Method and system for cooling a hydrocarbon stream using a gas phase refrigerant
US10866022B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2290/32
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described herein are methods and systems for the liquefaction of a natural gas stream using a refrigerant comprising methane or a mixture of methane and nitrogen. The methods and systems use a refrigeration circuit and cycle that employs one or more turbo-expanders to expand one or more streams of gaseous refrigerant to provide one or more streams of at least predominantly gaseous refrigerant that are used to provide refrigeration for liquefying and/or precooling the natural gas, and a J-T valve to expand down to a lower pressure a stream of liquid or two-phase refrigerant to provide a vaporizing stream of refrigerant that provides refrigeration for sub-cooling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.