Gas liquefaction or separation unit

Abstract

A gas liquefaction and/or separation unit comprising at least one chamber, optionally insulated, of slender shape, wherein the chamber is arranged on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three stay cables, each connected to a second separate concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the stay cables being arranged on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground not exceeding 1 m.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A unit for separating and/or liquefying a gas, the unit comprising at least one chamber, wherein the chamber is disposed on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three guy wires, with each guy wire connected to a separate second concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires being disposed on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and the second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground that does not exceed 1 m. 
     
     
         15 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.7 m. 
     
     
         16 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.5 m. 
     
     
         17 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one chamber is insulated. 
     
     
         18 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the polygon is a regular polygon. 
     
     
         19 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the polygon is a triangle or a quadrilateral. 
     
     
         20 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the chamber has a height H above the reference level of the ground and the guy wires are connected to points of the chamber that are situated at a height above the reference level of the ground of between 0.5H and 1H, preferably between 0.5H and 0.7H. 
     
     
         21 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the maximum size of each of the first and second blocks is less than the height of the chamber and the weight of each of the first and second blocks is less than the weight of the chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The unit as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the element is another chamber, a compressor for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a motor, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station or an office. 
     
     
         24 . The unit as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising position references for at least one of the first and second blocks indicating the relative disposition of the chamber and/or of the guy wires and/or of an element of the unit. 
     
     
         25 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first block is prefabricated and/or the second blocks are prefabricated. 
     
     
         26 . The unit as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is/contains a distillation or washing column, optionally capable of working at a cryogenic temperature. 
     
     
         27 . A method for transporting and reassembling a chamber of a unit for separating or liquefying a gas as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is transported from one site to another and the chamber is reassembled on the first block, using guy wires attached to the second blocks in order to keep the chamber in position. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber, wherein the references are used so as to have the same disposition of the connection of pipes between the elements and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit at the two sites.