Production of refrigerated liquid methane
US5983665A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2270/90
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A high purity methane product is recovered from a feed gas mixture containing methane and one or more hydrocarbons heavier than methane by cooling, condensing, and rectifying the feed in a dephlegmator. The high purity methane product, containing at least 98 mole % methane, can be liquefied and stored for use as a fuel for internal combustion engines. A hydrocarbon product containing components heavier than methane is also recovered. Methane recovery and C.sub.2.sup.+ hydrocarbon product purity can be improved by the use of a combined stripping heat exchanger and feed gas cooler. External refrigeration is utilized and can be supplemented in part by autorefrigeration provided by vaporizing dephlegmator liquid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.