System for converting gaseous fuel into liquid fuel

A method of converting gaseous fuel into liquid fuel, comprising:

• compressing gaseous fuel with a gas compressor, directing a first portion of compressed gaseous fuel into a combustor, and directing a second portion of compressed gaseous fuel into a heat exchanger;
• compressing air and directing compressed air to mix with the first portion of compressed gaseous fuel and create a fuel/air mixture within the combustor;
• combusting the fuel/air mixture within the combustor to generate a heated exhaust flow;
• converting heat energy from the heated exhaust flow into mechanical work used to compress and direct gaseous fuel and air;
• cooling the second portion of the gaseous fuel with the heat exchanger;
• expanding the cooled second portion of gaseous fuel;
• and
• condensing the expanded and cooled second portion of gaseous fuel to convert the second portion of gaseous fuel into liquid fuel.

A method of converting natural gas into LNG, comprising:

• compressing natural gas with a gas compressor, directing a first portion of compressed natural gas from a supply into a combustor, and directing a second portion of compressed natural gas into a heat exchanger;
• compressing ambient air and directing ambient air to mix with the first portion of compressed natural gas and create a fuel/air mixture within the combustor;
• combusting the fuel/air mixture in the combustor to generate a heated exhaust flow;
• converting heat energy from the heated exhaust flow into mechanical work used to compress and direct the natural gas and the ambient air;
• cooling [a]the second portion of the compressed natural gas from about 8130 C. and 2,300 kpa to about 300 C. and 2,300 kpa;
• cooling a portion of the compressed ambient air from about 8420 C. and 10,000 kpa to about 300 C. and 10,000 kpa;
• expanding the cooled second portion of natural gas to drop the temperature of the natural gas to about −190° C. and atmospheric pressure;
• expanding the cooled portion of ambient air to drop the temperature of the natural gas to about −190° C. and atmospheric pressure;
• and
• using the expanded and cooled portion of ambient air to further cool and condense the expanded and cooled second portion of natural gas to convert the second portion of natural gas into LNG.