Integrated methane refrigeration system for liquefying natural gas
US9863697B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2270/16
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described herein is a method and system for liquefying a natural gas feed stream to produce an LNG product. The natural gas feed stream is liquefied, by indirect heat exchange with a gaseous methane or natural gas refrigerant circulating in a gaseous expander cycle, to produce a first LNG stream. The first LNG stream is expanded, and the resulting vapor and liquid phases are separated to produce a first flash gas stream and a second LNG stream. The second LNG stream is then expanded, with the resulting vapor and liquid phases being separated to produce the second flash gas stream and a third LNG stream, all or a portion of which forms the LNG product. Refrigeration is recovered from the second flash gas by using said stream to sub-cool the second LNG stream or a supplementary LNG stream.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.