Method and apparatus for separation of helium-3 from helium-4 by means of a cryogenic process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering 3-Helium from natural Helium are inefficient, particularly in terms of energy consumption and refrigerant utilization, leading to significant 3He losses due to leakages and high power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a rectification column system with multiple sections and an integrated cold compressor, where 3He is separated by isenthalpic expansion and condensation, eliminating the need for external heat and reducing refrigerant usage, thereby minimizing 3He losses and optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional rectification systems are used for 3He recovery, then 3He can be separated from natural helium, but energy consumption is high and 3He losses occur due to leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigeration system with the rectification system by using the cold compressor to provide both the driving force for rectification and the refrigerant for cooling. The refrigerant circuit is integrated into the rectification column, allowing the same 4He to serve dual purposes: as a refrigerant for heat exchange and as a participant in the rectification process. This integration eliminates separate refrigeration equipment and reduces 3He losses by minimizing external connections and potential leakage points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses itself to provide the necessary cooling function. The cold compressor compresses 4He gas, which then serves as refrigerant in the heat exchangers. The expanded 4He liquid provides the cold temperatures needed for the rectification process without requiring external refrigeration systems. This self-service approach reduces energy consumption and eliminates the need for separate refrigeration systems that would increase 3He loss risks.
2Productivity
If external heat input is used for the rectification process, then the process can be driven, but power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by using isenthalpic expansion of the refrigerant instead of external heating. The Joule-Thomson effect is utilized to cool the 4He refrigerant, which then absorbs heat from the rectification process internally. This parameter change from external heat input to internal heat exchange driven by refrigerant expansion significantly reduces power requirements while maintaining rectification efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the heat that would normally be wasted or require external input into a beneficial internal heat exchange process. The heat of vaporization of the expanding 4He refrigerant is used to drive the rectification process, turning what would be a cooling requirement into a useful heat source for the separation process, thereby eliminating the need for external power input.
3Temperature
If 3He is used as refrigerant in the cooling system, then cooling efficiency is improved, but 3He losses due to leakages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses 4He as the refrigerant instead of 3He, making the valuable 3He unnecessary for the cooling function. The 4He serves as both the refrigerant and participates in the rectification process, while the 3He remains in the liquid phase and is simply separated as a byproduct. This eliminates the need to handle 3He in the refrigeration circuit, thereby preventing 3He losses from refrigerant leakages while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the refrigerant function from the 3He and assigns it to 4He instead. By separating the refrigeration function from the valuable 3He isotope and assigning it to the abundant 4He, the system eliminates the risk of 3He loss through refrigerant leakage while maintaining the necessary cooling efficiency for the rectification process.
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
The system effectively enriches 3He to concentrations up to 20 mol % without external heat input, reducing energy consumption and 3He losses, and allows for further enrichment to higher concentrations with reduced operational complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a feed stream into a rectification column system, the rectification column system preferably comprising at least three rectification sections connected to one another in series
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange with colder liquid Helium produced by means of isenthalpic expansion of a first liquid helium stream taken from the bottom of rectification system to a lower (sub-atmospheric) pressure level
Implementation Method 3
condensing at least a first portion of a vapour stream comprising 3He enriched Helium in the intermediate section of the rectification system, preferably by heat exchange with colder liquid Helium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method for recovering 3-Helium (3He) from natural Helium (He), comprising the following steps: supplying the feed stream comprising natural liquid helium from an appropriate liquid helium source; introducing a feed stream into a rectification column system; condensing at least a first portion of a vapour stream comprising 3He enriched Helium in the intermediate section of the rectification system, condensing at least a second portion of a vapour stream comprising 3He enriched Helium in the upper section of the rectification system by heat exchange with colder liquid Helium; merging and compressing of the low-pressure vaporous streams; withdrawing an overhead stream comprising 3He enriched Helium from a top section of the rectification system as a product; withdrawing a bottom stream comprising 3He depleted Helium from a bottom section of the rectification system; withdrawing of a vaporous helium stream from the lower part of the rectification system.