ARGON RECONDENSING APPARATUS

摘要

An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

主权项

1. An apparatus for recovering boil-off gas during the loading and unloading of liquid argon originating from a location selected from the group consisting of the argon storage vessel, a road tanker, a rail car, and combinations thereof, the apparatus comprising:
a) a cold box; b) a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box; c) a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger having a warm end and a cold end, wherein the cold end comprises a nitrogen inlet and an argon outlet, wherein the nitrogen inlet is configured to receive a cold stream of liquid nitrogen, wherein the argon outlet is configured to discharge a cold stream of liquid argon, wherein the warm end comprises a nitrogen outlet and an argon inlet, wherein the nitrogen outlet is configured to discharge a warm nitrogen stream, wherein the argon inlet is configured to receive a gaseous argon stream, wherein the nitrogen inlet is in fluid communication with the nitrogen separator, wherein the nitrogen outlet is in fluid communication with an upper portion of the nitrogen separator; and d) a support structure configured to provide structural support for the cold box and to keep the cold box at an elevated height such that the heat exchanger and nitrogen separator are above the level of the argon storage vessel.