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US 10,533,793 B2Granted
Systems and methods for multi-stage refrigeration
AssigneeBechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc.
InventorDavid Ladd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for multi-stage refrigeration in mixed refrigerant and cascade refrigeration cycles using one or more liquid motive eductors.
Claims15
A multi-stage refrigeration system, comprising:
- an eductor in fluid communication with a first vapor line and one of a liquid source and a supercritical fluid source;
- a flashdrum in fluid communication with the eductor for receiving a two-phase fluid, the flashdrum connected to a second vapor line and a liquid line, wherein a pressure in the first vapor line is lower than a pressure in the second vapor line;
- a first expansion valve in fluid communication with the liquid line and connected to a chilled two-phase fluid line;
- another flashdrum in fluid communication with the chilled two-phase fluid line and connected to the first vapor line;
- a second expansion valve in fluid communication with another liquid line connected to the another flashdrum and connected to another chilled two-phase fluid line;
- an accumulator directly connected to a vaporized refrigerant line and a third vapor line;
- and
- another accumulator in fluid communication with the first vapor line, the second vapor line, the third vapor line and the eductor.
5 more elements
A method for multi-stage refrigeration, comprising:
- introducing one of a first liquid stream and a supercritical fluid stream into an eductor;
- introducing a first vapor stream into the eductor to achieve partial liquefaction and produce a two-phase fluid stream comprising the first vapor stream and one of the liquid stream and the supercritical fluid stream;
- flashing the two-phase fluid stream in a flashdrum to produce a second liquid stream and a second vapor stream;
- expanding the second liquid stream to produce a chilled two-phase fluid stream;
- flashing the chilled two-phase fluid stream in another flashdrum to produce the first vapor stream and a third liquid stream;
- processing the third liquid stream to produce a vaporized refrigerant stream;
- and
- retaining residual condensation from the vaporized refrigerant stream using an accumulator directly connected to the vaporized refrigerant stream and a third vapor stream.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.