Process for making pressurized liquefied natural gas from pressured natural gas using expansion cooling
US6378330B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2290/62
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to process for liquefying a pressurized gas stream rich in methane. In a first step of the process, a first fraction of a pressurized feed stream, preferably at a pressure above 11,000 kPa, is withdrawn and entropically expanded to a lower pressure to cool and at least partially liquefy the withdrawn first fraction. A second fraction of the feed stream is cooled by indirect heat exchange with the expanded first fraction. The second fraction is subsequently expanded to a lower pressure, thereby at least partially liquefying the second fraction of the pressurized gas stream. The liquefied second fraction is withdrawn from the process as a pressurized product stream having a temperature above −112° C. and a pressure at or above its bubble point pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.