) and connecting the storage tanks (8) at at least one connection end (28), the installation (1) comprising a common heater (4) connected in parallel to the plurality of cryogenic fluid storage tanks (8) via a set of pressurization lines (5, 6) equipped with valves (15,16) and configured to allow pressurization of each of the cryogenic storage units (8) via the common heater (4).