STRUCTURAL PANEL INTENDED TO FORM PART OF A COLD BOX OF A SEPARATION DEVICE

Abstract

Structural panel intended to form part of a cold box of a low-temperature distillation separation device, comprising at least one chamber made from carbon steel or chrome and nickel alloy steel, with a rectangular or non-rectangular, optionally isosceles, trapezoid cross-section, having a roof and/or bottom sloping at an angle of between 45 and 60 relative to the panel and one open face, the open face being positioned on the inner face of the structural panel.

Claims

1. A structural panel configured to form part of a cold box of a low-temperature distillation separation device, comprising at least one chamber made from carbon steel or stainless steel, the panel having a cross-section, having a roof and/or bottom sloping at an angle of between 45 and 60 relative to the panel and one open face, the open face being positioned on the inner face of the structural panel.

2. The panel according to claim 1, containing at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of a manual valve, an automatic valve, a flow meter, a valve shutter or other instrumentation means, a pipe spool connected to the accessory, and combinations thereof.

3. The panel according to claim 1, in which the chamber comprises at least one means for handling the chamber and at least one permanent or temporary support to support the at least one pipe spool and/or the at least one accessory during the transport phases and the connection to the structural panel.

4. The panel according to claim 1, in which the chamber is fastened to the panel by welding or bolting, preferably on the ground before lifting.

5. The panel according to claim 1, in which the chamber comprises at least one perforated face covered with a material that is impermeable to a particular insulation material, for example to perlite, but permeable to a flushing gas.

6. The panel according to claim 1, in which the chamber contains rock wool and/or aerogel.

7. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, non-rectangular, isosceles, and trapezoidal.

8. A cold box of a low-temperature distillation separation device, comprising at least four vertical walls, at least one of which comprises the panel according to claim 1, the cold box being filled with an insulation material and containing at least one element of the device configured to operate at a low temperature or at a cryogenic temperature.

9. The cold box according to claim 8, further comprising at least one distillation column and/or at least one heat exchanger.

10. A method for assembling a cold box of a low-temperature distillation separation device, comprising at least four panels to be arranged vertically around one element configured to operate at a low temperature or at a cryogenic temperature, wherein the wall of at least one panel is provided with a chamber made from carbon steel or chrome and nickel alloy steel, having a roof and/or bottom sloping at an angle of between 45 and 60 relative to the panel and one open face, by fastening the open face to the inner face of the panel.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the chamber is fastened to the panel in a workshop.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the chamber is fastened to the panel on the installation site of the cold box.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the chamber is fastened to the panel on the construction site of the cold box.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the panels are fastened together once the chamber is fastened to the panel.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the cross-section is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, non-rectangular, isosceles, and trapezoidal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description hereinafter of embodiments, which are given by way of illustration but without any limitation, the description being given in relation with the following attached figures:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a chamber fastened to a panel according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a cold box comprising two panels according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates the chamber in more detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a panel 5 of a cold box of a distillation air separation device; the cold box can contain a column and/or a heat exchanger. An element 3 to be insulated is illustrated as being surrounded with perlite 15. Fastened to the inner face of the panel 5 is a chamber 1 made from carbon steel or chrome and nickel alloy steel (stainless steel). It has a roof at an angle of 60 relative to a vertical plane, which is the plane of the panel 5. The bottom is sloped at 45 relative to the panel. Other angles between 45 and 60 are possible.

[0044] This serves to prevent the perlite 15 surrounding it from banking. The chamber 1 has one open face, the open face being positioned on the inner face of the structural panel 5. Inside the chamber 1 is at least one accessory 9 that can be a manual valve, an automatic valve, a flow meter, a valve shutter or a sensor. The accessory is connected, if necessary, to the outside of the cold box through the panel 5 and a boot 8 to its actuator 10.

[0045] The chamber 1 is filled with rock wool 11.

[0046] The chamber has a trapezoid cross-section. In the figure, it is a non-rectangular, non-isosceles trapezium, as the roof is sloped at 60 to the vertical and the bottom is sloped at 45 to the vertical. It is also possible for the two angles to be identical. Otherwise, the roof and/or the bottom can be perpendicular to the panel, in which case the cross-section is a rectangular trapezium shape.

[0047] At least one wall of the chamber 1 can be perforated, for example being made from mesh or expanded metal 18. The mesh is covered with a material impermeable to a particular insulation material, with which the box is filled, for example to perlite 15, but permeable to a flushing gas. The allows the flushing gas, for example nitrogen, which circulates in the perlite 15, to circulate in the chamber in order to prevent the formation of pockets of ice or the build up of other impurities.

[0048] In FIG. 2, a distillation column 3 is arranged in a cold box consisting of eight corner panels 5, 5A having an L-shaped cross-section. Only four of the panels can be seen in the figure. The panels 5, 5A each have a chamber 1 fastened to the inner wall. Obviously, the panels of the cold box do not necessarily hold chambers. Again, the chamber is made from carbon steel or chrome and nickel alloy steel (stainless steel). It has a roof at an angle of 60 relative to a vertical plane, which is the plane of the panel 5. The bottom is sloped at 45 relative to the panel.

[0049] The chamber(s) contain(s) rock wool and the cold box is filled with perlite in use.

[0050] The column 3 is provided with pipes and can be connected to an accessory present in one of the chambers.

[0051] The chambers 1 can be fastened to the panels 5, 5A by welding or bolting. It is preferable to fasten the chamber to the panel 5A on the ground and then lift the panel 5A into position above the panel 5. It is however possible to position the chamber subsequently on its structural panel after said panel has been lifted, through an opening in the roof of the CB, or to slide it from the outside through one face of a structural panel using the catwalks of the CB.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows that the chambers are positioned before the panels of the cold box are attached to each other.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows details of the chamber 1 with its accessories such as a manual valve, automatic valve, flow meter, valve shutter or sensor, together with a pipe spool 23 connected to the accessory. The actuator 10 of the valve 9 extending outside, and the wire 21 enabling the subsequent connection of the instrumentation, can also be seen.

[0054] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

[0055] The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0056] Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising). Comprising as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of unless otherwise indicated herein.

[0057] Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

[0058] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

[0059] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

[0060] All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.