EP1397629A1 - Liquefaction de gaz naturel - Google Patents

Liquefaction de gaz naturel

Info

Publication number
EP1397629A1
EP1397629A1 EP02778941A EP02778941A EP1397629A1 EP 1397629 A1 EP1397629 A1 EP 1397629A1 EP 02778941 A EP02778941 A EP 02778941A EP 02778941 A EP02778941 A EP 02778941A EP 1397629 A1 EP1397629 A1 EP 1397629A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stream
receive
vapor
natural gas
distillation column
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02778941A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
John D. Wilkinson
Hank M. Hudson
Kyle T. Cuellar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ortloff Engineers Ltd
Original Assignee
Elk Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Elk Corp filed Critical Elk Corp
Publication of EP1397629A1 publication Critical patent/EP1397629A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J3/0247—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 4 carbon atoms 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
    • 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"
    • F25J1/0035—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 gas expansion with extraction of work
    • 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"
    • F25J1/0042—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 liquid expansion with extraction of work
    • 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
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    • 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
    • F25J1/0057—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 after expansion of the liquid refrigerant stream with extraction of work
    • 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
    • F25J1/0214—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle
    • F25J1/0215—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle with one SCR cycle
    • F25J1/0216—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 dual level refrigeration cascade with at least one MCR cycle with one SCR cycle using a C3 pre-cooling 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
    • F25J1/0228—Coupling of the liquefaction unit to other units or processes, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J1/0235—Heat exchange integration
    • F25J1/0237—Heat exchange integration integrating refrigeration provided for liquefaction and purification/treatment of the gas to be liquefied, e.g. heavy hydrocarbon removal from natural gas
    • F25J1/0239—Purification or treatment step being integrated between two refrigeration cycles of a refrigeration cascade, i.e. first cycle providing feed gas cooling and second cycle providing overhead gas cooling
    • 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
    • F25J1/0228—Coupling of the liquefaction unit to other units or processes, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J1/0235—Heat exchange integration
    • F25J1/0237—Heat exchange integration integrating refrigeration provided for liquefaction and purification/treatment of the gas to be liquefied, e.g. heavy hydrocarbon removal from natural gas
    • F25J1/0239—Purification or treatment step being integrated between two refrigeration cycles of a refrigeration cascade, i.e. first cycle providing feed gas cooling and second cycle providing overhead gas cooling
    • F25J1/0241—Purification or treatment step being integrated between two refrigeration cycles of a refrigeration cascade, i.e. first cycle providing feed gas cooling and second cycle providing overhead gas cooling wherein the overhead cooling comprises providing reflux for a fractionation step
    • 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
    • F25J3/0238—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 2 carbon atoms 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
    • F25J3/0242—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 3 carbon atoms or more
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    • F25J2200/02—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a single pressure main column system
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    • F25J2205/04—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum in the feed line, i.e. upstream of the fractionation step
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    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/08—Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler
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    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
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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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. 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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/30—Dynamic liquid or hydraulic expansion with extraction of work, e.g. single phase or two-phase turbine
    • 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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/40—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval
    • 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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/12—External refrigeration with liquid vaporising 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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/60—Closed external refrigeration cycle with single component refrigerant [SCR], e.g. C1-, C2- or C3-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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/66—Closed external refrigeration cycle with multi component refrigerant [MCR], e.g. 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/40—Vertical layout or arrangement of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, condensers, heat exchangers etc.

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a process for processing natural gas or other methane-rich gas streams to produce a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream that has a high methane purity and a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • Natural gas is typically recovered from wells drilled into underground reservoirs. It usually has a major proportion of methane, i.e., methane comprises at least 50 mole percent of the gas. Depending on the particular underground reservoir, the natural gas also contains relatively lesser amounts of heavier hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes and the like, as well as water, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
  • the present invention is generally concerned with the liquefaction of natural gas while producing as a co-product a liquid stream consisting primarily of hydrocarbons heavier than methane, such as natural gas liquids (NGL) composed of ethane, propane, butanes, and heavier hydrocarbon components, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) composed of propane, butanes, and heavier hydrocarbon components, or condensate composed of butanes and heavier hydrocarbon components.
  • NNL natural gas liquids
  • LPG liquefied petroleum gas
  • Producing the co-product liquid stream has two important benefits: the LNG produced has a high methane purity, and the co-product liquid is a valuable product that may be used for many other purposes.
  • a typical analysis of a natural gas stream to be processed in accordance with this invention would be, in approximate mole percent, 84.2% methane, 7.9% ethane and other C 2 components, 4.9% propane and other C 3 components, 1.0% iso-butane, 1.1% normal butane, 0.8% pentanes plus, with the balance made up of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Sulfur containing gases are also sometimes present.
  • Cooling and condensation of the natural gas can be accomplished in many different manners.
  • “Cascade refrigeration” employs heat exchange of the natural gas with several refrigerants having successively lower boiling points, such as propane, ethane, and methane. As an alternative, this heat exchange can be accomplished using a single refrigerant by evaporating the refrigerant at several different pressure levels.
  • “Multi-component refrigeration” employs heat exchange of the natural gas with one or more refrigerant fluids composed of several refrigerant components in lieu of multiple single-component refrigerants. Expansion of the natural gas can be accomplished both isenthalpically (using Joule-Thomson expansion, for instance) and isentropically (using a work-expansion turbine, for instance).
  • FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of NGL in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a pressure-enthalpy phase diagram for methane used to illustrate the advantages of the present invention over prior art processes
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of NGL in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of LPG in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of condensate in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of an alternative natural gas liquefaction plant adapted for co-production of a liquid stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • Example 1 Referring now to FIG. 1, we begin with an illustration of a process in accordance with the present invention where it is desired to produce an NGL co-product containing the majority of the ethane and heavier components in the natural gas feed stream.
  • inlet gas enters the plant at 90°F [32°C] and 1285 psia [8,860 kPa(a)] as stream 31. If the inlet gas contains a concentration of carbon dioxide and/or sulfur compounds which would prevent the product streams from meeting specifications, these compounds are removed by appropriate pretreatment of the feed gas (not illustrated).
  • the feed stream is usually dehydrated to prevent hydrate (ice) formation under cryogenic conditions. Solid desiccant has typically been used for this purpose.
  • the feed stream 31 is cooled in heat exchanger 10 by heat exchange with refrigerant streams and demethanizer side reboiler liquids at -68°F [-55°C] (stream 40).
  • heat exchanger 10 is representative of either a multitude of individual heat exchangers or a single multi-pass heat exchanger, or any combination thereof.
  • the decision as to whether to use more than one heat exchanger for the indicated cooling services will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, inlet gas flow rate, heat exchanger size, stream temperatures, etc.
  • the cooled stream 31a enters separator 11 at -30°F [-34°C] and 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] where the vapor (stream 32) is separated from the condensed liquid (stream 33).
  • the vapor (stream 32) from separator 11 is divided into two streams, 34 and 36.
  • Stream 34 containing about 20% of the total vapor, is combined with the condensed liquid, stream 33, to form stream 35.
  • Combined stream 35 passes through heat exchanger 13 in heat exchange relation with refrigerant stream 71 e, resulting in cooling and substantial condensation of stream 35a.
  • the substantially condensed stream 35a at -120°F [-85°C] is then flash expanded through an appropriate expansion device, such as expansion valve 14, to the operating pressure (approximately 465 psia [3,206 kPa(a)]) of fractionation tower 19. During expansion a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream.
  • the expanded stream 35b leaving expansion valve 14 reaches a temperature of -122°F [-86°C], and is supplied at a mid-point feed position in demethanizing section 19b of fractionation tower 19.
  • the remaining 80% of the vapor from separator 11 enters a work expansion machine 15 in which mechanical energy is extracted from this portion of the high pressure feed.
  • the machine 15 expands the vapor substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] to the tower operating pressure, with the work expansion cooling the expanded stream 36a to a temperature of approximately -103°F [-75°C].
  • the typical commercially available expanders are capable of recovering on the order of 80-85% of the work theoretically available in an ideal isentropic expansion.
  • the work recovered is often used to drive a centrifugal compressor (such as item 16) that can be used to re-compress the tower overhead gas (stream 38), for example.
  • the expanded and partially condensed stream 36a is supplied as feed to distillation column 19 at a lower mid-column feed point.
  • the demethanizer in fractionation tower 19 is a conventional distillation column containing a plurality of vertically spaced trays, one or more packed beds, or some combination of trays and packing. As is often the case in natural gas processing plants, the fractionation tower may consist of two sections.
  • the upper section 19a is a separator wherein the top feed is divided into its respective vapor and liquid portions, and wherein the vapor rising from the lower distillation or demethanizing section 19b is combined with the vapor portion (if any) of the top feed to form the cold demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 37) which exits the top of the tower at -135°F [-93 °C].
  • the lower, demethanizing section 19b contains the trays and/or packing and provides the necessary contact between the liquids falling downward and the vapors rising upward.
  • the demethanizing section also includes one or more reboilers (such as reboiler 20) which heat and vaporize a portion of the liquids flowing down the column to provide the stripping vapors which flow up the column.
  • the liquid product stream 41 exits the bottom of the tower at 115°F [46°C], based on a typical specification of a methane to ethane ratio of 0.020:1 on a molar basis in the bottom product.
  • the demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 37) is warmed to 90°F [32°C] in heat exchanger 24, and a portion of the warmed demethanizer overhead vapor is withdrawn to serve as fuel gas (stream 48) for the plant.
  • the amount of fuel gas that must be withdrawn is largely determined by the fuel required for the engines and/or turbines driving the gas compressors in the plant, such as refrigerant compressors 64, 66, and 68 in this example.
  • the remainder of the warmed demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 38) is compressed by compressor 16 driven by expansion machines 15, 61, and 63. After cooling to 100°F [38°C] in discharge cooler 25, stream 38b is further cooled to -123°F [-86°C] in heat exchanger 24 by cross exchange with the cold demethanizer overhead vapor, stream 37.
  • Stream 38c then enters heat exchanger 60 and is further cooled by refrigerant stream 71 d. After cooling to an intermediate temperature, stream 38c is divided into two portions. The first portion, stream 49, is further cooled in heat exchanger 60 to -257°F [-160°C] to condense and subcool it, whereupon it enters a work expansion machine 61 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream.
  • the machine 61 expands liquid stream 49 substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 562 psia [3,878 kPa(a)] to the LNG storage pressure (15.5 psia [107 kPa(a)]), slightly above atmospheric pressure.
  • the work expansion cools the expanded stream 49a to a temperature of approximately -258°F [-161°C], whereupon it is then directed to the LNG storage tank 62 which holds the LNG product (stream 50).
  • Stream 39 the other portion of stream 38c, is withdrawn from heat exchanger 60 at -160°F [-107°C] and flash expanded through an appropriate expansion device, such as expansion valve 17, to the operating pressure of fractionation tower 19.
  • expansion valve 17 an appropriate expansion device
  • the expanded stream 39a is then supplied to separator section 19a in the upper region of fractionation tower 19. The liquids separated therein become the top feed to demethanizing section 19b.
  • All of the cooling for streams 35 and 38c is provided by a closed cycle refrigeration loop.
  • the working fluid for this cycle is a mixture of hydrocarbons and nitrogen, with the composition of the mixture adjusted as needed to provide the required refrigerant temperature while condensing at a reasonable pressure using the available cooling medium.
  • condensing with cooling water has been assumed, so a refrigerant mixture composed of nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane, and heavier hydrocarbons is used in the simulation of the FIG. 1 process.
  • the composition of the stream in approximate mole percent, is 7.5% nitrogen, 41.0% methane, 41.5% ethane, and 10.0% propane, with the balance made up of heavier hydrocarbons.
  • the refrigerant stream 71 leaves discharge cooler 69 at 100°F [38°C] and 607 psia [4,185 kPa(a)]. It enters heat exchanger 10 and is cooled to -31°F [-35°C] and partially condensed by the partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71 f and by other refrigerant streams.
  • these other refrigerant streams are commercial-quality propane refrigerant at three different temperature and pressure levels.
  • the partially condensed refrigerant stream 71a then enters heat exchanger 13 for further cooling to -114°F [-81°C] by partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71 e, condensing and partially subcooling the refrigerant (stream 71b).
  • the refrigerant is further subcooled to -257°F [-160°C] in heat exchanger 60 by expanded refrigerant stream 71d.
  • the subcooled liquid stream 71c enters a work expansion machine 63 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream as it is expanded substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 586 psia [4,040 kPa(a)] to about 34 psia [234 kPa(a)].
  • stream 71d During expansion a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream to -263°F [-164°C] (stream 71d).
  • the expanded stream 71d then reenters heat exchangers 60, 13, and 10 where it provides cooling to stream 38c, stream 35, and the refrigerant (streams 71, 71a, and 71b) as it is vaporized and superheated.
  • the superheated refrigerant vapor (stream 71 g) leaves heat exchanger 10 at 93°F [34°C] and is compressed in three stages to 617 psia [4,254 kPa(a)].
  • Each of the three compression stages (refrigerant compressors 64, 66, and 68) is driven by a supplemental power source and is followed by a cooler (discharge coolers 65, 67, and 69) to remove the heat of compression.
  • the compressed stream 71 from discharge cooler 69 returns to heat exchanger 10 to complete the cycle.
  • the efficiency of LNG production processes is typically compared using the "specific power consumption” required, which is the ratio of the total refrigeration compression power to the total liquid production rate.
  • Specific power consumption is the ratio of the total refrigeration compression power to the total liquid production rate.
  • the specific power consumption for the prior art processes is based on co-producing only an LPG (C 3 and heavier hydrocarbons) or condensate (C 4 and heavier hydrocarbons) liquid stream at relatively low recovery levels, not an NGL (C 2 and heavier hydrocarbons) liquid stream as shown for this example of the present invention.
  • the prior art processes require considerably more refrigeration power to co-produce an NGL stream instead of an LPG stream or a condensate stream.
  • the first factor can be understood by examining the thermodynamics of the liquefaction process when applied to a high pressure gas stream such as that considered in this example. Since the primary constituent of this stream is methane, the thermodynamic properties of methane can be used for the purposes of comparing the liquefaction cycle employed in the prior art processes versus the cycle used in the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 contains a pressure-enthalpy phase diagram for methane. In most of the prior art liquefaction cycles, all cooling of the gas stream is accomplished while the stream is at high pressure (path A-B), whereupon the stream is then expanded (path B-C) to the pressure of the LNG storage vessel (slightly above atmospheric pressure).
  • This expansion step may employ a work expansion machine, which is typically capable of recovering on the order of 75-80% of the work theoretically available in an ideal isentropic expansion.
  • a work expansion machine typically capable of recovering on the order of 75-80% of the work theoretically available in an ideal isentropic expansion.
  • fully isentropic expansion is displayed in FIG. 2 for path B-C. Even so, the enthalpy reduction provided by this work expansion is quite small, because the lines of constant entropy are nearly vertical in the liquid region of the phase diagram.
  • the total amount of cooling required for the present invention (the sum of paths A-A' and A"-B') is less than the cooling required for the prior art processes (path A-B), reducing the refrigeration (and hence the refrigeration compression) required to liquefy the gas stream.
  • the second factor accounting for the improved efficiency of the present invention is the superior performance of hydrocarbon distillation systems at lower operating pressures.
  • the hydrocarbon removal step in most of the prior art processes is performed at high pressure, typically using a scrub column that employs a cold hydrocarbon liquid as the absorbent stream to remove the heavier hydrocarbons from the incoming gas stream.
  • Operating the scrub column at high pressure is not very efficient, as it results in the co-absorption of a significant fraction of the methane and ethane from the gas stream, which must subsequently be stripped from the absorbent liquid and cooled to become part of the LNG product.
  • the hydrocarbon removal step is conducted at the intermediate pressure where the vapor-liquid equilibrium is much more favorable, resulting in very efficient recovery of the desired heavier hydrocarbons in the co-product liquid stream.
  • Example 2 If the specifications for the LNG product will allow more of the ethane contained in the feed gas to be recovered in the LNG product, a simpler embodiment of the present invention may be employed.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates such an alternative embodiment.
  • the inlet gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the FIG. 3 process can be compared to the embodiment displayed in FIG. 1.
  • Inlet gas enters the plant at 90°F [32°C] and 1285 psia [8,860 kPa(a)] as stream 31 and is cooled in heat exchanger 10 by heat exchange with refrigerant streams and demethanizer side reboiler liquids at -35°F [-37°C] (stream 40).
  • the cooled stream 31a enters separator 11 at -30°F [-34°C] and 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] where the vapor (stream 32) is separated from the condensed liquid (stream 33).
  • the vapor (stream 32) from separator 11 is divided into two streams, 34 and 36.
  • Stream 34 containing about 20% of the total vapor, is combined with the condensed liquid, stream 33, to form stream 35.
  • Combined stream 35 passes through heat exchanger 13 in heat exchange relation with refrigerant stream 71 e, resulting in cooling and substantial condensation of stream 35a.
  • the substantially condensed stream 35a at -120°F [-85°C] is then flash expanded through an appropriate expansion device, such as expansion valve 14, to the operating pressure (approximately 465 psia [3,206 kPa(a)]) of fractionation tower 19. During expansion a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream.
  • expansion valve 14 an appropriate expansion device
  • the expanded stream 35b leaving expansion valve 14 reaches a temperature of -122°F [-86°C], and is supplied to the separator section in the upper region of fractionation tower 19.
  • the liquids separated therein become the top feed to the demethanizing section in the lower region of fractionation tower 19.
  • the remaining 80% of the vapor from separator 11 enters a work expansion machine 15 in which mechanical energy is extracted from this portion of the high pressure feed.
  • the machine 15 expands the vapor substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] to the tower operating pressure, with the work expansion cooling the expanded stream 36a to a temperature of approximately -103°F [-75 °C].
  • the expanded and partially condensed stream 36a is supplied as feed to distillation column 19 at a mid-column feed point.
  • the cold demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 37) exits the top of fractionation tower 19 at -123°F [-86°C].
  • the liquid product stream 41 exits the bottom of the tower at 118°F [48°C], based on a typical specification of a methane to ethane ratio of 0.020:1 on a molar basis in the bottom product.
  • the demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 37) is warmed to 90°F [32°C] in heat exchanger 24, and a portion (stream 48) is then withdrawn to serve as fuel gas for the plant.
  • the remainder of the warmed demethanizer overhead vapor (stream 49) is compressed by compressor 16.
  • stream 49b is further cooled to -112°F [-80°C] in heat exchanger 24 by cross exchange with the cold demethanizer overhead vapor, stream 37.
  • Stream 49c then enters heat exchanger 60 and is further cooled by refrigerant stream 71 d to -257°F [-160°C] to condense and subcool it, whereupon it enters a work expansion machine 61 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream.
  • the machine 61 expands liquid stream 49d substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 583 psia [4,021 kPa(a)] to the LNG storage pressure (15.5 psia [107 kPa(a)]), slightly above atmospheric pressure.
  • the work expansion cools the expanded stream 49e to a temperature of approximately -258°F [-161°C], whereupon it is then directed to the LNG storage tank 62 which holds the LNG product (stream 50).
  • the composition of the stream used as the working fluid in the cycle for the FIG. 3 process is 7.5% nitrogen, 40.0% methane, 42.5% ethane, and 10.0% propane, with the balance made up of heavier hydrocarbons.
  • the refrigerant stream 71 leaves discharge cooler 69 at 100°F [38°C] and 607 psia [4,185 kPa(a)]. It enters heat exchanger 10 and is cooled to -31°F [-35°C] and partially condensed by the partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71f and by other refrigerant streams.
  • the partially condensed refrigerant stream 71a then enters heat exchanger 13 for further cooling to -121°F [-85°C] by partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71 e, condensing and partially subcooling the refrigerant (stream 71b).
  • the refrigerant is further subcooled to -257°F [-160°C] in heat exchanger 60 by expanded refrigerant stream 71d.
  • the subcooled liquid stream 71c enters a work expansion machine 63 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream as it is expanded substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 586 psia [4,040 kPa(a)] to about 34 psia [234 kPa(a)].
  • a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream to -263°F [-164°C] (stream 71d).
  • the expanded stream 71d then reenters heat exchangers 60, 13, and 10 where it provides cooling to stream 49c, stream 35, and the refrigerant (streams 71, 71a, and 71b) as it is vaporized and superheated.
  • the superheated refrigerant vapor leaves heat exchanger 10 at 93°F [34°C] and is compressed in three stages to 617 psia [4,254 kPa(a)].
  • Each of the three compression stages (refrigerant compressors 64, 66, and 68) is driven by a supplemental power source and is followed by a cooler (discharge coolers 65, 67, and 69) to remove the heat of compression.
  • the compressed stream 71 from discharge cooler 69 returns to heat exchanger 10 to complete the cycle.
  • FIG. 3 (FIG. 3)
  • the specific power consumption for the FIG. 3 embodiment of the present invention is 0.153 HP-Hr/Lb [0.251 kW-Hr/kg].
  • the efficiency improvement is 10-20% for the FIG. 3 embodiment.
  • this efficiency improvement is possible with the present invention even though an NGL co-product is produced rather than the LPG or condensate co-product produced by the prior art processes.
  • the FIG. 3 embodiment of the present invention requires about 5% less power per unit of liquid produced.
  • FIG. 3 embodiment could liquefy
  • FIG. 1 and the FIG. 3 embodiments of the present invention for a particular application will generally be dictated either by the monetary value of the heavier hydrocarbons in the NGL product versus their corresponding value in the LNG product, or by the heating value specification for the LNG product (since the heating value of the LNG produced by the FIG. 1 embodiment is lower than that produced by the FIG. 3 embodiment).
  • Example 3 If the specifications for the LNG product will allow all of the ethane contained in the feed gas to be recovered in the LNG product, or if there is no market for a liquid co-product containing ethane, an alternative embodiment of the present invention such as that shown in FIG. 4 may be employed to produce an LPG co-product stream.
  • the inlet gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 4 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 3. Accordingly, the FIG. 4 process can be compared to the embodiments displayed in FIGS. 1 and 3. In the simulation of the FIG. 4 process, inlet gas enters the plant at 90°F
  • stream 31 [32°C] and 1285 psia [8,860 kPa(a)] as stream 31 and is cooled in heat exchanger 10 by heat exchange with refrigerant streams and flashed separator liquids at -46°F [-43°C] (stream 33a).
  • the cooled stream 31a enters separator 11 at -1°F [-18°C] and 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] where the vapor (stream 32) is separated from the condensed liquid (stream 33).
  • the vapor (stream 32) from separator 11 enters work expansion machine 15 in which mechanical energy is extracted from this portion of the high pressure feed.
  • the machine 15 expands the vapor substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] to a pressure of about 440 psia [3,034 kPa(a)] (the operating pressure of separator/absorber tower 18), with the work expansion cooling the expanded stream 32a to a temperature of approximately -81°F [-63 °C].
  • the expanded and partially condensed stream 32a is supplied to absorbing section 18b in a lower region of separator/absorber tower 18.
  • the liquid portion of the expanded stream commingles with liquids falling downward from the absorbing section and the combined liquid stream 40 exits the bottom of separator/absorber tower 18 at -86°F [-66°C].
  • the vapor portion of the expanded stream rises upward through the absorbing section and is contacted with cold liquid falling downward to condense and absorb the C 3 components and heavier components.
  • the separator/absorber tower 18 is a conventional distillation column containing a plurality of vertically spaced trays, one or more packed beds, or some combination of trays and packing. As is often the case in natural gas processing plants, the separator/absorber tower may consist of two sections.
  • the upper section 18a is a separator wherein any vapor contained in the top feed is separated from its corresponding liquid portion, and wherein the vapor rising from the lower distillation or absorbing section 18b is combined with the vapor portion (if any) of the top feed to form the cold distillation stream 37 which exits the top of the tower.
  • the lower, absorbing section 18b contains the trays and/or packing and provides the necessary contact between the liquids falling downward and the vapors rising upward to condense and absorb the C components and heavier components.
  • the combined liquid stream 40 from the bottom of separator/absorber tower 18 is routed to heat exchanger 13 by pump 26 where it (stream 40a) is heated as it provides cooling of deethanizer overhead (stream 42) and refrigerant (stream 71a).
  • the combined liquid stream is heated to -24°F [-31°C], partially vaporizing stream 40b before it is supplied as a mid-column feed to deethanizer 19.
  • the separator liquid (stream 33) is flash expanded to slightly above the operating pressure of deethanizer 19 by expansion valve 12, cooling stream 33 to -46°F [-43°C] (stream 33a) before it provides cooling to the incoming feed gas as described earlier.
  • Stream 33b now at 85°F [29°C], then enters deethanizer 19 at a lower mid-column feed point.
  • streams 40b and 33b are stripped of their methane and C 2 components.
  • the deethanizer tower may also consist of two sections: an upper separator section 19a wherein any vapor contained in the top feed is separated from its corresponding liquid portion, and wherein the vapor rising from the lower distillation or deethanizing section 19b is combined with the vapor portion (if any) of the top feed to form distillation stream 42 which exits the top of the tower; and a lower, deethanizing section 19b that contains the trays and or packing to provide the necessary contact between the liquids falling downward and the vapors rising upward.
  • the deethanizing section 19b also includes one or more reboilers (such as reboiler 20) which heat and vaporize a portion of the liquid at the bottom of the column to provide the stripping vapors which flow up the column to strip the liquid product, stream 41, of methane and C 2 components.
  • reboilers such as reboiler 20
  • a typical specification for the bottom liquid product is to have an ethane to propane ratio of 0.020: 1 on a molar basis.
  • the liquid product stream 41 exits the bottom of the deethanizer at 214°F [101°C].
  • deethanizer 19 The operating pressure in deethanizer 19 is maintained slightly above the operating pressure of separator/absorber tower 18. This allows the deethanizer overhead vapor (stream 42) to pressure flow through heat exchanger 13 and thence into the upper section of separator/absorber tower 18.
  • the deethanizer overhead at -19°F [-28°C] is directed in heat exchange relation with the combined liquid stream (stream 40a) from the bottom of separator/absorber tower 18 and flashed refrigerant stream 71 e, cooling the stream to -89°F [-67°C] (stream 42a) and partially condensing it.
  • the partially condensed stream enters reflux drum 22 where the condensed liquid (stream 44) is separated from the uncondensed vapor (stream 43).
  • Stream 43 combines with the distillation vapor stream (stream 37) leaving the upper region of separator/absorber tower 18 to form cold residue gas stream 47.
  • the condensed liquid (stream 44) is pumped to higher pressure by pump 23, whereupon stream 44a is divided into two portions.
  • One portion, stream 45, is routed to the upper separator section of separator/absorber tower 18 to serve as the cold liquid that contacts the vapors rising upward through the absorbing section.
  • the other portion is supplied to deethanizer 19 as reflux stream 46, flowing to a top feed point on deethanizer 19 at -89°F [-67°C] .
  • the cold residue gas (stream 47) is warmed from -94°F [-70°C] to 94°F [34°C] in heat exchanger 24, and a portion (stream 48) is then withdrawn to serve as fuel gas for the plant.
  • the remainder of the warmed residue gas (stream 49) is compressed by compressor 16.
  • stream 49b is further cooled to -78°F [-61°C] in heat exchanger 24 by cross exchange with the cold residue gas, stream 47.
  • Stream 49c then enters heat exchanger 60 and is further cooled by refrigerant stream 71d to -255°F [-160°C] to condense and subcool it, whereupon it enters a work expansion machine 61 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream.
  • the machine 61 expands liquid stream 49d substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 648 psia [4,465 kPa(a)] to the LNG storage pressure (15.5 psia [107 kPa(a)]), slightly above atmospheric pressure.
  • the work expansion cools the expanded stream 49e to a temperature of approximately -256°F [-160°C], whereupon it is then directed to the LNG storage tank 62 which holds the LNG product (stream 50). Similar to the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 processes, much of the cooling for stream
  • the refrigerant stream 71 leaves discharge cooler 69 at 100°F [38°C] and 607 psia [4,185 kPa(a)]. It enters heat exchanger 10 and is cooled to -17°F [-27°C] and partially condensed by the partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71 f and by other refrigerant streams.
  • the refrigerant stream 71 leaves discharge cooler 69 at 100°F [38°C] and 607 psia [4,185 kPa(a)]. It enters heat exchanger 10 and is cooled to -17°F [-27°C] and partially condensed by the partially warmed expanded refrigerant stream 71 f and by other refrigerant streams.
  • the subcooled liquid stream 71c enters a work expansion machine 63 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream as it is expanded substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 586 psia [4,040 kPa(a)] to about 34 psia [234 kPa(a)].
  • a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream to -264°F [-164°C] (stream 71d).
  • the expanded stream 71d then reenters heat exchangers 60, 13, and 10 where it provides cooling to stream 49c, stream 42, and the refrigerant (streams 71, 71a, and 71b) as it is vaporized and superheated.
  • the superheated refrigerant vapor leaves heat exchanger 10 at 90°F [32°C] and is compressed in three stages to 617 psia [4,254 kPa(a)].
  • Each of the three compression stages (refrigerant compressors 64, 66, and 68) is driven by a supplemental power source and is followed by a cooler (discharge coolers 65, 67, and 69) to remove the heat of compression.
  • the compressed stream 71 from discharge cooler 69 returns to heat exchanger 10 to complete the cycle.
  • FIG. 4 (FIG. 4)
  • the specific power consumption for the FIG. 4 embodiment of the present invention is 0.143 HP-Hr/Lb [0.236 kW-Hr/kg]. Compared to the prior art processes, the efficiency improvement is 17-27% for the FIG. 4 embodiment.
  • the FIG. 4 embodiment of the present invention requires 6% to 11% less power per unit of liquid produced.
  • the FIG. 4 embodiment could liquefy about 6% more natural gas than the FIG. 1 embodiment or about 11% more natural gas than the FIG. 3 embodiment by virtue of recovering only the C 3 and heavier hydrocarbons as an LPG co-product.
  • the choice between the FIG. 4 embodiment versus either the FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 embodiments of the present invention for a particular application will generally be dictated either by the monetary value of ethane as part of an NGL product versus its corresponding value in the LNG product, or by the heating value specification for the LNG product (since the heating value of the LNG produced by the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 embodiments is lower than that produced by the FIG. 4 embodiment).
  • Example 4 If the specifications for the LNG product will allow all of the ethane and propane contained in the feed gas to be recovered in the LNG product, or if there is no market for a liquid co-product containing ethane and propane, an alternative embodiment of the present invention such as that shown in FIG. 5 may be employed to produce a condensate co-product stream.
  • the inlet gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 5 are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Accordingly, the FIG. 5 process can be compared to the embodiments displayed in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.
  • inlet gas enters the plant at 90°F [32°C] and 1285 psia [8,860 kPa(a)] as stream 31 and is cooled in heat exchanger 10 by heat exchange with refrigerant streams, flashed high pressure separator liquids at -37°F [-38°C] (stream 33b), and flashed intermediate pressure separator liquids at -37°F [-38°C] (stream 39b).
  • the cooled stream 31a enters high pressure separator 11 at -30°F [-34°C] and 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] where the vapor (stream 32) is separated from the condensed liquid (stream 33).
  • the vapor (stream 32) from high pressure separator 11 enters work expansion machine 15 in which mechanical energy is extracted from this portion of the high pressure feed.
  • the machine 15 expands the vapor substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 1278 psia [8,812 kPa(a)] to a pressure of about 635 psia [4,378 kPa(a)], with the work expansion cooling the expanded stream 32a to a temperature of approximately -83°F [-64°C].
  • the expanded and partially condensed stream 32a enters intermediate pressure separator 18 where the vapor (stream 42) is separated from the condensed liquid (stream 39).
  • the intermediate pressure separator liquid (stream 39) is flash expanded to slightly above the operating pressure of depropanizer 19 by expansion valve 17, cooling stream 39 to -108F [-78°C] (stream 39a) before it enters heat exchanger 13 and is heated as it provides cooling to residue gas stream 49 and refrigerant stream 71a, and thence to heat exchanger 10 to provide cooling to the incoming feed gas as described earlier.
  • Stream 39c, now at -15°F [-26°C] then enters depropanizer 19 at an upper mid-column feed point.
  • the condensed liquid, stream 33, from high pressure separator 11 is flash expanded to slightly above the operating pressure of depropanizer 19 by expansion valve 12, cooling stream 33 to -93F [-70°C] (stream 33a) before it enters heat exchanger 13 and is heated as it provides cooling to residue gas stream 49 and refrigerant stream 71a, and thence to heat exchanger 10 to provide cooling to the incoming feed gas as described earlier.
  • Stream 33c, now at 50°F [10°C] then enters depropanizer 19 at a lower mid-column feed point.
  • streams 39c and 33c are stripped of their methane, C 2 components, and C 3 components.
  • the depropanizer tower may consist of two sections: an upper separator section 19a wherein any vapor contained in the top feed is separated from its corresponding liquid portion, and wherein the vapor rising from the lower distillation or depropanizing section 19b is combined with the vapor portion (if any) of the top feed to form distillation stream 37 which exits the top of the tower; and a lower, depropanizing section 19b that contains the trays and or packing to provide the necessary contact between the liquids falling downward and the vapors rising upward.
  • the depropanizing section 19b also includes one or more reboilers (such as reboiler 20) which heat and vaporize a portion of the liquid at the bottom of the column to provide the stripping vapors which flow up the column to strip the liquid product, stream 41, of methane, C 2 components, and C 3 components.
  • reboilers such as reboiler 20
  • a typical specification for the bottom liquid product is to have a propane to butanes ratio of 0.020: 1 on a volume basis.
  • the liquid product stream 41 exits the bottom of the deethanizer at 286°F [141°C].
  • the overhead distillation stream 37 leaves depropanizer 19 at 36°F [2°C] and is cooled and partially condensed by commercial-quality propane refrigerant in reflux condenser 21.
  • the partially condensed stream 37a enters reflux drum 22 at 2°F [-17°C] where the condensed liquid (stream 44) is separated from the uncondensed vapor (stream 43).
  • the condensed liquid (stream 44) is pumped by pump 23 to a top feed point on depropanizer 19 as reflux stream 44a.
  • stream 43 The uncondensed vapor (stream 43) from reflux drum 22 is warmed to 94°F [34°C] in heat exchanger 24, and a portion (stream 48) is then withdrawn to serve as fuel gas for the plant.
  • the remainder of the warmed vapor (stream 38) is compressed by compressor 16.
  • stream 38b After cooling to 100°F [38°C] in discharge cooler 25, stream 38b is further cooled to 15°F [-9°C] in heat exchanger 24 by cross exchange with the cool vapor, stream 43.
  • Stream 38c then combines with the intermediate pressure separator vapor (stream 42) to form cool residue gas stream 49.
  • Stream 49 enters heat exchanger 13 and is cooled from -38°F [-39°C] to -102°F [-74°C] by separator liquids (streams 39a and 33a) as described earlier and by refrigerant stream 71 e.
  • Partially condensed stream 49a then enters heat exchanger 60 and is further cooled by refrigerant stream 71 d to -254°F [-159°C] to condense and subcool it, whereupon it enters a work expansion machine 61 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream.
  • the machine 61 expands liquid stream 49b substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 621 psia [4,282 kPa(a)] to the LNG storage pressure (15.5 psia [107 kPa(a)]), slightly above atmospheric pressure.
  • the work expansion cools the expanded stream 49c to a temperature of approximately -255°F [-159°C], whereupon it is then directed to the LNG storage tank 62 which holds the LNG product (stream 50). Similar to the FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 processes, much of the cooling for stream 49 and all of the cooling for stream 49a is provided by a closed cycle refrigeration loop.
  • the refrigerant is totally condensed and then subcooled to -254°F [-159°C] in heat exchanger 60 by expanded refrigerant stream 71 d.
  • the subcooled liquid stream 71c enters a work expansion machine 63 in which mechanical energy is extracted from the stream as it is expanded substantially isentropically from a pressure of about 586 psia [4,040 kPa(a)] to about 34 psia [234 kPa(a)].
  • a portion of the stream is vaporized, resulting in cooling of the total stream to -264°F [-164°C] (stream 71 d).
  • the expanded stream 71d then reenters heat exchangers 60, 13, and 10 where it provides cooling to stream 49a, stream 49, and the refrigerant (streams 71, 71a, and 71b) as it is vaporized and superheated.
  • the superheated refrigerant vapor (stream 71 g) leaves heat exchanger 10 at 93°F [34°C] and is compressed in three stages to 617 psia [4,254 kPa(a)].
  • Each of the three compression stages (refrigerant compressors 64, 66, and 68) is driven by a supplemental power source and is followed by a cooler (discharge coolers 65, 67, and 69) to remove the heat of compression.
  • the compressed stream 71 from discharge cooler 69 returns to heat exchanger 10 to complete the cycle.
  • FIG. 5 (FIG. 5)
  • the specific power consumption for the FIG. 5 embodiment of the present invention is 0.145 HP-Hr/Lb [0.238 kW-Hr/kg]. Compared to the prior art processes, the efficiency improvement is 16-26% for the FIG. 5 embodiment.
  • the FIG. 5 embodiment of the present invention requires 5% to 10% less power per unit of liquid produced.
  • the FIG. 5 embodiment of the present invention requires essentially the same power per unit of liquid produced.
  • FIG. 5 embodiment could liquefy about 5%
  • FIG. 5 embodiment versus either the FIG. 1, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4 embodiments of the present invention for a particular application will generally be dictated either by the monetary values of ethane and propane as part of an NGL or LPG product versus their corresponding values in the LNG product, or by the heating value specification for the LNG product (since the heating value of the LNG produced by the FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 embodiments is lower than that produced by the FIG. 5 embodiment).
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 embodiments can be adapted to recover an LPG stream or a condensate stream as the liquid co-product stream rather than an NGL stream as described earlier in Examples 1 and 2.
  • the FIG. 1 and 3 embodiments can be adapted to recover an LPG stream or a condensate stream as the liquid co-product stream rather than an NGL stream as described earlier in Examples 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 4 embodiment can be adapted to recover an NGL stream containing a significant fraction of the C 2 components present in the feed gas, or to recover a condensate stream containing only the C 4 and heavier components present in the feed gas, rather than producing an LPG co-product as described earlier for Example 3.
  • the FIG. 5 embodiment can be adapted to recover an NGL stream containing a significant fraction of the C 2 components present in the feed gas, or to recover an LPG stream containing a significant fraction of the C 3 components present in the feed gas, rather than producing a condensate co-product as described earlier for Example 4.
  • FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention for the processing conditions indicated.
  • FIGS. 6 through 21 depict alternative embodiments of the present invention that may be considered for a particular application. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, all or a portion of the condensed liquid (stream 33) from separator 11 can be supplied to fractionation tower 19 at a separate lower mid-column feed position rather than combining with the portion of the separator vapor (stream 34) flowing to heat exchanger 13.
  • FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention that requires less equipment than the FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 embodiments, although its specific power consumption is somewhat higher.
  • FIG. 9 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention that requires less equipment than the FIG. 3 and FIG.
  • FIGS. 10 through 14 depict alternative embodiments of the present invention that may require less equipment than the FIG. 4 embodiment, although their specific power consumptions may be higher.
  • distillation columns or systems such as deethanizer 19 include both reboiled absorber tower designs and refluxed, reboiled tower designs.
  • FIGS. 15 and 16 depict alternative embodiments of the present invention that combine the functions of separator/absorber tower 18 and deethanizer 19 in the FIGS. 4 and 10 through 14 embodiments into a single fractionation column 19.
  • the cooled feed stream 31a leaving heat exchanger 10 may not contain any liquid (because it is above its dewpoint, or because it is above its cricondenbar), so that separator 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 16 is not required, and the cooled feed stream can flow directly to an appropriate expansion device, such as work expansion machine 15.
  • the disposition of the gas stream remaining after recovery of the liquid co-product stream (stream 37 in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 through 11, 13, and 14, stream 47 in FIGS. 4, 12, 15, and 16, and stream 43 in FIG. 5) before it is supplied to heat exchanger 60 for condensing and subcooling may be accomplished in many ways.
  • the stream is heated, compressed to higher pressure using energy derived from one or more work expansion machines, partially cooled in a discharge cooler, then further cooled by cross exchange with the original stream.
  • some applications may favor compressing the stream to higher pressure, using supplemental compressor 59 driven by an external power source for example.
  • dashed equipment heat exchanger 24 and discharge cooler 25 in FIGS.
  • a supplemental heater 58 may be needed to warm the fuel gas before it is consumed, using a utility stream or another process stream to supply the necessary heat, as shown in FIGS. 19 through 21.
  • Choices such as these must generally be evaluated for each application, as factors such as gas composition, plant size, desired co-product stream recovery level, and available equipment must all be considered.
  • the cooling of the inlet gas stream and the feed stream to the LNG production section may be accomplished in many ways.
  • inlet gas stream 31 is cooled and condensed by external refrigerant streams and tower liquids from fractionation tower 19.
  • FIGS. 4, 5, and 10 through 14 flashed separator liquids are used for this purpose along with the external refrigerant streams.
  • FIGS. 15 and 16 tower liquids and flashed separator liquids are used for this purpose along with the external refrigerant streams.
  • FIGS. 17 through 21 only external refrigerant streams are used to cool inlet gas stream 31.
  • the cold process streams could also be used to supply some of the cooling to the high pressure refrigerant (stream 71a), such as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 11.
  • any stream at a temperature colder than the stream(s) being cooled may be utilized.
  • a side draw of vapor from separator/absorber tower 18 or fractionation tower 19 could be withdrawn and used for cooling.
  • the use and distribution of tower liquids and/or vapors for process heat exchange, and the particular arrangement of heat exchangers for inlet gas and feed gas cooling, must be evaluated for each particular application, as well as the choice of process streams for specific heat exchange services.
  • a source of cooling will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, feed gas composition and conditions, plant size, heat exchanger size, potential cooling source temperature, etc.
  • feed gas composition and conditions including, but not limited to, plant size, heat exchanger size, potential cooling source temperature, etc.
  • plant size including, but not limited to, plant size, heat exchanger size, potential cooling source temperature, etc.
  • potential cooling source temperature etc.
  • any combination of the above cooling sources or methods of cooling may be employed in combination to achieve the desired feed stream temperature(s).
  • supplemental external refrigeration that is supplied to the inlet gas stream and the feed stream to the LNG production section may also be accomplished in many different ways.
  • boiling single-component refrigerant has been assumed for the high level external refrigeration and vaporizing multi-component refrigerant has been assumed for the low level external refrigeration, with the single-component refrigerant used to pre-cool the multi-component refrigerant stream.
  • both the high level cooling and the low level cooling could be accomplished using single-component refrigerants with successively lower boiling points (i.e., "cascade refrigeration"), or one single-component refrigerant at successively lower evaporation pressures.
  • both the high level cooling and the low level cooling could be accomplished using multi-component refrigerant streams with their respective compositions adjusted to provide the necessary cooling temperatures.
  • the selection of the method for providing external refrigeration will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, feed gas composition and conditions, plant size, compressor driver size, heat exchanger size, ambient heat sink temperature, etc.
  • any combination of the methods for providing external refrigeration described above may be employed in combination to achieve the desired feed stream temperature(s).
  • Subcooling of the condensed liquid stream leaving heat exchanger 60 reduces or eliminates the quantity of flash vapor that may be generated during expansion of the stream to the operating pressure of LNG storage tank 62. This generally reduces the specific power consumption for producing the LNG by eliminating the need for flash gas compression. However, some circumstances may favor reducing the capital cost of the facility by reducing the size of heat exchanger 60 and using flash gas compression or other means to dispose of any flash gas that may be generated. Although individual stream expansion is depicted in particular expansion devices, alternative expansion means may be employed where appropriate.
  • isenthalpic flash expansion may be used in lieu of work expansion for the subcooled high pressure refrigerant stream leaving heat exchanger 60 (stream 71c in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 21), with the resultant increase in the power consumption for compression of the refrigerant.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de liquéfaction d'un gaz naturel (50) avec la production d'un filet liquide contenant surtout des hydrocarbures plus lourds que du méthane (41). Dans ce procédé, le filet de gaz naturel à liquéfier (31) est partiellement refroidi, dilaté à une pression intermédiaire (14, 15), et alimenté dans une colonne de distillation (19). Le produit de fond (41) provenant de cette colonne de distillation contient, de préférence, une majorité d'hydrocarbure plus lourd que du méthane qui dans un autre cas réduirait la pureté du gaz naturel liquéfié (50). Le filet de gaz résiduel (37) provenant de la colonne de distillation (19) est comprimé (16) à une pression intermédiaire supérieure, refroidi sous pression (60) afin d'être condensé, puis dilaté (61) à basse pression afin de former le filet de gaz naturel liquéfié.
EP02778941A 2001-06-08 2002-06-04 Liquefaction de gaz naturel Withdrawn EP1397629A1 (fr)

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US29684801P 2001-06-08 2001-06-08
US296848P 2001-06-08
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EA005326B1 (ru) 2005-02-24
CA2746624A1 (fr) 2002-12-19
UA76750C2 (uk) 2006-09-15
CA2448884A1 (fr) 2002-12-19
BR0210928B1 (pt) 2014-10-21
KR20040018265A (ko) 2004-03-02
BR0210928A (pt) 2004-10-05
JP2004530858A (ja) 2004-10-07
EA200400014A1 (ru) 2004-08-26
CN100449235C (zh) 2009-01-07
JP2012189315A (ja) 2012-10-04
NO20035423D0 (no) 2003-12-05
WO2002101307A1 (fr) 2002-12-19
WO2002101307B1 (fr) 2003-04-03
AR034457A1 (es) 2004-02-25
CA2448884C (fr) 2012-05-15
JP5847371B2 (ja) 2016-01-20
NZ529941A (en) 2006-04-28
NZ542045A (en) 2007-03-30
CN1592836A (zh) 2005-03-09
ZA200309504B (en) 2004-08-02
HK1071423A1 (en) 2005-07-15
JP2009174849A (ja) 2009-08-06
TW580554B (en) 2004-03-21
MXPA03011267A (es) 2004-10-28
KR100877029B1 (ko) 2009-01-07
JP2015166670A (ja) 2015-09-24
SA02230280B1 (ar) 2008-05-21
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AU2008200409A1 (en) 2008-02-21
CA2746624C (fr) 2013-05-28
MY138353A (en) 2009-05-29

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