AU2014240354A1 - Method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction - Google Patents

Method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2014240354A1
AU2014240354A1 AU2014240354A AU2014240354A AU2014240354A1 AU 2014240354 A1 AU2014240354 A1 AU 2014240354A1 AU 2014240354 A AU2014240354 A AU 2014240354A AU 2014240354 A AU2014240354 A AU 2014240354A AU 2014240354 A1 AU2014240354 A1 AU 2014240354A1
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refrigerant blend
rich
heat exchanger
boiling components
blend
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AU2014240354A
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AU2014240354B2 (en
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Heinz Bauer
Martin Gwinner
Jurgen Witte
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Classifications

    • 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
    • F25J1/0047—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0212—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 as a single flow MCR cycle
    • 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
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • 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
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • F25J1/0249—Controlling refrigerant inventory, i.e. composition or quantity
    • 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
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • 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
    • 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

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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)

Abstract

A method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant blend of a refrigerant blend circuit is described, wherein the refrigerant blend is compressed, separated into a liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and a gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend, and said phases are mixed before the indirect heat exchange. According to the invention, indirect heat exchange proceeds in at least two heat exchangers (E3, E4), wherein the first heat exchanger (E4) serves to precool and the second heat exchanger (E3) to liquefy the hydrocarbon-rich fraction, and the first heat exchanger is supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 5 to 50% of the liquid phase (3, 15) which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and said blend is combined with the gas phase (6, 14) which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend in such a way that an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 1.2 and 10 is established, (Figure 2) 102 1 K __El E2 1413 V2 2 D2

Description

- 1 Method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction [0001] The invention relates to a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant blend of a refrigerant blend circuit, wherein the refrigerant blend is compressed, separated into a liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR = Heavy Mixed Refrigerant) of the refrigerant blend and a gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR = Light Mixed Refrigerant) of the refrigerant blend, and said phases are mixed before the indirect heat exchange. [0002] 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. [0003] Methods for liquefying hydrocarbon-rich fractions or gas mixtures, in particular natural gas, make use inter alia of closed refrigerant blend circuits in which the multicomponent refrigerant is at least partially condensed under elevated pressure at around ambient temperature and is vaporized at low pressure at below ambient temperature with a refrigerating action. In simple methods, just one refrigerant blend circuit is used, in which the refrigerant fractions arising during compression are mixed before the indirect heat exchange with the hydrocarbon-rich fraction to be liquefied and jointly used in the heat exchanger. [0004] With reference to the procedure shown in Figure 1, a method of this generic type for cooling and liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, as is for example disclosed in German patent application 102011010633, is explained in greater detail below. [0005] The hydrocarbon-rich fraction to be cooled and liquefied, which is for example natural gas, is supplied via line 100 to the heat exchanger E3'. In the latter, the feed fraction is cooled against the refrigerant blend circuit which is yet to be described and supplied via line 101 to a separation unit T. This separation unit T, which is simply shown as a black box, serves for example to separate nitrogen and/or higher hydrocarbons from the feed fraction 100/101 to be liquefied. The separation process performed in the separation unit T determines the temperature to which the feed fraction 100/101 must at least be cooled in the heat exchanger E3'. The component(s) separated from the feed fraction is/are drawn off from the separation unit T via line 104, while the remaining feed fraction to be liquefied is supplied again via line 102 to the heat exchanger E3' and is further cooled, liquefied and optionally -2 supercooled therein. The feed fraction 103 treated in this manner is then sent for further use or to a storage tank. [0006] The refrigerant blend circuit required for cooling and liquefying the hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction 100/102 comprises an at least two-stage compressor unit C, a separator D1 upstream of the compressor unit C and two separators D2 and D3 downstream of the compressor stages. Two post-coolers El and E2, which serve to dissipate the heat of compression and partially condense the refrigerant blend, and a pump or pump unit P are furthermore provided. [0007] The refrigerant blend vaporized in the heat exchanger E3' against the feed fraction 100/102 to be cooled and liquefied is supplied via line 1 to the above-stated separator D1 . The gas phase drawn off from the top of this separator via line 1' is supplied to the first compressor stage of the compressor unit C and compressed to a desired intermediate pressure. After passing through the post-cooler El, the compressed refrigerant blend is supplied via line 2 to the separator D2. A liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components of the refrigerant (HMR) is drawn off via line 3 from the bottom of said separator and pumped by means of the pump or pump unit P to the pressure of the gas phase which is yet to be described of the refrigerant blend. [0008] The gas phase drawn off via line 4 from the separator D2 is supplied to the second stage of the compressor C and compressed to the desired final pressure of the refrigerant blend circuit. After passing through the post-cooler E2, the compressed refrigerant blend is supplied via line 5 to the separator D3. The liquid fraction 7 arising in the bottom of the separator D3 is recirculated via the control valve V1 before the input of the separator D2. A gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components of the refrigerant blend (LMR) is drawn off at the top of the separator D3 via line 6 and, after mixing with the above-described liquid phase 3, is supplied via line 8 to the heat exchanger E3'. The liquid phase 3 and the gas phase 6 are combined before the heat exchanger or immediately at the start of the heat exchange which proceeds in the heat exchanger E3' and supplied as a two-phase stream. The refrigerant blend is cooled in the heat exchanger E3' and completely liquefied. At the cold end of the heat exchanger E3', the refrigerant blend 9 is expanded with a refrigerating action in the valve V2 and then completely vaporized on passing again through the heat exchanger E3'. [0009] Using the above-described procedure, however, it is not possible purposefully to influence the temperature profile in the heat exchanger E3'. The available, fluctuating variables -3 of the refrigerant blend circuit, such as pressure profile, mass flow rate and composition, are used to control system capacity and the temperature of the feed fraction at the cold end of the heat exchanger E3' and to optimize energy consumption. If a desired intermediate temperature in the heat exchanger E3' is now required in the course of gas liquefaction, for example to avoid precipitation of solids in the feed gas or to establish a desired separation of substances, such as for instance the above-described separation of nitrogen or higher hydrocarbons, said intermediate temperature is not controllable independently of the load and temperature of the fraction to be liquefied at the cold end of the heat exchanger E3'. [0010] 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. [0011] The object of preferred forms of the present invention is to provide a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, which makes it possible to achieve sufficiently accurate control of a further temperature in addition to the temperature at the cold end of the heat exchanger used for indirect heat exchange. In some embodiments, this should be taken to mean control to at least 30C, preferably to at least 1*C. [0012] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant blend of a refrigerant blend circuit, wherein the refrigerant blend is compressed, separated into a liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and a gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend, and said phases are mixed before the indirect heat exchange, wherein: - indirect heat exchange proceeds in at least two heat exchangers, - wherein the first heat exchanger serves to precool and the second heat exchanger to liquefy the hydrocarbon-rich fraction, and - the first heat exchanger is supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 5 to 50 % of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and said blend is mixed with the gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend in such a way that an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 1.2 and 10 is established. [0013] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a liquefied hydrocarbon-rich fraction when produced by the process according to the first aspect.
-4 [0014] 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". [0015] In the above-described, prior art method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, the liquid phase and the gas phase of the refrigerant blend are in each case mixed in their entirety and jointly used for cooling and liquefying the feed fraction. According to the invention, indirect heat exchange between the hydrocarbon-rich fraction and the refrigerant blend now proceeds in at least two heat exchangers, wherein the first heat exchanger serves to precool and the second heat exchanger to cool and liquefy the hydrocarbon-rich fraction. The first or precooling heat exchanger is here predominantly cooled with the liquid phase of the refrigerant blend, while the second heat exchanger or liquefier is predominantly cooled with the gas phase of the refrigerant blend. According to the invention, the first heat exchanger is therefore supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 5 to 50% of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend. This liquid phase is mixed with the gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend in such a way that an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 1.2 and 10 is established. The remaining proportions of the liquid phase and gas phase are used to cool the second heat exchanger. The refrigerant blend used for the first heat exchanger is now concentrated by a multiple in higher-boiling components and is accordingly higher-boiling. The refrigerant blend of the second heat exchanger is consequently concentrated in lower-boiling components of the refrigerant blend and accordingly lower-boiling. [0016] The refrigeration capacities and temperature profiles of the two heat exchangers may now be influenced via the mixtures and quantities of the respective refrigerant fractions in such a way that the temperature at the cold end of the first heat exchanger, and likewise the temperature at the cold end of the second heat exchanger, can be accurately controlled to at least 30C, preferably to at least 1 C. [0017] Further advantageous developments of the method according to the invention for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction are characterized in that: - the first heat exchanger is supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 10 to 30% of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend, - an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 2 and 5 established, and/or -5 - a sub-stream of the gas phase is supplied to the refrigerant blend at the cold end of the first and/or the second heat exchanger. [0018] The method according to the invention for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction and further advantageous developments thereof will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2. [0019] The hydrocarbon-rich fraction 200 to be cooled and liquefied is now supplied to a first heat exchanger or precooler E4. In the latter, the feed fraction is cooled against the refrigerant blend circuit which is yet to be described and supplied via line 201 to a separation unit T. The component(s) separated from the feed fraction is/are drawn off from the separation unit T via line 204, while the remaining feed fraction to be liquefied is supplied again via line 202 to the second heat exchanger or liquefier E3 and is further cooled, liquefied and optionally supercooled therein. The feed fraction 203 treated in this manner is then sent for further use or to a storage tank. [0020] With the exception of the distribution of the gas phase 6 and liquid phase 3 between the two heat exchangers E3 and E4, the refrigerant blend circuit required for cooling and liquefying the hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction 200/202 corresponds to the refrigerant blend circuit explained with reference to Figure 1. Therefore only the differences relative to the refrigerant blend circuit explained with reference to Figure 1 will now be addressed below. [0021] According to the invention, the liquid phase 3 drawn off from the bottom of the separator D2 is distributed by means of the control valves V6 and V7 via the line portions 11 and 15 between the heat exchangers E3 and E4. The heat exchanger E4 is here supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 5 to 50%, preferably 10 to 30%, of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend. The distribution of the gas phase 6 which is drawn off at top of the separator D3 and is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend via the line portions 10 and 14 between the heat exchangers E3 and E4 is determined by the mass balance of the combined refrigerant blend streams 12 and 16 via the valves V2 and V4. [0022] Sub-streams of the gas phase 6 may be supplied via the line portions 13 and 17 to the refrigerant blend 12 or 16 respectively at the cold end of the first and/or the second heat exchanger E4 or E3 respectively. The control valves V3 and V5 provide a further possibility for temperature control at the cold end of the heat exchangers E3 and E4. In addition, it is -6 possible by means of the two valves V3 and V5 to establish a minimum gas velocity which ensures stable cold running of the heat exchangers E3 and E4 by preventing segregation of the gas phase and liquid phase during vaporisation.

Claims (5)

1. Method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant blend of a refrigerant blend circuit, wherein the refrigerant blend is compressed, separated into a liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and a gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend, and said phases are mixed before the indirect heat exchange, - indirect heat exchange proceeds in at least two heat exchangers, - wherein the first heat exchanger serves to precool and the second heat exchanger to liquefy the hydrocarbon-rich fraction, and - the first heat exchanger is supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 5 to 50 % of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and said blend is mixed with the gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend in such a way that an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 1,2 and 10 is established.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is supplied with a refrigerant blend which comprises 10 to 30% of the liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend.
3. Method according to claim I or 2, wherein an HMR/LMR mixing ratio of between 2 and 5 is established.
4, Method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein a sub-stream of the gas phase is supplied to the refrigerant blend at the cold end of the first and/or the second heat exchanger.
5. A liquefied hydrocarbon-rich fraction when produced by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
AU2014240354A 2013-10-08 2014-10-08 Method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction Active AU2014240354B2 (en)

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CN (1) CN104567274B (en)
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AR105277A1 (en) * 2015-07-08 2017-09-20 Chart Energy & Chemicals Inc MIXED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
GB2571946A (en) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-18 Linde Ag Method for operating a feed gas processing plant

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FR2545589B1 (en) * 1983-05-06 1985-08-30 Technip Cie METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND LIQUEFACTING AT LEAST ONE GAS WITH LOW BOILING POINT, SUCH AS NATURAL GAS
FR2725503B1 (en) * 1994-10-05 1996-12-27 Inst Francais Du Petrole NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PROCESS AND INSTALLATION
DE19716415C1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-22 Linde Ag Process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream
DZ2671A1 (en) * 1997-12-12 2003-03-22 Shell Int Research Liquefaction process of a gaseous fuel product rich in methane to obtain a liquefied natural gas.
DE102009004109A1 (en) * 2009-01-08 2010-07-15 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Liquefying hydrocarbon-rich fraction, particularly natural gas stream, involves cooling hydrocarbon-rich fraction, where cooled hydrocarbon-rich fraction is liquefied against coolant mixture
DE102009008230A1 (en) * 2009-02-10 2010-08-12 Linde Ag Process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream
DE102010011052A1 (en) * 2010-03-11 2011-09-15 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction
DE102011010633A1 (en) 2011-02-08 2012-08-09 Linde Ag Method for cooling a one-component or multi-component stream
US10563913B2 (en) * 2013-11-15 2020-02-18 Black & Veatch Holding Company Systems and methods for hydrocarbon refrigeration with a mixed refrigerant cycle

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AU2014240354B2 (en) 2019-07-04

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