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EP3594554A1 - Device for supercooling of liquefied gases - Google Patents

Device for supercooling of liquefied gases Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3594554A1
EP3594554A1 EP19180177.8A EP19180177A EP3594554A1 EP 3594554 A1 EP3594554 A1 EP 3594554A1 EP 19180177 A EP19180177 A EP 19180177A EP 3594554 A1 EP3594554 A1 EP 3594554A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquefied gas
refrigerant
container
heat exchangers
heat exchanger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19180177.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3594554B1 (en
Inventor
Oliver Dietrich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Messer SE and Co KGaA
Original Assignee
Messer Group GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3594554A1 publication Critical patent/EP3594554A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3594554B1 publication Critical patent/EP3594554B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0169—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL subcooled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/013—Single phase liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0169—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL subcooled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0121—Propulsion of the fluid by gravity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0306—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using the same fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0339—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using the same fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
    • F17C2227/0374—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in the liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F17C2227/0395—Localisation of heat exchange separate using a submerged heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0408—Level of content in the vessel
    • F17C2250/0413—Level of content in the vessel with floats
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0631—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
    • F17C2260/023—Avoiding overheating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for supercooling liquefied gases, with an insulated container for holding a cooling bath, which is fed from a partial flow of a liquefied gas removed from a storage tank and expanded to a low pressure, with a device for withdrawing a gas phase from the insulated container and with a device arranged within the insulated container and fluidly connected to the storage tank via a feed line for transferring heat from the liquefied gas to be supercooled through the feed line to the cooling bath.
  • Such devices are used, for example, in the cooling of surfaces for the deburring of molded parts made of plastic, rubber, elastomers, etc., for example in the EP 2 143 528 A1 described.
  • the knobs and burrs are embrittled at least superficially by exposure to a refrigerant consisting of a low-boiling liquid gas, such as liquid nitrogen, and then mechanically removed in a treatment chamber.
  • the subject of EP 2 143 528 A1 A device for subcooling the refrigerant is provided in the refrigerant supply line, by means of which the temperature of the refrigerant is brought to a defined temperature below its boiling temperature before the molded parts are treated. This ensures in particular that the refrigerant still reaches the molded parts to be treated in the liquid state, thereby minimizing the consumption of refrigerant and making the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the molded parts more efficient. Furthermore, the subcooling enables the refrigerant to be introduced into the treatment chamber at a precisely defined temperature; the temperature of the refrigerant entered therefore no longer depends on the pressure in the refrigerant storage tank.
  • Subcooling of a liquefied gas used as a refrigerant is also used in the technology of light metal extrusion, such as in DE 198 57 790 A1 described.
  • the subject of this document is an extrusion process in which liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to remove heat from the die used for forming the profile strand during the pressing process and thus to remove all or part of the forming heat.
  • This method requires a very precise metering of the refrigerant, but this is problematic in the case of a low-boiling liquid gas such as nitrogen or argon insofar as it evaporates to a part that is difficult to calculate when it is fed to the pressing tool.
  • the liquid gas is therefore subcooled with a subcooler to a temperature of, for example, 10K to 15K below its boiling temperature, so that it is ensured that the nitrogen hits the die completely in the liquid state.
  • a device for subcooling which can be used in the aforementioned applications comprises a container with thermally insulated walls, in the interior of which a cooling coil made of stainless steel or copper is arranged as a heat exchanger.
  • a low-boiling liquid gas for example liquid nitrogen
  • a branch line also connected to the storage tank opens into the insulated container at a relief valve.
  • the relief valve is, for example, a float valve in which a mechanism equipped with a floating body is used If the liquid gas level in the container falls below a predetermined level, an inflow opening for supplying liquid nitrogen from the storage tank into the insulated container opens or closes when the level is exceeded.
  • the gas phase in the container is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas line for discharging vaporized liquefied gas, in which a pressure-maintaining valve is mounted, which keeps the pressure in the exhaust gas line upstream of the pressure-maintaining valve and thus at the same time essentially constant in the container.
  • the pressure in the container is always lower than the pressure in the storage tank or in the cooling coil passed through the container. Accordingly, the temperature of the liquefied gas in the container is lower than the temperature of the liquefied gas passed through the cooling coil.
  • the liquefied gas passed through the cooling coil gives off heat to the surrounding liquefied gas in the container and subsequently has a temperature that is significantly lower (depending on the pressure difference, usually between 1 K and 20 K) than the boiling point of the liquefied gas in the Cooling coil is prevailing pressure.
  • gas bubbles present in the liquefied gas are recondensed.
  • a solenoid valve can also be used, by means of which the replenishment of liquid nitrogen in the container is regulated as a function of the fill level of the refrigerant bath in the container measured by suitable sensors.
  • the subcooling should reduce the temperature of the supercooled liquefied gas to such an extent that even after passing through fittings arranged downstream of the subcooler, which lead to a pressure loss in the liquefied gas and thus to a lowering of the boiling point, the temperature is below the respective boiling point remains.
  • the container be equipped with a plurality of feed lines which are immersed at different depths, each having a valve which opens or closes the respective feed line depending on the level of the liquid in the container. In this way, the volume flow of the liquefied gas fed into the container is regulated as a function of the cooling requirement and the occurrence of pressure fluctuations is reduced.
  • the dimensioning of the heat exchanger is based on the required heat transfer performance.
  • the necessary refrigerant throughput, the proportion of gas phase in the liquefied gas used as the refrigerant, the pressure of the refrigerant and the desired cooling flow temperature of the refrigeration application contribute to this. If refrigeration applications are switched on or off, or if gas phase content or gas pressure in the refrigerant to be supercooled varies due to storage conditions that change during the course of the use of the subcooler, for example as a result of an increase in the temperature and / or a decrease in the fill level of the refrigerant in the tank, the heat transfer capacity also varies.
  • the cooling coils are generally designed such that, in particular, operating conditions with high refrigerant throughputs and unfavorable storage conditions can also be covered. They therefore have a - compared to the requirements of an average heat transfer performance - a comparatively large pipe length and / or a large pipe diameter.
  • a very long pipe coil leads to a loss of pressure at high refrigerant throughputs, which in turn leads to an increased proportion of gas phase; film boiling can also occur in the cooling bath on the surface of the heat exchanger, which deteriorates the heat transfer.
  • the diameter of the pipeline is very large and if the flow rate decreases due to a lower cooling requirement, the heat transfer to the pipe coil is reduced due to a laminar flow.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for supercooling cryogenic liquids which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.
  • the device for heat transfer is equipped with a plurality of heat exchangers connected in parallel, which are at least partially each equipped with a shut-off fitting for switching the flow through the heat exchanger on and off ,
  • the term "plurality of heat exchangers” should be understood here to mean a number of at least two, preferably three to ten, heat exchangers, each of which can have the same or different heat transfer capacities. At least some of the heat exchangers are equipped with a shut-off valve, by means of which the flow of refrigerant through this heat exchanger can be enabled or blocked.
  • the shut-off valves can be, for example, manually operated valves, but are preferably controllable valves, for example solenoid valves, which can be operated by means of a control unit depending on the respective requirements, for example depending on a measured controlled variable.
  • the device for heat transfer is preferably designed such that the liquefied gas to be supercooled can be subcooled to a temperature of 1K to 25K, preferably 10K to 20K below its boiling point at the pressure prevailing in the device.
  • the invention therefore allows the number of heat exchangers used for heat transfer in the container to be varied by switching individual heat exchangers on or off, and thus the heat transfer capacity to meet the respective requirements be adjusted.
  • the heat transfer capacity is doubled by switching on another heat exchanger compared to that of a single heat exchanger, tripled when two heat exchangers are switched on, etc. Since the refrigerant to be supercooled flows through all connected heat exchangers at the same time due to the parallel arrangement of the heat exchangers, an efficient one Cooling can also be achieved with a strong increase in refrigerant flow with little pressure loss. A new gas phase formation caused by pressure loss within the heat transfer device can thereby be reliably avoided. Conversely, with a reduced required heat transfer capacity, the number of connected heat exchangers can be reduced and the risk of an insufficient flow rate being countered.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that at least some of the heat exchangers are connected to one another in such a way that they can be switched on and off independently of one another. In this way, heat exchangers can be individually combined and switched on.
  • the shut-off valves are at least partially arranged in the region of branch lines which lead away from a common feed line and each establish the flow connection to a heat exchanger. This configuration is particularly advantageous in the case of heat exchangers of different heat transfer capacities, since in this way a total heat transfer capacity which is adapted to the heat transfer capacity required in each case can be set.
  • the heat exchangers are connected to one another in such a way that some of the heat exchangers can only be switched on when at least one further heat exchanger has already been switched on.
  • a group of several heat exchanges can be switched on and off in blocks.
  • at least one shut-off valve is arranged upstream of a plurality of branch lines, which each establish the flow connection to a heat exchanger and can in turn be equipped with a shut-off valve.
  • the shut-off valves are expediently operatively connected to a control, in particular computer-aided control, by means of which the heat exchangers can be switched on and off according to a predetermined program or depending on measured parameters.
  • the control is thus designed such that the number and / or the capacity of the heat exchangers to be connected are determined and the shut-off valves are activated accordingly, depending on the respective requirements, for example in the event of a change in the refrigerant flow detected by means of suitable means.
  • an apparatus for continuously detecting the flow rate of the liquefied gas is provided, for example a Coriolis flow meter.
  • This apparatus is arranged, for example, in a feed line, that is, upstream of the heat exchangers.
  • an apparatus for recording the flow rate downstream of the heat exchangers for example in a common discharge line into which the heat exchangers flow.
  • the data of the apparatus are preferably transmitted to the control mentioned before and used by the latter according to a predetermined program to control the locking fittings.
  • a likewise advantageous embodiment provides a device arranged downstream of the heat exchangers for detecting the temperature of the supercooled refrigerant, the measured values of which can be used in the control device to determine the number and / or capacity of the heat exchangers to be connected.
  • a gas phase separator is assigned to the feed line for the liquefied gas to be cooled.
  • the gas phase separator is, for example, an object as it is in the EP 0 524 432 A1 is described. It is within the Cooling bath in the insulated container, another container (hereinafter referred to as "separator container") with thermally highly conductive walls, into which the outlet pipe which is connected to the storage tank flows out. In the upper part of the separator container there is a gas outlet which is connected to the gas phase in the storage tank and through which liquid gas which has already evaporated on the way from the storage tank is drawn off.
  • the separator container In order to draw off the liquid phase, the separator container has a connection in its lower part from which the supercooled liquid gas is discharged for further use.
  • the connection for withdrawing the liquid phase is followed by the device for heat transfer arranged in the cooling bath, in which the liquid phase removed from the gas phase separator is further subcooled by thermal contact with the cooling bath in the insulated container.
  • the gas phase separator ensures that the liquid gas passed through the outlet pipe is at least largely in the liquid state and contains no or only a few gaseous inclusions.
  • Another advantageous development of the invention provides that means are provided to regulate the inflow of liquefied gas to the cooling bath. This also allows the amount of refrigerant in the cooling bath to be adapted to the respective heat transfer capacity. For example, this can be achieved with a plurality of feeds for the refrigerant which can be connected in parallel and are each opened and closed depending on a fill level in the cooling bath. Such an arrangement is in the EP 2 679 879 A2 , to which express reference is made here.
  • a preferred use of the device is the provision of a supercooled liquefied gas, in particular liquid nitrogen, as refrigerant for cooling a device for extruding light metals, in particular an aluminum extrusion device.
  • a device for cold grinding or in a Arrangement of several devices for cold grinding connected in parallel.
  • a low-boiling liquefied gas such as, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, LNG or a noble gas such as argon or helium, is preferably used as the liquefied gas to be cooled.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically a device according to the invention.
  • the device 1 for subcooling comprises a device 2 for heat transfer, which is arranged in a container 3 with thermally insulated walls.
  • the device 2 for heat transfer comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, in the exemplary embodiment three cooling coils 4, 5, 6, which are flow-connected to a heat-insulated storage tank 8 via a pressure-resistant and heat-insulated feed line 7.
  • a cryogenic medium for example nitrogen in the cryogenic liquefied state, is stored in the storage tank 8 up to the level 9.
  • the liquid nitrogen is inside the storage tank 8 at its boiling temperature; in the lower area of the storage tank 8, in the area of a connecting piece 10 for the nitrogen feed line 7, the boiling temperature is in turn determined by the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column standing inside the storage tank 8 up to the level 9.
  • the temperature of the liquid nitrogen at the connector 10 is approximately minus 180 ° C, at 6 bar even minus -177 ° C.
  • the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are connected in terms of flow with a common, thermally insulated outlet 11, via which the liquid nitrogen is subsequently fed to a further use, for example as a refrigerant, to a device not shown here.
  • the cooling bath 13 Inside the container 3 there is a cooling bath 13 into which the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are immersed.
  • the cooling bath 13 consists of the same cryogenic medium as the one stored in the storage tank 8, that is to say of liquid nitrogen in the exemplary embodiment.
  • a refrigerant supply line is used to supply refrigerant to the cooling bath 13 14, which branches off from the supply line 7 outside the container 3.
  • the refrigerant supply line 14 is equipped on the outlet side with a float valve 15.
  • the float valve 15 works in such a way that when the fill level 16 of the cooling bath 13 in the container 3 falls below a predetermined level, liquid nitrogen flows into the container 3, which relaxes to the pressure in the container 3.
  • the container 3 there is only a thermal connection between the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 on the one hand and the cooling bath 13 on the other hand, but no flow connection.
  • a float valve 15 instead of a float valve 15, other devices can also be provided which control the supply of liquid nitrogen through the refrigerant supply line 14 as a function of the fill level 16 of the cooling bath 13, for example solenoid valves which are operatively connected to suitable sensors for level detection, for example superconducting sensors.
  • an exhaust pipe 18 is provided for the discharge of gaseous nitrogen.
  • a pressure-maintaining valve 19 is mounted in the exhaust line 18 and keeps the pressure in the exhaust line 18 upstream of the pressure-maintaining valve 19 and thus at the same time in the container 3 at a predetermined value of, for example, 1 bar.
  • the pressure in the container 3 can be chosen freely, but must be lower than the pressure in the storage tank 8 in the area of the connecting piece 10 in order to ensure that the temperature of the cooling bath 13 is lower than the temperature of the liquid nitrogen in the feed line 7.
  • a temperature of the liquid nitrogen in container 3 of approximately minus 196 ° C, at a pressure of 0.3 bar even approximately minus 204 ° C, and thus a lower one Temperature than that of the liquid nitrogen in the storage tank 8 at an assumed pressure of, for example, 5-6 bar.
  • the pressure-maintaining valve 19 can also be dispensed with, with the result that the refrigerant in the container 3 is always at atmospheric pressure. in this case, however, the temperature of the evaporating refrigerant is inside the container 3 the fluctuations caused by changes in atmospheric pressure.
  • the refrigerant bath 13 is present inside the container 3 up to a fill level 16 above the float valve 15.
  • the pressure in the container 3 corresponds to the value set on the pressure holding valve 19 and is, for example, 1 bar (abs.).
  • the pressure of the liquid nitrogen in the refrigerant supply line 14 and in the supply line 7 corresponds approximately to that in the storage tank 8 in the area of the connecting piece 10.
  • the refrigerant passed through the supply line 7 Due to the higher pressure in the supply line 7 compared to the pressure in the container 3, the refrigerant passed through the supply line 7 has a higher temperature than that of the refrigerant in the cooling bath 13. Heat is thus applied to the device 2 from the refrigerant passed through the supply line 7 the cooling bath 13 is dispensed and the refrigerant in the supply line 7 is subcooled.
  • the number of active cooling coils 4, 5, 6 used for heat transfer can be varied in the device 2.
  • the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are connected in parallel with one another, the cooling coil 4 in the exemplary embodiment always being available as a heat exchanger surface, while the cooling coils 5, 6 can be connected or disconnected by means of valves 22, 23.
  • the refrigerant is passed in equal parts through the cooling coils 4 and 5 (or 4 and 6), whereby a double heat exchanger surface is available compared to the use of only the heat exchanger 4.
  • both cooling coils 5 and 6 are switched on, a triple heat exchanger surface is available accordingly.
  • the valves 22, 23 can be controlled by means of an electronic control 24, which makes it possible to switch the cooling coils 5, 6 on and off according to a predetermined program and / or as a function of measured parameters, for example the temperature or the volume flow of the refrigerant supplied to the consumer.
  • the available heat exchanger surface can be quickly adapted to fluctuating cooling requirements.
  • the risk of film boiling of refrigerant of the cooling bath 13 on the outer surface of the cooling coil 4, which would limit the heat transfer capacity, is thereby significantly reduced.
  • Switching on the cooling coils 5 and / or 6 also enables efficient subcooling even with high required heat transfer capacities, without the need to install a long cooling coil which works with a correspondingly high pressure drop.
  • the invention is not limited to the provision of three identical cooling coils 4, 5, 6, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, only two or more than three heat exchanger surfaces can be provided within the scope of the invention, each of which has the same or different heat transfer capacities and can be activated in blocks or independently of one another.
  • different heat transfer capacities of the cooling coils 4, 5, 6, it is advantageous to also equip the cooling coil 4 with a shut-off valve, in order to allow the refrigerant to flow through the cooling coils 5 and / or 6 in some cases. In this way, the heat transfer capacity can be adapted even better to the heat transfer capacity required in each case.
  • refrigerant evaporates from the cooling bath 13.
  • the inflow of refrigerant into the cooling bath 13 can be regulated (not shown here) via a plurality of feed lines and adapted to the requirements, for example in FIG the EP 2 679 879 A2 described.
  • the gaseous refrigerant formed during the heat exchange in the container 3 is discharged via the exhaust line 18 and possibly used for further use.
  • the refrigerant transported via the outlet 11 has at least approximately the temperature of the cooling bath 13 (for example minus 196 ° C.), and thus a temperature which is significantly below the boiling point of nitrogen in the Supply line 7 prevailing pressure.
  • Liquid nitrogen is used as the refrigerant in the exemplary embodiment, but other cryogenic refrigerants are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, for example LNG, liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen or a liquefied noble gas.

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Abstract

Unterkühler nach dem Stande der Technik umfassen einen Behälter, in dem ein verflüssigtes Gas bei einem geringeren Druck und damit bei einer tieferen Temperatur bevorratet wird als das an einer Wärmetauscherfläche thermisch mit dem Behälterinnern verbundene zu unterkühlende verflüssigte Gas. Bei stark schwankenden Kühlanforderungen kann es bei zu kleiner Dimensionierung der Wärmetauscherfläche zu Filmsieden an der Oberfläche der Wärmetauscherfläche kommen, durch die die Kühlleistung des Unterkühlers drastisch herabgesenkt wird. Auch entsteht bei hohem Kühlmittelbedarf ein erhöhter Druckverlust und damit einhergehend der Anfall einer neuen Gasphase.Um diesen Nachteil zu überwinden wird erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagen, eine Mehrzahl an Wärmetauscherflächen vorzusehen, die parallel zueinander angeordnet und entsprechend der angeforderten Kühlleistung zu- oder abgeschaltet werden. Dadurch wird die Größe der Wärmetauscherfläche im Behälter der jeweiligen Kühlanforderung angepasst.State-of-the-art subcoolers comprise a container in which a liquefied gas is stored at a lower pressure and therefore at a lower temperature than the liquefied gas to be supercooled, which is thermally connected to the interior of the container on a heat exchanger surface. In the case of greatly fluctuating cooling requirements, if the heat exchanger surface is dimensioned too small, film boiling can occur on the surface of the heat exchanger surface, which drastically reduces the cooling capacity of the subcooler. In addition, with a high coolant requirement, there is an increased pressure loss and the associated occurrence of a new gas phase. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the invention proposes to provide a plurality of heat exchanger surfaces which are arranged parallel to one another and are switched on or off in accordance with the requested cooling capacity. As a result, the size of the heat exchanger surface in the tank is adapted to the respective cooling requirement.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Unterkühlen von verflüssigten Gasen, mit einem isolierten Behälter zur Aufnahme eines Kühlbades, welches aus einem auf niedrigen Druck entspannten Teilstrom eines aus einem Vorratstank entnommenen verflüssigten Gases gespeist wird, mit einer Einrichtung zum Abzug einer Gasphase aus dem isolierten Behälter und mit einer innerhalb des isolierten Behälters angeordneten, mit dem Vorratstank über eine Zuleitung strömungsverbundenen Einrichtung zur Wärmeübertragung von dem durch die Zuleitung geführten, zu unterkühlenden verflüssigten Gas auf das Kühlbad.The invention relates to a device for supercooling liquefied gases, with an insulated container for holding a cooling bath, which is fed from a partial flow of a liquefied gas removed from a storage tank and expanded to a low pressure, with a device for withdrawing a gas phase from the insulated container and with a device arranged within the insulated container and fluidly connected to the storage tank via a feed line for transferring heat from the liquefied gas to be supercooled through the feed line to the cooling bath.

Derartige, üblicherweise als "Unterkühler" bezeichnete Vorrichtungen kommen beispielsweise bei der Kühlung von Oberflächen zwecks Entgratung von Formteilen aus Kunststoff, Gummi, Elastomeren, etc. zum Einsatz, wie beispielsweise in der EP 2 143 528 A1 beschrieben. Um insbesondere weichere Formteile zu entgraten werden die Noppen und Grate durch Beaufschlagung mit einem aus einem tiefsiedenden Flüssiggas, wie flüssiger Stickstoff, bestehenden Kältemittel zumindest oberflächlich versprödet und anschließend in einer Behandlungkammer auf mechanischem Wege entfernt. Um zu verhindern, dass die Eintrittstemperatur des Kältemittels beim Eintritt in die Behandlungskammer der Entgratungsanlage vom Druck und der Temperatur des mit der Entgratungsanlage verbundenen Kältemitteltanks abhängt, ist beim Gegenstand der EP 2 143 528 A1 in der Kältemittelzuleitung eine Einrichtung zum Unterkühlen des Kältemittels vorgesehen, mittels der die Temperatur des Kältemittels vor der Behandlung der Formteile auf eine definierte Temperatur unterhalb seiner Siedetemperatur gebracht wird. Dadurch wird insbesondere gewährleistet, dass das Kältemittel die zu behandelnden Formteile noch im flüssigen Zustand erreicht, wodurch der Kältemittelverbrauch minimiert und der Wärmeübergang vom Kältemittel auf die Formteile effizienter gestaltet wird. Des Weiteren ermöglicht die Unterkühlung, das Kältemittel mit einer genau definierten Temperatur in die Behandlungskammer einzutragen; die Temperatur des eingetragenen Kältemittels hängt also nicht mehr vom Druckzustand im Vorratstank des Kältemediums ab.Such devices, commonly referred to as "subcoolers", are used, for example, in the cooling of surfaces for the deburring of molded parts made of plastic, rubber, elastomers, etc., for example in the EP 2 143 528 A1 described. In order to deburr, in particular, softer molded parts, the knobs and burrs are embrittled at least superficially by exposure to a refrigerant consisting of a low-boiling liquid gas, such as liquid nitrogen, and then mechanically removed in a treatment chamber. To prevent the inlet temperature of the refrigerant from entering the treatment chamber of the deburring system from being dependent on the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant tank connected to the deburring system, the subject of EP 2 143 528 A1 A device for subcooling the refrigerant is provided in the refrigerant supply line, by means of which the temperature of the refrigerant is brought to a defined temperature below its boiling temperature before the molded parts are treated. This ensures in particular that the refrigerant still reaches the molded parts to be treated in the liquid state, thereby minimizing the consumption of refrigerant and making the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the molded parts more efficient. Furthermore, the subcooling enables the refrigerant to be introduced into the treatment chamber at a precisely defined temperature; the temperature of the refrigerant entered therefore no longer depends on the pressure in the refrigerant storage tank.

Eine Unterkühlung eines als Kältemittel eingesetzten verflüssigten Gases wird auch bei der Technik des Leichtmetall-Strangpressens eingesetzt, wie beispielsweise in der DE 198 57 790 A1 beschrieben. Gegenstand dieser Druckschrift ist ein Strangpress-Verfahren, bei dem flüssiger Stickstoff als Kältemittel dafür eingesetzt wird, während des Pressvorgangs der zum Umformen des Profilstranges eingesetzten Matrize Wärme zu entziehen und somit die Umformwärme ganz oder teilweise abzuführen. Dieses Verfahren erfordert eine sehr genaue Dosierung des Kältemittels, was jedoch bei einem tiefsiedenden Flüssiggas wie Stickstoff oder Argon insoweit problematisch ist, als dieser bereits bei der Zuführung zum Presswerkzeug zu einem schwer kalkulierbaren Teil verdampft. Daher wird das Flüssiggas mit einem Unterkühler auf eine Temperatur von beispielsweise 10K bis 15K unterhalb seiner Siedetemperatur unterkühlt, sodass gewährleistet ist, dass der Stickstoff vollständig in flüssigen Zustand auf die Matrize auftrifft.Subcooling of a liquefied gas used as a refrigerant is also used in the technology of light metal extrusion, such as in DE 198 57 790 A1 described. The subject of this document is an extrusion process in which liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to remove heat from the die used for forming the profile strand during the pressing process and thus to remove all or part of the forming heat. This method requires a very precise metering of the refrigerant, but this is problematic in the case of a low-boiling liquid gas such as nitrogen or argon insofar as it evaporates to a part that is difficult to calculate when it is fed to the pressing tool. The liquid gas is therefore subcooled with a subcooler to a temperature of, for example, 10K to 15K below its boiling temperature, so that it is ensured that the nitrogen hits the die completely in the liquid state.

Eine weitere Anwendung eines unterkühlten ist die Technik des Kaltmahlens. So wird in der EP 2 368 638 A1 ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zum Kaltmahlen von Produkten beschrieben, bei dem ein kryogenes Kältemittel vor seiner Zuführung zu einer die Produkte mahlenden Mühle auf eine Temperatur unterhalb seiner Siedetemperatur gebracht, also unterkühlt wird. Dadurch lässt sich eine wesentlich genauere Dosierung des Kältemittels erreichen, wodurch die Effizienz des Mehlverfahrens erhöht wird.Another application of a supercooled is the technique of cold grinding. So in the EP 2 368 638 A1 describes a method and a device for cold grinding of products, in which a cryogenic refrigerant is brought to a temperature below its boiling temperature, that is to say subcooled, before it is fed to a mill grinding the products. As a result, the refrigerant can be metered much more precisely, which increases the efficiency of the flour process.

Eine bei den vorgenannten Anwendungen einsetzbare Einrichtung zum Unterkühlen umfasst einen Behälter mit thermisch isolierten Wänden, in dessen Innern eine Kühlschlange aus Edelstahl oder Kupfer als Wärmetauscher angeordnet ist. Durch die Kühlschlange wird ein tiefsiedendes Flüssiggas, beispielsweise flüssiger Stickstoff, aus einem Vorratstank herangeführt und nach Durchlaufen der Kühlschlange der Behandlungseinrichtung zugeführt. Eine gleichfalls mit dem Vorratstank verbundene Zweigleitung mündet an einem Entspannungsventil in den isolierten Behälter ein. Beim Entspannungsventil handelt es sich beispielsweise um ein Schwimmerventil, bei dem eine mit einem Schwimmkörper ausgerüstete Mechanik bei Unterschreiten einer vorgegebenen Füllhöhe des Flüssiggaspegels im Behälter eine Zuströmöffnung zum Zuführen von flüssigem Stickstoff aus dem Vorratstank in den isolierten Behälter freigibt bzw. diese bei Überschreiten der Füllhöhe schließt. Die Gasphase im Behälter ist mit einer Abgasleitung zum Ableiten von verdampftem Flüssiggas strömungsverbunden, in der ein Druckhalteventil montiert ist, das den Druck in der Abgasleitung stromaufwärts zum Druckhalteventil und damit zugleich im Behälter im wesentlichen konstant hält. Der Druck im Behälter ist dabei stets niedriger als der Druck im Vorratstank bzw. in der durch den Behälter hindurch geführten Kühlschlange. Dementsprechend ist auch die Temperatur des verflüssigten Gases im Behälter niedriger als die Temperatur des durch die Kühlschlange geführten verflüssigten Gases. Daher gibt das durch die Kühlschlange geführte verflüssigte Gas Wärme an das umgebende verflüssigte Gas im Behälter ab und weist im Folgenden eine Temperatur auf, die deutlich niedriger (abhängig vom Druckunterschied üblicherweise zwischen 1 K und 20 K) als die Siedetemperatur des verflüssigten Gases beim in der Kühlschlange herrschenden Druck ist. Zusätzlich kommt es zur Rekondensation von im verflüssigten Gas vorhandenen Gasblasen. Anstelle eines mechanischen Schwimmerventils kann im Übrigen auch ein Magnetventil zum Einsatz kommen, mittels dem das Nachfüllen von Flüssigstickstoff in den Behälter in Abhängigkeit von der durch geeignete Sensoren gemessenen Füllhöhe des Kältemittelbades im Behälter geregelt wird. Die Unterkühlung sollte dabei die Temperatur des unterkühlten verflüssigten Gases so weit reduzieren, dass auch nach Durchlaufen von stromab zum Unterkühler angeordneten Armaturen, die zu einem Druckverlust im verflüssigten Gas und damit zu einer Erniedrigung des Siedepunkts führen, die Temperatur auf einem Wert unterhalb des jeweiligen Siedepunkt bleibt.A device for subcooling which can be used in the aforementioned applications comprises a container with thermally insulated walls, in the interior of which a cooling coil made of stainless steel or copper is arranged as a heat exchanger. A low-boiling liquid gas, for example liquid nitrogen, is fed through the cooling coil from a storage tank and, after passing through the cooling coil, is fed to the treatment device. A branch line also connected to the storage tank opens into the insulated container at a relief valve. The relief valve is, for example, a float valve in which a mechanism equipped with a floating body is used If the liquid gas level in the container falls below a predetermined level, an inflow opening for supplying liquid nitrogen from the storage tank into the insulated container opens or closes when the level is exceeded. The gas phase in the container is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas line for discharging vaporized liquefied gas, in which a pressure-maintaining valve is mounted, which keeps the pressure in the exhaust gas line upstream of the pressure-maintaining valve and thus at the same time essentially constant in the container. The pressure in the container is always lower than the pressure in the storage tank or in the cooling coil passed through the container. Accordingly, the temperature of the liquefied gas in the container is lower than the temperature of the liquefied gas passed through the cooling coil. Therefore, the liquefied gas passed through the cooling coil gives off heat to the surrounding liquefied gas in the container and subsequently has a temperature that is significantly lower (depending on the pressure difference, usually between 1 K and 20 K) than the boiling point of the liquefied gas in the Cooling coil is prevailing pressure. In addition, gas bubbles present in the liquefied gas are recondensed. Instead of a mechanical float valve, a solenoid valve can also be used, by means of which the replenishment of liquid nitrogen in the container is regulated as a function of the fill level of the refrigerant bath in the container measured by suitable sensors. The subcooling should reduce the temperature of the supercooled liquefied gas to such an extent that even after passing through fittings arranged downstream of the subcooler, which lead to a pressure loss in the liquefied gas and thus to a lowering of the boiling point, the temperature is below the respective boiling point remains.

Eine Weiterentwicklung stellt die in der EP 0 524 432 A1 beschriebene Integration eines Gasphasenseparators in den Unterkühler dar, der Stickstoff, der noch vor dem Unterkühlungsvorgang in seiner Gasphase übergegangen ist, von der flüssigen Phase trennt.The further development in the EP 0 524 432 A1 described integration of a gas phase separator into the subcooler, which separates nitrogen, which has passed into its gas phase before the supercooling process, from the liquid phase.

Bei großen Durchsätzen an verflüssigtem Gas kommt es bei Unterkühlern leicht zu Druckschwankungen und damit zu Temperaturschwankungen innerhalb des Behälters. Um diesen Nachteil zu überwinden, wird in der EP 2 679 879 A2 vorgeschlagen, dass der Behälter mit einer Mehrzahl von unterschiedlich tief in den Behälter eintauchenden Zuleitungen ausgerüstet ist, die jeweils ein Ventil aufweisen, das in Abhängigkeit von der Höhe der Füllhöhe der Flüssigkeit im Behälter die jeweilige Zuleitung öffnet bzw. schließt. Auf diese Weise wird der Mengenstrom des in den Behälter zugeführten verflüssigten Gases in Abhängigkeit von der Kühlanforderung geregelt und das Auftreten von Druckschwankungen reduziert.With large throughputs of liquefied gas, subcoolers easily experience pressure fluctuations and thus temperature fluctuations within the container. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the EP 2 679 879 A2 It is proposed that the container be equipped with a plurality of feed lines which are immersed at different depths, each having a valve which opens or closes the respective feed line depending on the level of the liquid in the container. In this way, the volume flow of the liquefied gas fed into the container is regulated as a function of the cooling requirement and the occurrence of pressure fluctuations is reduced.

Die Dimensionierung des Wärmetauschers, wie beispielsweise Länge, Durchmesser und Wandstärke der Kühlschlange, richtet sich nach der geforderten Wärmeübertragungsleistung. Zu dieser tragen insbesondere der erforderliche Kältemitteldurchsatz, der Gasphasenanteil im als Kältemittel eingesetzten verflüssigten Gas, der Druck des Kältemittels sowie die gewünschte Kühlvorlauftemperatur der Kälteanwendung bei. Werden Kälteanwendungen zu oder abgeschaltet, oder variieren aufgrund von sich im Lauf den Einsatzes des Unterkühlers ändernden Lagerbedingungen Gasphasenanteil oder Gasdruck im zu unterkühlenden Kältemittel, beispielsweise infolge eines Anstiegs der Temperatur und/oder einer absinkenden Füllhöhe des Kältemittels im Tank, variiert auch die Wärmeübertragungsleistung.The dimensioning of the heat exchanger, such as the length, diameter and wall thickness of the cooling coil, is based on the required heat transfer performance. The necessary refrigerant throughput, the proportion of gas phase in the liquefied gas used as the refrigerant, the pressure of the refrigerant and the desired cooling flow temperature of the refrigeration application contribute to this. If refrigeration applications are switched on or off, or if gas phase content or gas pressure in the refrigerant to be supercooled varies due to storage conditions that change during the course of the use of the subcooler, for example as a result of an increase in the temperature and / or a decrease in the fill level of the refrigerant in the tank, the heat transfer capacity also varies.

Demzufolge werden die Kühlschlangen in der Regel derart ausgelegt, dass insbesondere auch Betriebszustände mit hohen Kältemitteldurchsätzen und ungünstigen Lagerbedingungen abgedeckt werden können. Sie weisen somit eine - gegenüber den Anforderungen einer durchschnittlichen Wärmeübertragungsleistung - vergleichsweise große Rohrlänge und/oder einen großen Rohrdurchmesser auf. Eine sehr lange Rohrschlange führt bei hohen Kältemitteldurchsätzen jedoch zu einem Druckverlust, der wiederum zu einem erhöhten Gasphasenanteil führt; auch kann es im Kühlbad an der Oberfläche des Wärmetauschers zum Filmsieden kommen, welches die Wärmeübertragung verschlechtert. Ist dagegen der Durchmesser der Rohrleitung sehr groß ausgelegt und nimmt aufgrund eines geringeren Kältebedarfs die Durchströmgeschwindigkeit ab, reduziert sich die Wärmeübertragung an der Rohrschlange aufgrund einer sich einstellenden laminaren Strömung.As a result, the cooling coils are generally designed such that, in particular, operating conditions with high refrigerant throughputs and unfavorable storage conditions can also be covered. They therefore have a - compared to the requirements of an average heat transfer performance - a comparatively large pipe length and / or a large pipe diameter. A very long pipe coil, however, leads to a loss of pressure at high refrigerant throughputs, which in turn leads to an increased proportion of gas phase; film boiling can also occur in the cooling bath on the surface of the heat exchanger, which deteriorates the heat transfer. But is that The diameter of the pipeline is very large and if the flow rate decreases due to a lower cooling requirement, the heat transfer to the pipe coil is reduced due to a laminar flow.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist daher, eine Vorrichtung zum Unterkühlen kryogener Flüssigkeiten zu schaffen, die die vorgenannten Nachteile überwindet.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for supercooling cryogenic liquids which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

Gelöst ist diese Aufgabe bei einer Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art und Zweckbestimmung dadurch, dass die Einrichtung zur Wärmeübertragung mit einer Mehrzahl an parallel zueinander geschalteten Wärmetauschern ausgerüstet ist, die zumindest teilweise jeweils mit einer Sperrarmatur zum Zu- und Abschalten des Durchflusses durch den Wärmetauscher ausgerüstet sind.This object is achieved in a device of the type and purpose mentioned at the outset in that the device for heat transfer is equipped with a plurality of heat exchangers connected in parallel, which are at least partially each equipped with a shut-off fitting for switching the flow through the heat exchanger on and off ,

Als "Mehrzahl von Wärmetauschern" soll hier eine Anzahl von mindestens zwei, bevorzugt von drei bis zehn Wärmetauschern verstanden werden, die jeweils gleiche oder unterschiedliche Wärmeübertragungskapazitäten aufweisen können. Zumindest ein Teil der Wärmetauscher ist mit einer Sperrarmatur ausgerüstet, mittels der der Durchfluss von Kältemittel durch diesen Wärmetauscher ermöglicht oder gesperrt werden kann. Bei den Sperrarmaturen kann es sich beispielsweise um manuell zu betätigende Ventile handeln, bevorzugt handelt es sich dabei jedoch um steuerbare Armaturen, beispielsweise Magnetventile, die mittels einer Steuereinheit in Abhängigkeit von den jeweiligen Anforderungen, beispielsweise in Abhängigkeit eines gemessenen Regelgröße, betätigt werden können. Die Einrichtung zur Wärmeübertragung ist bevorzugt so ausgelegt, dass das zu unterkühlende verflüssigte Gas auf eine Temperatur von 1K bis 25K, bevorzugt 10K bis 20K unterhalb seines Siedepunkts bei dem in der Einrichtung herrschenden Druck unterkühlt werden kann.The term "plurality of heat exchangers" should be understood here to mean a number of at least two, preferably three to ten, heat exchangers, each of which can have the same or different heat transfer capacities. At least some of the heat exchangers are equipped with a shut-off valve, by means of which the flow of refrigerant through this heat exchanger can be enabled or blocked. The shut-off valves can be, for example, manually operated valves, but are preferably controllable valves, for example solenoid valves, which can be operated by means of a control unit depending on the respective requirements, for example depending on a measured controlled variable. The device for heat transfer is preferably designed such that the liquefied gas to be supercooled can be subcooled to a temperature of 1K to 25K, preferably 10K to 20K below its boiling point at the pressure prevailing in the device.

Durch die Erfindung kann also die Anzahl der zur Wärmeübertragung im Behälter eingesetzten Wärmetauscher durch Zu- oder Abschalten einzelner Wärmetauscher variiert und somit die Wärmeübertragungskapazität den jeweiligen Anforderungen angepasst werden. Beispielsweise wird im Falle gleichartiger Wärmetauscher die Wärmeübertragungskapazität durch Zuschalten eines weiteren Wärmetauschers gegenüber der eines einzelnen Wärmetauschers verdoppelt, bei Zuschalten zweier Wärmetauscher verdreifacht, usw.. Da durch die parallele Anordnung der Wärmetauscher das zu unterkühlende Kältemittel gleichzeitig durch alle zugeschalteten Wärmetauscher strömt, kann eine effiziente Kühlung auch bei einer starken Erhöhung des Kältemitteldurchflusses bei geringem Druckverlust erreicht werden. Eine durch Druckverlust innerhalb der Einrichtung der Wärmeübertragung hervorgerufene Neugasphasenbildung kann dadurch zuverlässig vermieden werden. Umgekehrt kann bei einer reduzierten geforderten Wärmeübertragungsleistung die Anzahl der zugeschalteten Wärmetauscher vermindert und damit der Gefahr einer zu geringen Strömungsgeschwindigkeit begegnet werden.The invention therefore allows the number of heat exchangers used for heat transfer in the container to be varied by switching individual heat exchangers on or off, and thus the heat transfer capacity to meet the respective requirements be adjusted. For example, in the case of similar heat exchangers, the heat transfer capacity is doubled by switching on another heat exchanger compared to that of a single heat exchanger, tripled when two heat exchangers are switched on, etc. Since the refrigerant to be supercooled flows through all connected heat exchangers at the same time due to the parallel arrangement of the heat exchangers, an efficient one Cooling can also be achieved with a strong increase in refrigerant flow with little pressure loss. A new gas phase formation caused by pressure loss within the heat transfer device can thereby be reliably avoided. Conversely, with a reduced required heat transfer capacity, the number of connected heat exchangers can be reduced and the risk of an insufficient flow rate being countered.

Eine bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sieht dabei vor, dass zumindest ein Teil der Wärmetauscher derart miteinander verschaltet sind, dass sie unabhängig voneinander zu- und abschaltbar sind. Auf diese Weise können Wärmetauscher individuell miteinander kombiniert und zugeschaltet werden. Die Sperrarmaturen sind in diesem Fall zumindest teilweise im Bereich von Zweigleitungen angeordnet, die von einer gemeinsamen Zuleitung abführen und jeweils die Strömungsverbindung zu einem Wärmetauscher herstellen. Besonders vorteilhaft ist diese Ausgestaltung bei Wärmetauschern unterschiedlicher Wärmeübertragungskapazität, da so eine den jeweils geforderten Wärmeübertragungsleistung angepasste Gesamtwärmeübertragungskapazität eingestellt werden kann.A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that at least some of the heat exchangers are connected to one another in such a way that they can be switched on and off independently of one another. In this way, heat exchangers can be individually combined and switched on. In this case, the shut-off valves are at least partially arranged in the region of branch lines which lead away from a common feed line and each establish the flow connection to a heat exchanger. This configuration is particularly advantageous in the case of heat exchangers of different heat transfer capacities, since in this way a total heat transfer capacity which is adapted to the heat transfer capacity required in each case can be set.

In einer anderen vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sind die Wärmetauscher derart miteinander verschaltet, dass ein Teil der Wärmetauscher erst zuschaltbar ist, wenn wenigstens ein weiterer Wärmetauscher bereits zugeschaltet ist. Auf diese Weise ist in blockweises Zu- und Abschalten einer Gruppe aus mehreren Wärmetauschen möglich. Hierzu ist wenigstens eine Sperrarmatur stromauf zu einer Mehrzahl von Zweigleitungen angeordnet, die jeweils die Strömungsverbindung zu einem Wärmetauscher herstellen und ihrerseits mit einer Sperrarmatur ausgerüstet sein können. Bei dieser Ausgestaltung handelt es sich um eine einfach zu realisierende Lösung, die sich insbesondere eignet, wenn alle Wärmetauschern im wesentlichen die gleiche Wärmeübertragungskapazität besitzen.In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heat exchangers are connected to one another in such a way that some of the heat exchangers can only be switched on when at least one further heat exchanger has already been switched on. In this way, a group of several heat exchanges can be switched on and off in blocks. For this purpose, at least one shut-off valve is arranged upstream of a plurality of branch lines, which each establish the flow connection to a heat exchanger and can in turn be equipped with a shut-off valve. This configuration is a simple one Solution to be implemented, which is particularly suitable if all heat exchangers have essentially the same heat transfer capacity.

Zweckmäßigerweise sind die Sperrarmaturen mit einer insbesondere computerunterstützten Steuerung wirkverbunden, mittels der die Wärmetauscher nach einem vorgegebenen Programm oder in Abhängigkeit von gemessenen Parametern zu- und abschaltbar sind. Die Steuerung ist also so ausgelegt, dass in Abhängigkeit von den jeweiligen Anforderungen, beispielsweise bei einer mittels geeigneter Mittel erfassten Änderung des Kältemitteldurchflusses, die Anzahl und/oder die Kapazität der zuzuschaltenden Wärmetauscher ermittelt und die Sperrarmaturen entsprechend angesteuert werden.The shut-off valves are expediently operatively connected to a control, in particular computer-aided control, by means of which the heat exchangers can be switched on and off according to a predetermined program or depending on measured parameters. The control is thus designed such that the number and / or the capacity of the heat exchangers to be connected are determined and the shut-off valves are activated accordingly, depending on the respective requirements, for example in the event of a change in the refrigerant flow detected by means of suitable means.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung eine Apparatur zur laufenden Erfassung der Durchflussmenge des verflüssigten Gases vorgesehen, beispielsweise ein Coriolis-Durchflussmesser. Diese Apparatur ist beispielsweise in einer Zuleitung, also stromauf zu den Wärmetauschern angeordnet. Um insbesondere eine zuverlässige Durchflussmessung bei verflüssigten Gasen mit hohem Gasphasenanteil zu gewährleisten, empfiehlt sich der Einbau einer solchen Apparatur zur Erfassung der Durchflussmenge stromab zu den Wärmetauschern, beispielsweise in einer gemeinsamen Ausleitung, in die die Wärmetauscher strömungstechnisch einmünden. Die Daten der Apparatur werden bevorzugt an die vor erwähnte Steuerung übermittelt und von dieser nach einem vorgegebenen Programm zum Ansteuern der Sperrarmaturen eingesetzt. Eine gleichfalls vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung sieht eine stromab zu den Wärmetauschern angeordnete Einrichtung zur Erfassung der Temperatur des unterkühlten Kältemittels vor, deren Messwerte in der Steuereinrichtung zur Bestimmung der Anzahl und/oder Kapazität der zuzuschaltenden Wärmetauscher einsetzbar sind.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for continuously detecting the flow rate of the liquefied gas is provided, for example a Coriolis flow meter. This apparatus is arranged, for example, in a feed line, that is, upstream of the heat exchangers. In order to ensure, in particular, reliable flow measurement for liquefied gases with a high proportion of gas phases, it is advisable to install such an apparatus for recording the flow rate downstream of the heat exchangers, for example in a common discharge line into which the heat exchangers flow. The data of the apparatus are preferably transmitted to the control mentioned before and used by the latter according to a predetermined program to control the locking fittings. A likewise advantageous embodiment provides a device arranged downstream of the heat exchangers for detecting the temperature of the supercooled refrigerant, the measured values of which can be used in the control device to determine the number and / or capacity of the heat exchangers to be connected.

Eine abermals vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass der Zuleitung für das zu unterkühlende verflüssigte Gas ein Gasphasenseparator zugeordnet ist. Beim Gasphasenseparator handelt es sich beispielsweise um einen Gegenstand, wie er in der EP 0 524 432 A1 beschrieben ist. Dabei ist innerhalb des Kühlbads im isolierten Behälter ein weiterer Behälter (im folgenden "Separatorbehälter" genannt) mit thermisch gut leitenden Wänden aufgenommen, in den das mit dem Vorratstank strömungsverbundene Auslassrohr einmündet. Im oberen Teil des Separatorbehälters ist ein Gasauslass vorgesehen, der mit der Gasphase im Vorratstank strömungsverbunden ist und durch den bereits auf dem Weg von Vorratstank verdampftes Flüssiggas abgezogen wird. Zum Abzug der Flüssigphase weist der Separatorbehälter in seinem unteren Teil einen Anschluss auf, von dem aus das unterkühlte Flüssiggas zur weiteren Verwendung abgeführt wird. Dem Anschluss zum Abzug der Flüssigphase schließt sich strömungstechnisch die im Kühlbad angeordnete Einrichtung zur Wärmeübertragung an, in der die dem Gasphasenseparator entnommene Flüssigphase durch thermischen Kontakt mit dem Kühlbad im isolierten Behälter weiter unterkühlt wird. Durch den Gasphasenseparator wird sichergestellt, dass das durch das Auslassrohr geführte Flüssiggas sich zumindest weitestgehend im flüssigen Zustand befindet und keine oder nur wenige gasförmige Einschlüsse enthält.Another advantageous development of the invention provides that a gas phase separator is assigned to the feed line for the liquefied gas to be cooled. The gas phase separator is, for example, an object as it is in the EP 0 524 432 A1 is described. It is within the Cooling bath in the insulated container, another container (hereinafter referred to as "separator container") with thermally highly conductive walls, into which the outlet pipe which is connected to the storage tank flows out. In the upper part of the separator container there is a gas outlet which is connected to the gas phase in the storage tank and through which liquid gas which has already evaporated on the way from the storage tank is drawn off. In order to draw off the liquid phase, the separator container has a connection in its lower part from which the supercooled liquid gas is discharged for further use. In terms of flow, the connection for withdrawing the liquid phase is followed by the device for heat transfer arranged in the cooling bath, in which the liquid phase removed from the gas phase separator is further subcooled by thermal contact with the cooling bath in the insulated container. The gas phase separator ensures that the liquid gas passed through the outlet pipe is at least largely in the liquid state and contains no or only a few gaseous inclusions.

Eine ebenfalls vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass Mittel vorgesehen sind, um der Zustrom an verflüssigtem Gas an das Kühlbad zu regeln. Dadurch kann auch die Menge des im Kühlbad befindlichen Kältemittels der jeweiligen Wärmeübertragungsleistung angepasst werden. Beispielsweise kann dies mit einer Mehrzahl an parallel schaltbaren Zuführungen für das Kältemittel erreicht werden, die jeweils in Abhängigkeit von einer Füllhöhe im Kühlbad geöffnet und geschlossen werden. Eine derartige Anordnung wird in der EP 2 679 879 A2 , auf die hier ausdrücklich Bezug genommen wird.Another advantageous development of the invention provides that means are provided to regulate the inflow of liquefied gas to the cooling bath. This also allows the amount of refrigerant in the cooling bath to be adapted to the respective heat transfer capacity. For example, this can be achieved with a plurality of feeds for the refrigerant which can be connected in parallel and are each opened and closed depending on a fill level in the cooling bath. Such an arrangement is in the EP 2 679 879 A2 , to which express reference is made here.

Eine bevorzugte Verwendung der Vorrichtung stellt die Bereitstellung eines unterkühlten verflüssigten Gases, insbesondere Flüssigstickstoff, als Kältemittel zur Kühlung einer Einrichtung zum Leichtmetall-Strangpressen, insbesondere einer Aluminium- Stranggussextrusionseinrichtung, dar. Eine andere bevorzugte Verwendung der Vorrichtung erfolgt in einer Einrichtung zum Kaltmahlen oder in einer Anordnung von mehreren parallel geschalteten Einrichtungen zum Kaltmahlen.A preferred use of the device is the provision of a supercooled liquefied gas, in particular liquid nitrogen, as refrigerant for cooling a device for extruding light metals, in particular an aluminum extrusion device. Another preferred use of the device is in a device for cold grinding or in a Arrangement of several devices for cold grinding connected in parallel.

Bevorzugt kommt als zu unterkühlendes verflüssigtes Gas ein tiefsiedendes verflüssigtes Gas (Kryogen) zum Einsatz, wie beispielsweise Stickstoff, Sauerstoff, LNG oder ein Edelgas wie etwa Argon oder Helium.A low-boiling liquefied gas (cryogen), such as, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, LNG or a noble gas such as argon or helium, is preferably used as the liquefied gas to be cooled.

Anhand der Zeichnung soll ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung näher erläutert werden.An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

Die einzige Figur (Fig. 1) zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.The only figure ( Fig. 1 ) shows schematically a device according to the invention.

Die Vorrichtung 1 zum Unterkühlen umfasst eine Einrichtung 2 zur Wärmeübertragung, die in einem Behälter 3 mit thermisch isolierten Wänden angeordnet ist. Die Einrichtung 2 zur Wärmeübertragung umfasst eine Mehrzahl von Wärmetauschern, im Ausführungsbeispiel drei Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6, die über eine druckfeste und wärmeisolierte Zuleitung 7 mit einem wärmeisolierten Vorratstank 8 strömungsverbunden sind. Im Vorratstank 8 wird ein kryogenes Medium, beispielsweise Stickstoff im tiefkalt verflüssigten Zustand, bis zur Höhe eines Pegels 9 bevorratet. Der flüssige Stickstoff liegt im Innern des Vorratstanks 8 bei seiner Siedetemperatur vor; im unteren Bereich des Vorratstanks 8, im Bereich eines Anschlussstutzens 10 für die Stickstoffzuleitung 7, wird die Siedetemperatur wiederum durch den hydrostatischen Druck der im Innern des Vorratstanks 8 bis zur Höhe des Pegels 9 stehenden Flüssigkeitssäule mitbestimmt. So beträgt bei einem Druck von 5 bar die Temperatur des flüssigen Stickstoffs am Anschlussstutzen 10 beispielsweise etwa minus 180°C, bei 6 bar sogar minus -177°C. Ausgangsseitig sind die Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 mit einer gemeinsamen, thermisch isolierten Ausleitung 11 strömungsverbunden, über die der flüssige Stickstoff anschließend einer weiteren Verwendung zugeführt wird, beispielsweise als Kältemittel einer hier nicht gezeigten Vorrichtung zugeführt.The device 1 for subcooling comprises a device 2 for heat transfer, which is arranged in a container 3 with thermally insulated walls. The device 2 for heat transfer comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, in the exemplary embodiment three cooling coils 4, 5, 6, which are flow-connected to a heat-insulated storage tank 8 via a pressure-resistant and heat-insulated feed line 7. A cryogenic medium, for example nitrogen in the cryogenic liquefied state, is stored in the storage tank 8 up to the level 9. The liquid nitrogen is inside the storage tank 8 at its boiling temperature; in the lower area of the storage tank 8, in the area of a connecting piece 10 for the nitrogen feed line 7, the boiling temperature is in turn determined by the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column standing inside the storage tank 8 up to the level 9. For example, at a pressure of 5 bar, the temperature of the liquid nitrogen at the connector 10 is approximately minus 180 ° C, at 6 bar even minus -177 ° C. On the output side, the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are connected in terms of flow with a common, thermally insulated outlet 11, via which the liquid nitrogen is subsequently fed to a further use, for example as a refrigerant, to a device not shown here.

Innerhalb des Behälters 3 befindet sich ein Kühlbad 13, in das die Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 eintauchen. Das Kühlbad 13 besteht aus dem gleichen kryogenen Medium wie das im Vorratstank 8 bevorratete, im Ausführungsbeispiel also aus flüssigem Stickstoff. Zum Zuführen von Kältemittel in das Kühlbad 13 dient eine Kältemittelzuleitung 14, die von der Zuleitung 7 noch außerhalb des Behälters 3 abzweigt. Die Kältemittelzuleitung 14 ist ausgangsseitig mit einem Schwimmerventil 15 ausgerüstet. Das Schwimmerventil 15 funktioniert in der Weise, dass bei Unterschreiten einer vorgegebenen Füllhöhe 16 des Kühlbades 13 im Behälter 3 flüssiger Stickstoff in den Behälter 3 nachströmt, wobei sich dieser auf den Druck im Behälter 3 entspannt. Im Behälter 3 besteht zwischen den Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 einerseits und dem Kühlbad 13 andererseits lediglich eine thermische Verbindung, jedoch keine Strömungsverbindung.Inside the container 3 there is a cooling bath 13 into which the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are immersed. The cooling bath 13 consists of the same cryogenic medium as the one stored in the storage tank 8, that is to say of liquid nitrogen in the exemplary embodiment. A refrigerant supply line is used to supply refrigerant to the cooling bath 13 14, which branches off from the supply line 7 outside the container 3. The refrigerant supply line 14 is equipped on the outlet side with a float valve 15. The float valve 15 works in such a way that when the fill level 16 of the cooling bath 13 in the container 3 falls below a predetermined level, liquid nitrogen flows into the container 3, which relaxes to the pressure in the container 3. In the container 3 there is only a thermal connection between the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 on the one hand and the cooling bath 13 on the other hand, but no flow connection.

Anstelle eines Schwimmerventils 15 können im Übrigen auch andere Einrichtungen vorgesehen sein, die in Abhängigkeit von der Füllhöhe 16 des Kühlbades 13 die Zuführung von Flüssigstickstoff durch die Kältemittelzuleitung 14 steuern, beispielsweise Magnetventile, die mit geeigneten Sensoren zur Füllstanderfassung, beispielsweise supraleitenden Sensoren, wirkverbunden sind.Instead of a float valve 15, other devices can also be provided which control the supply of liquid nitrogen through the refrigerant supply line 14 as a function of the fill level 16 of the cooling bath 13, for example solenoid valves which are operatively connected to suitable sensors for level detection, for example superconducting sensors.

Im Dachraum des Behälters 3 ist eine Abgasleitung 18 zur Ableitung von gasförmigem Stickstoff vorgesehen. In der Abgasleitung 18 ist ein Druckhalteventil 19 montiert, das den Druck in der Abgasleitung 18 stromauf zum Druckhalteventil 19 und damit zugleich im Behälter 3 auf einen vorbestimmten Wert von beispielweise 1 bar konstant hält. Der Druck im Behälter 3 kann frei gewählt werden, muss jedoch geringer sein als der Druck im Vorratstank 8 im Bereich des Anschlussstutzens 10, um zu gewährleisten, dass die Temperatur des Kühlbades 13 niedriger ist als die Temperatur des Flüssigstickstoffs in der Zuleitung 7. Beispielsweise ergibt sich bei einem angenommenen Druck im Behälter 3 von 1 bar (abs.) eine Temperatur des Flüssigstickstoffs im Behälter 3 von ca. minus 196°C, bei einem Druck von 0,3 bar sogar ca. minus 204°C, und damit eine geringere Temperatur als die des Flüssigstickstoffs im Vorratstank 8 bei einem dort angenommenen Druck von beispielsweise 5-6 bar. Im Übrigen kann in einer vereinfachten Ausführung auch auf das Druckhalteventil 19 verzichtet werden, mit der Folge, dass das Kältemittel im Behälter 3 stets auf Atmosphärendruck vorliegt. in diesem Falle ist die Temperatur des verdampfenden Kältemittels im Innern des Behälters 3 jedoch den durch die Änderungen des Atmosphärendrucks bedingten Schwankungen unterworden.In the roof space of the container 3, an exhaust pipe 18 is provided for the discharge of gaseous nitrogen. A pressure-maintaining valve 19 is mounted in the exhaust line 18 and keeps the pressure in the exhaust line 18 upstream of the pressure-maintaining valve 19 and thus at the same time in the container 3 at a predetermined value of, for example, 1 bar. The pressure in the container 3 can be chosen freely, but must be lower than the pressure in the storage tank 8 in the area of the connecting piece 10 in order to ensure that the temperature of the cooling bath 13 is lower than the temperature of the liquid nitrogen in the feed line 7. For example at an assumed pressure in container 3 of 1 bar (abs.), a temperature of the liquid nitrogen in container 3 of approximately minus 196 ° C, at a pressure of 0.3 bar even approximately minus 204 ° C, and thus a lower one Temperature than that of the liquid nitrogen in the storage tank 8 at an assumed pressure of, for example, 5-6 bar. Otherwise, in a simplified embodiment, the pressure-maintaining valve 19 can also be dispensed with, with the result that the refrigerant in the container 3 is always at atmospheric pressure. in this case, however, the temperature of the evaporating refrigerant is inside the container 3 the fluctuations caused by changes in atmospheric pressure.

Im Betrieb der Vorrichtung 1 liegt im Innern des Behälters 3 das Kältemittelbad 13 bis zu einer Füllhöhe 16 oberhalb des Schwimmerventils 15 vor. Der Druck im Behälter 3 entspricht dem am Druckhalteventil 19 eingestellten Wert und beträgt beispielsweise 1 bar (abs.). Der Druck des flüssigen Stickstoffs in der Kältemittelzuleitung 14 und in der Zuleitung 7 entspricht ungefähr dem im Vorratstank 8 im Bereich des Anschlussstutzens 10. Durch Öffnen des Ventils 21 wird zu unterkühlender Stickstoff durch die Zuleitung 7, die Einrichtung 2 und die Ausleitung 11 einem hier nicht gezeigten Verbraucher, beispielsweise einer Strangpresse oder einer Kaltmahleinrichtung, zugeführt. Aufgrund des höheren Drucks in der Zuleitung 7 gegenüber dem Druck im Behälter 3 weist das durch die Zuleitung 7 geführte Kältemittel eine höhere Temperatur auf als die des Kältemittels im Kühlbad 13. An der Einrichtung 2 wird somit Wärme aus dem durch die Zuleitung 7 geführten Kältemittel an das Kühlbad 13 abgegeben und das Kältemittel in der Zuleitung 7 wird unterkühlt.During operation of the device 1, the refrigerant bath 13 is present inside the container 3 up to a fill level 16 above the float valve 15. The pressure in the container 3 corresponds to the value set on the pressure holding valve 19 and is, for example, 1 bar (abs.). The pressure of the liquid nitrogen in the refrigerant supply line 14 and in the supply line 7 corresponds approximately to that in the storage tank 8 in the area of the connecting piece 10. By opening the valve 21, the nitrogen to be supercooled through the supply line 7, the device 2 and the discharge line 11 does not become one here shown consumers, for example an extrusion press or a cold milling device, supplied. Due to the higher pressure in the supply line 7 compared to the pressure in the container 3, the refrigerant passed through the supply line 7 has a higher temperature than that of the refrigerant in the cooling bath 13. Heat is thus applied to the device 2 from the refrigerant passed through the supply line 7 the cooling bath 13 is dispensed and the refrigerant in the supply line 7 is subcooled.

Um rasch auf schwankende Kühlanforderungen reagieren zu können, kann in der Einrichtung 2 die Anzahl der aktiven, d.h. zur Wärmeübertragung eingesetzten Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 variiert werden. Dazu sind die Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 parallel zueinander geschaltet, wobei die Kühlschlange 4 im Ausführungsbeispiel stets als Wärmetauscherfläche zur Verfügung steht, während die Kühlschlangen 5, 6 mittels Ventilen 22, 23 zugeschaltet oder getrennt werden können. Durch Zuschalten der Kühlschlange 5 oder 6 wird das Kältemittel zu gleichen Teilen durch die Kühlschlangen 4 und 5 (bzw. 4 und 6) geführt, wodurch eine gegenüber der Benutzung lediglich des Wärmetauschers 4 doppelte Wärmetauscherfläche zur Verfügung steht. Bei Zuschaltung beider Kühlschlangen 5 und 6 steht entsprechend eine dreifache Wärmetauscherfläche zur Verfügung. Die Ventile 22, 23 können mittels einer elektronischen Steuerung 24 angesteuert werden, die es ermöglicht, die Zu- und Abschaltung der Kühlschlangen 5, 6 nach einem vorgegebenen Programm und/oder in Abhängigkeit von gemessenen Parametern, beispielsweise der Temperatur oder dem Mengenstrom des dem Verbraucher zugeführten Kältemittels, zu regeln.In order to be able to react quickly to fluctuating cooling requirements, the number of active cooling coils 4, 5, 6 used for heat transfer can be varied in the device 2. For this purpose, the cooling coils 4, 5, 6 are connected in parallel with one another, the cooling coil 4 in the exemplary embodiment always being available as a heat exchanger surface, while the cooling coils 5, 6 can be connected or disconnected by means of valves 22, 23. By connecting the cooling coil 5 or 6, the refrigerant is passed in equal parts through the cooling coils 4 and 5 (or 4 and 6), whereby a double heat exchanger surface is available compared to the use of only the heat exchanger 4. When both cooling coils 5 and 6 are switched on, a triple heat exchanger surface is available accordingly. The valves 22, 23 can be controlled by means of an electronic control 24, which makes it possible to switch the cooling coils 5, 6 on and off according to a predetermined program and / or as a function of measured parameters, for example the temperature or the volume flow of the refrigerant supplied to the consumer.

Auf diese Weise kann die zur Verfügung stehende Wärmetauscherfläche auch schwankenden Kälteanforderungen rasch angepasst werden. Die Gefahr eines Filmsiedens von Kältemittel des Kühlbades 13 auf der Außenoberfläche der Kühlschlange 4, durch das die Wärmeübertragungsleistung eingeschränkt werden würde, wird dadurch wesentlich verringert. Auch wird durch Zuschalten der Kühlschlangen 5 und/oder 6 eine effiziente Unterkühlung auch bei hohen geforderten Wärmeübertragungsleistungen ermöglicht, ohne dass dazu der Einbau einer langen und mit dementsprechend hohem Druckverlust arbeitenden Kühlschlange erforderlich wäre.In this way, the available heat exchanger surface can be quickly adapted to fluctuating cooling requirements. The risk of film boiling of refrigerant of the cooling bath 13 on the outer surface of the cooling coil 4, which would limit the heat transfer capacity, is thereby significantly reduced. Switching on the cooling coils 5 and / or 6 also enables efficient subcooling even with high required heat transfer capacities, without the need to install a long cooling coil which works with a correspondingly high pressure drop.

Im Übrigen ist die Erfindung nicht auf das Vorsehen von drei gleichen Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6, wie im Ausführungsbeispiel gezeigt, beschränkt, es können im Rahmen der Erfindung auch lediglich zwei oder mehr als drei Wärmetauscherflächen vorgesehen sein, die jeweils gleiche oder unterschiedliche Wärmeübertragungskapazitäten aufweisen und blockweise oder unabhängig voneinander zuschaltbar sind. Im Falle von unterschiedlichen Wärmeübertragungskapazitäten der Kühlschlangen 4, 5, 6 ist es vorteilhaft, auch die Kühlschlange 4 mit einer Absperrarmatur ausrüsten, um fallweise einen Durchfluss des Kältemittels lediglich über die Kühlschlangen 5 und/oder 6 zu ermöglichen. Auf diese Weise kann die Wärmeübertragungskapazität noch besser an die jeweils geforderte Wärmeübertragungsleistung angepasst werden.Incidentally, the invention is not limited to the provision of three identical cooling coils 4, 5, 6, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, only two or more than three heat exchanger surfaces can be provided within the scope of the invention, each of which has the same or different heat transfer capacities and can be activated in blocks or independently of one another. In the case of different heat transfer capacities of the cooling coils 4, 5, 6, it is advantageous to also equip the cooling coil 4 with a shut-off valve, in order to allow the refrigerant to flow through the cooling coils 5 and / or 6 in some cases. In this way, the heat transfer capacity can be adapted even better to the heat transfer capacity required in each case.

Durch den Eintrag von Wärme aus dem durch die Zuleitung 7 geführten Kältemittel verdampft Kältemittel aus dem Kühlbad 13. Der Zustrom von Kältemittel in das Kühlbad 13 kann dabei (hier nicht gezeigt) über eine Mehrzahl an Zuleitungen geregelt und den Anforderungen angepasst werden, wie beispielsweise in der EP 2 679 879 A2 beschrieben.By introducing heat from the refrigerant led through the feed line 7, refrigerant evaporates from the cooling bath 13. The inflow of refrigerant into the cooling bath 13 can be regulated (not shown here) via a plurality of feed lines and adapted to the requirements, for example in FIG the EP 2 679 879 A2 described.

Das beim Wärmetausch im Behälter 3 entstehende gasförmige Kältemittel wird über die Abgasleitung 18 abgeführt und ggf. einer weiteren Verwendung zugeführt. Nach Durchlaufen der Kühlschlange/n 4, 5, 6 besitzt das über die Ausleitung 11 transportierte Kältemittel zumindest annähernd die Temperatur des Kühlbades 13 (beispielsweise minus 196°C), und damit eine Temperatur, die deutlich unterhalb der Siedetemperatur von Stickstoff bei dem in der Zuleitung 7 herrschenden Druck liegt.The gaseous refrigerant formed during the heat exchange in the container 3 is discharged via the exhaust line 18 and possibly used for further use. After passing through the cooling coil (s) 4, 5, 6, the refrigerant transported via the outlet 11 has at least approximately the temperature of the cooling bath 13 (for example minus 196 ° C.), and thus a temperature which is significantly below the boiling point of nitrogen in the Supply line 7 prevailing pressure.

Als Kältemittel kommt im Ausführungsbeispiel flüssiger Stickstoff zum Einsatz, im Rahmen der Erfindung sind jedoch auch andere kryogene Kältemittel denkbar, beispielsweise LNG, flüssiger Sauerstoff, flüssiger Wasserstoff oder ein verflüssigtes Edelgas.Liquid nitrogen is used as the refrigerant in the exemplary embodiment, but other cryogenic refrigerants are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, for example LNG, liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen or a liquefied noble gas.

BezuaszeichenlisteBezuaszeichenliste

1.1.
Vorrichtungcontraption
2.Second
Einrichtung zur WärmeübertragungHeat transfer device
3.Third
Behältercontainer
4.4th
Kühlschlangecooling coil
5.5th
Kühlschlangecooling coil
6.6th
Kühlschlangecooling coil
7.7th
Zuleitungsupply
8.8th.
Tanktank
9.9th
Pegellevel
10.10th
Anschlussstutzenspigot
11.11th
AusleitungRecovery
12.12th
--
13.13th
Kühlbadcooling bath
14.14th
KältemittelzuleitungRefrigerant supply line
15.15th
Schwimmerventilfloat valve
16.16th
Füllhöhefilling height
17.17th
--
18.18th
Abgasleitungexhaust pipe
19.19th
DruckhalteventilPressure holding valve
20.20th
--
21.21st
VentilValve
22.22nd
VentilValve
23.23rd
VentilValve
24.24th
Steuerungcontrol

Claims (9)

Vorrichtung zum Unterkühlen von verflüssigten Gasen, mit einem isolierten Behälter (3) zur Aufnahme eines Kühlbades (13), welches aus einem auf niedrigen Druck entspannten Teilstrom eines aus einem Vorratstank (8) entnommenen verflüssigten Gases gespeist wird, mit einer Einrichtung (18, 19) zum Abzug einer Gasphase aus dem isolierten Behälter (3), und mit einer innerhalb des isolierten Behälters (3) angeordneten, mit dem Vorratstank (8) über eine Zuleitung (7) strömungsverbundenen Einrichtung (2) zur Wärmeübertragung von dem durch die Zuleitung (7) geführten, zu unterkühlenden verflüssigten Gas auf das Kühlbad (13),
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Einrichtung (2) zur Wärmeübertragung mit einer Mehrzahl an parallel zueinander geschalteten Wärmetauschern (4, 5, 6) ausgerüstet ist, die zumindest teilweise mit einer Sperrarmatur (22, 23) zum Zu- oder Abschalten des Durchflusses durch den jeweiligen Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) ausgerüstet sind.Device for subcooling liquefied gases, with an insulated container (3) for receiving a cooling bath (13), which is fed from a partial flow of a liquefied gas removed from a storage tank (8) and reduced to a low pressure, with a device (18, 19 ) for withdrawing a gas phase from the insulated container (3), and with a device (2) arranged within the insulated container (3) and flow-connected to the storage tank (8) via a feed line (7) for heat transfer from the through the feed line ( 7) led liquefied gas to be supercooled onto the cooling bath (13),
characterized,
that the device (2) for heat transfer is equipped with a plurality of heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) connected in parallel with one another, which at least partially with a shut-off fitting (22, 23) for switching the flow through the respective heat exchanger (4 , 5, 6) are equipped. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest ein Teil der Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) derart miteinander verschaltet sind, dass sie unabhängig voneinander zu- und abschaltbar sind.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) are connected to one another in such a way that they can be switched on and off independently of one another. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest ein Teil der Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) derart miteinander verschaltet sind, dass ein Teil der Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) erst zuschaltbar ist, wenn wenigstens weiterer Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) bereits zugeschaltet ist.Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) are connected to one another in such a way that some of the heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) can only be switched on when at least one further heat exchanger (4, 5 , 6) is already switched on. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sperrarmaturen (22, 23) mit einer Steuerung (24) wirkverbunden sind, mittels der die Wärmetauscher (4, 5, 6) nach einem vorgegebenen Programm oder in Abhängigkeit von gemessenen Parametern zu- und abschaltbar sind.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking fittings (22, 23) are operatively connected to a controller (24) by means of which the heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) according to a predetermined program or depending on measured parameters. and can be switched off. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass stromauf und/oder stromab zu den Wärmetauschern (4, 5, 6) eine Apparatur zur Erfassung der Durchflussmenge des verflüssigten Gases und/oder eine Einrichtung zur Erfassung der Temperatur des unterkühlten verflüssigten Gases zugeordnet ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an apparatus for detecting the flow rate of the liquefied gas and / or a device for detecting the temperature of the supercooled liquefied gas is assigned upstream and / or downstream of the heat exchangers (4, 5, 6) , Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zuleitung (7) für das zu unterkühlende verflüssigte Gas ein Gasphasenseparator zugeordnet ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas phase separator is assigned to the feed line (7) for the liquefied gas to be supercooled. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zustrom an verflüssigtem Gas an das Kühlbad (13) regelbar ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflow of liquefied gas to the cooling bath (13) can be regulated. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch die Verwendung zum Kühlen in einer Aluminiumstranggussextrusionseinrichtung oder in einer Kaltmahleinrichtung.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use for cooling in an extruded aluminum extrusion device or in a cold milling device. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass als verflüssigtes Gas ein tiefsiedendes Gas zum Einsatz kommt.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a low-boiling gas is used as the liquefied gas.
EP19180177.8A 2018-07-11 2019-06-14 Device for supercooling of liquefied gases Active EP3594554B1 (en)

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