EP2721358A2 - Process for liquefaction of natural gas - Google Patents

Process for liquefaction of natural gas

Info

Publication number
EP2721358A2
EP2721358A2 EP12733175.9A EP12733175A EP2721358A2 EP 2721358 A2 EP2721358 A2 EP 2721358A2 EP 12733175 A EP12733175 A EP 12733175A EP 2721358 A2 EP2721358 A2 EP 2721358A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat exchanger
expander
feed
stream
gas
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Withdrawn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
EP12733175.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Anthony Dwight Maunder
Geoffrey Frederick Skinner
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.)
Gasconsult Ltd
Original Assignee
Gasconsult Ltd
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 Gasconsult Ltd filed Critical Gasconsult Ltd
Publication of EP2721358A2 publication Critical patent/EP2721358A2/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • F25J5/00—Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants
    • 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
    • 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"
    • F25J1/0035—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
    • F25J1/0037—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 of a return stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0201—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 only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration
    • F25J1/0202—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 only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration in a quasi-closed internal refrigeration 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
    • F25J1/0211—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0225—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 other external refrigeration means not provided before, e.g. heat driven absorption chillers
    • F25J1/0227—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 other external refrigeration means not provided before, e.g. heat driven absorption chillers within a refrigeration 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
    • F25J1/0228—Coupling of the liquefaction unit to other units or processes, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J1/0229—Integration with a unit for using hydrocarbons, e.g. consuming hydrocarbons as feed stock
    • F25J1/023—Integration with a unit for using hydrocarbons, e.g. consuming hydrocarbons as feed stock for the combustion as fuels, i.e. integration with the fuel gas 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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0242—Waste heat recovery, e.g. from heat of compression
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0254—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation controlling particular process parameter, e.g. pressure, temperature
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0281—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
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0281—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
    • F25J1/0283—Gas turbine as the prime mechanical driver
    • 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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/80—Hot exhaust gas turbine combustion engine
    • F25J2240/82—Hot exhaust gas turbine combustion engine with waste heat recovery, e.g. in a combined cycle, i.e. for generating steam used in a Rankine 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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/04—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
    • F25J2270/06—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop with multiple gas expansion loops
    • 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
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/906—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration by heat driven absorption chillers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for liquefying methane-rich gas and, more particularly but not exclusively, relates to a method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • Expander-based LNG installations are simple, compact, low in weight and can avoid the importation/preparation/storage of liquid refrigerants. These characteristics are attractive for smaller scale applications, particularly offshore, where low hydrocarbon inventory is desirable from safety considerations. 5However expander processes have certain drawbacks: until recently, limited capacity and experience with expanders higher power requirement
  • Partially liquefying the feed gas itself in an expander, having a two-phase discharge flow, can reduce internal (recycle) gas flows and reduce power lOrequirement.
  • WO 01/44735 (Minta et al) describing production of pressurised liquid 5 natural gas (PLNG) at -112°C from feed gas compressed to a high pressure of "above 1600 psia”.
  • an inventive step in the present application consists of identifying operating conditions for the two expanders 5(the precooling expander and the liquefying expander) which allow for practical production of atmospheric pressure LNG at about -161°C. Moreover a very high pressure feed gas, which is a feature of the above-mentioned patents, is no longer required. lOThis results in a simplified process with improved thermal efficiency having a wide range of potential applications where the raw feed gas has a pressure as low as 40 bar (4 Pa) .
  • the present invention facilitates production of LNG from smaller gas fields, 15particularly offshore, due to its simple flow scheme, low power consumption and non-reliance on storage and use of liquid refrigerants.
  • the liquefaction process itself generally does not require process columns, for instance for refrigerant preparation, which may be less easy to operate under such operating conditions.
  • the feed gas generally at a pressure of from 40 (4 MPa) to 100 bar (10 MPa), is liquefied to give LNG product at approx 1 bar (0.1 MPa) / -161°C by the expander-based plant configuration described aboveand comprising: cooling feed gas and recycle gas (mentioned below) in a first step by means of a first heat exchanger and in a first work expander; the heat exchanger having an outlet temperature in the range of -50° to -80°C, preferably -60° to -70°C; the expander having a lower outlet temperature than that of the heat exchanger; the expander having its outlet stream reheated in a cold passage of the said heat exchanger and then recompressed to form part of the above mentioned recycle gas.
  • this invention comprises a liquefaction process with moderate power requirement in which the necessary refrigeration is largely supplied by work expansion of the feed gas itself. Cryogenic liquid refrigerants or other secondary working fluids such as nitrogen are therefore not required. In this way energy is extracted at a low temperature level which results in improved thermodynamic efficiency. As a result, a significant proportion of the LNG is formed directly in a work extracting expander, in addition to that formed 5by condensation in an exchanger which is cooled by the reheating of the cold gas from the said work expander.
  • FIG 1 shows the operating features of the invention.
  • the exact flow sheet will 15depend upon the feed gas specification, but will generally contain these basic elements. Where pressures are stated anywhere in this application as “bar” these are bar absolute.
  • the feed natural gas (Stream 1) is passed through a pretreatment stage A in 0which components that would solidify or otherwise interfere with the downstream liquefaction process, such C0 2 , H 2 S, water vapour and mercury vapour, are removed to the extent necessary to give appropriate and conventional maximum concentrations in the pretreated gas (Stream 2).
  • Stream 2 is mixed with part (Stream 4) of the recycle gas (Stream 3) to form Stream 6, which is passed through a passage in heat exchanger B, leaving as Stream 7 at a temperature typically in the range -20° to -60°C, preferably -30° to -50°C. This temperature is typically low enough to condense sufficient NGL to 5meet the specification for the final LNG product.
  • Any condensed hydrocarbons in separator C are removed as Stream 8.
  • the outlet vapour from C (Stream 9) is further cooled in a passage in heat exchanger D, exiting as Stream 10 at a temperature in the range -50° to -80°C, preferably -60° to -70°C.
  • the remaining part of the recycle gas (Stream 5) is cooled in gas expander E having an outlet lOStream 11 with a temperature lower than the temperature of Stream 10.
  • pretreated feed gas may exit pretreatment stage A via Stream 2a to join the recycle gas Stream 3 upstream of the point at which it is divided into Streams 4 & 5.
  • This option may be convenient when the natural gas feed Stream 1 has only a small content of heavy hydrocarbon. In such a
  • 15case the pretreated feed gas may be mixed with the whole of the recycle gas and then the resulting mixture divided to supply heat exchanger B through Stream 6 and gas expander E through Stream 5.
  • the pressure of Stream 11 will typically be around 15 bar ( .5 MPa).
  • Stream 11 enters a first cold passage in heat exchanger D, leaving as Stream 12, which 0then passes through a first cold passage in heat exchanger B, emerging (Stream 13) at a temperature just below the temperature of Stream 6.
  • the ratio of the flow rate of Stream 4 to the flow rate of Stream 5 is controlled so that the temperature approach between the composite hot and cold sides of heat exchangers B and D are substantially uniform throughout their lengths.
  • a large part of Stream 10 is then passed (Stream 14) through a second gas expander F from which it emerges as Stream 15 at a pressure between 3 bar 5(0.3 MPa) and 20 bar (2 MPa) , preferably between 5 bar (0.5 MPa) and 15 bar (1.5 MPa) and in a partly liquefied state.
  • Stream 15 then enters vapour-liquid separator G.
  • the liquid phase from Separator G (Stream 16) is then typically let down in a pressure reduction device H such as a valve or a turbine.
  • the outlet from H (Stream 17) which is typically at or close to atmospheric pressure, is lOdelivered into the LNG Tank I.
  • a conventional nitrogen stripping column (not shown) may be used, typically employing the sensible heat of Stream 16 for reboiling.
  • Stream 10 flows as Stream 23 through a hot 15side passage in heat exchanger J, wherein it is liquefied by indirect heat exchange with the vapour from separator G (Stream 8), emerging as Stream 24.
  • This is then typically let down in pressure through pressure reduction device K, such as a valve or a turbine.
  • the outlet from K is routed either to vapour-liquid separator G, shown in broken line as Stream 25a, or preferably as 0Stream 25b to the LNG tank I.
  • This second option helps to reduce accumulation of nitrogen in the recycle gas.
  • Stream 29 ISheated in a second cold passage in heat exchanger J to form Stream 27, then in a third cold passage in heat exchanger D to give Stream 28 and finally in a third cold passage in heat exchanger B, emerging as Stream 29 at a temperature slightly below the temperature of Stream 6.
  • a conventional booster blower (also not shown) may be provided in Stream 26 to ensure that the 0pressure of Stream 29 does not fall below atmospheric pressure.
  • Stream 29 may typically be used as fuel gas.
  • Part or all of Stream 29 (Stream 30) optionally may be compressed for return to the recycle gas in a low pressure compressor L, leaving as Stream 31.
  • This stream is cooled in cooler M, from which the outlet (Stream 32) joins Stream 21 to form Stream 22, which then enters the suction of recycle compressor N 5instead of Stream 21 alone if this option is not used.
  • a further option is to withdraw recycle gas (Stream 33) at a convenient point from compressor N typically for use as gas turbine fuel. It may be convenient to use Stream 29 or Stream 33 as stripping gas for regeneration of adsorbents in the pretreatment stage A, prior to their ultimate combustion as fuels.
  • Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which expanders E and F have essentially the same outlet pressure of between 3 bar (0.3 MPa) and 20 bar (2 MPa), preferably between 5 bar (0.5 MPa) and 15 bar (1.5 MPa).
  • the outlet stream from expander E (Stream 11) is then combined with Stream 15 9 to form Stream 19a, which enters heat exchanger D in place of Stream 9 in Fig. .
  • the heat exchangers B and D then have only three passages, simplifying the construction of the exchanger and the operation of the plant.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
EP12733175.9A 2011-06-15 2012-06-11 Process for liquefaction of natural gas Withdrawn EP2721358A2 (en)

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GB1110096.3A GB2486036B (en) 2011-06-15 2011-06-15 Process for liquefaction of natural gas
PCT/GB2012/000502 WO2012172281A2 (en) 2011-06-15 2012-06-11 Process for liquefaction of natural gas

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CN (1) CN103582792B (ko)
AU (1) AU2012270148B2 (ko)
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GB2486036A (en) 2012-06-06
KR20140043745A (ko) 2014-04-10
WO2012172281A3 (en) 2013-12-05
AU2012270148A1 (en) 2013-11-28
MX346703B (es) 2017-03-28
MY172653A (en) 2019-12-09
KR101820560B1 (ko) 2018-01-19
CA2836628A1 (en) 2012-12-20
CN103582792A (zh) 2014-02-12
CN103582792B (zh) 2016-06-22
MX2013014870A (es) 2015-06-15
US20140083132A1 (en) 2014-03-27
JP2014522477A (ja) 2014-09-04
AU2012270148B2 (en) 2017-12-07
JP5984192B2 (ja) 2016-09-06
GB2486036B (en) 2012-11-07
CA2836628C (en) 2019-06-25
GB201110096D0 (en) 2011-07-27
WO2012172281A2 (en) 2012-12-20
WO2012172281A4 (en) 2014-01-09

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