Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
First Claim
1. A method of liquefying a gas, the method comprising:
- providing a source of gas and flowing a portion of the gas from the source;
dividing the portion of the gas into at least a process stream and a cooling stream;
flowing the process stream sequentially through a first compressor and a first side of at least one heat exchanger;
flowing the cooling stream sequentially through a second compressor and a second side of the at least one heat exchanger;
expanding at least a portion of the process stream subsequent flowing the process stream through the first side of at least one heat exchanger to produce a liquid;
producing a slurry of liquid natural gas and solid carbon dioxide from the at least a portion of the process stream within a liquid-gas separator; and
transferring at least a portion of the slurry from the liquid-gas separator to at least one transfer tank to maintain adequate transfer pressure of the slurry delivered from the separator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are provided for producing liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas. In one embodiment, a liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may sequentially pass through a compressor and an expander. The process stream may also pass through a compressor. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line.
142 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of liquefying a gas, the method comprising:
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providing a source of gas and flowing a portion of the gas from the source; dividing the portion of the gas into at least a process stream and a cooling stream; flowing the process stream sequentially through a first compressor and a first side of at least one heat exchanger; flowing the cooling stream sequentially through a second compressor and a second side of the at least one heat exchanger; expanding at least a portion of the process stream subsequent flowing the process stream through the first side of at least one heat exchanger to produce a liquid; producing a slurry of liquid natural gas and solid carbon dioxide from the at least a portion of the process stream within a liquid-gas separator; and transferring at least a portion of the slurry from the liquid-gas separator to at least one transfer tank to maintain adequate transfer pressure of the slurry delivered from the separator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A liquefaction plant comprising:
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a first flow path defined and configured for sequential delivery of a first stream of gas through a first compressor and a first side of at least one heat exchanger; a second flow path defined and configured for sequential delivery of a second stream of gas through a second compressor and a second side of the at least one heat exchanger; a product flow path defined and configured for delivery of the first stream of gas from the first flow path through at least one expansion device and into a gas liquid separator for producing a slurry of liquid natural gas and solid carbon dioxide from the at least a portion of the process stream within the liquid-gas separator; and a transfer tank located and configured to receive a solid-liquid slurry from the gas-liquid separator to maintain adequate transfer pressure of the slurry delivered from the separator. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification