Complete liquefaction methods and apparatus
AssigneeBattelle Energy Alliance, LLC
InventorsTerry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are described to provide complete gas utilization in the liquefaction operation from a source of gas without return of natural gas to the source thereof from the process and apparatus. The mass flow rate of gas input into the system and apparatus may be substantially equal to the mass flow rate of liquefied product output from the system, such as for storage or use.
Claims22
A liquefaction plant configured to have an inlet connected to a source of gas, the liquefaction plant comprising:
- a first mixer connected to the inlet;
- a first splitter for splitting a gas stream from the first mixer into a cooling stream and a process stream;
- a first compressor for compressing the cooling stream from the first splitter;
- a heat exchanger for cooling the process stream into a liquid and a gas vapor;
- a separation tank for separating the gas vapor from the liquid of the process stream;
- a storage tank connected to a liquid outlet of the separation tank for storing the liquid;
- an apparatus connecting a vapor outlet of the separation tank to the first mixer;
- and
- an apparatus connecting a vapor outlet of the storage tank to the first mixer.
A method of liquefying natural gas from a source of gas using a liquefaction plant having an inlet for gas, the method comprising:
- flowing gas from the source of gas through the inlet and into a first mixer;
- splitting a gas stream from the first mixer using a first splitter into a cooling stream and a process stream;
- compressing the cooling stream using a compressor;
- expanding the compressed cooling stream using an expander;
- cooling the process stream with a heat exchanger;
- separating vapor from liquid gas of the process stream in a separation chamber;
- storing the liquid gas in a storage tank;
- flowing vapor from the separation chamber and vapor from the storage tank into the first mixer to mix with gas from the source of gas;
- forming gas from liquid gas in the separation vessel using the heat exchanger;
- and
- flowing gas from the heat exchanger to the first mixer to mix with gas from the source of gas.
A method of liquefying gas from a source of gas using a liquefaction plant having an inlet for gas, the method comprising:
- flowing gas from the source of gas through the inlet and into a first mixer;
- compressing a first stream of gas from the first mixer to produce a process stream;
- splitting the process stream using a first splitter into a cooling stream and a process stream;
- compressing the cooling stream using a compressor;
- expanding the compressed cooling stream using an expander;
- cooling the process stream in a heat exchanger;
- expanding the process stream to further cool the process stream;
- directing the process stream into a separation chamber to separate a liquid and a vapor of the process stream;
- storing the liquid in a storage vessel;
- flowing the vapor from the separation chamber and a vapor from the storage vessel into the first mixer to mix with gas from the source of gas;
- vaporizing a portion of the liquid from the separation chamber using the heat exchanger;
- and
- flowing gas from the heat exchanger to the first mixer to mix with gas from the source of gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.