PURPOSE: To obtain a cryogenic refrigeration method used in connection with a cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process which incorporates a variable capacity liquefaction device necessary for liquefying a purified product obtained by the cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process without changing a necessary quantity of a cryogenic refrigerant.
CONSTITUTION: An apparatus 10 introduces a stream 12 of liquid argon and a stream 12 for heat exchange are introduced into a counterflow passages 16 and 18 of a heat exchanger 20 to generate a process liquid stream 22 and a low purity vapor stream 24. The low purity vapor stream 24 is purified by a temperature swing adsorption unit 26 to generate a purified vapor stream 28. Moreover, the purified vapor stream 28 is liquefied by heat exchangers 30 and 32 to generate a liquid argon stream 34. On the other hand, the process liquid stream 22 is introduced into a phase separation tank 38 via an expansion valve 36 to be separated into a liquid phase 40 and a gaseous phase 42. Then, a valve 44 is opened or closed to a plurality of auxiliary process streams 46 and 50 into the heat exchangers 30 and 32 for the liquefaction of the purified vapor stream 28. Thereafter, both the auxiliary process streams 46 and 50 are introduced into a sensible heat exchanger 54 to generate a combined stream 58.
KORIIN PURINSU
ANDORIYUU OOEN
