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US 4,285,709 AGranted
Liquefactor
AssigneeCleanair Combustion Systems, Ltd.
InventorAnker Gram
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and a process for cleaning and liquifying an input gas. An engine operates on a portion of cleaned gas and discharges exhaust gases. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the exhaust gases to the portion of the cleaned gas. Apparatus for liquifying the cleaned gas is powered by the engines. Molecular sieves clean the input gas to produce the cleaned gas and are regenerated by the portion of the cleaned gas.
Claims19
An apparatus for purifying and liquifying natural gas comprising:
- a plurality of molecular sieve assemblies for purifying the gas;
- means for liquifying the gas comprising a compressor powered by a motor fueled by a portion of the natural gas;
- a heat exchanger for heating the portion of the natural gas with exhaust gases from the motor;
- and
- means for periodically changing modes of operation of the sieve assemblies so a first sieve assembly operates on a gas cleaning mode, wherein the natural gas passes through the first sieve assembly to the means for liquifying, and a second sieve assembly is regenerated during a heating mode, wherein the portion of the gas from the heat exchanger passes through the second sieve assembly to heat the second sieve assembly and purge accumulated impurities, and a cooling mode, wherein the portion of gas flowing to the heat exchanger passes through the second sieve assembly to cool the second sieve assembly;
- each sieve assembly comprising a plurality of passes each of which has a cross-sectional area which is less than that of the entire sieve assembly to increase the velocity of the portion of gas passing through the sieve assembly so that the portion of gas for fueling the motor is sufficient to regenerate the sieve assemblies.
3 more elements
An apparatus for purifying and liquifying a natural gas comprising:
- a plurality of molecular sieve assemblies for purifying the gas;
- means for liquifying the gas comprising a compressor powered by a motor fueled by a portion of the natural gas;
- a heat exchanger for heating the portion of the natural gas with exhaust gases from the motor;
- and
- means for periodically changing modes of operation of the sieve assemblies so a first sieve assembly operates on a gas cleaning mode, where the natural gas passes through the first sieve assembly to the means for liquifying, and a second sieve assembly is regenerated during a heating mode, where the portion of the gas from the heat exchanger passes through the second sieve assembly to heat the second sieve assembly and purge accumulated impurities, and a cooling mode, where the portion of gas flowing to the heat exchanger passes through the second sieve assembly to cool the second sieve assembly, the means for periodically changing the modes of operation comprising a three position valve connected to each molecular sieve assembly with one position for each mode of the sieve assemblies, each valve being connected to a first conduit for the input gas, a second conduit for the cleaned gas, a third conduit for supplying gas to the heat exchanger, a fourth conduit for gas heated by the heat exchanger and a fifth conduit for supplying gas to the motor as fuel.
2 more elements
An apparatus for purifying and liquifying a stream of impure natural gas comprising:
- three regenerable adsorption assemblies for purifying the gas, a first of said adsorption assemblies being in a purifying mode, a second of said adsorption assemblies being in a cooling mode having previously been regnerated, and a third of said adsorption assemblies being in a regenerating mode;
- means for liquifying the gas, including a compressor;
- an engine for driving said compressor and for providing engine exhaust heat;
- a heat exchanger;
- means for conveying the exhaust of said engine to one side of said heat exchanger;
- a first conduit means for conveying the stream of impure natural gas to said first adsorption assembly to purify the gas;
- a second conduit means for conveying a portion of the now-purified gas from said first adsorption assembly to said second adsorption assembly, thereby cooling said second adsorption assembly which has previously been regenerated;
- a third conduit means for conveying the portion of the gas from said second adsorption assembly directly to said heat exchanger wherein the gas is heated by the engine exhaust;
- a fourth conduit means for conveying the portion of the now-heated gas from said heat exchanger and to said third adsorption assembly, thereby regenerating said third adsorption assembly;
- a fifth conduit means for conveying the portion of the gas from said third adsorption assembly directly to said engine where the gas is burned as fuel, thereby providing power to said compressor;
- and
- valve means in said conduit means for periodically shifting the flow of gas through said first, second and third adsorption assemblies to change the mode thereof as needed to purify the gas.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.