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CN-121986238-A - Apparatus for storing and processing cryogenic fluids

CN121986238ACN 121986238 ACN121986238 ACN 121986238ACN-121986238-A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid, comprising at least one storage tank (2), a consumption and/or treatment system (22), a line (14) for loading and/or unloading a liquid cryogenic fluid (L), a line (20) for supplying the consumption and/or treatment system (22) with a fuel prepared from a gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid, the supply line (20) comprising at least one compressor (24), the device (1) comprising a conduit (26) connected to the supply line (20) between the compressor (24) and the consumption and/or treatment system (22), the conduit (26) being connected to the bottom of the tank (6), the conduit (26) having control means (36) for controlling the circulation of the gas (G) within the conduit (26).

Inventors

  • M. Gossett
  • L. Koensoral
  • M. Bernie Sael
  • S. AHMED

Assignees

  • 气体运输技术公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20241009
Priority Date
20231009

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An apparatus (1) for storing and processing cryogenic fluids, comprising at least one cryogenic fluid storage tank (2) comprising a tank bottom (6) and a tank headspace (8), a consumption and/or processing system (22), a loading and/or unloading line (14) for loading and/or unloading a liquid cryogenic fluid (L), configured to connect at least the tank bottom (6) to a storage terminal (12), a supply line (20) for supplying the consumption and/or processing system (22) with fuel prepared from a gas resulting from the evaporation of a liquid cryogenic fluid (G) in the storage tank (2), the supply line (20) connecting at least the tank headspace (8) to the consumption and/or processing system (22) and comprising at least one compressor (24) arranged between the storage tank (2) and the consumption and/or processing system (22), the cryogenic fluid storage and processing apparatus (1) comprising a conduit (26), the conduit (26) being connected at a first end (28) to the second end (26) to the consumption and/or processing system (22) by a conduit (26), the duct (26) has a control member (36) for controlling the flow of gas (G) within the duct (26).
  2. 2. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to claim 1, wherein the second end (30) of the conduit (26) is connected to the loading and/or unloading line (14).
  3. 3. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to claim 1, wherein the second end (30) of the conduit (26) opens into the tank bottom (6).
  4. 4. The apparatus (1) for storing and processing a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit (26) is configured such that a gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid passes through the conduit (26).
  5. 5. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims, comprising first measuring means for measuring the pressure inside the tank (2) and/or the temperature (38) of the liquid cryogenic fluid (L) inside the tank (2).
  6. 6. Apparatus (1) for storing and processing a cryogenic fluid according to claim 5, comprising a second measuring device (40), the second measuring device (40) being adapted to measure the pressure of the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid at the outlet of the compressor (24).
  7. 7. Apparatus (1) for storing and processing a cryogenic fluid according to any one of claims 5 and 6, comprising a control system (34), the control system (34) being configured to open or close the control member (36) according to a value acquired by the first measuring device (38) and/or the second measuring device (40).
  8. 8. The apparatus (1) for storing and processing a cryogenic fluid according to claim 7, wherein the control means (36) is a first control means (36A), the storing and processing apparatus comprising at least one second control means (36B).
  9. 9. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one valve (11).
  10. 10. Apparatus (1) for storing and processing cryogenic fluids according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one device (37) for determining the temperature of the cryogenic fluid circulating on the loading and/or unloading line (14).
  11. 11. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one control unit (35), the at least one control unit (35) being configured to open or close the control member (36), preferably a first control member (36A) and a second control member (36B).
  12. 12. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the control member (36), preferably the first control member (36A) and the second control member (36B), depending on the temperature measured by the temperature determining means (37).
  13. 13. Device (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the control member (36), preferably the first control member (36A) and the second control member (36B), depending on the state of the valve (11).
  14. 14. Apparatus (1) for storing and treating a cryogenic fluid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit (26) is inclined between the supply line (20) and the loading and/or unloading line (14).
  15. 15. A structure configured for transporting and/or storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising a cryogenic fluid storage and handling apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
  16. 16. A method of use for using a cryogenic fluid storage and handling apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14, during which method the control member (36) of the conduit (26) is opened to send gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic fluid to the tank bottom (6), and the control member (36) of the conduit (26) is closed to prevent gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic fluid from returning to the tank bottom (6).
  17. 17. The use according to claim 16 in combination with claim 7, wherein the opening and closing of the control member (36) is controlled by the control system (34).
  18. 18. The use according to claim 17, comprising a first step during which the control system (34) calculates a theoretical pressure inside the tank (2) from the temperature measured by the first pressure and/or temperature measuring device (38), a second step during which the control system (34) calculates a difference between the theoretical pressure and an actual pressure inside the tank (2) measured by the first pressure and/or temperature measuring device (38), and a third step during which the control system (34) compares the difference with a threshold value.
  19. 19. The use according to claim 17, comprising a first step during which the control system (34) calculates a theoretical temperature of the cryogenic fluid (L) in liquid form inside the tank (2) from the pressure measured by the first pressure and/or temperature measuring device (38), a second step during which the control system (34) calculates a difference between the theoretical temperature and the actual temperature inside the tank (2) measured by the first pressure and/or temperature measuring device (38), and a third step during which the control system (34) compares the difference with a threshold value.
  20. 20. Method of use according to claim 17, comprising the step of performing a measurement of the pressure and/or temperature in the tank (2) by means of the first pressure and/or temperature measuring device (38), and the step of the control system (34) comparing the rate of change of the pressure and/or temperature with a reference value.

Description

Apparatus for storing and processing cryogenic fluids Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of cryogenic fluids and more particularly to the storage and handling of such cryogenic fluids. Background Gaseous hydrocarbons (e.g., natural gas and petroleum gas) at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure liquefy at low temperatures (i.e., temperatures below-25 ℃) to facilitate their transportation and/or their storage. Liquefied hydrocarbons (also known as cryogenic fluids or cryogenic liquids in liquid form) are then placed in tanks in the structure. However, such tanks are never completely insulated, so evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is unavoidable. The phenomenon of natural evaporation is called vaporization, and the gas resulting from such vaporization is called boil-off gas (BOG). Thus, the tank of this structure accommodates the cryogenic liquid in the lower portion of the tank and accommodates the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid in the upper portion of the tank. Within the tank, the temperature of the cryogenic liquid is non-uniform and forms a thermal upper layer that contacts the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid. This thermal upper layer causes on the one hand the formation of steam in the tank and on the other hand increases the pressure in the tank. The present invention is suitable for this situation by providing an efficient and economical means to mix the cryogenic liquid present in the tank to reduce the pressure in the tank. Disclosure of Invention The main object of the present invention is therefore an apparatus for storing and processing cryogenic fluid, comprising at least one cryogenic fluid storage tank comprising a tank bottom and a tank top space, a consumption and/or processing system, a loading and/or unloading line for loading and/or unloading liquid cryogenic fluid, the loading and/or unloading line being configured to connect at least the tank bottom to a storage terminal, a supply line for supplying the consumption and/or processing system with fuel prepared from the gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid contained in liquid form in the storage tank, the supply line connecting at least the tank top space to the consumption and/or processing system and comprising at least one compressor arranged between the storage tank and the consumption and/or processing system, the cryogenic fluid storage and processing apparatus comprising a pipe connected at a first end between the compressor and the consumption and/or processing system to the supply line, the pipe being connected by a second end to the bottom of the tank, the pipe having a control means for controlling the flow of the gas within the pipe. For example, the storage and processing devices described in the present invention are integrated into a structure. Configured for the circulation of a liquid cryogenic fluid on the one hand and for the circulation of a gas resulting from the evaporation of this liquid cryogenic fluid on the other hand, both liquid cryogenic fluid and gas being stored in one or more storage tanks of the storage and processing apparatus. In particular, cryogenic liquid is stored in the bottom of the tank, while gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is stored in the headspace of the tank. The terms "bottom of the tank" and "headspace of the tank" are used herein to refer to the area of the tank, where the bottom of the tank corresponds to the lower portion of the tank and the headspace of the tank corresponds to the upper portion. The tank may be at atmospheric pressure or a tank with a maximum pressure of 6 bar, preferably 9 bar. For filling or emptying the tank, the storage and handling device comprises a loading and/or unloading line through which the cryogenic fluid is circulated in its liquid form. According to an embodiment, the loading and/or unloading line connects the storage tank to a storage terminal (e.g. a storage terminal located on a coastline), to a production unit or to a consumer network. By "loading or unloading" is meant that the pipeline is used for loading cryogenic fluid from a storage terminal or production unit to a storage tank, or for unloading cryogenic fluid from a storage tank to a storage terminal or consumption network, or for loading and unloading at different times. The storage terminal is configured at least for storing a cryogenic fluid in liquid form. The consumption and/or processing system in the storage and processing apparatus is configured to be supplied from a tank. Depending on the embodiment, the consumption and/or processing system may take the form of an engine to produce electrical, mechanical or thermal energy, a gas output network, or a re-liquefaction unit. The consumption and/or treatment system is supplied, for example, with fuel in gaseous form, in which case the fuel in gaseous form corresponds to the gas produced by the evaporation of the