Process and device for liquefying and for processing a natural gas
First Claim
1. A process for liquefying a fluid consisting at least partly of a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising:
- introducing said mixture into a first zone;
cooling said mixture in said first zone under pressure to condense said mixture at least partly to produce a liquid phase and a gas phase, bringing into contact at least a fraction of said liquid phase and gas phase in a countercurrent flow in said first zone so as to obtain, by matter transfer, a gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons and a first liquid phase enriched in heavy hydrocarbons; and
sending the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons to a second cooling stage and cooling the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons so as to obtain a second liquid phase enriched in light hydrocarbons.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid consisting at least partly of a mixture of hydrocarbons is liquefied by means of the following stages:
the mixture under pressure is cooled so as to condense it at least partly to produce a liquid phase and a gas phase, and bringing into contact of at least a fraction of each of said phases is simultaneously achieved at least partly in a countercurrent flow so as to obtain, by matter transfer, a gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons and a first liquid phase enriched in heavy hydrocarbons, and
the two phases obtained thereby are separated and the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons is sent to a second cooling stage in order to obtain a second liquid phase enriched in light hydrocarbons.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A process for liquefying a fluid consisting at least partly of a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising:
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introducing said mixture into a first zone; cooling said mixture in said first zone under pressure to condense said mixture at least partly to produce a liquid phase and a gas phase, bringing into contact at least a fraction of said liquid phase and gas phase in a countercurrent flow in said first zone so as to obtain, by matter transfer, a gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons and a first liquid phase enriched in heavy hydrocarbons; and sending the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons to a second cooling stage and cooling the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons so as to obtain a second liquid phase enriched in light hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A plant for liquefying a fluid comprising at least partly a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising:
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a. precooler for at least partly condensing the fluid and for separating the fluid into a gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons and a liquid phase enriched in heavy hydrocarbons, the precooler comprising at least one first passage having an inlet, a gas phase outlet and a liquid phase outlet, and at least one second passage in heat transfer relationship with the at least one first passage, wherein the at least one second passage, the at least one first passage and the inlet, gas phase outlet and liquid phase outlet thereof are arranged to at least partially condense the fluid in the at least one first passage and to provide direct contact in countercurrent flow between the gas phase and the condensed liquid phase; at least one line for delivering the fluid to the inlet of the at least one first passage; a source of cooling fluid connected to the inlet of the at least one second passage; and a second cooling stage connected to the gas phase outlet of the at least one first passage for liquefying the gas phase enriched in light hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification