Pipeline gas pressure reduction with refrigeration generation

A process for reducing the high pressure of pipeline gas to a predetermined low pressure of a distribution system while generating refrigeration solely with energy derived from the reduction of pressure which comprises compressing said gas in two successive stages to increase the pressure thereof at least about 150 psi, injecting methanol into the thus compressed gas, cooling said compressed gas containing methanol by heat exchange with said gas after expansion as hereinafter set forth, expanding the cooled gas with the performance of work substantially without liquefaction of said gas, said work being utilized in one of said two stages of compression, separating an aqueous methanol condensate from the expanded gas and subjecting said condensate to distillation for the recovery and reuse of said methanol, said distillation receiving reboiler heat from said compressed gas prior to said cooling thereof, recovering low level refrigeration from the thus dehydrated expanded gas and then further expanding said dehydrated expanded gas with the performance of further work substantially without liquefaction of said gas, said further work being utilized in the other of said two stages of compression, recovering low level refrigeration from the further expanded gas and then passing said further expanded gas in countercurrent heat exchange relation with said compressed gas to effect cooling thereof as hereinbefore set forth, utilizing said further expanded gas to provide reflux cooling to said distillation, and thereafter discharging said further expanded gas at said predetermined low pressure into said distribution system.