KR20240159822A - Storage and processing facilities for gases produced by the evaporation of cryogenic liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility for storing and processing gas (G) generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid, wherein the storage and processing facility comprises at least one tank (4), at least one consumer (26) for consuming fuel prepared from the gas, a high-capacity compressor (16), and a low-capacity compressor (24) for supplying fuel to the consumer (26), wherein the storage and processing facility comprises a main circuit (14) connecting a head of the tank (4) to the high-capacity compressor (16), and a sub-circuit (28) fluidly parallel to the main circuit (14), wherein the sub-circuit (28) is configured to directly supply gas to the low-capacity compressor (24).

Description

Storage and processing facilities for gases produced by the evaporation of cryogenic liquids

The present invention relates to the field of transport and/or storage of cryogenic liquids, and more particularly to the field of transport and/or storage of gases produced from such cryogenic liquids.

Gaseous hydrocarbons at ambient temperature and pressure are liquefied at cryogenic temperatures, i.e. below -60°C, to facilitate their transportation and/or storage. These liquefied hydrocarbons, also called cryogenic liquids, are placed in tanks of structures, especially floating structures.

However, since these tanks are not perfectly insulated, natural evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is inevitable. The phenomenon of natural evaporation is called boil-off, and the gas produced by this natural evaporation is called boil-off gas (BOG). Therefore, the tank of the structure contains both the cryogenic liquid in liquid form and the gas produced by the boil-off of this cryogenic liquid.

A portion of the gas produced by boil-off of the cryogenic liquid can be used as fuel to supply at least one consumer, such as an engine, to meet the operating energy requirements of the floating structure. Thus, it is possible to produce electricity for the electrical equipment of such a structure.

The gas is usually circulated to the consumer through pipes of considerable diameter, which are adjusted to facilitate and accelerate the cryogenic liquid loading operation to the floating structure.

However, the large diameter of the pipe means that the gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is heated as it passes to the consumer. The gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid sometimes reaches a temperature that makes it impossible to supply to the consumer, especially since this temperature is incompatible with the operation of the compressor located upstream of the consumer and through which the gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is designed to pass.

To reduce the temperature of the gas evaporating from the cryogenic liquid in the pipeline, cryogenic liquid is usually injected from a floating structure tank. However, this solution increases the volume of fluid to be treated and makes the equipment required to supply to the consumer more complex, especially since a pump must be used to remove the cryogenic liquid from the tank.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a facility which limits the heating of gas generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid while it is supplied to a consumer and circulated within the piping of a floating structure.

The primary object of the present invention is a facility for storing and processing gas produced from the evaporation of a cryogenic liquid, the storage and processing facility comprising at least one tank configured to receive both the cryogenic liquid and the gas produced from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, at least one consumer consuming fuel prepared from the gas produced from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, a high-capacity compressor designed to be connected to a cryogenic liquid storage terminal, and a low-capacity compressor supplying fuel to the consumer, the storage and processing facility comprising a main circuit connecting a tank head to the high-capacity compressor, and an accessory circuit arranged at least partially in fluidic parallel with the main circuit, the accessory circuit being configured to supply gas produced from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid directly to the low-capacity compressor.

The storage and processing facility described above is integrated, for example, into a floating structure. It is configured for the circulation of the cryogenic liquid on the one hand, and for the circulation of the gas resulting from the evaporation of this cryogenic liquid on the other hand, and both the cryogenic liquid and the gas are stored in one or more tanks of the storage and processing facility. In particular, the cryogenic liquid is stored at the bottom of the tank, and the gas resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is stored in the upper part (head) of the tank.

The consumers of the storage and processing system are configured to be supplied from a tank; these consumers are supplied with, for example, fuel in liquid form and/or fuel in gaseous form, i.e. cryogenic liquid and/or gas resulting from evaporation. The storage and processing facility comprises at least two circuits, i.e. a main circuit, in which the gas resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid circulates, i.e. a high-capacity, low-pressure discharge compressor connected to the storage terminal, and an auxiliary circuit, in which the gas resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is delivered to a low-capacity, high-pressure discharge device connected to the consumer. Thus, both circuits are used to supply the gas resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid to the compressors, the compressors of each circuit having different flow rates and pressures at which they operate. Thus, the low-capacity compressor operates at a higher pressure than the high-capacity compressor. For example, low capacity compressors operate at pressures between 5 bar absolute and 7 bar absolute and at flows of 2,000 to 6,000 m ³ /h, whereas high capacity compressors operate at pressures between 1.5 bar absolute and 2.5 bar absolute and at flows of 12,000 to 30,000 m ³ /h.

For example, storage terminals are located on coastal coastlines, while consumers are onboard floating structures in the sea, contributing to the power supply. These storage terminals enable the storage of cryogenic liquids and gases produced by the evaporation of cryogenic liquids.

The main circuit and the sub-circuit are arranged at least partially in parallel with each other, i.e. they are at least partially independent. "Independent" means that the conduits constituting the main circuit are separated from the conduits constituting the sub-circuit. Preferably, the main circuit and the sub-circuit are largely independent, i.e. most of the conduits constituting the main circuit are not involved in the sub-circuit.

The main circuit is connected to the tank head, that is, the part of the tank where the gas produced by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is stored.

The auxiliary circuit is configured to directly supply the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid to the low-capacity compressor; it is understood that the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is circulated only in the pipe and delivered to the low-capacity compressor. In particular, there is no heat exchanger in the auxiliary circuit. Therefore, the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is delivered to the consumer by taking advantage of the dedicated circuit, thereby limiting heating during circulation.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit are thermally independent.

As a result, no exchange of calories occurs between the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the auxiliary circuit is connected to the main circuit at the tank head outlet.

For example, the auxiliary circuit is connected to the main circuit outside the tank near the tank head.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the storage and treatment facility comprises at least one valve arranged in a separator between the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit.

A valve, which may be a three-way valve or a combination of two two-way valves, connects the auxiliary circuit to the main circuit. Upstream of this valve, the gas produced by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid flows through a pipe shared between the main and auxiliary circuits and opens into the tank head.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the auxiliary circuit is directly connected to the gas dome of the tank.

The gas dome corresponds to the external and upper projection of the tank where the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid exists. When the auxiliary circuit is directly connected to the gas dome, the connection of each circuit to the tank is independent; it is understood that the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit do not share a pipe extending from the tank.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the nominal diameter of the conduit forming the main circuit is between 300 mm and 600 mm.

Therefore, the size of the main circuit pipe is adjusted to suit the loading and unloading operations between the storage and processing facilities and the storage terminal.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the nominal diameter of the pipe forming the auxiliary circuit is between 100 mm and 250 mm.

The size of the auxiliary circuit pipe means that the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid can be quickly conveyed to the low-capacity compressor and delivered to the consumer, thereby limiting heating. The gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is supplied to the low-capacity compressor at an appropriate pressure and temperature, thereby limiting the need for a cooling device.

In some embodiments, the diameter of the pipe and/or duct is adjustable and is larger near the compressor than near the tank.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the auxiliary circuit is insulated.

This insulation can be achieved by placing foam around the pipe forming the subcircuit. Alternatively, this can be achieved by vacuum insulating the subcircuit pipe into a larger pipe, leaving the space between them empty.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the main circuit comprises a branch point between a first branch dedicated to supplying gas resulting from evaporation of cryogenic liquid of a high-capacity compressor and a second branch connected to a secondary circuit via at least one valve.

This branch point constitutes a division within the main circuit. Thus, when circulating in the main circuit, the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is either delivered to the high-capacity compressor through the first branch or to the auxiliary circuit through the second branch.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the valve is arranged between the branch point and the low-capacity compressor.

It is understood that the gas produced by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is intended to be supplied to the low-capacity compressor as it passes through the second branch of the main circuit.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the storage and processing facility includes a branch configured to cool the second branch from cryogenic liquid taken from the tank.

This branch acts as a cooling device for the second branch upstream of the valve, cooling the gas produced by the evaporation of the liquid flowing through the second branch of the main circuit. For example, the branch is opened between the valve and the low-capacity compressor.

According to an optional feature of the present invention, the storage and processing facility comprises a dedicated auxiliary circuit for filling the tank with cryogenic liquid, the auxiliary circuit being configured to connect the storage terminal to the bottom section of the tank.

The bottom area of a tank is the lowest part of a tank designed to receive and store cryogenic liquids. This bottom area of a tank corresponds, for example, to the space located between the bottom wall of the tank and a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall and extending 1 meter above it.

The present invention also relates to a floating structure for transporting and/or storing cryogenic liquids and gases produced by evaporation of cryogenic liquids, comprising storage and processing facilities as described above.

Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, on the one hand, and from the exemplary embodiments provided for the purpose of illustration and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a storage and processing facility according to the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a floating structure including the storage and processing facilities illustrated in Figure 1.

The features, modifications and various embodiments of the present invention may be combined with one another in various combinations, provided that they are not mutually incompatible or exclusive. In particular, it is possible to imagine variations of the present invention that include only a selection of the features described below, separate from other features described, provided that the selection of such features provides a technical advantage and/or is sufficient to differentiate the present invention from the prior art.

In drawings, elements common to multiple drawings have the same drawing symbols.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a storage and processing facility (1) according to the present invention, wherein the storage and processing facility (1) is integrated into a floating structure (2), which is illustrated in FIG. 2.

A storage and processing facility (1) is configured to circulate cryogenic liquid (LC) on the one hand and gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid on the other hand. The cryogenic liquid (LC) is stored in at least one tank (4) of the storage and processing facility (1). When the insulation of the tank (4) is not perfect, a portion of the cryogenic liquid (LC) naturally evaporates to form gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid. Therefore, the tank (4) contains both the cryogenic liquid (LC) and gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, and the separation between these two fluids is indicated by a dotted horizontal line in Fig. 1.

The storage and processing facility (1) comprises at least one tank (4) for storing cryogenic liquid (LC) and gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, wherein the cryogenic liquid (LC) is, for example, methane. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the storage and processing facility (1) comprises four tanks (4). It is to be understood that the following description with respect to one of these four tanks (4) is applicable to each of the other tanks (4).

The tank (4) is defined by a bottom wall (6) corresponding to the lowest wall of the tank. A bottom area of the tank extends from this bottom wall (6), which bottom area corresponds, for example, to the area between this bottom wall (6) and a plane parallel thereto and is arranged at a distance of 1 meter therefrom. At least the bottom area of the tank is intended for storing a cryogenic liquid (LC). Conversely, a gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is stored in the head of the tank (4), corresponding to the uppermost part of the tank. Here, a gas dome (8) is mounted on the roof of the tank (4), which is a part of the tank (4) through which the gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is discharged.

The storage and processing facility (1) is connected to a storage terminal (10) located on the shore. The cooperation between the floating structure (2) and the storage terminal (10) will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The storage terminal (10) can store both cryogenic liquid (LC) and gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid. In particular, the gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid can be discharged from the tank (4) of the storage and processing facility (1) to the storage terminal (10), and the cryogenic liquid (LC) can be shipped from the storage terminal (10) to the tank (4). This shipment of the cryogenic liquid (LC) from the storage terminal (10) to the tank (4) is carried out via an auxiliary circuit (12), which connects the storage terminal (10) to the bottom area of the tank. It is to be understood that the auxiliary circuit (12) is exclusively dedicated to filling the tank (4) with the cryogenic liquid (LC).

The gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is discharged from the tank (4) to be filled with the cryogenic liquid (LC), for example, through the main circuit (14). This main circuit (14) connects the head of the tank (4) to the storage terminal (10).

The main circuit (14) is opened to the tank (4); more specifically, the main circuit is connected to the gas dome (8) of the tank (4). The main circuit (14) includes at least one conduit extending from the gas dome (8) to a high-capacity compressor (16), which is interposed between the tank (4) and the storage terminal (10). The pipe forming the main circuit (14), through which the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid flows, has a diameter of 300 mm to 600 mm. A heat exchanger is fitted in the main circuit (14) between the tank (4) and the high-capacity compressor (16) to ensure that the pressure and temperature of the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid are appropriate for supplying to the high-capacity compressor (16).

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the main circuit (14) includes a branch point (18) that constitutes a separation between a first branch (20) of the main circuit (14) and a second branch (22) of the main circuit (14). The first branch (20) corresponds to a portion of the main circuit (14) designed to supply a high-capacity compressor (16) as described above. Conversely, the second branch (22) is designed to supply a low-capacity compressor (24) of the storage and treatment facility (1), which is arranged between the tank (4) and a consumer (26) of the storage and treatment facility (1).

The consumer (26) is a gas consumer, for example a motor, more specifically a generator of the dual fuel diesel electric (DFDE) type, i.e. intended to ensure the electricity supply of the floating structure (2). Alternatively, the consumer (26) is configured so that it can use as fuel the cryogenic liquid (LC) and the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid; it is understood that, depending on the operating mode, the consumer (26) can be supplied with the cryogenic liquid (LC) or the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid.

When the consumer (26) uses the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid as fuel, the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid can be supplied to it through the subsidiary circuit (28) of the storage and processing facility (1). Accordingly, the consumer (26) is supplied with the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid only through the subsidiary circuit (28), or through the subsidiary circuit (28) and the second branch (22) of the main circuit (14) when the main circuit (14) has a branch point (18), or entirely through this second branch (22).

The auxiliary circuit (28) is composed of at least one pipe. This pipe is smaller than the pipe of the main circuit (14), so that the gas (G) evaporating from the cryogenic liquid can be delivered to the low-capacity compressor (24) and the consumer (26) more quickly than if the gas (G) evaporating from the cryogenic liquid were delivered through the main circuit (14). If the path of the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is faster, it is possible to limit the pressure loss and its cooling, and thus supply it to the low-capacity compressor (24) at a temperature and pressure suitable for the operation of the low-capacity compressor (24). For this purpose, the pipe of the auxiliary circuit (28) has a diameter of, for example, 100 mm to 250 mm.

The subcircuit (28) is also insulated. This insulation of the subcircuit (28) consists, for example, of a foam tube arranged around the pipe. Alternatively, the insulation can be achieved by vacuum insulation using the pipes of the subcircuit (28) arranged in a large diameter pipe to which a vacuum is applied. In this case, the subcircuit (28) pipe and the large diameter pipe are arranged concentrically, and the large diameter pipe surrounds the subcircuit (28) pipe through which the gas (G) from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid flows.

As illustrated in the variant illustrated in Fig. 1, the auxiliary circuit (28) is connected to the main circuit (14) at the outlet of the head of the tank (4). In particular, the main circuit (14) is connected to the gas dome (8), and the auxiliary circuit (28) is connected to the main circuit (14) in the vicinity of this gas dome (8). Accordingly, it is understood that the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid intended to be delivered to the low-capacity compressor (24) and the consumer (24) circulates in the pipe of the main circuit (14) before passing through the auxiliary circuit (28). Whether directed to the low-capacity compressor (24) or to the high-capacity compressor (16), the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid is at least partially circulated within the main circuit (14). That is, the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid passes through the same pipe (30) connected to the gas dome (8) independently of the destination compressor. The connection between the main circuit (14) and the auxiliary circuit (28) is made via a valve, in this case a three-way valve (32) arranged in a separator between these two circuits (14, 28). Thus, the three-way valve (32) is located on a common pipe (30). Alternatively, the three-way valve (32) can be replaced by two two-way valves.

However, without departing from the scope of the present invention and although not depicted in the drawings, it is possible to envisage variations in which the auxiliary circuit (28) is directly connected to the gas dome (8), i.e. this auxiliary circuit (28) is independent of the main circuit (16) in the vicinity of the outlet of the head of the tank (4). In these variations, the gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid does not pass through the common pipe (30) of the main circuit (14) and the auxiliary circuit (16).

As a result of the above, the main circuit (14) and the sub-circuit (28) are arranged at least partially in parallel with each other. It is understood that the main circuit (14) pipe is separated from the sub-circuit (28) pipe over at least a part of the storage and treatment facility (1) between the tank (4) and one of the compressors (16, 24). The main circuit (14) and the sub-circuit (28) are connected in parallel from the gas dome (8) of the tank (4) in the case of a variant in which each of the two circuits (14, 28) is directly connected to this gas dome (8) or from a three-way valve (32) having a common pipe (30) as in the case illustrated in Fig. 1. Similarly, the main circuit (14) and the sub-circuit (28) are connected in parallel to the remainder of the storage and treatment facility (1), or up to a branch point (18) at which the main circuit has a first branch (20) and a second branch (22).

In an embodiment where the main circuit (14) is split between a first branch (20) and a second branch (22), a valve, for example a three-way valve (34), is arranged between the second branch (22) and the sub-circuit (28). This three-way valve (34) constitutes a junction between the second branch (22) and the sub-circuit (28), which enables the main circuit (14) to supply the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid to the consumer (26). For this purpose, the three-way valve (34) is located between the branch point (18) and the low-capacity compressor (24). Alternatively, the valve may comprise two two-way valves.

As mentioned above, the main circuit (14) is formed by at least one pipe having a larger diameter than the pipes involved in forming the subcircuit (28). In order to ensure that the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid delivered by the main circuit (14) is supplied to the low-capacity compressor (24) at an appropriate temperature and pressure, the storage and processing facility (1) includes a branch (36) for cooling the second branch (22) using the cryogenic liquid (LC) upstream of the three-way valve (34). More precisely, the branch (36) extends between a first end connected to the second branch (22) in the vicinity of the three-way valve (34) and a second end opening into the tank (4). The end opening into the tank (4) is located within the bottom region of the tank, for example in the vicinity of the bottom wall (6). The second section is equipped with a pump (38) which sucks in cryogenic liquid (LC) and delivers it to the second branch (22). The purpose of the branch (36) is to cool the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid circulated in the main circuit (14) and its second branch (22) via the cryogenic liquid (LC). For this purpose, a heat exchanger is positioned between the second branch (22) and the branch (36), and each of these branches (22, 36) constitutes a heat exchanger passage.

Although not shown in the drawing, the main circuit (14) may include a heat exchanger separate from the heat exchanger as mentioned above. Next, this heat exchanger is designed to regulate the temperature of the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid circulating within the main circuit (14) and supply it to the high capacity compressor (16) at a temperature and pressure necessary for proper operation of the high capacity compressor (16). Accordingly, such a heat exchanger is arranged between the tank (4) and the high capacity compressor (16), or between the three-way valve (32) and the high capacity compressor (16).

In contrast, the subcircuit (24) has no heat exchanger. It is therefore directly connected to the low-capacity compressor (24) from the gas dome (8) or the three-way valve (32). Therefore, the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid circulating in the subcircuit (24) is not intended to obtain calories other than those which may be generated by circulation in the pipes of the subcircuit (28), and the acquisition of these calories is further limited by the aforementioned insulation of the subcircuit (28). Here, no heat exchange device is arranged in the subcircuit (28). In particular, the main circuit (14) and the subcircuit (28) are thermally independent. There is no heat exchange between these two circuits (14, 28); for example, the main circuit (14) and the subcircuit (28) do not form a passage for a heat exchanger arranged between these two circuits (14, 18).

The use of a high capacity compressor (16) and a low capacity compressor (24) depends on the operation of the storage and processing facility (1). For example, both a high capacity compressor (16) and a low capacity compressor (24) are located within the same area of the floating structure (2), such as a compressor room of the floating structure (2).

When the loading and unloading operations performed within the storage and handling facility (1) consist of unloading gas (G) generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid to the storage terminal (10), the high-capacity compressor (16) is operated. In other words, the gas (G) generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid contained in the tank (4) is sent to the storage terminal (10) via the main circuit (14) and the high-capacity compressor (16).

During the unloading of the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid into the storage terminal (10), a low-capacity compressor (24) may also be used to supply it to a consumer (26), for example, to maintain the electrical function of the floating structure (2). For this purpose, the low-capacity compressor (24) and the consumer (26) are supplied from the main circuit (14) or the auxiliary circuit (28), or from both circuits (14, 28) if the main circuit (14) includes a second branch (22) coupling the auxiliary circuit (28).

The unloading operation of the gas (G) resulting from the evaporation of such cryogenic liquid may be performed simultaneously with or prior to the loading operation of the cryogenic liquid (LC) from the storage terminal (10) to the tank (4) of the storage and processing facility (1), which then includes an auxiliary circuit (12).

Outside of loading and/or unloading operations, i.e. in particular when the floating structure (2) is at sea, the high capacity compressor (16) is shut off since it is no longer in fluid communication with the storage terminal (10). During such voyages, only the low capacity compressor (24) is used. This low capacity compressor (24) is preferably supplied by the auxiliary circuit (28), but in some embodiments both the main circuit (14) and the auxiliary circuit (28) supply the consumer (26) via the low capacity compressor (24).

Figure 2 illustrates a floating structure (2) comprising a leak-proof and insulated tank (4). This generally has a cuboid shape and is mounted on a double hull (40) of the floating structure (2), which may be a vessel or a floating platform. The walls of the tank (4) comprise a primary sealed barrier intended to come into contact with the cryogenic liquid (LC) contained in the tank (4), a secondary sealed barrier arranged between the primary sealed barrier and the double hull (40) of the tank, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealed barrier and the secondary sealed barrier and between the secondary sealed barrier and the double hull (40). In a simplified variant, the floating structure (2) comprises a single hull.

Loading/unloading pipes (42) arranged on the upper deck of the floating structure (2) can be connected to the storage terminal (10) by suitable connectors to transport the cargo of cryogenic liquid (LC) and/or gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid from or to the tank (4). In the case of loading the cryogenic liquid (LC) from the storage terminal (10) to the tank (4) of the floating structure (2), these loading/unloading pipes (42) correspond to the auxiliary circuit (12), whereas in the case of unloading the gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid from the floating structure (2) to the storage terminal (10), the loading/unloading pipes (42) correspond to the main circuit (14).

FIG. 2 also illustrates a storage terminal (10) comprising a loading and/or unloading station (44), an underwater duct (46), and an onshore facility (48). The loading and/or unloading station (44) is a fixed offshore facility having a movable arm (50) and a tower (52) supporting the movable arm (50). The movable arm (50) carries a bundle of insulated flexible hoses (54) that can be connected to the loading/unloading pipe (42). The movable arm (50) is adjustable and adapts to any floating structure template (2). A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower (52). A loading and/or unloading station (44) enables loading and/or unloading of a floating structure (2) from or to a storage terminal (10), said storage terminal (10) comprising a storage tank (56) for cryogenic liquid (LC) and/or gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, as well as a connecting pipe (58) connected to the loading and/or unloading station (44) by an underwater duct (46). The underwater duct (46) allows transport of the cryogenic liquid (LC) and/or gas (G) resulting from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid between the loading or unloading station (44) and the floating structure (2) over a long distance, for example 5 km, which allows the floating structure (2) to be maintained at a long distance from the shore during loading and/or unloading operations.

To generate the pressure required to transport the cryogenic liquid (LC) and/or the gas (G) generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, a pump mounted on the floating structure (2) and/or a pump mounted on a land-based facility (48) and/or a pump mounted on a loading and unloading station (44) are used.

An example has been described for a floating structure (2); however, it is also applicable to onshore structures.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a storage and processing facility in which gas generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid is delivered to a consumer of the storage and processing facility by a dedicated circuit, thereby limiting the pressure loss of such gas generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid.

However, the present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, but also extends to any combination thereof as well as any equivalent means or configurations using such means.

Claims (13)

A facility for storing and processing gas (G) generated by evaporation of a cryogenic liquid, the storage and processing facility comprising at least one tank (4) configured to receive both the cryogenic liquid (LC) and the gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, at least one consumer (26) for consuming fuel prepared from the gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, a high-capacity compressor (16) designed to be connected to a cryogenic liquid (LC) storage terminal (10), and a low-capacity compressor (24) for supplying fuel to the consumer (26), wherein the storage and processing facility comprises a main circuit (14) connecting a head of the tank (4) to the high-capacity compressor (16), and an accessory circuit (28) arranged at least partially in fluidic parallel with the main circuit (14), the accessory circuit (28) being configured to directly supply gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid to the low-capacity compressor (24).
Storage and processing facilities. In paragraph 1,
The above main circuit (14) and the auxiliary circuit (28) are thermally independent.
Storage and processing facilities. In claim 1 or 2,
The above auxiliary circuit (28) is connected to the main circuit (14) at the outlet of the head of the tank (4).
Storage and processing facilities. In the third paragraph,
At least one valve (32) arranged in a separator between the main circuit (14) and the auxiliary circuit (28)
Storage and processing facilities. In claim 1 or 2,
The above auxiliary circuit (28) is directly connected to the gas dome (8) of the tank (4).
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The nominal diameter of the pipe forming the above main circuit (14) is between 300 mm and 600 mm.
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
The nominal diameter of the pipe forming the above-mentioned auxiliary circuit (28) is between 100 mm and 250 mm.
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The above auxiliary circuit (28) is insulated.
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 8,
The above main circuit (14) includes a branch point (18) between a first branch (20) dedicated to supplying gas (G) generated by evaporation of cryogenic liquid of a high-capacity compressor (16) and a second branch (22) connected to a sub-circuit (28) through at least one valve (34).
Storage and processing facilities. In Article 9,
The above valve (34) is placed between the branch point (18) and the low-capacity compressor (24).
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 10 combined with claim 9,
A branch section (36) configured to cool the second branch section (22) from the cryogenic liquid (LC) collected from the above tank (4).
Storage and processing facilities. In any one of claims 1 to 11,
It comprises a dedicated auxiliary circuit (12) for filling the above tank (4) with cryogenic liquid (LC), and this auxiliary circuit (12) is configured to connect the storage terminal (10) to the bottom area of the above tank (4).
Storage and processing facilities. A floating structure (2) for transporting and/or storing cryogenic liquid (LC) and gas (G) generated by evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, comprising a storage and processing facility (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.
Floating structures.