EP1864063A1 - Plant and method for liquefying natural gas - Google Patents

Plant and method for liquefying natural gas

Info

Publication number
EP1864063A1
EP1864063A1 EP06708275A EP06708275A EP1864063A1 EP 1864063 A1 EP1864063 A1 EP 1864063A1 EP 06708275 A EP06708275 A EP 06708275A EP 06708275 A EP06708275 A EP 06708275A EP 1864063 A1 EP1864063 A1 EP 1864063A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
natural gas
heat exchanger
cooling
main
outlet
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Withdrawn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
EP06708275A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jolinde Machteld Van De Graaf
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.)
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Original Assignee
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
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 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV filed Critical Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority to EP06708275A priority Critical patent/EP1864063A1/en
Publication of EP1864063A1 publication Critical patent/EP1864063A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • 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
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0292—Refrigerant compression by cold or cryogenic suction of the refrigerant 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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0042—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0214—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0211—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0219—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. using a deep flash recycle loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0228—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
    • F25J1/0238—Purification or treatment step is integrated within one refrigeration cycle only, i.e. the same or single refrigeration cycle provides feed gas cooling (if present) and 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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0257—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
    • F25J1/0268—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 using a dedicated refrigeration means
    • 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
    • F25J1/0269—Arrangement of liquefaction units or equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple "trains" concept
    • F25J1/0271—Inter-connecting multiple cold equipments within or downstream of the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0274—Retrofitting or revamping of an existing liquefaction unit
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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
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    • 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.
    • F25J1/0281—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc. characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
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    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
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    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0281—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc. characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F25J1/0284—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
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    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0285—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
    • F25J1/0287—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings including an electrical motor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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
    • F25J1/02—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.
    • F25J1/0295—Shifting of the compression load between different cooling stages within a refrigerant cycle or within a cascade refrigeration system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/02—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • F25J2220/62—Separating low boiling components, e.g. He, H2, N2, Air
    • 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
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • F25J2220/64—Separating heavy hydrocarbons, e.g. NGL, LPG, C4+ hydrocarbons or heavy condensates in general
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/60—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams the fluid being hydrocarbons or a mixture of hydrocarbons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/02—Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass stream

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a plant and method for liquefying natural gas.
  • US patent 6,389,844 discloses such a plant and method. It comprises a single common pre-cooling cycle followed by two parallel arranged main liquefaction cycles operating simultaneously, wherein natural gas flowing through the plant is liquefied and sub-cooled.
  • a problem of the above plant and method is the possibility of maldistribution, as the natural gas will usually partially condense in the pre-cooling cycle.
  • Equal distribution of the partially condensed stream over the parallel arranged main liquefaction cycles is complex and requires additional equipment and controls, resulting in an increased pressure drop over the system and hence in a reduction in liquefaction efficiency.
  • a plant for liquefying natural gas at least comprising: - a pre-cooling heat exchanger train comprising a final heat exchanger optionally preceded by one or more heat exchangers, the final heat exchanger being provided with one pre-cooling refrigerant circuit for removing heat from the natural gas stream;
  • each system comprising a main heat exchanger having a first hot side having one inlet arranged to respectively receive the first and second natural gas substreams and an outlet for liquefied natural gas, and each system comprising a main refrigerant circuit for removing heat from the natural gas flowing through the first hot side of the corresponding main heat exchanger; wherein the distributor is located upstream of the final heat exchanger.
  • the above advantages may also be reached in a plant and method for liquefying natural gas as presently claimed but further comprising at least two natural gas liquids extraction units downstream of the distributor but upstream of the main cryogenic systems.
  • the natural gas liquids extraction units may be placed upstream or downstream of the final heat exchanger of the pre-cooling heat exchanger train.
  • the distributor can be located between two heat exchangers in the train to split the natural gas stream between consecutive pre-cooling stages.
  • the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit serves two main refrigerant circuits, but each main refrigerant circuit is served by its own natural gas liquids extraction unit. In this way the liquefaction capacity is not limited by the natural gas liquids extraction capacity.
  • Another advantage of this embodiment is that the natural gas extraction units do not have to be scaled up to accommodate the higher flow rate. It has been found that at high natural gas throughputs, the limit of feasibility of construction and transport of high- pressure separation columns is reached. This problem is circumvented by provision of two smaller columns arranged in parallel and operating simultaneously. It may even turn out envisaged that the additional capital cost of providing two or more relatively small natural gas liquids extraction units in parallel is lower than that of one large natural gas liquids extraction unit accommodated to handle the full flow of natural gas.
  • the invention includes not only a first group of embodiments wherein each of the main heat exchangers receives the vaporous overhead light fraction exclusively from one of the natural gas liquids extraction units, but also a second group of embodiments wherein each of the main heat exchangers receives parts of the vaporous overhead light fraction from two or more natural gas liquids extraction units.
  • the present invention provides a method of liquefying a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising:
  • step (c) further cooling the first and second natural gas substreams obtained in step (b) into full condensation against a main refrigerant in at least two main cryogenic systems, wherein in each main cryogenic system the main refrigerant is cycled in a main refrigerant circuit;
  • Figure Ia shows a general schematic flow diagram of a first group of embodiments of the invention
  • Figure Ib shows a general schematic flow diagram of a second group of embodiments of the invention
  • Figure Ic shows a general schematic flow diagram of a third group of embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows schematically the liquefaction plant and process according to the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows schematically a more specific embodiment of the plant and process according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 shows schematically an end-flash unit for use in combination with the embodiments.
  • a single reference number will be assigned to a line as well as a stream carried in that line. Same reference numbers refer to similar components.
  • the plant 10 for liquefying natural gas comprises a natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1, a distributor 4, two main cryogenic systems 200 and 200' , and optionally two natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' .
  • the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1 has an inlet line 90 for natural gas and outlet lines 27,27' for pre-cooled natural gas.
  • the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1 comprises two heat exchangers 2a, 2b, wherein heat exchanger 2a is the final heat exchanger.
  • the train 1 may comprise more than two heat exchangers.
  • the heat exchangers of the train 1 may be part of the same refrigerant circuit.
  • the distributor 4 is located upstream of the final heat exchanger 2a. If the train 1 comprises more than two heat exchangers 2a, 2b, the distributor may be located further upstream. Preferably, the distributor 4 is located between two heat exchangers forming part of the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1.
  • the final heat exchanger 2a may be a single heat exchanger (see Figures Ia and Ib) but may also be a set of two or more parallel heat exchangers (2al and 2a2 in Figure Ic) . It goes without saying that - in the event that the distributor 4 is placed also upstream of the heat exchanger 2b - the heat exchanger 2b may also comprise two or more parallel heat exchangers.
  • the distributor 4 has at least two outlets 22,23 and outlet lines 19,19'. As shown in Figure 1, the streams in outlet lines 19,19' are both further cooled in the single final heat exchanger 2a. Alternatively, the outlet lines 19,19' may be connected to separate, parallel final heat exchangers (2al and 2a2; as shown in Fig. Ic) . In the embodiments according to Fig. Ia and Ib, each of the natural gas liquids extraction units 100, 100' is connected to a line 27 or 27', and has a discharge line 108, 108' for discharging a heavy fraction, a discharge line 127, 127' for discharging an overhead light fraction.
  • the heavy fraction comprises a natural gas liquid that is enriched in heavier components such as C3 + components, the overhead light fraction comprises a leaner mixture deriched from these heavier components, and is to be liquefied.
  • Each main cryogenic system 200, 200' is associated with a discharge line 95, 95' for discharging the liquefied natural gas.
  • each of the main cryogenic systems 200, 200' is associated exclusively with one of the natural gas liquids extraction units 100, 100'.
  • Figure Ib a generic embodiment is shown wherein the product streams from the natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' in respective lines 127 and 127' are brought together and redistributed in a second distributor 44.
  • each main cryogenic system 200 and 200' thus receives parts of the vaporous overhead light fraction from both natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' .
  • the natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' are placed upstream of the final heat exchangers 2al and 2a2 of the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1.
  • the natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1 can comprise one pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a, but suitably comprises a set of two or more heat exchangers arranged in series and/or parallel, wherein pre-cooling refrigerant is allowed to evaporate at one or more pressure levels.
  • the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1 will be illustrated using the final pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a; the preceding heat exchanger 2b has only been schematically indicated in the Figures.
  • the natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a has a hot side schematically shown in the form of tubes 12,12' having inlets 13,13' for natural gas and outlets 14,14' for pre-cooled natural gas.
  • the tubes 12,12' are arranged in the cold side 15, which can be a shell side 15, of the natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a.
  • the plant 10 according to the invention typically also comprises a pre-cooling refrigerant circuit 3.
  • the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit 3 comprises a pre-cooling refrigerant compressor 31 having an inlet 33 and an outlet 34.
  • the outlet 34 is connected by means of conduit 35 to a cooler 36, which may be an air cooler or a water cooler.
  • Conduit 35 extends via an expansion device, here provided in the form of a throttle 38, to the inlet 39 of the cold side 15 of the natural gas pre- cooling heat exchanger 2.
  • the outlet 40 of the cold side 15 is connected by means of return conduit 41 to the inlet 33 of the pre-cooling refrigerant compressor 31.
  • the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit 3 comprises four pressure levels for pre-cooling the natural gas stream in two or three or four stages.
  • the pre-cooling refrigerant line-up can be provided in accordance with US patent 6,637,238, which is herewith incorporated by reference.
  • the distributor 4 has an inlet line 18 for receiving natural gas pre-cooled in preceding heat exchanger 2b, and two outlets 22 and 23.
  • the two outlets 22 and 23 of distributor 4 are connected to inlets of two parallel hot sides in the final pre-cooling stage 2a whereby streams flowing through these parallel hot sides can heat exchange against the pre-cooling refrigerant in the pre- cooling refrigerant circuit 3.
  • Each main cryogenic system 200, 200' contains a main heat exchanger 5, 5', and a main refrigerant circuit 9, 9' .
  • Each main heat exchanger 5, 5' comprises a first hot side 25, 25' having one inlet 26, 26' .
  • the inlet 26 of the first hot side 25 is connected to the outlet 14 of the final heat exchanger 2a via the natural gas liquids extraction unit 100 by means of conduits 27 and 127, and the inlet 26' of the first hot side 25' is connected to the outlet 14' via the natural gas liquids extraction unit 100' by means of conduits 27' and 127' .
  • Each first hot side 25, 25' has an outlet 28, 28' at the top of the main heat exchanger 5, 5' for liquefied natural gas.
  • the first hot side 25, 25' is located in the cold side 29, 29' of the main heat exchanger 5, 5', which cold side 29, 29' has an outlet 30, 30' .
  • Main heat exchangers 5 and 5' are each associated with a liquefaction refrigerant circuit 9 respectively 9' .
  • Each liquefaction refrigerant circuit 9, 9' comprises a liquefaction refrigerant compressor 50, 50' having an inlet 51, 51' and an outlet 52, 52' .
  • the inlet 51, 51' is connected by means of return conduit 53, 53' to the outlet 30, 30' of the cold side 29, 29' of the main heat exchanger 5, 5'.
  • the outlet 52, 52' is connected by means of conduit 54, 54' to a cooler 56, 56', which may be an air cooler or a water cooler, and the hot side 57, 57' of a refrigerant heat exchanger 58, 58' to a separator 60, 60' .
  • Each separator 60 has an outlet 61, 61' for liquid at its lower end and an outlet 62, 62' for gas at its upper end.
  • Each refrigerant heat exchanger 58, 58' includes a cold side 85, 85' having an inlet 139, 139' and an outlet 140, 140' for allowing entry of an auxiliary refrigerant and discharge of spent auxiliary refrigerant.
  • the cold side 85 is included in an auxiliary refrigerant cycle for which many options are feasible, amongst which are the following:
  • One option is that the auxiliary refrigerant cycle is embodied as a parallel cycle as disclosed in US patent 6,389,844, herewith incorporated by reference, utilizing the pre-cooling refrigerant compressor 31 and cooler 36, wherein inlet 139, 139' is connected to line 37 via an expansion device such as a throttle, and outlet 140, 140' is connected to line 41.
  • auxiliary refrigerant circuit such as is disclosed in US patent application publication 2005/0005635, herewith incorporated by reference, utilizing either one auxiliary refrigerant compressor for feeding each of refrigerant heat exchanger 58, 58' in parallel or utilizing a dedicated auxiliary refrigerant compressor for each refrigerant heat exchanger 58, 58'.
  • the integrated pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1 may comprise two or three or more stages in series, as disclosed with specific reference to Figure 3 in US patent 6,389,844 already enclosed by reference .
  • Each liquefaction refrigerant circuit 9, 9' further includes a first conduit 65, 65' extending from the outlet 61, 61' to the inlet of a second hot side 67, 67' that extends to a mid point of the main heat exchanger 5, 5' , a conduit 69, 69' , an expansion device 70, 70' and an injection nozzle 73, 73'.
  • Each liquefaction refrigerant circuit 9, 9' further includes a second conduit 75, 75' extending from the outlet 62, 62' to the inlet of a third hot side 77, 77' that extends to the top of the main heat exchanger 5, 5', a conduit 79, 79' , an expansion device 80, 80' and an injection nozzle 83, 83'.
  • the two natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' are each comprise a distillation column 105 respectively 105' .
  • the distillation column 105, 105' is provided with a distillation column inlet 107, 107', that in the present embodiment is at the same time the extraction unit inlet that is connected to pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1.
  • distillation column inlet 107 is connected to outlet 14 of the final heat exchanger 2a of train 1 via conduit 27, and distillation column inlet 107' is connected to outlet 14' via conduit 27'.
  • Extraction unit outlets are provided in the form of lines 127 and 127' respectively.
  • the distillation column 105, 105' further has a heavy fraction outlet 109, 109' for discharging a liquid separated from the pre-cooled natural gas stream in corresponding line 27, 27', and a light fraction overhead outlet 111, 111' for discharging a vapour separated from the pre-cooled natural gas stream in corresponding line 27, 27' .
  • a fractionation unit (not shown) , either operating on the parallel heavy fractions or on the combined heavy fractions, can be connected to the heavy fraction outlet 109, 109' .
  • the distillation column 105, 105' is as shown in Figure 2 is provided only with a rectifying section.
  • the distillation column can also be provided with a rectifying and a stripping section, by adding a reboiler to bring up the temperature in the bottom of the column.
  • an absorber section can be provided in the distillation column if necessary.
  • the distillation column may be a scrub column.
  • the natural gas liquids extraction unit 100, 100' further comprises an overhead heat exchanger unit 113, 113', an overhead separator 117, 117' in the form of reflux drum, and a reflux pump 119, 119' .
  • the reflux drum 117, 117' comprises a liquid reflux outlet 121, 121', and a vapour outlet 123, 123'.
  • the light fraction overhead outlet 111, 111' is connected to a hot side 116, 116' of the overhead heat exchanger unit 113, 113', of which the cold side 112, 112' is exposable to a cold stream 115, 115'.
  • the hot side outlet of the overhead heat exchanger 113, 113' is connected to the reflux drum 117, 111'.
  • the liquid reflux outlet 121, 121' is connected to a suction side of reflux pump 119, 119' of which a pressure side is connected to a reflux inlet 125, 125' provided in the corresponding distillation column 105, 105' .
  • the vapour outlet 123, 123' is connected to line 127, 127' .
  • the main refrigerant circuits 9 and 9' are identical to each other and so are the main heat exchangers 5 and 5' and the natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' .
  • natural gas 90 is supplied to the pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1, is stepwise pre-cooled in heat exchanger 2b, is split in the distributor 4 into at least first and second pre-cooled natural gas substreams, and supplied as parallel streams 19,19' via the inlets 13,13' to the natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a. Normally, depending on the natural gas composition, the natural gas is partially condensed in pre-cooling heat exchanger train 1.
  • Pre-cooling refrigerant is removed from the outlet 40 of the cold side 15 of the natural gas pre-cooling heat exchanger 2a, compressed in the pre-cooling refrigerant compressor 31 to an elevated pressure, condensed in the condenser 36 and allowed to expand in the expansion device 38 to a low pressure.
  • the expanded pre-cooling refrigerant is allowed to evaporate at the low pressure and in this way heat is removed from the natural gas.
  • Pre-cooled natural gas removed from the outlet 14 of heat exchanger 2a is passed through conduits 27,27' .
  • the amounts of natural gas passing through conduits 27 and 27' are suitably equal to each other.
  • the respective first and second pre-cooled natural gas streams are supplied to the inlets 107 and 107' of the natural gas liquids extraction units 100 and 100' .
  • each of the first and second pre-cooled natural gas substreams are fed into their respective distillation columns 105 and 105' where they are simultaneously separated, typically by distillation or scrubbing, in a heavy fraction comprising the condensed part of the corresponding substream, and a vaporous overhead light fraction.
  • the vaporous overhead light fraction is deriched from C3 "1" components including propane and contains predominantly methane, and often also C2 components including ethane, and nitrogen.
  • the vaporous light overhead stream leaves the distillation column 105, 105' via light fraction overhead outlet 111, 111' after which it is fed into the hot side 116, 116' of overhead heat exchanger 113, 113' where it is partially condensed into a partially condensed overhead stream comprising a mixture of light condensate and light vapour.
  • the partially condensed overhead stream is fed to the reflux drum 117, 117' where the light condensate is separated from the light vapour.
  • the light condensate is drawn from the reflux drum 117, 117' via liquid reflux outlet 121, 121' , and fed a cold liquid reflux into the distillation column 105, 105' .
  • the light vapour is drawn from the vapour outlet 123, 123' and fed to the inlets 26 and 26' of the first hot sides 25 and 25' of the main heat exchangers 5 and 5' .
  • the first hot side 25, 25' the light vapour fraction from the natural gas is liquefied and sub-cooled.
  • Sub-cooled natural gas is removed through conduits 95 and 95' .
  • the sub-cooled natural gas is passed to a unit for further treating, of which some options will be discussed later in this specification, and to tanks for storing the liquefied natural gas (not shown) .
  • Main refrigerant is removed from the outlet 30, 30' of the cold side 29, 29' of the main heat exchanger 5, 5' , compressed to an elevated pressure in the liquefaction refrigerant compressor 50, 50'.
  • the heat of compression is removed in cooler 56, 56' and further heat is removed from the main refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchanger 58, 58' to obtain partly condensed refrigerant.
  • Partly condensed main refrigerant is then separated in separator 60, 60' into a heavy, liquid fraction and a light, gaseous fraction, which fractions are further cooled in the second and the third hot side 67, 67' and 77, 77' respectively to obtain liquefied and sub-cooled fractions at elevated pressure.
  • the sub-cooled refrigerants are then allowed to expand in expansion devices 70, 70' and 80, 80' to a lower pressure. At this pressure the refrigerant is allowed to evaporate in the cold side 29, 29' of the main heat exchanger 5, 5' to remove heat from the natural gas passing through the first cold side 25, 25' .
  • the cold stream 115, 115' , or overhead refrigerant stream 115, 115' , required to condense the liquid reflux out of the vaporous overhead light fraction can come from any suitable source. For instance, it can be fed with a slip stream from cycle 3, or it can be integrated as one pressure level in cycle 3.
  • the overhead refrigerant stream 115, 115' can be fed with a slip stream of the main refrigerant, for instance from line 65, 65' .
  • This can be achieved in an arrangement wherein the cold side 115, 115' of the overhead heat exchanger is in fluid communication with at least one of the at least two main refrigerant circuits 9, 9' .
  • An advantage of indirect heat exchanging the vaporous overhead light fraction with the main refrigerant in at least one of the at least two main refrigerant circuits 9, 9' is that the temperature of the pre-cooled natural gas stream is a low as possible which helps in achieving a deeper C3 + extraction in the natural gas liquids separation.
  • the temperature of the liquid reflux stream leaving outlet 121, 121' can be lower to increase the C3 "1" recovery.
  • the temperature of the pre- cooled natural gas lies around -25 °C when the compressor driver power for each of the main refrigerant circuits 9, 9' and the compressor driver power for the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit 3 are equal and the plant is operated at full capacity.
  • the pressure of the pre-cooled natural gas is typically between 40 and 60 bar.
  • the temperature of the liquid reflux stream lies between -25 0 C and -65 0 C, whereby the lower the temperature the more C3 "1" components are separated out of the pre-cooled natural gas. More preferably, the temperature of the liquid reflux stream is lower than -31 0 C.
  • a 40 to 45% propane recovery is feasible with a cold reflux temperature of about -45 °C, using main refrigerant for the overhead cooling in overhead heat exchanger 113, 113' . This depends on pressure and composition of the gas .
  • Figure 3 shows an embodiment involving one specific example of utilizing main refrigerant from one of the main refrigerant circuits 9, 9' for cooling vaporous overhead light fraction drawn from the overhead separator 117, 117' .
  • the hot side 116, 116' is integrated into the main heat exchanger.
  • Figure 3 largely corresponds to Figure 2 but wherein natural gas liquids extraction units 100, 100' have been replaced by an alternative embodiment of natural gas liquids extraction unit 110, 110' .
  • Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 it will not be described again, but general reference is instead made to corresponding parts of Figure 2.
  • the main cryogenic heat exchangers 5, 5' have been replaced by a modified version 55, 55' , wherein the hot side 25, 25' is divided in an upstream part 24, 24' and a downstream part 24a, 24a' .
  • the light fraction overhead outlet 111, 111' is connected to inlet 26, 26' of the corresponding upstream part 24, 24' via conduit 126, 126'.
  • the outlet of the upstream part 24, 24' is connected to the reflux drum 117, 117' and the vapour outlet 123, 123' of the reflux drum 117, 117' is connected to the corresponding inlet of the downstream part 24a, 24a' of the hot side 25, 25' via conduit 127, 127'.
  • the downstream part 24a, 24a' has an outlet 28, 28' at the top of the main heat exchanger 55, 55' for liquefied natural gas.
  • the cold required for condensing the liquid reflux out of the vaporous overhead light fraction is provided by the main refrigerant.
  • the natural gas liquids extraction unit 100, 100' and/or 110, 110' and the separating of the partially condensed natural gas substreams in a heavy fraction comprising the condensed part of the corresponding substream, and a vaporous overhead light fraction takes a form in accordance with embodiments thereof as disclosed in International publication WO 2004/069384, herewith incorporated by reference.
  • the cold liquid reflux in such embodiments is split into first and second reflux streams of which the first is introduced in the top of the scrub column and the second in a mid point.
  • the pre-cooling refrigerant is suitably a single component refrigerant, such as propane, or a mixture of hydrocarbon components or another suitable refrigerant used in a compression cooling cycle or in an absorption cooling cycle.
  • the main refrigerant is suitably a multi-component refrigerant comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane and butane.
  • the refrigerant heat exchangers 58 and 58' comprise a set of two or more heat exchangers arranged in series, wherein the pre-cooling refrigerant is allowed to evaporate at one or more pressure levels.
  • the main heat exchangers 5 and 5' and 55 and 55' can be of any suitable design, such as a spool-wound heat exchanger or a plate-fin heat exchanger.
  • the main heat exchangers 5, 5', 55, 55' has a second and a third hot side, 67, 67' and 77, 77', respectively.
  • the main heat exchanger has only one hot side in which the second and the third hot side are combined.
  • the partly condensed main refrigerant is directly supplied to the third hot side 77, 77', without separating it into a heavy, liquid fraction and a light, gaseous fraction.
  • the compressors 31, 50 and 50' can be multi-stage compressors with inter-cooling, a combination of compressors in series with inter-cooling in between two compressors, and/or a combination of compressors in parallel.
  • the compressors 31, 50 and 50' in the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit 3 and the two main refrigerant circuits 9 and 9' can be turbine driven or electric motor driven, or combined turbine/electric motor driven.
  • the turbine (not shown) in the pre-cooling refrigerant circuit is a steam turbine.
  • the steam required to drive the steam turbine is generated with heat released from cooling the exhaust of the gas turbines (not shown) of the main refrigerant circuits .
  • the present invention provides an expandable plant for liquefying natural gas, wherein in a first stage a single train is built with a 100% liquefaction capacity, and wherein in a second stage the second main heat exchanger and the second liquefaction refrigerant circuit of the same size as the first ones can be added to expand the liquefaction capacity to between about 140 and about 160%, while the C3 "1" components from the natural gas can be controlled.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the conditions of pre-cooling and liquefaction, for example the compositions of the refrigerant, can easily be adapted such that an efficient operation is achieved. Moreover, in case one of the liquefaction circuits has to be taken out of operation, the conditions can be adapted to work efficiently with a single liquefaction train.
  • the liquefaction capacity can be expanded even more by provision of least one end-flash unit, connected to the outlet conduits 95, 95' for liquefied natural gas.
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment of such an end flash unit that can be added to any one of the plants described above.
  • Each conduit 95, 95' is connected to an end flash expander 97, 97' and a throttle 99, 99'.
  • the low pressure ends discharge into conduits 101, 101' which both connect to an end flash gas separator 103.
  • junction where liquefied natural gas in conduits 95 and 95' is combined upstream a single end flash expander (not shown) .
  • the end flash gas separator is provided with an end flash gas outlet 133 and a liquefied natural gas outlet 135.
  • the end flash separator may also be a distillation column or a stripper column or any suitable alternative to achieve an optimal separation efficiency between the flash gas and the liquefied natural gas.
  • An optional pump 137 may be provided to bring the liquefied natural gas to any desired pressure before discharging it in line 138 for transport or storage.
  • the flash gas outlet 133 is connected to a compressor 139.
  • the high-pressure outlet of the compressor 139 is connected to a cooler 141, which can be an ambient cooler. Upstream of the compressor 139 a heat exchanger 143 is provided to be able to retain the cold vested in the end flash gas.
  • the pressure in the liquefied natural gas is lowered in the end flash expander 97, 97' and the throttle 99, 99', preferably to atmospheric or near atmospheric conditions. This expansion lowers the temperature of the liquefied natural gas, and also end flash gas is formed in the process.
  • the temperature is lowered by approximately 10 °C when flashed down from 50 bar to atmospheric pressure. Because of the additional lowering of the temperature, more liquified natural gas can be produced with a certain cooling power in the pre-cooling train 1 and the main cryogenic systems 200, 200' .
  • the end flash gas is separated from the liquefied natural gas in the end flash gas separator 103.
  • the end flash gas leaving the end flash gas separator 103 is compressed to a pressure whereby it can be discharged via line 145 for further use, for instance as fuel gas.
  • the cold present in the end flash gas can be retained via heat exchanger 143, for instance to pre-cool the main refrigerant. In that case, the heat exchanger 143 could be included in the main refrigerant circuits 9, 9' .
  • an optional end flash gas feedback loop can be provided whereby a part of the end flash gas in line 145 is at least partly condensed and re-injected into the liquefied natural gas upstream of the end flash separator 103.
  • the optional feedback loop can comprise a further compressor 147, of which the low pressure end is connected to line 145.
  • the high-pressure end of the further compressor 147 is connected to a line upstream of the end flash gas separator, via consecutively an optional further cooler 149, a heat exchanger 143 and an expansion device such as a throttle 151.
  • the further compressors 139 and 147 provide extra points where cooling duty can be put into the process and the cooling temperature in the main refrigerant circuits can be increased. Because of the extra cooling duty added in this way a higher amount of liquid natural gas can be produced. Calculations have revealed that a 4 to 5% additional liquefaction capacity can be achieved with the end flash system including the optional recycling.

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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)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
EP06708275A 2005-02-17 2006-02-15 Plant and method for liquefying natural gas Withdrawn EP1864063A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06708275A EP1864063A1 (en) 2005-02-17 2006-02-15 Plant and method for liquefying natural gas

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EP05101200 2005-02-17
EP06708275A EP1864063A1 (en) 2005-02-17 2006-02-15 Plant and method for liquefying natural gas
PCT/EP2006/050939 WO2006087331A1 (en) 2005-02-17 2006-02-15 Plant and method for liquefying natural gas

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EP1864063A1 true EP1864063A1 (en) 2007-12-12

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EP (2) EP1848945A2 (zh)
JP (2) JP2008530506A (zh)
KR (2) KR20070111531A (zh)
CN (2) CN101120220A (zh)
AU (2) AU2006215629C1 (zh)
BR (2) BRPI0608158A2 (zh)
MX (2) MX2007009830A (zh)
MY (2) MY141434A (zh)
NO (2) NO20074699L (zh)
RU (2) RU2395764C2 (zh)
WO (2) WO2006087331A1 (zh)

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NO20074682L (no) 2007-09-14
BRPI0607453A2 (pt) 2010-04-06
AU2006215629B2 (en) 2009-04-09
RU2007130261A (ru) 2009-02-20
EP1848945A2 (en) 2007-10-31
CN101120219A (zh) 2008-02-06
RU2395764C2 (ru) 2010-07-27
US20080156037A1 (en) 2008-07-03
AU2006215629A1 (en) 2006-08-24
AU2006215629C1 (en) 2011-03-31
RU2395765C2 (ru) 2010-07-27
WO2006087330A3 (en) 2006-11-30
AU2006215630B2 (en) 2009-04-23
KR20070111531A (ko) 2007-11-21
JP2008530506A (ja) 2008-08-07
US20080156036A1 (en) 2008-07-03
RU2007130260A (ru) 2009-02-20
MY141434A (en) 2010-04-30
CN101120220A (zh) 2008-02-06
MY143097A (en) 2011-03-15
NO20074699L (no) 2007-09-14
BRPI0608158A2 (pt) 2010-11-09
WO2006087330A2 (en) 2006-08-24
MX2007009824A (es) 2007-09-04
JP2008530505A (ja) 2008-08-07
WO2006087331A1 (en) 2006-08-24
AU2006215630A1 (en) 2006-08-24
KR20070114751A (ko) 2007-12-04
MX2007009830A (es) 2007-09-04

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