Apparatus and process for pre-liquefaction fluid processing for improved liquefaction operations

A control system for controlling a distribution of feed to a train of liquefiers for liquefaction of the feed, the control system comprising:

• a controller having a processor connected to a non-transitory computer readable medium, the controller being communicatively connectable to at least one flow splitting mechanism and at least one sensor of at least one feed conduit arrangement positionable between a train of liquefiers and a source of feed, the controller configured to:
• determine a flow of feed available for feeding to the train of liquefiers and a current operational status of a plurality of liquefiers of the train of liquefiers;
• determine how to split the feed based on a pre-selected set of control criteria;
• and
• communicate with the at least one flow splitting mechanism to split the flow of the feed for feeding portions of the feed to different liquefiers of the train of liquefiers so each of the liquefiers is operatable at least at a pre-selected minimum operational capacity and power usage for liquefaction of the feed is minimized in accordance with the pre-selected set of control criteria.

An apparatus for liquefaction of a fluid comprising:

• a source of feed configured to output a feed of fluid, the fluid comprising hydrogen gas,
• a conduit arrangement positioned between the source of the feed and a train of liquefiers;
• the train of liquefiers having a first liquefier and a second liquefier,
• a control system comprising a controller positioned and configured to communicate with at least one flow splitting mechanism and at least one sensor connected to the conduit arrangement, the control system configured to:
• determine a flow of feed available for feeding to the train of liquefiers and a current operational status of the first liquefier and the second liquefier of the train of liquefiers;
• determine how to split the feed based on a pre-selected set of control criteria;
• and
• communicate with the at least one flow splitting mechanism to split the flow of the feed for feeding a first portion of the flow of feed to the first liquefier and a second portion of the flow of feed to the second liquefier so each of the liquefiers is operatable at least at a pre-selected minimum operational capacity and power usage for liquefaction of the feed is minimized in accordance with the pre-selected set of control criteria.