METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFYING A HYDROCARBON STREAM
First Claim
1. A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying a partly condensed feed stream having a pressure above 60 bar to a first gas/liquid separator;
(b) separating the feed stream in the first gas/liquid separator into a gaseous stream, which gaseous stream is removed from the first gas/liquid separator at a first outlet, and a liquid stream;
(c) expanding the liquid stream obtained in step (b) and feeding it into a distillation column at a first feeding point;
(d) expanding the gaseous stream removed at the first outlet of the first gas/liquid separator in step (b), thereby obtaining an expanded stream which is at least partially condensed, and subsequently feeding it into the distillation column at a second feeding point, the second feeding point being at a higher level than the first feeding point;
(e) removing from the top of the distillation column a gaseous stream, partially condensing it and feeding it into a second gas/liquid separator;
(f) separating the stream fed in the second gas/liquid separator in step (e) thereby obtaining a liquid stream and a gaseous stream;
(g) feeding the liquid stream obtained in step (f) into the distillation column at a third feeding point, the third feeding point being at a higher level than the second feeding point; and
(h) liquefying the gaseous stream obtained in step (f) thereby obtaining a liquefied stream;
wherein the gaseous stream removed from the distillation column in step (e) is partially condensed by heat exchanging against the stream expanded in step (d) before it is fed into the distillation column at the second feeding point; and
wherein the gaseous stream obtained in step (f) is heat exchanged against the feed stream of step (a) before it is liquefied in step (h), thereby partially condensing the feed stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: supplying a partly condensed feed stream (10) having a pressure above 60 bar to a first separator (2) wherein it is separated into a gaseous stream (20) and a liquid stream (30); expanding the liquid stream (30) and the gaseous stream (20) and subsequently feeding them into the distillation column (3); removing from the distillation column (3) a gaseous overhead stream (80), partially condensing it, feeding it (90) into a second separator (8) thereby obtaining a liquid stream (100) and a gaseous stream (110), feeding the liquid stream (100) into the distillation column (3) and liquefying the gaseous stream (110) thereby obtaining a liquefied stream (200); wherein the gaseous overhead stream (80) is partially condensed by heat exchanging against the expanded gaseous stream (60) before it (70) is fed into the distillation column (3); and wherein the gaseous stream (110) is removed from the second separator but before it (160) is liquefied, is heat exchanged against the feed stream (10a), thereby partially condensing the feed stream (10a).
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying a partly condensed feed stream having a pressure above 60 bar to a first gas/liquid separator; (b) separating the feed stream in the first gas/liquid separator into a gaseous stream, which gaseous stream is removed from the first gas/liquid separator at a first outlet, and a liquid stream; (c) expanding the liquid stream obtained in step (b) and feeding it into a distillation column at a first feeding point; (d) expanding the gaseous stream removed at the first outlet of the first gas/liquid separator in step (b), thereby obtaining an expanded stream which is at least partially condensed, and subsequently feeding it into the distillation column at a second feeding point, the second feeding point being at a higher level than the first feeding point; (e) removing from the top of the distillation column a gaseous stream, partially condensing it and feeding it into a second gas/liquid separator; (f) separating the stream fed in the second gas/liquid separator in step (e) thereby obtaining a liquid stream and a gaseous stream; (g) feeding the liquid stream obtained in step (f) into the distillation column at a third feeding point, the third feeding point being at a higher level than the second feeding point; and (h) liquefying the gaseous stream obtained in step (f) thereby obtaining a liquefied stream; wherein the gaseous stream removed from the distillation column in step (e) is partially condensed by heat exchanging against the stream expanded in step (d) before it is fed into the distillation column at the second feeding point; and wherein the gaseous stream obtained in step (f) is heat exchanged against the feed stream of step (a) before it is liquefied in step (h), thereby partially condensing the feed stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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8. An apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the apparatus at least comprising:
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a first gas/liquid separator having an inlet for a partly condensed feed stream having a pressure above 60 bar, a first outlet for a gaseous stream and a second outlet for a liquid stream; a distillation column having at least a first outlet for a gaseous stream and a second outlet for a liquid stream and first, second and third feeding points, the third feeding point being at a higher level than the second feeding point and the second feeding point being at a higher level than the first feeding point; a first expander for expanding the gaseous stream obtained from the first outlet of the first gas/liquid separator; a second expander between the second outlet of the first gas/liquid separator and the first feeding point of the distillation column, for expanding the liquid stream obtained from the second outlet of the first gas/liquid separator; a first heat exchanger between the first expander and the second feeding point of the distillation column, arranged to receive the expanded stream from the first expander; a second gas/liquid separator having an inlet for the stream obtained at the first outlet of the distillation column, a first outlet for a gaseous stream and a second outlet for a liquid stream, the second outlet being connected to the third feeding point of the distillation column; a liquefaction unit for liquefying the gaseous stream obtained at the first outlet of the second gas/liquid separator, the liquefaction unit comprising at least one cryogenic heat exchanger; and a further heat exchanger for heat exchanging the gaseous stream obtained at the first outlet of the second gas/liquid separator against the feed stream, before it is liquefied in the liquefaction unit; wherein the first heat exchanger is placed between the first outlet of the distillation column and the inlet of the second gas/liquid separator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification