AU2013301900A1 - Method and device for detecting moving objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation - Google Patents
Method and device for detecting moving objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation Download PDFInfo
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- AU2013301900A1 AU2013301900A1 AU2013301900A AU2013301900A AU2013301900A1 AU 2013301900 A1 AU2013301900 A1 AU 2013301900A1 AU 2013301900 A AU2013301900 A AU 2013301900A AU 2013301900 A AU2013301900 A AU 2013301900A AU 2013301900 A1 AU2013301900 A1 AU 2013301900A1
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- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 title claims description 42
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- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000005587 bubbling Effects 0.000 description 3
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- URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium aluminosilicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- AANMVENRNJYEMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one Chemical compound CC(C)C1CCC(=O)C=C1 AANMVENRNJYEMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
- F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
- F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
- F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/0295—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used, e.g. sieve plates, packings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
- F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/06—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
- F25J3/0695—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
- G01F1/663—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters by measuring Doppler frequency shift
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
- G01S13/50—Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
- G01S13/52—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds
- G01S13/56—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds for presence detection
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2280/00—Control of the process or apparatus
- F25J2280/02—Control in general, load changes, different modes ("runs"), measurements
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/74—Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N22/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
- G01N22/02—Investigating the presence of flaws
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
- Indicating Or Recording The Presence, Absence, Or Direction Of Movement (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for separating gases of a gas mixture in the form of a gas stream, wherein the gas stream is irradiated with electromagnetic emission radiation (12) in the microwave or terahertz range and scattered radiation (13) is detected, the scattered radiation arising due to scattering of the emission radiation on at least one object (11) in the gas stream, a frequency difference between the scattered radiation and the emission radiation is detected, from which frequency difference a presence, a number and/or a proportion of moving objects in the gas stream is determined and the gases in the gas mixture are separated taking into account the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream.
Description
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 Description Method and device for detecting moving objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation 5 The invention relates to a method for detecting moved objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation. 10 In direct-contact apparatuses, such as for example columns or packing columns, but also in boiling processes, gaseous and liquid phases are in direct contact. This may give rise to droplet entrainment, that is to say small droplets or mist being carried 15 along by the gas stream. This separating out of the liquid phase is generally undesired. To prevent droplet entrainment, droplet separators are used, such as for example baffle-based separators such as lamella separators, knitted-mesh separators, gravity separators 20 or cyclone separators. If the droplet separator does not work properly, droplet entrainment occurs. This may lead to serious damage to downstream parts of the plant that are dependent on having a gas flow without a liquid fraction. 25 Regular monitoring of the separator, that is to say detection of droplet entrainment, can usually be used in the case of knitted-mesh separators. This involves making use of the property of the wire mesh that a 30 pronounced increase in water entrainment from the knitted mesh is preceded first by a layer of bubbling water forming in the lower region of the mesh. This layer of bubbling water increases the pressure loss of the air as it passes through the mesh in proportion to 35 the height of the bubbling layer. The indirect monitoring of water entrainment by way of the pressure loss has the disadvantage that froth that WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -2 cannot be held back in the case of a knitted-mesh separator does not result in any appreciable increase in pressure loss. Therefore, if froth is produced, the monitoring is inadequate. In addition, over the course 5 of time contaminants may be deposited in the mesh, such as for example algae or limescale if water is used. The pressure loss over the mesh thereby increases slowly and continuously. The rate of entrainment increases with increasing soiling of the mesh, so that an alarm 10 limit value for the pressure loss can only ever be given temporarily. In the case of separators of other types, conclusions as to possible droplet entrainment can be drawn from 15 other process parameters, such as for example the temperature downstream of the separator or the behavior of the medium in further steps of the process. However, these methods are very susceptible to errors, since the mentioned deviations in the process parameters may also 20 be caused by many other reasons. For the direct detection of droplet entrainment in a gas stream, until now only sophisticated optical measuring methods and devices with computer-aided 25 pattern recognition have been commercially available. The present invention is based on the object of providing a method and a device with which moving objects, in particular liquid droplets, in a gas stream 30 can be reliably and easily detected. This object is achieved by the methods and the device with the features of the independent patent claims. 35 The methods according to the invention are suitable for detecting moving objects in a gas stream. Referred to here and hereinafter as such are moving objects that are entirely or partially surrounded by a gas stream, WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -3 irrespective of whether the objects move with the gas stream or in relation to it. Hereinafter, moving objects in a gas stream are to be understood as meaning in particular liquid droplets or mist in the gas 5 stream. Moving objects in the gas stream accordingly describe in particular droplet entrainment in the gas stream. The phrase "moving objects" or "moved objects" is intended hereinafter to cover both the case of an individual object and the case of multiple objects. 10 The detection of these moving objects in the gas stream, and consequently detecting droplet entrainment, comprises within the scope of the invention irradiation of the gas stream with electromagnetically emitted 15 radiation in the microwave or terahertz range and detection of resultant scattered radiation. This arises due to scattering or reflection of the emitted radiation at at least one object in the or with the gas stream. The method according to the invention further 20 comprises detection of a difference in frequency between the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation. The presence of a moving object or multiple moving objects in the gas stream is concluded from this difference in frequency. A presence, a number and/or a 25 proportion of moving objects in the gas stream is/are thereby determined from the difference in frequency and the amplitude, in particular the amplitude of the scattered radiation or of the reflected emitted radiation. 30 This detection of moving objects in the gas stream is used within the scope of the invention for the separation of gases, in particular for cryogenic gas separation. 35 According to the first method according to the invention, the detection of moving objects in the gas stream is used in the course of a method for separating WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -4 gases of a gas mixture. The gas mixture is in this case transported in the form of a gas stream, for example through a corresponding installation for gas separation. The conclusions as to whether there is a 5 moving object in the gas stream can consequently be used to determine a presence, a number and/or a proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. The separation of the gases of the gas mixture is carried out while taking into account these moving objects in 10 the gas stream that are determined in such a way. The terms "!gas separation" and "cryogenic gas separation" and "separation of gases! are to be understood here as meaning in particular a complete 15 process for the separation of gases, it being intended in particular that all the steps of this process are included. In particular, the process for the separation of gases begins in this case with a first step, in which the gas mixture to be separated is sucked in, and 20 ends with a final step, in which the individual separated gases of the gas mixture are removed. In particular, the process for the separation of gases comprises the (pre)cleaning or scrubbing of the gas mixture, in order to filter out dust and other solid 25 particles. Furthermore, the individual steps of the process for the separation of gases comprise in particular repeated heating and cooling of the gas mixture or repeated compression and expansion of the gas mixture. 30 In the case of air separation, the process for the separation of gases may in particular be a low temperature separation of air. In particular, the steps of the process for the separation of gases in the case 35 of air separation comprise in particular initially a precleaning of the air, in particular by a molecular sieve, in order in particular to filter water vapor, dust, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -5 out of the air. The further steps comprise in particular precooling to a certain temperature, compressing the air and allowing it to expand, cooling to the dew point, removal of the individual separated 5 gases of the air and possibly heating of the separated gases. According to the second method according to the invention, a monitoring and/or control of elements or 10 components that are used in particular in the course of the operation of cryogenic gas separation is carried out by means of the detection of moving objects in the gas stream. Such elements may be formed as a droplet separator, a direct-contact cooler, an evaporator, an 15 inertia-force separator, a cyclone separator, an electrofilter or a gas scrubber. If not only liquid droplets or mist but also for example solid particles (for example ash particles, 20 dust, ice) are detected by means of the method according to the invention as moving objects in the gas stream, such elements or components may in particular also be formed as a solids filter or a soot filter. 25 Such elements are used in the course of cryogenic gas separation in particular for precipitation processes, in order to prevent droplet entrainment. Nevertheless, droplet entrainment may occur at these elements. For example, in the case of an evaporator, incomplete 30 evaporation may have the effect that droplets are entrained. Such elements are monitored by the detection of moving objects in the gas stream. In particular, the detecting 35 of moving objects may in this case be carried out downstream of the corresponding element, in order to monitor whether this element is functioning correctly and is preventing droplet entrainment.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -6 Alternatively or in addition, the corresponding element may also be controlled. In this case, the detecting of moving objects may be carried out in particular 5 upstream of the element. If moving objects are detected in the gas stream, the element can be informed of this and activated correspondingly, in order for example to filter out the objects and prevent further droplet entrainment. 10 In the two methods according to the invention, consequently droplet entrainment is detected in the course of cryogenic gas separation. It is thereby prevented that droplet entrainment during cryogenic gas 15 separation can cause damage. The phrase "cryogenic gas separation" is intended hereinafter to include both cryogenic gas separation according to the first method according to the invention and also according to the second method according to the invention. 20 By analogy with the two methods according to the invention, the invention also comprises two devices. By analogy with the first method according to the invention, the first device according to the invention 25 serves for separating gases of a gas mixture in the gas stream. A "device for separating gases" or a "device for gas separation" or a "device for cryogenic gas separation" 30 is formed in particular as an installation. This installation has in particular one or more cold boxes. In such cold boxes there may be integrated for example components or installation parts such as columns, plate heat exchangers, pressure vessels, separators, 35 associated pipework, instrumentation for temperature and pressure measurements, pressure-difference and liquid-level indicators and also housing bushings and fittings.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -7 In the case of air separation, the installation for the separation of gases is formed in particular as an air separating installation. Such air separating 5 installations have in particular distillation column systems, which may be formed for example as two-column systems, in particular as classic Linde double-column systems, but also as three- or multi-column systems. Furthermore, devices for obtaining further components 10 of air, in particular the noble gases crypton, xenon and/or argon, may be provided. The first device according to the invention has in this case elements which are designed for carrying out the 15 detection of moving objects in a gas stream. In particular, the first device according to the invention comprises a pipe or a vessel through which a gas stream can be conducted. It also comprises at least one emitter, which is suitable for irradiating the gas 20 stream with electromagnetically emitted radiation in the microwave or terahertz range. The device additionally has at least one receiver. This is designed for detecting scattered radiation (in particular reflected radiation) that arises if the 25 emitted radiation is scattered (or even reflected) at at least one object. Finally, the device according to the invention comprises means that are suitable for detecting a difference in frequency between the emitted radiation and the detected scattered radiation 30 (reflected radiation). The means in this case also comprise data processing means for the evaluation of one or more parameters of the scattered radiation, for concluding from the 35 difference in frequency whether there are moving objects in the gas stream. By analogy with the first method according to the invention, this conclusion is WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -8 used for determining in particular a presence, a number and/or a proportion of moved objects in the gas stream. The first device according to the invention is designed 5 for carrying out the separation of the gases of the gas mixture while taking into account the conclusions reached by the means for detecting the difference in frequency. 10 The separation of the gases of the gas mixture while taking into account the determined moving objects in the gas stream may comprise in particular measures for protecting components or elements that are sensitive to droplet entrainment and can be damaged by it. 15 Alternatively or in addition, it may also include measures by which the separation of the gases of the gas mixture is carried out more efficiently in dependence on the proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. For example, parameters of individual 20 components or elements may in this case be set and adapted specifically to the proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. In particular the control or monitoring is carried out 25 in this way. The control or monitoring may in this case likewise be carried out by the means or by a further element, for example a controller. By analogy with the second method according to the invention, a second device according to the invention serves for monitoring 30 and/or controlling a droplet separator, a direct contact cooler, an evaporator, an inertia-force separator, a cyclone separator, an electrofilter and/or a gas scrubber. In this case, the second device according to the invention comprises a pipe or a vessel 35 through which a gas stream can be conducted. By analogy with the first device according to the invention, the second device according to the invention also comprises at least one emitter, at least one receiver and means WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 -9 for detecting a difference in frequency and for concluding whether there are moving objects in the gas stream. 5 Within the scope of the invention, consequently individual components or elements of cryogenic gas separation can be protected from droplet entrainment. The detection of moving objects in the gas stream may in this case be carried out one or more times during 10 the cryogenic gas separation. In particular, the detection of moving objects in the gas stream is carried out before the gas stream passes through components or elements that are sensitive to droplet entrainment and can be damaged by it. Consequently, in 15 the course of the invention, droplet entrainment is detected at an early time and corresponding measures can be initiated to protect the respective components or elements. 20 The following embodiments of the invention and the advantages presented apply in an analogous way to the two methods according to the invention and also to the two devices according to the invention. 25 An evaporator may in this case be formed for example as a bath evaporator, as a "block in kettle" heat exchanger, as a helically coiled heat exchanger, as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger or as a plate heat exchanger. In the context of the invention, it is 30 thereby possible to detect entrainment of the evaporator. Entrainment describes an uptake of particles in a fluid in general. In the context of the invention, entrainment describes in particular an uptake of objects in the gas stream. For example, the 35 evaporator may be used in particular for natural gas liquefaction or a propane refrigeration stage. By analogy, the first method according to the invention WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 10 may also be used for natural gas liquefaction or a propane refrigeration stage. For the detection of moving objects in the gas stream, 5 and consequently for the detection of droplet entrainment, the present invention makes use of the Doppler effect, in that a relative velocity or relative velocity distribution of the scattering/reflecting object can be concluded from a possibly detected 10 frequency shift of a backscattered or reflected signal with respect to the original emitted signal. In the case of a comparatively large number of scattering/reflecting objects, and consequently a comparatively large number of scattering centers, the 15 conclusion relates in particular only to a relative velocity distribution. The at least one scattering or reflecting object may be, for example, a fixed wall of the pipe or vessel (in 20 this case no frequency shift is detected) or a particle or object moving with the gas stream, for example a liquid droplet or a solid particle (such as in particular for example an ash particle). 25 The measuring principle of the methods according to the invention and of the devices according to the invention has the advantage that it can also be used in the case of separators with which detection of moving objects by a pressure loss is not possible. For the detection, the 30 pipe or the vessel must merely be accessible from one side. Since the principle is based on a direct procedure, a high degree of reliability in the detection of objects moving in the gas stream is moreover achieved. When used in conjunction with a 35 direct-contact cooler, the invention allows the measurement to be carried out further away from a separator, for example directly upstream of a component that is sensitive to water. By contrast with WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 11 commercially available rain sensors, in the case of the volume method on which the invention is based it is possible to discriminate and/or ignore marginal effects such as condensation of liquid on the tube or vessel 5 wall. Since it is possible to dispense with movable mechanical parts, the device according to the invention has a long service life. The method according to the invention and the device 10 according to the invention are moreover largely insensitive to deposits on the pipe or vessel walls. In particular, limescale deposits or damp layers of algae are sufficiently transmissive for the electromagnetically emitted radiation, so that they do 15 not adversely affect the functional capability. Advantageous configurations of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims, this description and the figure. 20 In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the step of detecting a difference in frequency comprises discriminating such scattered (for example reflected) radiation that has been scattered 25 (or reflected) by at least one stationary object, for example by drops on a wall of the pipe or vessel or by the wall itself. The discrimination may take place for example with the aid of a suitable filter. Alternatively or in addition, in the course of an 30 evaluation of the frequencies of scattered radiation (for example with the aid of suitable analysis software), that scattered radiation that has been scattered by the at least one stationary object can be detected. 35 By means of suitable data preparation, the scattered radiation, or else directly a resultant Doppler signal, can be analyzed. The measured relative velocity, a WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 12 temporal modulation of the scattered radiation imparted by the individual moved objects and/or an absolute signal strength can be included here in the data preparation and analysis. This allows the certainty of 5 detection to be increased. In a preferred embodiment, the substance-dependent variables permeability p and permittivity 6 of the moved objects to be observed and of the gas are 10 included in the data analysis. They influence the scattering or reflection of the emitted radiation. In the case of water and air, the relative permittivities (dielectric constants) are about g=77 and g=1, respectively. 15 In a preferred embodiment, one or more parameters of the scattered radiation is/are evaluated; the device may comprise data processing means suitable for this. For example, concluding whether there are moving 20 objects in the gas stream may comprise comparing at least one parameter of the detected scattered radiation with one or more predetermined threshold value(s). The parameter or parameters may for example be one or more frequencies or amplitudes of the scattered radiation. 25 The threshold value or values may delimit one or more intervals that are tolerance ranges for the parameter or parameters with respect to the indication of moving objects in the gas stream. 30 This embodiment allows flexible application of the method. For example, concluding may include detection of an unintended minimum amplitude of the scattered radiation. If the amplitude lies below this minimum, a measuring error or a negligible number of moving 35 objects can be assumed. What number is to be regarded as insignificant in the respective case can be variably set by way of fixing the threshold value.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 13 Information concerning the moving objects can be derived from the parameter or parameters of the scattered radiation. For example, a relative velocity of the moving objects in the direction of the emitted 5 radiation can be concluded from a frequency of the scattered radiation. Alternatively or in addition, an upper or lower barrier for the number of objects per unit of volume in the gas stream and/or an average object size can be derived from a signal strength (i.e. 10 the amplitude) of the scattered radiation. In particular, an integral scattering cross section can be calculated from an amplitude of the scattered radiation, that is to say a characteristic variable that corresponds to an average size and/or a number of 15 moving objects per unit of volume in the gas stream. This allows information about the processes occurring in the pipe or vessel to be obtained. Deriving the amount or number or proportion of objects 20 or the (average) size of the objects in the gas stream is first of all only possible here by way of the intensity of the Doppler signal or of the scattered radiation. 25 Since the size of the objects (in particular in the submillimeter range) may sometimes be well below the wavelength of the emitted radiation (if for example radar radiation is used as emitted radiation, the wavelength of the emitted radiation is in the cm 30 range), the backscattering of the emitted radiation would have to be described as Mie radiation or as Rayleigh radiation. In this case, usually an effective cross section is set. Since, within the scope of the invention, the wavelength and a backscattering angle or 35 an observation angle at which the backscattered radiation is emitted are constant, a description analogous to direct scattering at individual particles is appropriate.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 14 The following applies here for the contribution of an individual object or droplet to the intensity of the Doppler signal or the scattered radiation: AIr0 5 d 2 d" with the intensity I, the distance d of the objects from one another and the cross-sectional area A or the radius r of the objects. It consequently applies that, given the same distance d, a few large objects or droplets provide greater water transport than many 10 small objects or droplets. It can be assumed that the objects in the gas stream in an expedient volume are distributed evenly or at least distributed constantly over time. The distance 15 consequently has no influence, as a result of which there is only a dependence on the size of the objects. In order thus to determine quantitatively the amount of objects, a size distribution of the objects must 20 accordingly also be known, or at least be constant. This can be assumed for droplets in the form of droplet entrainment in the gas stream. Consequently, the system according to the invention can be calibrated experimentally from sensors. 25 An advantageous embodiment of the present invention comprises a data fusion of the information acquired from the detected scattered radiation with data that have been obtained on the basis of other measuring 30 principles, for example optical or sound-based techniques. Thus, a corresponding analysis can deliver even more comprehensive and more reliable results concerning the moving objects in the gas stream. 35 The irradiation of the gas stream with emitted radiation is preferably performed obliquely in relation WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 15 to the direction of flow of the gas stream and/or at different irradiating angles (at the same time or alternately) and/or at different frequencies (at the same time or alternately). In particular, in this way 5 redundancies can be created, and thus the reliability can be increased. Alternatively or in addition, the irradiation may be directed at the same time onto different lines of flow of the gas in the pipe or vessel, in that for example multiple emitters are 10 distributed around the pipe or the vessel or are arranged at different positions along the pipe or vessel. In this way, information concerning the distribution of the moving objects in the pipe or vessel can be obtained. 15 The at least one emitter and the at least one receiver may be integrated in a common sensor or be arranged separately from one another. In the first case, the sensor preferably comprises a mixer, which superposes 20 the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation on one another and from this forms and outputs an integrated signal (i.e. the Doppler signal); such sensors are commercially available at low cost and in a robust form. With the aid of frequency filtering, 25 unsuitable frequencies, such as for example Doppler frequencies that are too low or interfering frequencies, can be eliminated. The step according to the invention of detecting a difference in frequency can be performed by only considering the integrated 30 signal. For example, the Doppler frequency in the case of customary flow velocities occurring in air separating installations lies at 10 Hz to 100 Hz. Particularly suitable for irradiating the gas stream with emitted radiation and/or for receiving the 35 scattered radiation is/are one or more radar devices. The emitted radiation is preferably pulsed radar radiation or FMCW radar radiation. The method may WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 16 comprise determining a distance of the moving objects from a predetermined reference value (for example a selected position, in particular that of an emitter). For example, a time interval between sending a radar 5 pulse and detecting its scattered radiation can be detected and used for such a calculation, or a frequency modulation can be used for marking the emitted radiation, and consequently for distance determination. 10 Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the pipe or the vessel is part of a direct-contact cooler. The moving objects are in this case preferably water droplets. In the case of customary vessel diameters of 15 between approximately 0.1 m and approximately 5 m, suitable in particular is a radar sensor that irradiates at 24 GHz at an angle of 450 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vessel or with respect to the direction of the gas stream. 20 It is particularly advantageous if the pipe or the vessel is made of electrically nonconducting material. The emitted radiation can then be radiated from outside through the pipe or vessel wall, and associated means 25 of emission can thus be attached to the outside of the pipe or the vessel, and in particular it is possible to dispense with a flange or the like. This allows low cost retrofitting of a corresponding installation, for example a direct-contact cooler. Alternatively, the at 30 least one emitter and/or the at least one receiver may be arranged inside the pipe or vessel. In particular, the devices according to the invention (or the methods according to the invention) may be used 35 for detecting solid particles (such as for example ash particles) in gas phases, for example if they are used as mentioned for monitoring and/or controlling the filters mentioned.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 17 In a preferred configuration, the gas mixture in the form of the gas stream is compressed in a compression process and allowed to expand in an expansion process. 5 This compression process and this expansion process are part of the cryogenic gas separation. The detecting of moving objects in the gas stream is expediently carried out before and/or after the compression process and/or the expansion process. Depending on the configuration 10 of the cryogenic gas separation, the elements used and any sensitivity of the individual elements with respect to droplet entrainment, it may be expedient to carry out the detecting of moving objects in the gas stream before and/or after the compression process and/or the 15 expansion process. In the course of the cryogenic gas separation, an (at least partially) liquefied gas mixture may also be evaporated in an evaporation process and converted back 20 into a gaseous state in the form of the gas stream. Furthermore, the gas mixture in the form of the gas stream may be liquefied again (at least partially) in a condensation process. In this case, the detecting of moving objects in the gas stream may be carried out 25 particularly expediently before and/or after the evaporation process and/or the condensation process. For example, it is particularly appropriate in this respect to carry out the detecting of moving objects in the gas stream after the evaporation process. It can 30 consequently be detected whether liquid droplets are still present in the gas stream in the course of the evaporation process. Furthermore, it may be particularly appropriate to carry out the detecting of moving objects in the gas stream before the 35 condensation process. It can consequently be detected whether there is in the gas stream droplet entrainment that could damage the elements for the condensation of the gas stream.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 18 Alternatively or in addition, the detecting of moving objects may be carried out before and/or after a precipitation process in the gas stream. 5 With preference, the gas mixture is allowed to expand by means of a throttle valve, an expansion turbine, a pressure loss at a pipeline and/or a bend. Also with preference, the gas mixture is compressed and cooled in 10 a multistage compressor, in particular with coolers. Alternatively or in addition, with preference a dew point of the gas mixture is monitored. The invention allows protection of various stages of the compression process and/or of the expansion process to be ensured. 15 Advantageously, the moving objects are filtered out from the gas stream while taking into account the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas 20 stream. The moving objects may also only be filtered out when the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion reaches a threshold value. A limit value from which damage to an element of the cryogenic gas separation can occur may be chosen 25 for example as this threshold value. Alternatively or in addition, further expedient measures may also be carried out in dependence on the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. The determined 30 presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream may also be used for determining a purity or a degree of contamination of the separated gases of the gas mixture. 35 In particular, this configuration is appropriate for a separator, in particular for a separator downstream of direct-contact apparatuses. In particular, such a WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 19 separator may be used in the first method according to the invention or the first device according to the invention for the separation of gases of the gas mixture. The filtering out of the moving objects can in 5 this case be carried out by means of the separator. The separator may be monitored and/or controlled by means of the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. 10 With particular preference, the invention is formed for direct-contact coolers or for direct-contact apparatuses for an air separating installation or as an air separating installation itself. In this case, the 15 second device according to the invention is formed in particular as a direct-contact cooler of an air separating installation. By analogy, the second method according to the invention is performed in particular in a direct-contact cooler of an air separating 20 installation. The first device according to the invention is in this case formed in particular as an air separating installation or the first method according to the invention is carried out in an air separating installation. In particular, it is 25 appropriate within the scope of the invention to carry out the detecting of moving objects in the gas stream in an air separating installation between a molecular sieve and a cold box. 30 Description of figures Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention that is given by way of example. 35 In Figure 1, a device 1 for detecting moving objects in a gas stream is schematically represented. The device comprises a pipe 2, through which a gas stream 10 is WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 20 conducted at a velocity v from bottom to top (in the case presented). Objects 11, for example water droplets or solid particles, are entrained by the gas stream. 5 The pipe 2 is in this case formed in particular as part of an air separating installation. In the air separating installation, gases of a gas mixture in the form of the gas stream are separated. For example, the gas stream in the pipe 2 may be fed to a compressor, in 10 order to be compressed in a compression process. For example, the gas stream in the pipe 2 may also be fed to a throttle valve, in order to be allowed to expand in an expansion process. In particular, the pipe 2 may also be arranged between a molecular sieve and a cold 15 box of the air separating installation. Outside the pipe 2 there is a radar device 14, which comprises an emitter 18 for electromagnetically emitted radiation 12 in the microwave or terahertz range. At an 20 irradiating angle a, the emitter irradiates the gas stream with the emitted radiation. In the example shown, the irradiating angle is measured with respect to the direction of gas flow, but it could also be determined with respect to any desired direction for 25 comparison that is chosen as fixed, for example with respect to the horizontal or vertical (which in the example shown coincides with the direction of gas flow). 30 The objects 11 moving with the gas stream 10 reflect the emitted radiation. The movement of the objects thereby gives rise to a Doppler signal, the frequency of which depends on the relative velocity of the objects 11 in the direction of the radar radiation 12, 35 and consequently on the flow velocity. The scattered radiation 13 is detected by the radar device 14, which has a suitable receiver (not shown).
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 21 Connected to the radar device is a computing unit 15, which is designed for detecting the difference in frequency between the emitted radiation 12 and the detected scattered radiation 13. This is represented in 5 the figure by schematic wave graphs 16a (for the emitted radiation) and 16b (for the scattered radiation) placed alongside one another. The difference can be used to determine the presence of objects 11 moving in the gas stream and their velocity or their 10 velocity distribution. An evaluation of the amplitude 17 of the scattered radiation allows conclusions to be drawn concerning the number of moved objects in the gas stream (per unit of volume). 15 By means of this number of moved objects in the gas stream (per unit of volume), a proportion of the moved objects in the gas stream is determined. This determined proportion is taken into account for the air separation in the air separating installation. The 20 computing unit 15 can pass on this determined proportion, for example to a control device of the air separating installation. The control device activates individual elements or components of the air separating installation in dependence on this determined 25 proportion. Alternatively or in addition, the pipe 2 may be part of one of the following elements: a droplet separator, a direct-contact cooler, an evaporator, an inertia-force 30 separator, a cyclone separator, an electrofilter or a gas scrubber. This corresponding element is then a component part of the air separating installation. By means of the determined proportion of the moved objects in the gas stream, the corresponding element is 35 controlled by the computing unit 15.
WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 22 List of designations: 1 device for detecting moved objects in a gas stream 2 pipe 10 gas stream 11 moved objects 12 emitted radiation 13 scattered radiation 14 radar device 15 computing unit 16a graph of the emitted radiation 16b graph of the scattered radiation 17 amplitude of the scattered radiation a irradiating angle
Claims (20)
1. A method for separating gases of a gas mixture in the form of a gas stream, 5 wherein - the gas stream is irradiated with electromagnetically emitted radiation (12) in the microwave or terahertz range, - scattered radiation (13) is detected, the 10 scattered radiation arising due to scattering of the emitted radiation at at least one object (11) in the gas stream, - a difference in frequency between the scattered radiation and the emitted radiation is detected, 15 - a presence, a number and/or a proportion of moving objects in the gas stream is/are determined from the difference in frequency and - the separation of the gases of the gas mixture is carried out while taking into account the 20 determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream.
2. A method for monitoring and/or controlling a 25 droplet separator, a direct-contact cooler, an evaporator with which droplets are entrained in the case of incomplete evaporation, an inertia-force separator, a cyclone separator, an electrofilter or a gas scrubber, 30 moving objects (11) in a gas stream (10) being detected, in that - the gas stream is irradiated with electromagnetically emitted radiation (12) in the microwave or terahertz range, 35 - scattered radiation (13) that arises due to scattering of the emitted radiation at at least one object (11) in the gas stream is detected, WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 24 - a difference in frequency between the scattered radiation and the emitted radiation is detected and - a presence, a number and/or a proportion of 5 moving objects in the gas stream is determined from the difference in frequency.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, the gas mixture in the form of a gas stream being 10 compressed in a compression process and allowed to expand in an expansion process and the determining of the presence, the number and/or the proportion of moving objects in the gas stream from the difference in frequency being carried out before 15 and/or after the compression process and/or the expansion process.
4. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, the gas mixture being allowed to expand by 20 means of a throttle valve, an expansion turbine, a pressure loss at a pipeline and/or a bend.
5. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, the gas mixture being compressed and cooled 25 in a multistage compressor and/or a dew point of the gas mixture being monitored.
6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, the moving objects being filtered out from 30 the gas stream while taking into account the determined presence, the determined number and/or the determined proportion of moving objects in the gas stream. 35
7. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, the determining of the presence, the number and/or the proportion of moving objects in the gas stream comprising: WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 25 comparing one or more parameters (17) of the detected scattered radiation with one or more predetermined threshold values; and establishing that the parameter or parameters 5 respectively lies/lie within or outside a comparison interval given by the threshold value or values.
8. The method as claimed in one of the preceding 10 claims, which additionally comprises: determining a frequency of the scattered radiation and/or a frequency of a Doppler signal resulting from the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation; 15 determining from the frequency of the scattered radiation or the Doppler signal a relative velocity of the moving objects in the direction of the emitted radiation and/or a flow velocity of the moving objects in the direction of the gas stream. 20
9. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, which additionally comprises: determining a signal strength (17) of the scattered radiation and/or a signal strength of a Doppler 25 signal resulting from the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation; determining from the signal strength of the scattered radiation or the Doppler signal a characteristic variable that corresponds to an 30 average size of moving objects and/or a number of moving objects per unit of volume in the gas stream.
10. The method as claimed in one of the preceding 35 claims, the emitted radiation being emitted obliquely or parallel or perpendicularly in relation to the direction of the gas stream and/or WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 26 at changing irradiating angles (a) and/or at changing emission frequencies.
11. The method as claimed in one of the preceding 5 claims, the emitted radiation being emitted by one or more radar devices (14), for example in emission pulses or with frequency modulation, the method preferably comprising determining a distance or a distance range of the moving objects 10 from a predetermined reference value, for example from a position of a radar device.
12. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, which comprises determining a flow velocity 15 of the gas stream.
13. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, the moving objects being solids or droplets of a liquid, such as for example water. 20
14. A device for separating gases of a gas mixture in a gas stream, having - at least one emitter (18) for irradiating the gas stream with electromagnetically emitted radiation 25 (12) in the microwave or terahertz range, - at least one receiver for detecting scattered radiation (13) when the latter arises due to scattering of the emitted radiation at at least one object (11) in the or at the gas stream and 30 - means (15) for detecting a difference in frequency between the scattered radiation and the emitted radiation, the means being designed for determining a presence, a number and/or a proportion of moving objects (11) in the gas 35 stream from the detected difference in frequency, - the device being designed for carrying out the separation of the gases of the gas mixture while taking into account the determination of the WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 27 means (15) for detecting the difference in frequency.
15. A device (1) for monitoring and/or controlling a 5 droplet separator, a direct-contact cooler, an evaporator with which droplets are entrained in the case of incomplete evaporation, an inertia-force separator, a cyclone separator, an electrofilter or a gas scrubber that has: 10 a pipe (2) or a vessel for conducting the gas stream through; at least one emitter (18) for irradiating the gas stream with electromagnetically emitted radiation (12) in the microwave or terahertz range; 15 at least one receiver for detecting scattered radiation (13) when the latter arises due to scattering of the emitted radiation at at least one object (11) in the or at the gas stream; and means (15) for detecting a difference in frequency 20 between the scattered radiation and the emitted radiation, the means (15) comprising data processing means for the evaluation of one or more parameters (17) of the scattered radiation, in order to determine a presence, a number and/or a 25 proportion of moving objects (11) in the gas stream from the difference in frequency.
16. The device as claimed in claim 14 or 15, the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver 30 being components of one or more radar devices (14).
17. The device as claimed in claim 18, the emitter or emitters being designed for irradiating the gas stream obliquely or parallel or perpendicularly in 35 relation to the direction of flow, preferably variably from different directions and/or at the same time from a number of directions. WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 28
18. The device as claimed in one of claims 14 to 17, the means (15) for detecting a difference in frequency comprising data processing means for the evaluation of one or more parameters (17) of the 5 emitted radiation and/or being formed for comparing one or more parameters of the detected scattered radiation (13) with one or more predetermined threshold values and for establishing that the parameter or parameters 10 respectively lies/lie within a comparison interval given by the threshold value or values; and/or for determining a frequency of the scattered radiation and/or a frequency of a Doppler 15 signal resulting from the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation, and for determining from the frequency of the scattered radiation or the Doppler signal a relative velocity of the moving objects in the direction of the 20 emitted radiation; and/or for determining a signal strength (17) of the scattered radiation and/or a signal strength of a Doppler signal resulting from the emitted radiation and the scattered radiation, and for 25 determining from the signal strength of the scattered radiation or the Doppler signal a characteristic variable that corresponds to an average size of moving objects and/or a number of moving objects per unit of volume in the gas 30 stream; and/or for determining a distance of the moving objects from the receiver (14); and/or for determining a flow velocity of the gas stream; and/or 35 for fusing the parameter or parameters with data that are supplied by one or more external sensors, the external sensor or sensors WO 2014/023420 PCT/EP2013/002350 - 29 preferably being based on measuring principles other than Doppler radar.
19. The device as claimed in one of claims 14 to 18, 5 which also comprises a filter that is suitable for discriminating radiation that arises due to scattering of the emitted radiation at stationary objects (2). 10
20. The device as claimed in one of claims 14 to 19, which is formed as a direct-contact cooler for an air separating installation or as an air separating installation.
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| DE12005785.6 | 2012-08-09 | ||
| EP12005785 | 2012-08-09 | ||
| PCT/EP2013/002350 WO2014023420A1 (en) | 2012-08-09 | 2013-08-06 | Method and device for detecting moving objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation |
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| AU2013301900A1 true AU2013301900A1 (en) | 2015-01-22 |
| AU2013301900B2 AU2013301900B2 (en) | 2016-10-20 |
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| AU2013301900A Ceased AU2013301900B2 (en) | 2012-08-09 | 2013-08-06 | Method and device for detecting moving objects in a gas stream during cryogenic gas separation |
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| EP (1) | EP2883078B1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20150043374A (en) |
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| GB2537913B (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2019-12-18 | Spirax Sarco Ltd | Apparatus and method for determining an amount of non-condensable gas |
| US10996091B2 (en) | 2015-07-23 | 2021-05-04 | Khalifa University of Science and Technology | System and method for real-time flow measurement in pipelines using THz imaging |
| DE102018122391A1 (en) * | 2018-09-13 | 2020-03-19 | Sikora Ag | Device and method for detecting an object |
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| GB2026276B (en) * | 1978-07-24 | 1982-12-01 | Blue Circle Ind Ltd | Particle monitor |
| RU2091431C1 (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1997-09-27 | Владимир Федорович Раковский | Method and installation for preparing gas for transport |
| CN1180408A (en) * | 1995-02-11 | 1998-04-29 | 厄恩斯特·赖克 | Process for determining solids content of gas flow |
| GB2322987A (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1998-09-09 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Object detection in turbine influx or efflux |
| DE19728612C2 (en) * | 1997-07-04 | 2001-11-29 | Promecon Prozess & Messtechnik | Method for determining the amount of solid and / or liquid material contained in a two-phase flow with gaseous carrier medium |
| US7712380B2 (en) * | 2007-04-26 | 2010-05-11 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Waveguide doppler flowmeter |
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- 2013-08-06 RU RU2015107748A patent/RU2633766C2/en active
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| AU2013301900B2 (en) | 2016-10-20 |
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| SG11201500956PA (en) | 2015-05-28 |
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