Reliquefaction of compressed vapor
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorJosef Pozivil
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Abstract
Liquefied natural gas is stored in an insulated tank, typically forming part of an ocean going tanker. Boiled off vapour is compressed in a compressor and at least partially condensed in a condenser. The resulting condensate is returned to the tank. The vapour is mixed with liquefied natural gas in a mixing chamber upstream of the compressor. The liquefied natural gas so mixed with the vapour in the mixing chamber is taken from the condensate or from the storage tank.
Claims14
A method of reliquefying vapour boiled off from liquefied natural gas held in a storage tank comprising compressing the vapour, at least partially condensing the compressed vapour, and returning the condensate to the storage tank, wherein the boiled off vapour is mixed with liquefied natural gas upstream of the compression.
Apparatus for reliquefying vapour boiled-off from liquefied natural gas held in a storage tank, the apparatus comprising a flow circuit comprising a vapour path extending from the tank through a compressor to a condenser for at least partially condensing compressed boiled-off vapour and a condensate path extending from the condenser back to the storage tank, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a conduit for the flow of liquefied natural gas into at least one mixer forming part of the flow circuit upstream of the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.