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EP-4735785-A1 - DEVICE FOR THE ROTARY CONNECTION OF CRYOGENIC FLUID CONDUITS

EP4735785A1EP 4735785 A1EP4735785 A1EP 4735785A1EP-4735785-A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for the rotary connection of cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit part (A) and a second conduit part (B) which form a female part and a male part, respectively, and are connected to form a heating chamber for the cryogenic fluid, and comprising: a first seal (7) that is impermeable to the cryogenic fluid and is placed between the conduit parts (A, B) running into the heating chamber at an inner end thereof; a second seal (2) that is impermeable to the cryogenic fluid and is placed between the second conduit part (B), the outer annular flange (12) and the radially inner ring (10), at an outer end of the heating chamber; a third seal (3) that is impermeable to the gas formed by heating the cryogenic fluid and is placed at an interface between the rings (9, 10) and the outer annular flange (12).

Inventors

  • DUVAL, Valéry
  • PAQUET, Stéphane
  • DUVAL, Stéphane
  • COLEIRO, Gaëtan

Assignees

  • T.EN Loading Systems
  • L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240618

Claims (14)

  1. [Claim 1] A device for rotating connection of cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit part (A) forming a female joint part and a second conduit part (B) forming a male joint part, connected so as to delimit a conduit (C) for circulation of the cryogenic fluid and to form a chamber for heating the cryogenic fluid between the first (A) and second (B) conduit parts, said conduit (C) for circulation of the cryogenic fluid being thermally insulated, said first conduit part (A) having a first external annular flange (11) and said second conduit part (B) having a second external annular flange (12), between which is clamped a bearing comprising a radially external ring (9) connected to one of the two external annular flanges (11, 12) and a radially internal ring (10) connected to the other of the two external annular flanges (11, 12), so as to guide in rotation the assembly formed by said first conduit part (A) and said second conduit part (B) of conduit (B), said rotating connection device further comprising: a first seal (7) impermeable to the cryogenic fluid, provided at a junction interface between said first conduit part (A) and said second conduit part (B) opening onto the heating chamber at an inner end thereof; a second seal (2) impermeable to the cryogenic fluid provided at a junction interface between said second conduit part (B), said second external annular flange (12), and said radially internal ring (10), located at an outer end of the heating chamber; a third seal (3) impermeable to the gas formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and being provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring (9), said radially internal ring (10) and said second external annular flange (12).
  2. [Claim 2] A rotating connection device for conduits, characterized in that said first seal (7) is provided around the circulation conduit.
  3. [Claim 3] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first seal (7) is annular and is made from a polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.
  4. [Claim 4] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second seal (2) is annular and is made from a polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.
  5. [Claim 5] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said springs are made of a material resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.
  6. [Claim 6] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third seal (3) is impermeable to the gas formed by vaporization of a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and having a temperature greater than -75 degrees, preferably greater than -50 degrees.
  7. [Claim 7] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third seal (3) is a lip seal made from an elastomer.
  8. [Claim 8] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fourth seal provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring (9), said radially internal ring (10) and said first external annular flange (11).
  9. [Claim 9] A rotating conduit connection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said fourth seal is an impermeable annular seal.
  10. [Claim 10] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first conduit part (A) comprises: a first internal tubular wall (112) radially spaced from said external annular flange (11) by a first upstream space (116); a first external tubular wall (110) formed in continuity with said first external annular flange (11), and a first intermediate tubular wall (111) formed radially between said first external tubular wall (110) and said first internal tubular wall (112), and spaced from said first external tubular wall by a first downstream space (115) smaller in diameter than said first upstream space (116), said first intermediate tubular wall (111) and said first internal tubular wall (112) being arranged in a staggered manner and being connected by a first annular junction partition (113), and in that said second cylindrical pipe part (B) comprises: a second internal tubular wall (122); a second external tubular wall (120) formed in continuity with said second external annular flange (12), and a second intermediate tubular wall (121) formed radially between said second external tubular wall (120) and said second internal tubular wall (122), said second intermediate tubular wall (121) being spaced from said second internal tubular wall (122) by a second internal space (126) and being spaced from said second external tubular wall (120) by a second external space (125), said second intermediate tubular wall (121) and said second internal tubular wall (122) being arranged in a staggered manner and being connected by a second annular junction partition (123), said first external tubular wall (110) and first intermediate tubular wall (111), at least partially being inserted into said second external space (125), said second intermediate tubular wall (121) and second internal tubular wall (122) inserted into said second conduit part (B) so as to abut against said annular junction partition (113) so that said first internal tubular wall (112) and said second internal tubular wall (122) are juxtaposed and form said conduit (C) for circulation of a cryogenic fluid.
  11. [Claim 11] A rotating conduit connection device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said first seal (7) impermeable to cryogenic liquid is provided around the circulation conduit between said first annular junction partition (113) and said second annular junction partition (123).
  12. [Claim 12] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a static annular seal (6) provided between said first external annular flange (11) and said radially internal ring (10).
  13. [Claim 13] A rotating conduit connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cryogenic fluid is liquid hydrogen.
  14. [Claim 14] Use of a rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the transfer of liquid hydrogen. [Claim 15] A loading arm comprising a rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Description

TITLE: ROTARY CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CRYOGENIC FLUID PIPES Disclosure area This disclosure relates to the field of cryogenic fluid transfer installations. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits, capable of circulating at temperatures between -180 degrees and -253 degrees. Such a device may, for example, be used in the context of long-distance transport between a fixed unit and a mobile unit, such as at sea or in desert areas, of cryogenic fluid presenting risks of explosion or pollution in the event of contact with outside air. State of the prior art In recent years, due to the growing awareness of the problem of global warming, efforts have been made to further utilize renewable natural energy sources, such as solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, and geothermal energy as energy sources to replace fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. For several years, the possibility of using natural energy sources to efficiently produce and utilize hydrogen has been considered, as hydrogen can be stored in large quantities and transported over long distances, especially in liquid form. Cryogenic fluid transfer installations, such as loading arms, are for example detailed in document WO9815772. Such installations also comprise, in a conventional manner, a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits comprising a bearing as well as a sealing arrangement comprising in particular a sealing joint impermeable to the cryogenic fluid or an impermeable sealing joint making it possible to protect the installation from possible climatic conditions. However, a disadvantage of current installations is that, in the event of failure of the means provided to ensure the proper transfer of the cryogenic fluid and in particular in the event of failure of the means to ensure the sealing of such an installation, the cryogenic fluid is directly able to escape from the conduits and therefore end up in the external environment, which is not satisfactory due to the risks of explosion on contact with the external air. There is therefore a need to improve cryogenic fluid transfer facilities so as to limit the risks associated with cryogenic fluid transfer. Disclosure Statement One aspect of the disclosure is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of prior art techniques. To this end, the disclosure relates to a device for rotating connection of cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit part forming a female joint part and a second conduit part forming a male joint part, connected so as to delimit a conduit for circulation of the cryogenic fluid and to form a chamber for heating the cryogenic fluid between the first and second conduit parts, said conduit for circulation of the cryogenic fluid being thermally insulated, said first conduit part having a first external annular flange and said second conduit part having a second external annular flange, between which is clamped a bearing comprising a radially external ring detachably connected to one of the two external annular flanges and a radially internal ring detachably connected to the other of the two external annular flanges, so as to guide in rotation the assembly formed by said first conduit part and said second conduit part, said rotating connection device further comprising: a first seal impermeable to the cryogenic fluid, arranged at a junction interface between said first conduit part and said second conduit part opening onto the heating chamber at an inner end thereof; a second cryogenic fluid impermeable seal provided at a junction interface between said second conduit piece, said second outer annular flange, and said radially inner ring, located at an outer end of the heating chamber; a third gas impermeable seal formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and provided at a junction interface between said radially outer ring, said radially inner ring and said second outer annular flange. Thus, the disclosure provides a novel and inventive approach to at least partially overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, by implementing three seals, additional safety is provided at the rotating connection device so that if a failure occurs at the first sealing level, or first sealing barrier, corresponding to the first seal and the third seal, the cryogenic fluid does not escape from the cryogenic fluid transfer installation because the second sealing level, or second sealing barrier, corresponding to the second seal prevents the leakage of cryogenic fluid to the outside. The second seal thus provides safety in the event of failure of the first seal and/or the third seal. In other words, the first seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic fluid. The third seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic gas coming from the heating, therefore here from the vaporization of the cryogenic liquid which could escape at the level of the first seal, and which would be heated by circula