Method for liquefying natural gas and for recovering possible liquids from the natural gas, comprising two refrigerant cycles semi-open to the natural gas and a refrigerant cycle closed to the refrigerant gas
US11255602B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2230/20
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for liquefying a natural gas comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons predominating in methane, the process comprising a first semi-open refrigerant cycle with natural gas in which any natural gas liquids that have condensed are separated from the natural gas feed stream, which stream then passes through a main cryogenic heat exchanger (4) in order to contribute by heat exchange to pre-cooling a main natural gas stream (F-P) and to cooling an initial refrigerant gas stream (G-0), a second semi-open refrigerant cycle with natural gas for contributing to pre-cooling the natural gas and the refrigerant and also to liquefying the natural gas, and a closed refrigerant cycle with refrigerant gas for subcooling the liquefied natural gas and for delivering refrigeration power in addition to the other two cycles. The invention also provides a natural gas liquefaction installation for performing such a process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.