Inertizing Method And Inertizing Installation, In Particular For The Avoidance Of Fire

Abstract

An inertizing method for the avoidance of fire. An inert or poorly-flammable product gas flow (161) is produced starting from a gas mixture flow (141), which contains one reactive gas and one inert gas. The gas mixture flow (141) is supplied to a gas separation unit (110, 120, 410) under pressure and the reactive gas is at least partially separated from the gas mixture flow (141). Gas components which are not separated are removed as a product gas flow (161) and the reactive gas components separated from the gas mixture flow (141) are removed as a secondary product gas flow (151). The removed product gas flow (161) is introduced into a vortex tube (200) and is separated into a hot product gas partial flow (163) and a cold product gas partial flow (162), and the hot and/or the cold product gas partial flow (162, 163) is introduced into an environment (300).

Claims

1. An inertizing method for inertizing an environment (300), wherein a product gas flow (161) is produced starting from a gas mixture flow (141) and introduced into the environment (300), which gas mixture flow (141) contains at least one reactive gas component which is reactive under the predetermined ambient conditions and an inert gas component which is inert under the predetermined ambient conditions, wherein the gas mixture flow (141) is supplied to at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410) with application of pressure and the reactive gas component is at least partially separated from the gas mixture flow (141) by means of a separating means, gas components which are not separated and/or not separable from the gas mixture flow (141) are removed from the at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410) as the product gas flow (161), and the reactive gas components separated from the gas mixture flow (141) are removed from the at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410) as a secondary product gas flow (151), characterized in that introducing into a vortex tube (200) the product gas flow (161) removed from the at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410), dividing or separating the product gas flow (161) into a cold product gas partial flow (162) and a hot product gas partial flow (163) within the vortex tube (200), and subsequently completely or partially or temporarily introducing into the environment (300) the hot or cold product gas flow (162, 163).

2. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold product gas partial flow (162) is introduced completely or partially or temporarily into the environment (300), wherein the environment (300) is inertized by means of the cold product gas partial flow (162) and the cold product gas partial flow (162) simultaneously contributes to cooling the environment (300).

3. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot product gas partial flow (163) is introduced completely or partially or temporarily into the secondary product gas flow (151) removed from at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410).

4. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot product gas partial flow (163) is supplied completely or partially or temporarily to at least one gas separation unit (110, 120, 410).

5. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot product gas partial flow (163) is introduced completely or partially and/or temporarily into the environment (300), wherein the environment (300) is inertized by means of the hot product gas partial flow (163) and the hot product gas partial flow (162) simultaneously contributes to heating the environment (300).

6. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold product gas partial flow (162) removed from the vortex tube (200) and the hot product gas partial flow (163) removed from the vortex tube (200) can be combined completely or partially and/or temporarily to form a mixed product gas flow and this mixed product gas flow can be supplied to an environment (300), wherein the environment (300) is inertized by means of the mixed product gas flow.

7. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the product gas flow (161) is at least partially condensed within the vortex tube (200) and the condensate is separated.

8. The inertizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that ambient air is used as a gas mixture flow (141), wherein the reactive gas component is oxygen and the inert gas component is nitrogen.

9. An inertizing installation (100) for producing and providing a product gas flow (161) which is inert, in particular poorly-flammable under predetermined ambient conditions present in the environment (300), comprising one or more gas separation units (110, 120, 410), each gas separation unit having a line connection and is fluidically connectable to a gas mixture line (140) for supplying a gas mixture flow (141), wherein the gas mixture flow (141) contains at least one reactive gas component which is reactive under the predetermined ambient conditions and an inert gas component which is inert under the predetermined ambient conditions, a separating means suitable for separating the reactive gas component from the gas mixture flow (141) and can be pressurized to separate the reactive gas component from the gas mixture flow (141), a line connection and is fluidically connectable to a product gas line (160) for removing a product gas flow (161), wherein the product gas flow (161) contains gas components which are not separated or not separable from the gas mixture flow (141) and the product gas line (161) has a line connection to the environment (300) for introducing the product gas flow (161), and a line connection and is are fluidically connectable to a secondary product gas line (150) for removing a secondary product gas flow (151), wherein the secondary product gas flow (151) contains the reactive gas components separated from the gas mixture flow (141), characterized in that the inertizing installation (100) has a vortex tube (200), which is arranged in the product gas line (160), wherein the product gas line (160) opens into the vortex tube (200) to introduce the product gas flow (161) removed from the one or the multiple gas separation units (110, 120, 410), and wherein the vortex tube (200) is designed for temperature-dependent separation or division of the product gas flow (161) and has a cold gas outlet (220) for removing and providing a cold product gas partial flow (162) and a hot gas outlet (230) for removing and providing a hot product gas partial flow (163).

10. The inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the cold gas outlet (220) or the hot gas outlet (230) of the vortex tube (200) has a line connection and is fluidically connectable to the environment (300), so that the cold product gas partial flow (162) or the hot product gas partial flow (163) can be introduced into the environment (300) for inertizing thereof.

11. The inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the hot gas outlet (230) of the vortex tube (200) has a line connection and is fluidically connectable to a connecting line (131, 132) of the inertizing installation, so that the hot product gas partial flow (163) can be introduced into the connecting line (131, 132).

12. The inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the hot gas outlet (230) of the vortex tube (200) has a line connection and is fluidically connectable to the secondary product gas line (150), so that the hot product gas partial flow (163) can be introduced into the secondary product gas line (150).

13. The inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the vortex tube (200) has a condensate trap for separating condensate arising during the separation and/or division of the product gas flow (161).

14. The inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the vortex tube (200) has a setting means (240) for setting the temperature difference between the hot product gas partial flow (163) and the cold product gas partial flow (162).

15. A method for using an inertizing installation (100) according to claim 9 for inertizing and cooling a refrigerated environment (300), the inertizing installation (100) producing and providing an inert product gas flow (161), and having one or more gas separation units (110, 120, 410), which have a line connection to a product gas line (160) for removal of the product gas flow (161), wherein the product gas line (160) has a line connection to the refrigerated environment (300) for the introduction of the product gas flow (161), characterized in that the product gas flow (161) is introduced into a vortex tube (200) and is divided within the vortex tube (200) into a hot product gas partial flow (163) and a cold product gas partial flow (162) and subsequently the cold product gas partial flow (162) is introduced completely or partially into the refrigerated environment (300).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description of the figures. In the figures

[0059] FIG. 1a shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention having a vortex tube in an adsorption/desorption phase,

[0060] FIG. 1b shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention having a vortex tube in a pressure equalization phase,

[0061] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged schematic sectional illustration of the vortex tube of the exemplary embodiment of the inertizing installation according to the invention according to FIGS. 1a and 1b,

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention having a vortex tube for carrying out a first method variant,

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention having a vortex tube for carrying out a second method variant,

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention having a vortex tube for carrying out a third method variant, and

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation according to the invention for carrying out a membrane method.

[0066] In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference signs, because of which they are generally also only described once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] FIG. 1a shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation 100 according to the invention having a vortex tube 200. The inertizing installation 100 is embodied as an installation operating according to a pressure swing adsorption method, also referred to as so-called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and has a first adsorption unit 110 and a second adsorption unit 120. The adsorption units 110, 120 are preferably embodied as containers, in particular fixed bed reactors, and contain an absorbent, which can be, for example, zeolite or activated carbon. Via a respective first line fitting 111, 121, the adsorption units 110, 120 are each connected to a first connecting line 131 and via a respective second line fitting 112, 122, they are each connected to a second connecting line 132. The first and the second connecting line 131, 132 thus connect the first adsorption unit 110 and the second adsorption unit 120 to one another. A gas mixture line 140 adjoins the first connecting line 131, which is provided for supplying a gas mixture flow 141 alternately to the first adsorption unit 110 or to the second adsorption unit 120. Furthermore, a secondary product gas line 150 is connected to the first connecting line 131, which is also provided for removing or discharging a secondary product gas flow 151 alternately from the first adsorption unit 110 or from the second adsorption unit 120. A product gas line 160 adjoins the second connecting line 132, which is provided for removing or discharging a product gas flow 161 alternately from the first adsorption unit 110 or from the second adsorption unit 120. The product gas line 160 opens into the vortex tube 200 or the vortex tube 200 is arranged in the product gas line 160 and a gas inlet 210 of the vortex tube 200 is connected to the product gas line 160. The gas inlet 210 is preferably arranged radially or tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the vortex tube 200. The vortex tube 200 additionally comprises a cold gas outlet 220 and a hot gas outlet 230, which are arranged axially opposite to one another and are associated with the respective ends of the vortex tube 200.

[0068] The method control of a pressure swing adsorption is to be explained in greater detail on the basis of the arrows included in FIG. 1a, wherein the first adsorption unit 110 of the inertizing installation 100 is in a desorption and/or regeneration phase (DES) and the second adsorption unit 120 is an adsorption phase (ADS). For this purpose, the second absorption unit 120 is pressurized and is fluidically connected to the gas mixture line 140. A gas mixture flow 141, in particular ambient air, which includes a reactive gas component, preferably the oxygen contained in the ambient air, and an inert gas component, preferably the nitrogen contained in the ambient air, is supplied via the gas mixture line 140 to the second adsorption unit 120. In particular, the gas mixture flow 141 can be introduced under pressure into the second absorption unit 120, whereby this unit is subjected to the pressure required for the absorption. Within the second adsorption unit 120, the reactive gas component contained in the gas mixture flow 141, in particular the oxygen, adsorbs on the adsorbent and is thus separated from the remaining non-absorbed and/or non-absorbing components, in particular the inert gas component or nitrogen. While the second adsorption unit 120 is in the adsorption phase, it is fluidically connected to the product gas line 160, so that the non-adsorbed and/or non-adsorbing components, in particular the inert gas component or nitrogen of the gas mixture flow 141, are removable via the product gas line 160 as the product gas flow 161. To introduce the product gas flow 161 into the vortex tube 200, the product gas line 160 opens into the vortex tube 200 or the product gas line 160 is fluidically connected to a gas inlet 210 of the vortex tube 200.

[0069] The first adsorption unit 110 is in the desorption and/or regeneration phase at this time and therefore has a pressure which is lower than the pressure applied in the second adsorption unit 120. Due to the pressure reduction during the desorption and/or regeneration phase, the reactive gas component, preferably oxygen, which has adsorbed on the adsorbent in a preceding adsorption phase, desorbs and can be removed and discharged as the secondary product gas flow 151 via the secondary product gas line 150. The secondary product gas line 150 is fluidically connected to the first adsorption unit 110 for this purpose. The product gas flow 161 removed in the absorption phase has an inert gas component, in particular a nitrogen proportion, increased over the gas mixed flow 141 and the secondary product gas flow 151 removed in the desorption phase has a reactive gas component, in particular an oxygen proportion, increased over the gas mixed flow 141.

[0070] The product gas flow 160 is removed from the pressurized second adsorption unit 120 and preferably introduced radially or tangentially under pressure via the gas inlet 210 into the vortex tube 200. The product gas flow 160 is divided into a cold product gas partial flow 162 and a hot product gas partial flow 163 within the vortex tube 200. The hot product gas partial flow 163 can be removed at the axially arranged hot gas outlet 230 and is warmer, thus has a higher temperature, than the product gas flow 160 introduced into the vortex tube 200. The cold product gas partial flow 162 can be removed at the axially opposite cold gas outlet 210 and is colder, thus has a lower temperature, than the product gas flow 160.

[0071] In this so-called pressure swing adsorption, cyclic switching takes place between the adsorption phase and the desorption and/or regeneration phase within each adsorption unit 110, 120. The adsorption units 110, 120 are connected in parallel, so that alternately the second adsorption unit 120 passes through an absorption phase, while the first adsorption unit 110 is in the desorption and/or regeneration phase. As soon the presently adsorbing adsorbent is in its saturation range or approaches its saturation range, a changeover takes place and the second adsorption unit 120 passes through a desorption and/or regeneration phase whereas an adsorption phase is initiated within the first adsorption unit 110.

[0072] A pressure equalization phase is carried out between each change, the method control of which is explained in greater detail on the basis of FIG. 1b and the arrows shown therein. FIG. 1b shows the exemplary embodiment of the inertizing installation 100 according to the invention having a vortex tube 200 from FIG. 1a having identical installation components, because of which they are not described in greater detail hereinafter. To carry out the pressure equalization phase, the first adsorption unit 110 and the second adsorption unit 120 are fluidically connected to one another, wherein the gas mixture flow 141 flows or circulates between the two adsorption units 110, 120 to equalize the pressure applied within the first adsorption unit 110 and within the second adsorption unit 120. FIG. 1b shows the pressure equalization phase, which follows an adsorption phase of the second adsorption unit 120 and a desorption and/or regeneration phase of the first adsorption unit 110. The gas mixture flow 141 leaves the second adsorption unit via its second line fitting 122, flows through the second connecting line 132, and enters the first adsorption unit 110 via the second line fitting 112. The gas mixture flow 141 can enter the first connecting line 131 via the first line fitting 111 and flow to the first line fitting 121 of the second adsorption unit 120. To fluidically connect the two adsorption units 110, 120 to one another, the connecting lines 131, 132 are opened, for example via control valves, whereas the fluidic connections to the gas mixture line 140, the secondary product gas line 150, and the product gas line 160 are disconnected, preferably also via control valves.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a vortex tube 200 known from the prior art, which according to the invention is a component of the exemplary embodiment of the inertizing installation 100 according to the invention from FIGS. 1a and 1b. The vortex tube 200 is essentially cylindrical and comprises a gas inlet 210, which radially adjoins the vortex tube 200 and is designed for the tangential introduction of the pressurized product gas flow 161 into the interior of the vortex tube 200. The product gas flow 161 is set into rapid rotation within the vortex tube 200, wherein the radial outer region of the swirled product gas flow 161 has a higher temperature and forms the hot product gas partial flow 163. The radial inner region of the swirled product gas flow 161 has a lower temperature and forms the cold product gas flow 162. A cold gas outlet 220 for removing the cold product gas partial flow 162 is arranged at one axial end of the vortex tube 200. A hot gas outlet 230 for removing the hot product gas partial flow 163 is arranged at the opposite axial end of the vortex tube 200. A setting means 240, in particular a control valve, for setting the temperature difference between the hot product gas partial flow 163 and the cold product gas partial flow 162 is provided within the vortex tube 200, associated with the hot gas outlet 230.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation 100 according to the invention for carrying out a first method variant. The inertizing installation 100 shown in FIG. 3 has essentially identical installation components to the inertizing installation 100 as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, because of which these are not described in greater detail. In addition, the cold gas outlet 220 of the vortex tube 200 is connected to a cold gas line 170 for removing the cold product gas partial flow 162 and introducing it into an environment 300 to be inertized. For this purpose, the cold gas line 170 establishes a fluidic connection between the vortex tube 200 or between its cold gas outlet 220 and the environment 300. The environment 300 is, for example, a refrigerated environment, in particular a deep-freeze warehouse, which is inertized and simultaneously cooled by means of the cold, nitrogen-enriched product gas partial flow 162. The hot gas outlet 230 of the vortex tube 200 is connected to a hot gas line 180, which is provided for removing and conveying the hot product gas partial flow 163. The hot gas line 180 is connected to the secondary product gas line 150, preferably via a check valve 190, or opens into the secondary product gas line 150, so that the hot product gas partial flow can be introduced into the secondary product gas flow 151 for its dilution and is conveyed further as its component. Due to the introduction of the hot product gas partial flow 163 into the secondary product gas flow 151, its fluid group may be changed from fluid group 1 (hazardous, oxidizing) into fluid group 2 (harmless), in particular the included reactive gas component or oxygen proportion is reduced, whereby the oxidizing properties of the oxygen-enriched secondary product gas flow 151 are reduced and thus the demands on the line system provided for guiding the secondary product gas flow 151 or on the equipment provided for storing and/or disposing of the secondary product gas are reduced. Due to this first method variant, an environment 300, in particular a refrigerated environment or deep-freeze warehouse, can be inertized and cooled simultaneously by means of the cold, nitrogen-enriched product gas partial flow 162, while the oxygen-enriched secondary product gas flow 151 can be diluted by the hot product gas partial flow 163 and in this way its oxidizing properties can be reduced.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation 100 according to the invention for carrying out a second method variant. The inertizing installation 100 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the inertizing installation 100 shown in FIG. 3 in that here, just the opposite, the first adsorption unit 110 of the inertizing installation 100 is in an adsorption phase (ADS) and is fluidically connected to a gas mixture line 140 and the product gas line 160. The second adsorption unit 120 is therefore in a desorption and/or regeneration phase (DES) and is fluidically connected to a secondary product gas line 150 and to a hot gas line 180. The remaining installation components correspond to the inertizing installation 100 shown in FIG. 3 and are therefore not explained in detail. The hot gas line 180 is connected to the hot gas outlet 230 of the vortex tube 200 and is provided for removing and guiding the hot product gas partial flow 163. To supply the hot product gas partial flow 163 indirectly to the respective adsorption unit 110, 120 in the desorption phase, the hot gas line 180 opens into the second connecting line 132 or alternatively into the first connecting line 131 (not shown), so that the hot product gas partial flow 163 is supplied, in particular during the pressure swing phase, as a component of the gas mixture flow 141 to the corresponding adsorption unit 110, 120. The hot product gas partial flow 163 then contributes as a component of the gas mixture flow 141 to the regeneration of the adsorbent, in that the thermal energy transferred directly to the gas mixture flow 141 increases the efficiency of the regeneration or facilitates the desorption.

[0076] Carrying out a third method variant is shown in the exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation 100 according to the invention shown in FIG. 5. The inertizing installation 100 shown in FIG. 5 also essentially corresponds to the inertizing installation 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and again differs due to the hot gas line 180. This line adjoins the hot gas outlet 230 of the vortex tube 200 and is fluidically connected to the environment 300 to be inertized, like the cold gas line 170, or the hot gas line 180 opens into the environment 300. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cold product gas partial flow 162 removed from the vortex tube 200 and the hot product gas partial flow 163 removed from the vortex tube 200 are combined completely or partially to form a mixed product gas flow and this mixed product gas flow is introduced into the environment 300. A regulated temperature control of the environment 300 can be carried out in that the two product gas partial flows 162, 163 are only supplied partially, in different components, to the environment 300. At the same time, by introducing both product gas partial flows 162, 163, faster inertizing of the environment 300 can take place or the oxygen proportion present in the environment 300 can be replaced and/or exchanged or displaced faster.

[0077] The above-described line connections shown in respective FIGS. 3-5 are advantageously connected so they can be switched or disconnected and/or controlled in particular via control valves in order to fluidically connect corresponding installation components to one another or to disconnect or regulate an existing fluidic connection. In this way, it is possible to combine the individual method variants flexibly with one another as needed, wherein the individual gas flows can be supplied completely or partially and at least temporarily to the provided installation components, lines, or the environment.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inertizing installation 100 according to the invention which is suitable for carrying out a membrane method. Like the above-described embodiments of the inertizing installations 100 according to the invention, the inertizing installation 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises a gas mixture line 140, a secondary product gas line 150, and a product gas line 160, wherein the latter opens into the vortex tube 200 or is connected to a gas inlet 210 of the vortex tube. In contrast to the above-described embodiments, instead of the two adsorption units 110, 120, a single, tubular membrane module 410 is provided and is connected to the gas mixture line 140, the secondary product gas line 150, and also the product gas line 160. The membrane module 410 is capable of continuously separating the gas mixture flow 141 supplied in the gas mixture line 140 and contains in its interior a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged coaxially to one another and to the membrane module 410. A separation means for producing a diffusion layer is applied to the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes, through which the reactive gas component contained in the gas mixture flow 141, in particular oxygen, and also water vapor diffuse rapidly. In contrast, the inert gas component, in particular nitrogen, has a low diffusion speed with respect to the separation means and is therefore held back by the diffusion layer formed.

[0079] By means of the gas mixture line 140, the gas mixture flow 141 is introduced centrally into the membrane module via a first longitudinal end 411 of the membrane module 410 under pressure application and at the same time flows in the interior of the hollow fiber membranes arranged inside the membrane module 410. While the reactive gas component diffuses radially through the walls of the hollow fiber membranes, the inert gas component is largely held in the fiber interior and can be removed at a second longitudinal end 412 of the membrane module 410 arranged opposite to the first longitudinal end 411 via the product gas line 160 connected there as the product gas flow 161. The diffused reactive gas component enriches in the radial outer region of the membrane module 410, in contrast, and may be removed via the radially connected secondary product gas line 150 as the secondary product gas flow 151. The removed product gas flow 161 is supplied, as usual, to the vortex tube 200 for its temperature-dependent division.

[0080] It is provided according to the invention that the above-described advantageous method variants are to be applied if possible to arbitrary gas separation methods, in particular to the membrane method illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0081] Overall, the different exemplary embodiments of the inertizing installation 100 according to the invention and the inertizing method carried out enable improved and more efficient inertizing of a temperature-controlled environment 300 and additional possible uses of the product gas flow 161 are provided. For example, by introducing the hot product gas partial flow 163 and/or the cold product gas flow 162 into the environment 300, costs for its temperature control can be saved. Alternatively or simultaneously, the hot product gas partial flow 163 can be introduced into the secondary product gas flow to dilute the oxygen-enriched secondary product gas flow 151 in order to reduce its oxidizing properties.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0082] 100 inertizing installation [0083] 110 gas separation unit, first adsorption unit [0084] 111 first line fitting of the first adsorption unit [0085] 112 second line fitting of the first adsorption unit [0086] 120 gas separation unit, second adsorption unit [0087] 121 first line fitting of the second adsorption unit [0088] 122 first line fitting of the second adsorption unit [0089] 131 first connecting line [0090] 132 second connecting line [0091] 140 gas mixture line [0092] 141 gas mixture flow [0093] 150 secondary product gas line [0094] 151 secondary product gas flow [0095] 160 product gas line [0096] 161 product gas flow [0097] 162 cold product gas partial flow [0098] 163 hot product gas partial flow [0099] 170 cold gas line [0100] 180 hot gas line [0101] 190 check valve [0102] 200 vortex tube [0103] 210 gas inlet [0104] 220 cold gas outlet [0105] 230 hot gas outlet [0106] 240 setting means [0107] 300 environment [0108] 410 gas separation unit, membrane module [0109] 411 first longitudinal end [0110] 412 second longitudinal end