Patents by Inventor Pierre BARJHOUX
Pierre BARJHOUX has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240310116Abstract: Disclosed is a device for liquefying a fluid, comprising a circuit for fluid to be cooled, the device comprising a set of one or more heat exchangers exchanging heat with the circuit of fluid to be cooled, at least one first cooling system exchanging heat with at least some of the set of one or more heat exchangers, the first cooling system being a refrigerator with refrigeration cycle of a cycle gas mostly comprising helium, the refrigerator comprising, arranged in series in a cycle circuit: a cycle gas compression mechanism at least one cycle gas cooling member, a mechanism for expansion of the cycle gas and at least one expanded cycle gas heating member, wherein the compression mechanism comprises at least four compression stages in series, consisting of a set of one or more centrifuge-type compressors, the compression stages being mounted on shafts rotated by a set of one or more motors, the expansion mechanism comprising at least three expansion stages in series, consisting of a set of centripetal turbinType: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2022Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Fabien DURAND
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Patent number: 12072143Abstract: Plant and method for liquefying a flow of gas, having a cooling circuit that includes at least one exchanger (5) for cooling the gas, and at least one expansion turbine (6) which is mounted on a rotary axle which is supported by at least one bearing (7) of the gas-static type, the cooling circuit (2) also including a pressurized gas injection conduit that is configured to supply pressurized gas to the bearing (7) in order to provide support to the rotary axle, the plant (1) further includes a recovery conduit (9) that is configured to recycle at least a portion of the gas which has been used to support the rotary axle of the bearing (7) with a view to liquefying the gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre Barjhoux, Fabien Durand, Franck Delcayre
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Publication number: 20240151464Abstract: Disclosed is a device for liquefying a fluid, comprising a fluid circuit to be cooled, the device comprising a heat exchanger assembly in heat exchange with the fluid circuit to be cooled, at least one first cooling system in heat exchange with at least a portion of the heat exchanger assembly, the first cooling system being a refrigerator having a cycle for refrigerating a cycle gas mainly comprising helium, said refrigerator comprising in series in a cycle circuit: a mechanism for compressing the cycle gas, at least one member for cooling the cycle gas, a mechanism for expanding the cycle gas, and at least one member for reheating the expanded cycle gas, wherein the compression mechanism includes at least four compression stages in series composed of a centrifugal compressor assembly, the compression stages being mounted on shafts that are rotationally driven by a motor assembly, the expansion mechanism comprising at least three expansion stages in series composed of a set of centripetal turbines, the at leType: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Fabien DURAND
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Publication number: 20240142170Abstract: Disclosed is a device for liquefying a fluid, comprising a fluid circuit to be cooled, the device comprising a heat exchanger assembly in heat exchange with the fluid circuit to be cooled, at least one first cooling system in heat exchange with at least a portion of the heat exchanger assembly, the first cooling system being a refrigerator having a cycle for refrigerating a cycle gas mainly comprising helium, said refrigerator comprising in series in a cycle circuit: a mechanism for compressing the cycle gas, at least one member for cooling the cycle gas, a mechanism for expanding the cycle gas, and at least one member for reheating the expanded cycle gas, wherein the compression mechanism includes at least four compression stages in series composed of a centrifugal compressor assembly, the compression stages being mounted on shafts that are rotationally driven by a motor assembly, the expansion mechanism comprising at least three expansion stages in series composed of a set of centripetal turbines, the at leType: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Fabien DURAND
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Publication number: 20240125547Abstract: Disclosed is a device for liquefying a fluid, comprising a fluid circuit to be cooled, the device comprising a heat exchanger assembly in heat exchange with the fluid circuit to be cooled, at least one first cooling system in heat exchange with at least a portion of the heat exchanger assembly, the first cooling system being a refrigerator having a cycle for refrigerating a cycle gas mainly comprising helium, said refrigerator comprising in series in a cycle circuit: a mechanism for compressing the cycle gas, at least one member for cooling the cycle gas, a mechanism for expanding the cycle gas, and at least one member for reheating the expanded cycle gas, wherein the compression mechanism includes at least four compression stages in series composed of a centrifugal compressor assembly, the compression stages being mounted on shafts that are rotationally driven by a motor assembly, the expansion mechanism comprising at least three expansion stages in series composed of a set of centripetal turbines, the at leType: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Fabien DURAND
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Publication number: 20240019203Abstract: Plant and method for producing hydrogen at cryogenic temperature, comprising: an electrolyzer; a hydrogen circuit to be cooled, comprising an upstream end connected to the hydrogen outlet and a downstream end to he connected to a member for collecting cooled and/or liquefied hydrogen, the plant also comprising a set of heat exchanger(s) in heat exchange with the hydrogen circuit to be cooled, the plant comprising at least one cooling device in heat exchange with at least a portion of the set of heat exchanger(s), the plant further comprising an oxygen circuit comprising an upstream end connected to the oxygen outlet and a downstream end, the oxygen circuit comprising a system for expanding the oxygen stream and at least one heat exchange between the expanded oxygen stream and the hydrogen circuit to be cooled, characterized in that the oxygen circuit comprises at least one oxygen compressor arranged upstream of the oxygen stream expansion system, the oxygen stream expansion system comprising an expansion turbType: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2021Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Pierre CRESPI
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Publication number: 20230408189Abstract: Plant and method for producing hydrogen at cryogenic temperature, in particular liquefied hydrogen, comprising: an electrolyzer having an oxygen outlet and a hydrogen outlet; a hydrogen circuit to be cooled, comprising an upstream end connected to the hydrogen outlet and a downstream end to be connected to a member for collecting cooled and/or liquefied hydrogen, the plant also comprising a set of heat exchanger(s) in heat exchange with the hydrogen circuit to be cooled, the plant further comprising at least one cooling device in heat exchange with at least a portion of the set of heat exchanger(s), the hydrogen circuit to be cooled comprising a system for expanding the hydrogen stream and at least one hydrogen compressor upstream of the hydrogen stream expansion system, the hydrogen stream expansion system comprising at least one expansion turbine, wherein said at least one expansion turbine and said at least one compressor are coupled to the same rotating shaft to transfer expansion work from the pressurizeType: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre CRESPI, Pierre BARJHOUX
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Publication number: 20230375259Abstract: Disclosed is a facility for the refrigeration and/or liquefaction of a fluid, comprising a circuit of fluid to be cooled comprising an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of fluid to be cooled and a downstream end intended to be connected to a member for collecting the cooled and/or liquefied fluid; the facility comprising an assembly of heat exchanger(s) in thermal exchange with the circuit of fluid to be cooled; the facility comprising a cooling device in thermal exchange with the assembly of heat exchange(s); the cooling device comprising a refrigerator with a refrigeration cycle for a cycle gas in a working circuit; the working circuit of the refrigerator comprising, a mechanism for compressing the cycle gas, a system for cooling the cycle gas, a mechanism for expanding the cycle gas and a system for heating the cycle gas; the mechanism for expanding the cycle gas comprising several turbines secured to shafts mounted so as to be able to rotate on aerostatic bearings; the facility comprisingType: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l’Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Franck DELCAYRE
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Publication number: 20230304731Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to a facility for refrigerating a fluid to a cryogenic temperature, comprising a circuit for the fluid to be refrigerated, comprising an upstream end connected to a source and a downstream end connected to a refrigerated and/or liquefied fluid collection member, the facility comprising at least one exchanger for precooling the fluid leaving the upstream end, the precooling exchanger exchanging heat with a precooling circuit composed of a flow of vaporization gas from a user, the facility further comprising a heat exchanger assembly for cooling by heat exchange with the circuit of fluid to be cooled downstream of the precooling exchanger, the facility comprising a device for cooling by heat exchange with at least a part of the cooling heat exchanger assembly, said cooling device comprising a first refrigerator with a refrigeration cycle of a cycle gas in a working circuit, the cycle gas preferably comprising hydrogen and/or helium, the working circuit of the first reType: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l?Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Golo ZICK
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Publication number: 20230194195Abstract: Method for cryogenic cooling of a first fluid by heat exchange with at least one second fluid in a heat exchanger, the first fluid and/or the second fluid being at a temperature between ?100° C. and ?273° C., wherein the heat exchanger is of the type with polymer microtubes, i.e. comprising a plurality of microtubes made of polymer and having a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 1 cm, one of the first and second fluids being circulated inside said microtubes while the other fluid is circulated around said microtubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicants: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l?Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLCInventors: Guillaume DELAUTRE, Loic JEUNESSE, Golo ZICK, Pierre BARJHOUX, Thomas GATES, James Timothy MACHERAS
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Patent number: 11680746Abstract: Process and plant for the production of liquid hydrogen with a liquefier that has a variable cooling power dependent on the electrical power consumed. The liquefier is supplied with electricity by a first source of electricity at least one additional source of electricity that provides an intermittent or variable amount of electricity over time. Liquid hydrogen is produced at first thermodynamic conditions when the liquefier is supplied with a predetermined nominal electrical energy level and produced at subcooled conditions, with respect to the first thermodynamic conditions, when electricity supplied to the liquefier exceeds the nominal level.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Laurent Allidieres, Gregoire Rigout, Pierre Barjhoux, Pierre-Germain Marlier
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Publication number: 20220357103Abstract: Plant and method for liquefying a flow of gas, comprising a cooling circuit which is provided with an upstream end which is intended to be connected to a source of pressurised gas to be liquified and a downstream end which is intended to be connected to a user member, the plant comprising, between the upstream and downstream ends, a set of members which are intended to liquefy the gas and comprise at least one exchanger for cooling the gas, and at least one expansion turbine which is mounted on a rotary axle which is supported by at least one bearing of the gas-static type, the cooling circuit comprising a pressurised gas injection conduit having an upstream end which is intended to receive pressurised gas supplied by the source and a downstream end which is connected to the bearing in order to provide support to the rotary axle, the plant comprising a conduit for recovering the gas which has been used in the bearing, the conduit for recovering the gas comprising an upstream end which is connected to the bearType: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre BARJHOUX, Fabien DURAND, Franck DELCAYRE
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Publication number: 20210254789Abstract: A method for storing and distributing liquefied hydrogen using an installation having a storage facility for liquid hydrogen, a source of gaseous hydrogen, a liquefier having an inlet connected to the source and an outlet connected to the liquid hydrogen storage facility, the storage facility having a liquid withdrawal pipe having an end connected to the liquid hydrogen storage facility and an end configured to be connected to at least one mobile tank, the method having a stage of liquefying gaseous hydrogen and a stage of transferring the liquefied hydrogen to the storage facility, wherein the liquefied hydrogen has a temperature below the bubble point of hydrogen at the storage pressure and further having a stage of transfer of liquid hydrogen directly to the tank at a temperature between the saturation temperature at the pressure of the liquid and a temperature above the solidification temperature of the hydrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Precédés Georges ClaudeInventors: François LAGOUTTE, Laurent ALLIDIERES, Fabien DURAND, Pierre BARJHOUX, Jean-Marc BERNHARDT
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Publication number: 20210247027Abstract: Method for delivering liquefied gas, especially hydrogen, by means of at least one mobile storage facility, especially a storage facility transported by lorry, comprising a step of filling the mobile storage facility with liquefied gas at a source plant, the mobile storage facility containing, after filling, liquefied gas and a fraction of the vaporized gas, the method comprising a movement of the mobile storage facility from the source plant to a receiving station and a transfer of liquefied gas from the mobile storage facility to the receiving station, characterized in that it comprises a step of interim cooling of the liquefied gas contained in the mobile storage facility between the source plant and the receiving station by means of a cooling device comprising a liquefied gas tank and a refrigerating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l?Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Laurent ALLIDIERES, Thomas FAYER, Pierre BARJHOUX
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Publication number: 20210010751Abstract: Process and plant for the production of liquid hydrogen with a liquefier that has a variable cooling power dependent on the electrical power consumed. The liquefier is supplied with electricity by a first source of electricity at least one additional source of electricity that provides an intermittent or variable amount of electricity over time. Liquid hydrogen is produced at first thermodynamic conditions when the liquefier is supplied with a predetermined nominal electrical energy level and produced at subcooled conditions, with respect to the first thermodynamic conditions, when electricity supplied to the liquefier exceeds the nominal level.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Laurent ALLIDIERES, Gregoire RIGOUT, Pierre BARJHOUX, Pierre-Germain MARLIER
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Patent number: 10767923Abstract: Device and method for purifying a gas mixture to produce a concentrated gas, notably neon, starting from a mixture comprising neon, said device including, in a cold box housing a cryogenic purification circuit comprising, in series, at least one unit for purifying the mixture by cryogenic adsorption at a temperature between 65K and 100K and notably 65K, then a unit for cooling the mixture to a temperature between 25 and 65 K and then a unit for cryogenic distillation of the mixture to produce the concentrated liquid at the outlet of the cryogenic distillation unit, characterized in that the unit for cooling the mixture to a temperature between 25 and 65 K comprises at least one cryocooler that extracts thermal power from the mixture via a heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre Barjhoux, Camille Bouvier, Fabien Durand, Martin Staempflin, Golo Zick
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Patent number: 10753659Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a cryogenic refrigeration apparatus including a plurality of liquefiers/refrigerators arranged in parallel in order to cool a single device. The method includes a step of calculating in real time the dynamic mean value of at least one operating parameter for all the liquefiers/refrigerators. The apparatus controlling in real time the at least one valve for controlling the stream of working gas of at least one liquefier/refrigerator in accordance with the difference between the instantaneous values of the parameter relative to said dynamic converge toward said dynamic mean value.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre Barjhoux, Jean-Marc Bernhardt, Cindy Deschildre, David Grillot
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Publication number: 20200041201Abstract: A device for refrigerating and/or liquefying a working gas comprising helium, the device comprising a looped working circuit for the working gas includes, in series, a compression station, a cold box, a heat exchange system exchanging heat between the cooled working gas and a user, the device further comprising an additional pre-cooling system comprising at least one tank of auxiliary cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, the cold box comprising a first cooling stage of the working gas comprising a first exchanger disposed at the output of the compression station as well as a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger being of the aluminum plate-fin type, the second heat exchanger being of the tube or welded plate type, characterized in that the second and third heat exchangers are connected both serially and in parallel on the working circuit downstream of the first heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Jean-Marc BERNHARDT, Fabien DURAND, Vincent HELOIN, Pierre BARJHOUX, Gilles FLAVIEN
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Patent number: 10520225Abstract: Refrigeration device comprising a working circuit in a loop for the working gas and comprising, in series: a compression station, a cold box, a system for the exchange of heat between the cooled working gas and a point of use, a system for the additional pre-cooling of the working gas leaving the compression station comprising an auxiliary cryogenic fluid volume, the cold box comprising a first cooling stage for the working gas comprising a first and a second heat exchanger, these being connected both in series and in parallel to the working circuit at the outlet of the compression station, the first cooling stage also comprising a third heat exchanger selectively exchanging heat with the auxiliary fluid, characterized in that the third heat exchanger is connected both in series and in parallel to the first and to the second heat exchangers, the working circuit comprising a recuperation pipe fitted with at least one valve and which connects the outlet of the third heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Pierre Barjhoux, Fabien Durand, Vincent Heloin, Jean-Marc Bernhardt, Gilles Flavien
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Patent number: 10465981Abstract: A device for refrigerating and/or liquefying a working gas comprising helium, the device comprising a looped working circuit for the working gas includes, in series, a compression station, a cold box, a heat exchange system exchanging heat between the cooled working gas and a user, the device further comprising an additional pre-cooling system comprising at least one tank of auxiliary cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, the cold box comprising a first cooling stage of the working gas comprising a first exchanger disposed at the output of the compression station as well as a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger being of the aluminum plate-fin type, the second heat exchanger being of the tube or welded plate type, characterized in that the second and third heat exchangers are connected both serially and in parallel on the working circuit downstream of the first heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exoloitation des Procedes Georqes ClaudeInventors: Jean-Marc Bernhardt, Fabien Durand, Vincent Heloin, Pierre Barjhoux, Gilles Flavien