AU2012200383B2 - Method for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream - Google Patents

Method for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2012200383B2
AU2012200383B2 AU2012200383A AU2012200383A AU2012200383B2 AU 2012200383 B2 AU2012200383 B2 AU 2012200383B2 AU 2012200383 A AU2012200383 A AU 2012200383A AU 2012200383 A AU2012200383 A AU 2012200383A AU 2012200383 B2 AU2012200383 B2 AU 2012200383B2
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refrigerant mixture
fraction
boiling
component
compressed
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AU2012200383A1 (en
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Heinz Bauer
Andreas Bub
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0045—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by vaporising a liquid return stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0052—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • F25J1/0055—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream originating from an incorporated cascade
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0211—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0219—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. using a deep flash recycle loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0291—Refrigerant compression by combined gas compression and liquid pumping
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0204—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the feed stream
    • F25J3/0209—Natural gas or substitute natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0228—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream
    • F25J3/0233—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0228—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream
    • F25J3/0257—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream separation of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/02—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a single pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/72—Refluxing the column with at least a part of the totally condensed overhead gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/02—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/04—Recovery of liquid products
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/30—Compression of the feed stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/60—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams the fluid being hydrocarbons or a mixture of hydrocarbons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/02—Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/02—Internal refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)

Abstract

Abstract Method for cooling a single-component or multi component stream A method for cooling a single-component or multi component stream, in particular a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant mixture of a refrigerant mixture circuit is described, the refrigerant mixture being compressed in at least two stages and being separated into a lower boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit and at least one higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to an intermediate pressure. According to the invention, the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction (5) is pumped (P11) to the pressure of the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction (8) and is combined with the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction (8) before or immediately on commencement of indirect heat exchange (El). (The relevant figure is attached.)

Description

Description
Method for cooling a single-component or multicomponent stream
The invention relates to a method for cooling a singlecomponent or multi-component stream, in particular a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant mixture of a refrigerant mixture circuit, the refrigerant mixture being compressed at least in two stages and being separated into a lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit and at least one higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to an intermediate pressure.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. A generic method for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream is known, for example, from DE-C 19722490. Such cooling or condensing methods are used, for example, in baseload condensation plants. In this case, the lower-boiling and the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction are evaporated at different temperature levels in relation to the stream to be cooled or to be condensed. By means of this procedure of separate stream routing, the temperature profile resulting in the heat exchanger or heat exchangers can be advantageously influenced. However, the procedure described in DE-C 19722490 requires a certain extra outlay in terms of apparatus and in control terms, as compared with mixture circuits in which separation of this kind does not take place.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
In at least a preferred embodiment the object of the present invention is to specify a generic method for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream, which is suitable particularly for condensing a hydrocarbon-rich stream and which requires a lower outlay in terms of apparatus and/or in control terms.
In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a method for cooling a single-component or multicomponent stream, in particular a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant mixture of a refrigerant mixture circuit, comprising the refrigerant mixture being compressed at least in two stages and being separated into a lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit and at least one higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to an intermediate pressure, wherein the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction is pumped to the pressure of the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction and is combined with the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction before or immediately on commencement of indirect heat exchange.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".
By virtue of the higher-boiling and the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction being combined, as is to be provided according to the invention, the outlay in terms of apparatus and in control terms can be reduced. In this case, however, an increase in the energy consumption of the refrigerant mixture circuit occurs. Additional investment and operating costs are caused by the pump which has to be additionally provided and by means of which the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction is pumped to the pressure of the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction.
Further additional refinements of the method according to the invention for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream, which constitute the subjects of the dependent patent claims, are characterized in that - the pumping of the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction takes place in a single-stage or multi-stage manner, and - the combining or intermixing of the higher-boiling and lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fractions takes place in a region of the heat exchanger which is designed especially for this purpose.
The method according to the invention for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream and further advantageous refinements thereof will be explained in more detail below by means of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figure.
The figure shows a method for cooling and condensing a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing batch fraction, in which the recovery of a highly concentrated nitrogen fraction is integrated into the condensation process. A method of this type is, for example, the subject of DE-A 102009038458 which has not already been published. By this document being cited, its disclosure content is to be incorporated fully into the disclosure content of the present patent application.
Via the line 100, a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing batch fraction is first delivered to a drying unit A, to be provided optionally, and is then delivered via the line 101 to a heat exchanger El. In this, the batch fraction is condensed and cooled down in relation to process streams yet to be described. The cooled-down batch fraction is fed via the line 102, in which an expansion valve d is provided, to a separating column Tl. A hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction is drawn off from the sump of the latter via the line 106 and is cooled down in the heat exchanger E4. After expansion in the valve e, this fraction is delivered via the line sections 107 and 108 to a separator D1. The liquid LNG product fraction is drawn off from the sump of this separator via line 109 and is delivered to the LNG storage tank L. A highly concentrated nitrogen fraction is drawn off from the head of the separating column Tl via the line 104; its nitrogen content usually amounts to between 90 and 100% by volume. This nitrogen fraction is heated in the heat exchangers E4 and El in relation to process streams to be cooled and is subsequently drawn off from the process via the line 105.
To carry out the separating process taking place in the separating column Tl, a side fraction is drawn off via the line 103, cooled in the heat exchanger E4 and fed as return to the separating column Tl. A nitrogen-rich fraction is drawn off at the head of the separator D1 via the line 112. Boil-off gas, compressed by means of the compressor C2, from the LNG storage tank L is admixed to this nitrogen-rich fraction via the line 110. This stream is delivered to the heat exchanger El via the line 113 and is heated in relation to process streams to be cooled. The heated stream is delivered via the line 114 to a compressor unit Cl preferably of multi-stage design, is compressed in the latter to the desired condensation pressure and is subsequently admixed via the line 115 to the batch fraction 100. If necessary, or optionally, an amine scrub A' may be provided.
The above-described process management is adopted particularly when the nitrogen concentration in the final LNG product is to be limited to 1% by volume. In the case of a higher nitrogen concentration, undesirable and hazardous stratifications could otherwise occur inside the LNG storage tank on account of different densities.
The refrigerant mixture circuit 1 to 9 configured according to the invention comprises a two-stage compressor unit Cll, a separator DIO preceding this compressor unit and two separators Dll and D12 following the two compressor stages. Furthermore, in contrast to the process management described in DE-C 19722490, a pump or pump unit Pll of single-stage or multi-stage design must be provided.
The refrigerant mixture evaporated in the heat exchanger El in relation to the batch stream 101 to be condensed is delivered via the line 1 to the abovementioned separator D10. The gas phase drawn off from the head of this separator via the line 2 is delivered to the first compressor stage of the compressor unit Cll and is compressed by means of this to a desired intermediate pressure. The compressed refrigerant mixture, after passing through the aftercooler Ell, is delivered via the line 3 to the separator Dll. A higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction is drawn off from the sump of the latter via the line 5 and is pumped by means of the pump or pump unit Pll to the pressure of the gaseous lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction yet to be described. This liquid fraction is led via the line 5' , in which a regulating valve b is arranged, in front of the inlet of the heat exchanger El.
The gas phase drawn off from the separator Dll via the line 4 is delivered to the second compressor stage of the compressor unit 11 and is compressed by means of this to the desired ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit. The compressed refrigerant mixture, after passing through the aftercooler E12, is fed to the separator D12 via the line 6. The liquid fraction occurring in the sump of the separator is led back via the line 7, in which a regulating valve c is provided, in front of the inlet of the separator Dll. The lower-boiling gaseous refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the desired ultimate pressure is drawn off at the head of the separator D12 via the line 8 and is likewise delivered to the heat exchanger El.
According to the invention, the liquid and the gaseous refrigerant mixture fractions 5' and 8 are combined before or immediately on commencement of heat exchange taking place in the heat exchanger El and are delivered as a two-phase stream to the heat exchanger El. The two-phase refrigerant mixture is cooled under pressure in the heat exchanger El and is at the same time condensed completely. At the cold end of the heat exchanger El, the refrigerant mixture is drawn off via the line 9, is expanded in the valve a and is subsequently evaporated completely during renewed passage through the heat exchanger El .
In contrast to the procedure described in DE-C 19722490, in the method according to the invention it is not possible to influence the temperature profile in the heat exchange El in a directed manner. Since this is not necessary in many applications, the method according to the invention, which results in a lower outlay in terms of apparatus and/or in control terms, can be beneficial in many applications.

Claims (4)

  1. Claims
    1. Method for cooling a single-component or multicomponent stream, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant mixture of a refrigerant mixture circuit, comprising the refrigerant mixture being compressed at least in two stages and being separated into a lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit and at least one higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to an intermediate pressure, wherein the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction is pumped to the pressure of the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction and is combined with the lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction before or immediately on commencement of indirect heat exchange.
  2. 2. Method according to Claim 1, wherein pumping of the higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction takes place in a single-stage or multi-stage manner.
  3. 3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein combining or intermixing of the higher-boiling and lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fractions takes place in a region of the heat exchanger which is designed especially for this purpose.
  4. 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the single-component or multi-component stream is a hydrocarbon-rich fraction.
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CN106765776B (en) * 2017-01-04 2023-01-17 华南理工大学建筑设计研究院有限公司 Distributed variable-frequency three-stage pump regional cooling system and method
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US20120198883A1 (en) 2012-08-09
DE102011010633A1 (en) 2012-08-09
RU2012104233A (en) 2013-08-20
EP2484999A2 (en) 2012-08-08
AR085152A1 (en) 2013-09-11
CN102636001B (en) 2016-12-14
AU2012200383A1 (en) 2012-08-23
IN2012CH00435A (en) 2015-08-21
EP2484999A3 (en) 2017-03-08
RU2580566C2 (en) 2016-04-10

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