Liquefaction of natural gas using process-loaded expanders
US4970867A · kind A · utility
73Cited by
19References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2240/40
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the liquefaction of natural gas is disclosed wherein expansion valves for low-level multicomponent refrigerant and liquefied gas product streams are replaced with process-loaded turboexpanders having liquid inlet streams. Each turboexpander is coupled with a compressor or pump so that expansion work extracted from a given stream is used directly to compress or pump the stream prior to cooling and expansion. The use of process-loaded turboexpanders reduces the minimum work of liquefaction and increases the liquefaction capacity of the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.