Vapor recovery system using turboexpander-driven compressor
AssigneeTractebel LNG North America LLC
InventorsPaul C. Johnson, Fred E. Staible
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for recovering gas is described and includes compressing gas with a turboexpander-driven compressor. The compressor may be a high speed cryogenic centrifugal compressor and the gas to be recovered may be generated from a source of liquefied gas, such as during the transfer of liquefied natural gas from a shipping vessel to a storage tank. A system for recovering gas is also provided and includes a turboexpander-driven compressor in communication with a source of gas to be compressed. The system may be provided with a circuit such that at least a portion of the compressed gas, and/or at least a portion of an expanded, reduced-pressure gas exiting the turboexpander, is directed to the source of the gas.
Claims38
A method for recovering gas evolved from a liquefied gas, said method comprising:
- providing a source of liquefied gas from which gas evolves;
- and
- compressing gas that evolves from said source of liquefied gas with a compressor powered by a turboexpander to form a source of compressed gas wherein said turboexpander is driven by a gas that is different from said gas being compressed through said compressor.
A system for the recovery of gas, said system comprising:
- a container for a source of liquefied gas from which gas evolves;
- a compressor in communication with an outlet of said container, said outlet enabling the withdrawal of gas from said container, said compressor capable of increasing the pressure of withdrawn gas from the container and forming a source of compressed gas, said compressor including a drive member;
- a turboexpander having a drive member;
- and
- a drive transmission device for transmitting power from the drive member of said turboexpander to the drive member of said compressor.
A method for recovering gas evolved from a liquefied gas, said method comprising:
- providing a source of liquefied gas from which gas evolves;
- and
- compressing gas that evolves from said source of liquefied gas with a compressor powered entirely by a turboexpander to form a source of compressed gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.