Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
  • B01D5/0033—Other features
  • B01D5/0051—Regulation processes; Control systems, e.g. valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
  • B01D5/0078—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation characterised by auxiliary systems or arrangements
  • B01D5/009—Collecting, removing and/or treatment of the condensate
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
  • B01D5/0078—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation characterised by auxiliary systems or arrangements
  • B01D5/0093—Removing and treatment of non condensable gases
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
  • B01D5/0078—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation characterised by auxiliary systems or arrangements
  • B01D5/0096—Cleaning

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical field of the treatment of a gaseous mixture charged in particular with fuel vapors in order to recover fuel condensates.
• the present invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of fuel storage tanks placed in particular in service stations.
• the object of the invention therefore aims to remedy the drawbacks stated above by proposing a method for treating a gaseous mixture charged in particular with fuel vapors by a liquefaction operation, this treatment method being carried out with good efficiency. while having an advantageous and lasting cost over time.
• the method for improving the recovery efficiency of the fuel vapors present in a gas mixture comprises a step of liquefying the fuel vapors using a condenser in order to recover fuel condensates.
• the process consists during the liquefaction step:
• the method consists in ensuring at the outlet of the condenser, a forced circulation of the fuel condensates in the direction of a storage tank.
• the method comprises a step of compressing the gas mixture prior to the introduction of the gas mixture into the condenser for the implementation of the liquefaction step.
• This prior compression of the gas mixture makes it possible, on the one hand, to increase the speed of the vapors in the condenser, which makes it possible to increase the heat exchanges, and, on the other hand, to condense the vapors at a higher temperature, which allows, therefore, reduce the amount of ice on the exchanger.
• the method comprises before and / or after the liquefaction step, a step of defrosting the condenser.
• the method comprises:
• a step of defrosting the condenser carried out from the detection of the implementation of the step of filling the tank with fuel, and a step of liquefaction subsequent to the step of defrosting the condenser.
• the method comprises, after the liquefaction step, a step of defrosting the condenser.
• the method consists in implementing a step of defrosting the condenser according to a determined cycle.
• the method consists in implementing the liquefaction and defrosting steps using the same cold production unit.
• the method consists in implementing the liquefaction step after detection of the presence of a gaseous mixture upstream of the condenser.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an installation for improving the recovery efficiency of the fuel vapors present in a gas mixture, the installation comprising at least one condenser making it possible to ensure the liquefaction of the fuel vapors of the gaseous mixture and condensate recovery at an outlet of the condenser.
• This installation includes:
• these separation means comprise a circuit for supplying the fuel condensates to a fuel storage tank, this circuit for supplying the condensates being provided with a means of forced circulation.
• the circuit for supplying residual vapors leads to a mixing system also supplied with the gas mixture.
• the invention comprises a means of mechanical compression of the gas mixture mounted upstream of the inlet of the condenser.
• the installation comprises at least one cold production unit comprising at least one condenser making it possible to liquefy the fuel vapors of the gaseous mixture and a control unit making it possible to control the operation of the cold production unit.
• this installation comprises means for defrosting the condenser, the operation of which is controlled by the control unit, before and / or after the operation of the condenser.
• the installation comprises means for detecting the filling of fuel to a tank for storing said fuel from which the gas mixture originates, said means being connected to the control unit which controls the operation of the defrosting means during detecting the filling of fuel in said tank.
• control unit controls the defrosting means according to a determined cycle.
• the cold production unit comprises: a main circuit for circulating a refrigerant in which a compressor is mounted and making it possible to supply at least one exchanger of the condenser, with a refrigerant at a temperature suitable for liquefying the fuel vapors of the gaseous mixture, this circuit comprising a branch branch connected directly to the outlet of the compressor and to the inlet of the condenser exchanger in order to supply it with the refrigerant at a so-called hot temperature to defrost the exchanger,
• the installation comprises, upstream of the inlet of the condenser, means for detecting the presence of a gaseous mixture, connected to the control unit.
• these detection means are constituted by a pressure, flow or temperature sensor.
• Figure 1 shows a treatment installation according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a particular aspect of the treatment installation according to the invention.
• Fig. 1 partially represents an installation 1 permitting the treatment of a gaseous mixture 2 loaded in particular with fuel vapors.
• a gas mixture can come from a storage tank 3 of a type of fuel which generally includes a vent outlet 4 for such a gas mixture. It should be noted that the treatment of such a gas mixture proves to be appropriate in particular when filling a fuel storage tank, insofar as such a gas mixture is
• the treatment installation 1 includes a cold production unit which will be described in more detail in FIG. 2.
• this cold production unit comprises at least one condenser 5 making it possible to ensure the liquefaction of the fuel vapors of the gas mixture 2.
• the condenser 5 is of the direct expansion type and comprises a heat exchanger 6 of any type such as multi-tubular, with plates, or with eutectic plates.
• the cold production unit is adapted to ensure the circulation in the exchanger 6, of a refrigerant which evaporates in the latter before undergoing a new cooling cycle.
• the condenser 5 has an inlet 10 for the gas mixture 2, an outlet 11 for the fuel condensates and an outlet 12 for the gases free of condensable particles.
• the fuel vapors contained in the gas mixture 2 indeed condense on contact with the surfaces of the exchanger 6 and the condensates flow towards the outlet 11.
• the installation 1 comprises, at the outlet 11, condensates from the condenser 5, means 15 for separating the fuel condensates and residual vapors.
• the residual vapors leaving the condenser 5 are conducted by a supply circuit 16 to .
• the inlet 10 of the condenser 5 in order to be mixed with the gas mixture 2 with a view to undergoing a new liquefaction step in the condenser 5.
• the object of the invention is thus aimed at the step of liquefying the gaseous mixture by the condenser 5, ensuring at the outlet of the condenser 5, a separation between the fuel condensates and the residual vapors and in returning the residual vapors upstream of the condenser 5 so that they undergo a new liquefaction stage by the condenser 5.
• the supply circuit 16 routes the residual vapors using mechanical means such as a pump, for example, or preferably naturally.
• the supply circuit 16 of the residual vapors opens into a mixing system or pot 17 also supplied with the gaseous mixture 2 coming from the storage tank 3.
• the separation means 15 can be constituted, for example, by a recovery tank or a settling pot which is equipped with a circuit 18 for supplying fuel condensates to the fuel storage tank 3.
• this supply circuit 18 is provided with a forced circulation means 19 such as a pump.
• the circuit for supplying the gas mixture 2 to the inlet 10 of the condenser 5 is equipped with mechanical compression means 22 such as a pump, a compressor, etc.
• mechanical compression means 22 such as a pump, a compressor, etc.
• the installation 1 comprises a cold production unit 23 comprising a main circuit 27 for circulation of a refrigerant in which is mounted a compressor 28 whose output is connected to a condenser 29 allowing a liquefaction of the refrigerant vapors.
• the outlet of the condenser 29 is connected to a buffer tank 31, the outlet of which is connected to a heat exchanger buffer bottle 32 allowing sub-cooling of the refrigerant.
• the exchanger buffer bottle 32 has an outlet connected to a controlled shutter 33 such as a solenoid valve, the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the exchanger 6 by means of an expansion member 34.
• the outlet of the exchanger 6 is connected to the exchanger buffer bottle 32 which is connected to the inlet of the compressor 28.
• the refrigerant which has evaporated in the exchanger 6 is therefore brought back to the compressor 28 to undergo a new cooling cycle. It should be noted that the presence of the exchanger buffer bottle 32 upstream of the compressor 28 constitutes protection against the aspiration of liquid by the compressor 28.
• the cold production unit 23 comprises a single condenser 5.
• the compressor 28 can supply several condensers 5 each adapted to ensure the liquefaction of the vapors of a fuel type different.
• the condensers 5 are mounted in parallel with one another to be supplied by the single compressor 28.
• the cold production unit 23 described above comprises a control unit 39 making it possible to control the operation of the various components of said production unit 23.
• the cold production unit 23 comprises means 41 for defrosting the condenser 5.
• the gas mixture 2 has a humidity so that under the effect of the cold, the vapor of water turns into ice or frost which adheres to the walls of the exchange surfaces of the exchanger 6.
• the frost has the effect of degrading the performance of the heat exchange, and consequently, causing the yield to drop .
• These defrosting means 41 are used to maintain a high level of performance at the cold production unit 23 at an advantageous cost.
• a humidity filter is mounted upstream of the inlet 10 of the condenser 5 to trap the humidity of the gaseous mixture before it enters the condenser 5.
• the operation of the defrosting means 41 is controlled by the control unit 39 according to appropriate cycles.
• the deicing means 41 are put into operation before the operation of the condenser 5 to liquefy the gas mixture 2 so as to remove the frost likely to be present on the exchange surface of the exchanger 6.
• the defrosting means 41 are implemented after the operation of the condenser 5 to remove the frost that may have formed during the liquefaction step. The operation of these defrosting means 41 will be described in more detail in the following description.
• the defrosting means 41 are produced using the means of the cold production unit 23.
• the main circulation circuit 27 comprises a branch bypass 43 directly connected to the outlet of the compressor 28 and to the inlet of the exchanger 6 in order to supply the latter with a refrigerant at the so-called hot temperature to ensure the defrosting of the exchanger 6.
• This branch of bypass 43 is provided with a controlled shutter known as defrost 44 such as a solenoid valve controlled by the control unit 39.
• the shutters 33 and 44 are controlled to allow the supply of the exchanger 6 to be selected either by the refrigerant coming from the main circuit 27 to ensure a step of liquefaction, either by the branch branch 43 to ensure a defrosting step of the exchanger 6.
• the cold production unit 23 comprises, upstream of the inlet 10 of the condenser 5, means 46 for detecting the presence of a gaseous mixture 2, connected to the control 39.
• detection means 46 consist, for example, of a pressure, flow or temperature sensor.
• the control unit 39 controls the implementation of the step of liquefying the gas mixture.
• detection means 46 thus allow the operation of the condenser 5 to be controlled by the presence or absence of a gas mixture 2 to be treated. The operation of such a treatment installation 1 follows directly from the above description.
• the treatment of the gas mixture 2 comprises a step of liquefying the gas mixture 2, before and / or after which a defrosting step of the condenser 5 is carried out.
• This method of treatment of the gas mixture 2 is particularly suitable during 'A process of filling a fuel storage tank with fuel insofar as during this filling, a large quantity of a gaseous mixture 2 charged with fuel vapors is put into circulation.
• the implementation of the step of filling the fuel with a storage tank is carried out. This detection can be carried out by a sensor detecting the opening of the access hatch of the tank.
• control unit 39 controls the implementation of '' a step of defrosting the condenser 5 in order to eliminate any trace of frost or ice on the exchanger 6.
• the solenoid valve 33 of the main circuit is closed and the defrost solenoid valve 44 is open allowing the supply of the exchanger 6 using a so-called hot fluid coming directly from the compressor 28.
• the duration of this defrosting step is conditioned by a time set point or by a temperature set point for the refrigerant.
• a liquefaction step is implemented in order to ensure the liquefaction of the fuel vapors present in the gas mixture 2.
• the defrost solenoid valve 44 is closed and the solenoid valve 33 of the main circuit is open.
• the means 46 detect the presence of a gaseous mixture 2, by detecting, for example, a pressure greater than a threshold value, the liquefaction step is carried out.
• a step of defrosting the condenser 5 identical to that described above, is carried out in order to remove all traces of frost or ice likely to have been created during the liquefaction stage.
• control unit 39 can control, according to determined cycles, the implementation of a step of defrosting the condenser 5 as a function of the appearance of a gas mixture 2. It should be noted that the liquefaction step is carried out only after detection of the presence of a gas mixture 2 upstream of the condenser 5 making it possible to optimize the operation of the production unit cold 23.
• the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown since various modifications can be made without departing from its scope.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
• Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2004
  • 2004-03-19 WO PCT/FR2004/000683 patent/WO2004085024A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2004-03-19 EP EP04742297A patent/EP1606033A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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