Installation and method for producing liquefied hydrogen

An installation for producing liquefied hydrogen comprising:

• a circuit of hydrogen to be cooled comprising an upstream end configured to be connected to a source of gaseous hydrogen and a downstream end connected to a cryogenic storage means of the installation, the cryogenic storage means being configured to collect and store liquefied hydrogen;
• a set of one or more heat exchangers in heat exchange with the circuit of hydrogen to be cooled;
• a cooling device in heat exchange with all or some of the set of one or more heat exchangers, said cooling device comprising a cryogenic refrigerator arranged at least partially in a first thermally insulated cold box, the cryogenic refrigerator having a system that subjects a working fluid comprising hydrogen and/or helium to a thermodynamic compression, cooling, expansion or reheating cycle in a working circuit, the working circuit comprising one or more compressors, one or more expansion valves or turbines, and a set of heat exchangers;
• a first withdrawal line having an upstream first end connected to the storage means and a downstream second end connected to a recovery or discharge zone located outside the first cold box, the first withdrawal line comprising, between the upstream first end and the downstream second end, a portion passing through the first cold box and in heat exchange therewith;
• a set of one or more valves configured to control the flow of fluid in the first withdrawal line thereby controlling a transfer of cold energy from a flow of fluid withdrawn from the storage means to the first cold box, the cryogenic refrigerator being able to switch between an active first state in which the cryogenic refrigerator supplies a first cooling power to the first cold box and a shut-down second state in which the cryogenic refrigerator supplies a cooling power of zero or of less than the first cooling power to the first cold box;
• and
• an electronic controller configured to control the set of one or more valves and configured to open at least one valve of the set of one or more valves and to circulate fluid from the storage means in the first withdrawal line when the cryogenic refrigerator is in the second state in order for the first cold box to be cooled to, or kept cold at, a predetermined temperature level,
• wherein the downstream second end of the first withdrawal line is located outside the cryogenic refrigerator and outside the working cycle.