Dynamic simulations of medium-sized hydrogen liquefiers based on EcosimPro simulation software

Abstract

Dynamic simulations of medium-sized hydrogen liquefiers have been performed using process simulation software EcosimPro. Two hydrogen liquefier process flows have been simulated. One process flow is a helium refrigerator with one helium turbine providing cooling power for hydrogen liquefier, the other one is a helium refrigerator with two helium turbines providing cooling power for hydrogen liquefier. Control logics and control strategies for these two hydrogen liquefiers have been proposed. The cooling down simulations have been performed separately. One turbine hydrogen liquefier, pressure ratio is 2/16 bara, helium mass flow rate is 111 g/s, hydrogen mass flow rate is 4.3 g/s, the liquefaction rate of hydrogen is about 191 L/h. Two turbines hydrogen liquefier, pressure ratio is 1/14 bara, helium mass flow rate is 110 g/s, hydrogen mass flow rate is 5.2 g/s, the liquefaction rate of hydrogen is about 184 L/h. Comparison and discussion have been proposed.