GAS LIQUEFACTION OR SEPARATION UNIT

Abstract

A gas liquefaction and/or separation unit comprising at least one chamber, optionally insulated, of slender shape, wherein the chamber is arranged on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three stay cables, each connected to a second separate concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the stay cables being arranged on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground not exceeding 1 m.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A unit for separating and/or liquefying a gas, the unit comprising at least one chamber, wherein the chamber is disposed on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three guy wires, with each guy wire connected to a separate second concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires being disposed on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and the second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground that does not exceed 1 m.

15. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.7 m.

16. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.5 m.

17. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one chamber is insulated.

18. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the polygon is a regular polygon.

19. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the polygon is a triangle or a quadrilateral.

20. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber has a height H above the reference level of the ground and the guy wires are connected to points of the chamber that are situated at a height above the reference level of the ground of between 0.5H and 1H, preferably between 0.5H and 0.7H.

21. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the maximum size of each of the first and second blocks is less than the height of the chamber and the weight of each of the first and second blocks is less than the weight of the chamber.

22. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber.

23. The unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein the element is another chamber, a compressor for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a motor, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station or an office.

24. The unit as claimed in claim 22, further comprising position references for at least one of the first and second blocks indicating the relative disposition of the chamber and/or of the guy wires and/or of an element of the unit.

25. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first block is prefabricated and/or the second blocks are prefabricated.

26. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber is/contains a distillation or washing column, optionally capable of working at a cryogenic temperature.

27. A method for transporting and reassembling a chamber of a unit for separating or liquefying a gas as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber is transported from one site to another and the chamber is reassembled on the first block, using guy wires attached to the second blocks in order to keep the chamber in position.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber, wherein the references are used so as to have the same disposition of the connection of pipes between the elements and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit at the two sites.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will be clearly understood and its advantages will arise from the description which follows, given merely as a non-limitative example, and with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 provides a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 provides a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] In FIG. 1, the chamber E is disposed on a concrete foundation block 1, illustrated here with a square cross section (although any other geometry would be suitable, for example a rectangle or an octagon), which is placed on the ground and the depth of which below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 1 m, preferably 0.7 m, typically 0.5 m. The block 1 is preferably prefabricated. The chamber E can be a distillation or washing column or a liquefaction apparatus. It can be insulated by a space under vacuum around the column or be held inside a cold box filled with pulverulent insulation. The chamber is held in place by three guy wires 3 attached to three points of the chamber at preferably the same height but at an angle of 120 around the perimeter of the chamber, if the latter is cylindrical. The chamber has a height H above the reference level of the ground and a perimeter P about the chamber, following a direction perpendicular to the height, the ratio between H and P being greater than 1.5, or even greater than 2.

[0035] The guy wires are attached to three concrete foundation blocks 2 placed on the ground, each at substantially the same distance from the foundation block 1. Nevertheless, in order to take into account the disposition of a site or prevailing winds, the guy wires can have different lengths and the foundation blocks 2 can be at different distances from the foundation block 1. The blocks 2 are preferably prefabricated.

[0036] Other elements 4 of the separation or liquefaction apparatus are disposed in the vicinity of the blocks 1, 2, these being able to be a compression unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber.

[0037] As can be seen in FIG. 2, if the chamber has a height H above the ground, the guy wires 3 are connected to points of the chamber E that are situated at a height above the ground of between 0.5H and 1H.

[0038] In this case, the blocks 2 are disposed on the ground in a manner forming the points of an equilateral triangle, but more generally, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires are disposed on the ground at the corners of a regular or irregular polygon. This polygon may be for example an isosceles triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, etc.

[0039] In this case, the guy wires 3 form angles of 120 between one another on the horizontal plane.

[0040] The maximum size of each of the first and second blocks 1, 2 is less than the height of the chamber E and the weight of each of the first and second blocks 1, 2 is less than the weight of the chamber E.

[0041] At least one of the second blocks 2 acts as a support for an element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber E.

[0042] For example, it is possible to dispose a compressor for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station, an office, etc. therein.

[0043] It is possible to transport a chamber from one site to another and reassemble the chamber using the same foundation blocks likewise transported to the other site. Otherwise, the foundation blocks can be available at one or more sites and the chamber arrives and is anchored using the foundation blocks available on site.

[0044] If at least one foundation block is transported, it is conceivable to choose the dimensions thereof so as to be able to transport it/them with the chamber, for example in the same container.

[0045] Position referencing systems will then be used to be able to position the different pieces of equipment, including mainly the chamber E, the compressor(s), the gas purification system, on their respective concrete blocks such that the concrete blocks are disposed in exactly the same way at both sites. The connection of pipes between the pieces of equipment is thus identical from one site to another.

[0046] This facilitates the connection between the elements of the unit and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit on site.

[0047] Among the different possible position referencing systems, the use of installation templates may be noted.

[0048] The manner of anchoring the chamber is particularly advantageous for a mobile unit but may also form an inexpensive technique for keeping a chamber permanently at a single site.

[0049] The chamber may work at a temperature below 0 C., for example at a cryogenic temperature.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.