NGL EXTRACTION FROM LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
First Claim
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1. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream, comprising:
- providing a first stream of liquid LNG having a pressure of at least 600 psig;
passing the first stream through a first heat exchanger to vaporize the LNG and form a second stream;
expanding the second stream in an turbo-expander to form a third stream having reduced pressure and temperature as compared to the second stream;
introducing a first portion of the third stream to a distillation column at one or more feed trays;
passing a second portion of the third stream through the first heat exchanger to be cooled by heat exchange with the first stream to form a fourth stream;
introducing the fourth stream to the distillation column at a point higher than the first portion of the third stream inlet;
withdrawing a fifth stream of vapor hydrocarbon from an upper portion of the distillation column having a reduced content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream;
compressing the fifth stream in a turbo-compressor coupled to and powered by the turbo-expander;
withdrawing a sixth stream of liquid hydrocarbon from a lower portion of the distillation column having an increased content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream.
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Abstract
A process of extraction of natural gas liquids from a liquefied natural gas stream is disclosed.
6 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream, comprising:
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providing a first stream of liquid LNG having a pressure of at least 600 psig; passing the first stream through a first heat exchanger to vaporize the LNG and form a second stream; expanding the second stream in an turbo-expander to form a third stream having reduced pressure and temperature as compared to the second stream; introducing a first portion of the third stream to a distillation column at one or more feed trays; passing a second portion of the third stream through the first heat exchanger to be cooled by heat exchange with the first stream to form a fourth stream; introducing the fourth stream to the distillation column at a point higher than the first portion of the third stream inlet; withdrawing a fifth stream of vapor hydrocarbon from an upper portion of the distillation column having a reduced content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream; compressing the fifth stream in a turbo-compressor coupled to and powered by the turbo-expander; withdrawing a sixth stream of liquid hydrocarbon from a lower portion of the distillation column having an increased content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream, comprising:
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vaporizing a first LNG stream to provide a first stream of vaporized natural gas having a pressure of at least 600 psig; expanding the first stream in an turbo-expander to form a second stream having reduced pressure and temperature as compared to the first stream; introducing the second stream to a distillation column at one or more feed trays; providing a third stream of liquid LNG having a pressure of at least 150 psig; introducing the third stream to the distillation column at a point higher than the second stream inlet; withdrawing a fourth stream of vapor hydrocarbon from an upper portion of the distillation column having a reduced content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream; compressing the fourth stream in a turbo-compressor coupled to and powered by the turbo-expander; withdrawing a fifth stream of liquid NGL hydrocarbon from a lower portion of said distillation column having an increased content of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons as compared to the first stream. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification