Producing power with turboexpander generators based on specified output conditions

A method comprising:

• receiving a first portion of a process fluid flow by a first turboexpander generator defining a portion of a first conduit flow passage, the first turboexpander generator comprising:
• a first turbine wheel configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of the first portion of the process fluid flow flowing through the first turboexpander generator by generating rotational movement from the first portion of the process fluid flow;
• a first electric rotor coupled to the first turbine wheel to rotate with the first turbine wheel;
• a first electric stator surrounding the first electric rotor, wherein a first annulus is defined by the first electric rotor and the first electric stator is configured to receive the first portion of the process fluid flow;
• and
• a first housing enclosing the first electric rotor and first electric stator, the first housing being hermetically sealed between an inlet and an outlet of the first turboexpander generator;
• and
• receiving a second portion of the process fluid flow by a second turboexpander generator defining a portion of a second conduit flow passage, the second turboexpander generator comprising:
• a second turbine wheel configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of the second portion of the process fluid flow flowing through the second turboexpander generator by generating rotational movement from the second portion of the process fluid flow;
• a second electric rotor coupled to the second turbine wheel to rotate with the second turbine wheel;
• a second electric stator surrounding the second electric rotor, wherein a second annulus is defined by the second electric rotor and the second electric stator is configured to receive the second portion of the process fluid flow;
• and
• a second housing enclosing the second electric rotor and second electric stator, the second housing being hermetically sealed between an inlet and an outlet of the second turboexpander generator;
• and
• combining the first portion and the second portion of the process fluid flow downstream of the first and second turboexpander generator, the first and second conduit flow passages being coupled to a common source of the process fluid flow, the first turboexpander generator and the second turboexpander generator being different but substantially similar in performance and critical dimensions such that the performance or the critical dimensions of the second turboexpander generator differs within 10% from the performance or critical dimensions of the first turboexpander generator.

A system comprising:

• a first turboexpander generator defining a portion of a first conduit flow passage, the first turboexpander generator being configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a first portion of a process stream flowing through the first turboexpander generator by generating rotational movement from the first portion of the process stream;
• a second turboexpander generator defining a portion of a second conduit flow passage, the second turboexpander generator being configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a second portion of the process stream flowing through the second turboexpander generator by generating rotational movement from the second portion of the process stream, the first and second conduit flow passages being arranged to carry fluid flow in parallel to one another, the first and the second turboexpander generator being different but substantially similar in critical dimensions and performance such that the performance or the critical dimensions of the second turboexpander generator differs within 10% from the performance or critical dimensions of the first turboexpander generator;
• a Joule-Thomson valve defining a portion of a third conduit flow passage, the first conduit flow passage, the second conduit flow passage, and the third conduit flow passage arranged to carry fluid flow in parallel to one another such that the first conduit flow passage, second conduit flow passage, and third conduit flow passage are coupled to a common source of the process stream and coupled to recombine the process stream downstream of the first turboexpander generator, second turboexpander generator, and Joule-Thomson valve;
• and
• a controller configured to regulate the first turboexpander generator and the second turboexpander generator;
• wherein the first turboexpander generator and second turboexpander generator each comprise:
• an electric rotor coupled to the respective turbine wheel to rotate with the respective turbine wheel;
• an electric stator surrounding the electric rotor, wherein an annulus is defined by the electric rotor and the electric stator and is configured to receive the respective portion of the process stream;
• and
• a housing enclosing the electric rotor and electric stator, the housing being hermetically sealed between an inlet and an outlet of the respective turboexpander generator.