EP3781885A1 - Mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and method with pre-cooling - Google Patents

Mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and method with pre-cooling

Info

Publication number
EP3781885A1
EP3781885A1 EP19722343.1A EP19722343A EP3781885A1 EP 3781885 A1 EP3781885 A1 EP 3781885A1 EP 19722343 A EP19722343 A EP 19722343A EP 3781885 A1 EP3781885 A1 EP 3781885A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat exchanger
cool
stream
refrigerant
liquefaction
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP19722343.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Douglas A. DUCOTE, Jr.
Timothy P. GUSHANAS
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.)
Chart Energy and Chemicals Inc
Original Assignee
Chart Energy and Chemicals Inc
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 Chart Energy and Chemicals Inc filed Critical Chart Energy and Chemicals Inc
Publication of EP3781885A1 publication Critical patent/EP3781885A1/en
Pending 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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0052—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/008—Hydrocarbons
    • F25J1/0087—Propane; Propylene
    • 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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/008—Hydrocarbons
    • F25J1/009—Hydrocarbons with four or more carbon atoms
    • 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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/008—Hydrocarbons
    • F25J1/0092—Mixtures of hydrocarbons comprising possibly also minor amounts of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0097—Others, e.g. F-, Cl-, HF-, HClF-, HCl-hydrocarbons etc. or mixtures thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0211—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0212—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a multi-component refrigerant [MCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a single flow MCR cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0211—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0225—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
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    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
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    • 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
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    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
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    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
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    • 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
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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.
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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.
    • F25J1/0281—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
    • 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.
    • F25J1/029—Mechanically coupling of different refrigerant compressors in a cascade refrigeration system to a common driver
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0292—Refrigerant compression by cold or cryogenic suction of the refrigerant gas
    • 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.
    • F25J1/0296—Removal of the heat of compression, e.g. within an inter- or afterstage-cooler against an ambient heat sink
    • F25J1/0297—Removal of the heat of compression, e.g. within an inter- or afterstage-cooler against an ambient heat sink using an externally chilled fluid, e.g. chilled water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0204—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the feed stream
    • F25J3/0209—Natural gas or substitute natural gas
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    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/78—Refluxing the column with a liquid stream originating from an upstream or downstream fractionator column
    • 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
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/04—Mixing or blending of fluids with the feed stream
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    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
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    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • 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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/24—Multiple compressors or compressor stages in parallel
    • 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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/30—Compression of the feed stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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
    • 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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/40—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/02—Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/02—Bath type boiler-condenser using thermo-siphon effect, e.g. with natural or forced circulation or pool boiling, i.e. core-in-kettle heat exchanger
    • 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
    • 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 generally to systems and methods for cooling or liquefying gases and, more particularly, to a mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and method that uses cold vapor separation to fractionate high pressure mixed refrigerant vapor into liquid and vapor streams and that includes a sub-system for pre-cooling the feed gas stream and one or more mixed refrigerant streams using a second refrigerant
  • Natural gas which is primarily methane, and other gases, are liquefied under pressure for storage and transport.
  • the reduction in volume that results from liquefaction permits containers of more practical and economical design to be used.
  • Liquefaction is typically accomplished by chilling the gas through indirect heat exchange by one or more refrigeration cycles.
  • Such refrigeration cycles are costly both in terms equipment cost and operation due to the complexity of the required equipment and the required efficiency of performance of the refrigerant There is a need, therefore, for gas cooling and liquefaction systems having improved refrigeration efficiency and reduced operating costs with reduced complexity.
  • the refrigeration cycle for the liquefaction system will typically include a compression system for conditioning or processing the mixed refrigerant
  • the mixed refrigerant compression system typically includes one or more stages, with each stage including a compressor, a cooler and a separation and liquid accumulator device. Vapor exiting the compressor is cooled in the cooler, and the resulting two-phase or mixed phase stream is directed to the separation and liquid accumulator device, from which vapor and liquid exit for further processing and/or direction to the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • a system for cooling a gas with a pre-cool refrigerant and a mixed refrigerant includes a pre-cool heat exchanger having a feed gas inlet adapted to receive a feed gas stream and a feed gas outlet, a pre-cool refrigerant inlet and a pre-cool refrigerant outlet and a liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet and a liquefaction mixed refrigerant outlet.
  • the pre-cool heat exchanger is configured to use the pre-cool refrigerant to cool feed gas passing through the pre-cool heat exchanger between the feed gas inlet and outlet and to cool liquefaction mixed refrigerant passing through the pre-cool heat exchanger between the liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet and outlet.
  • a pre-cool compressor system includes a precool compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with the pre-cool refrigerant outlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger.
  • the pre-cool compressor system also has a pre-cool condenser having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the pre-cool compressor.
  • the precool condenser also has outlet in fluid communication with the pre-cool refrigerant inlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger.
  • a liquefaction heat exchanger includes a liquefying passage in fluid communication with the feed gas outlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger, a primary refrigeration passage, a high pressure vapor cooling passage and a cold separator vapor cooling passage, where the cold separator vapor cooling passage has an outlet in fluid communication with the primary refrigeration passage.
  • a mixed refrigerant compression system includes a mixed refrigerant compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the primary refrigeration passage and a mixed refrigerant cooler having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixed refrigerant compressor. The mixed refrigerant cooler also has an outlet in fluid communication with the liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger.
  • the mixed refrigerant compression system also has a high pressure accumulator having an inlet in fluid communication with the liquefaction mixed refrigerant outlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger and a vapor outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the high pressure vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • a cold vapor separator has an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the high pressure vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger, a vapor outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the cold separator vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger and a liquid outlet in communication with the primary refrigeration passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • a method for cooling a feed gas stream includes the steps of: pre- cooling the feed gas stream in a pre-cool heat exchanger using a first refrigerant to form a pre-cooled feed gas stream and further cooling the pre-cooled feed gas stream by i) cooling a high pressure second refrigerant stream in the pre-cool heat exchanger to form a cooled high pressure second refrigerant stream, ii) separating the cooled high pressure second refrigerant stream to form a high pressure vapor stream and a high pressure liquid stream, iii) cooling the high pressure vapor stream in a liquefaction heat exchanger, to form a mixed phase stream, iv) separating the mixed phase stream with a cold vapor separator to form a cold separator vapor stream and a cold separator liquid stream, v) condensing the cold separator vapor stream in the liquefaction heat exchanger using the second refrigerant and flashing, to form a cold temperature refrigerant stream, vi)
  • a system for cooling a feed gas with a mixed refrigerant includes a pre-cool heat exchanger having a pre-cool refrigerant inlet configured to receive a stream of pre-cool refrigerant and a pre-cool refrigerant outlet and a liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet and a liquefaction mixed refrigerant outlet
  • the pre-cool heat exchanger is configured to use the pre-cool refrigerant to cool liquefaction mixed refrigerant passing through the pre-cool heat exchanger between the liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet and outlet
  • a liquefaction heat exchanger includes a liquefying passage configured to receive a stream of the feed gas, a primary refrigeration passage, a high pressure vapor cooling passage and a cold separator vapor cooling passage, where the cold separator vapor cooling passage has an outlet in fluid communication with the primary refrigeration passage.
  • a mixed refrigerant compression system includes a mixed refrigerant compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the primary refrigeration passage.
  • the mixed refrigerant compression system also includes a mixed refrigerant cooler having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixed refrigerant compressor.
  • the mixed refrigerant cooler has an outlet in fluid communication with the liquefaction mixed refrigerant inlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger.
  • the mixed refrigerant compression system also includes a high pressure accumulator having an inlet in fluid communication with the liquefaction mixed refrigerant outlet of the pre-cool heat exchanger and a vapor outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the high pressure vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • a cold vapor separator has an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the high pressure vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger, a vapor outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the cold separator vapor cooling passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger and a liquid outlet in communication with the primary refrigeration passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • a method for cooling a feed gas stream includes the steps of: directing the feed gas stream into a liquefaction heat exchanger; cooling a high pressure mixed refrigerant stream in a pre-cool heat exchanger to form a cooled high pressure mixed refrigerant stream and cooling the feed gas stream in the liquefaction heat exchanger by: i) separating the cooled high pressure mixed refrigerant stream to form a high pressure vapor stream and a high pressure liquid stream, ii) cooling the high pressure vapor stream in the liquefaction heat exchanger to form a mixed phase stream, iii) separating the mixed phase stream with a cold vapor separator to form a cold separator vapor stream and a cold separator liquid stream, iv) condensing the cold separator vapor stream in the liquefaction heat exchanger and flashing, to form a cold temperature refrigerant stream, v) directing the cold temperature refrigerant stream to the liquefaction heat exchanger, vi)
  • Fig. 1 is a process flow and schematic illustrating a first embedment of the system and method of the disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a process flow and schematic illustrating a second embodiment of the system and method of the disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is a is a process flow and schematic illustrating a third embodiment of the system and method of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a process flow and schematic illustrating a fourth embodiment of the system and method of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a process flow and schematic illustrating a fifth embodiment of the system and method of the disclosure.
  • Embodiments of the mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and method of the disclosure are illustrated in Figs. 1-5. It should be noted that while the embodiments are illustrated and described below in terms of liquefying natural gas to produce liquid natural gas, the invention may be used to liquefy or cool other types of gases. [0018] Embodiments of the disclosure may use the mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and process described in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 9,441,877 to Gushanas et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0260415, U.S. Patent Application No. 14/218,949, to Ducote et al., and U.S. Patent Appl. No. 62/561,417 to Ducote et al., the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • a heat exchanger is that device or an area in the device wherein indirect heat exchange occurs between two or more streams at different temperatures, or between a stream and the environment
  • the terms“communication”,“communicating”, and the like generally refer to fluid communication unless otherwise specified.
  • two fluids in communication may exchange heat upon mixing, such an exchange would not be considered to be the same as heat exchange in a heat exchanger, although such an exchange can take place in a heat exchanger.
  • the term“reducing the pressure of * (or variations thereof) does not involve a phase change
  • the term“flashing” (or variations thereof) involves a phase change, including even a partial phase change.
  • the terms,“high”,“middle”,“mid”,“warm” and the like are relative to comparable streams, as is customary in the art.
  • a first embodiment the system of the disclosure includes a mixed refrigerant liquefaction system, indicated in general at 8, including a multistream liquefaction heat exchanger, indicated in general at 10, having a warm end 12 and a cold end 14.
  • the heat exchanger receives a pre-cooled natural gas feed stream 16 that is liquefied in cooling or liquefying passage 18 via removal of heat via heat exchange with refrigeration streams in the heat exchanger.
  • a stream 20 of liquid natural gas (LNG) product is produced.
  • LNG liquid natural gas
  • the multi-stream design of the heat exchanger allows for convenient and energy-efficient integration of several streams into a single exchanger.
  • Suitable heat exchangers include brazed aluminum heat exchangers, which may be purchased from Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc. of The Woodlands, Texas. Such a plate and fin, multistream heat exchanger offers the further advantage of being physically compact.
  • the system of Fig. 1, including heat exchanger 10, may be configured to perform other gas processing options known in the prior art These processing options may require the gas stream to exit and reenter the heat exchanger one or more times and may include, for example, natural gas liquids recovery or nitrogen rejection.
  • the removal of heat is accomplished in the heat exchanger using a mixed refrigerant that is processed and reconditioned using a liquefaction system mixed refrigerant compressor system indicated in general at 22.
  • the mixed refrigerant compressor system includes a first stage suction drum 24, which receives a mixed refrigerant vapor stream 26 from the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the vapor stream is compressed in a first stage compressor 32 (which may be an individual compressor or a stage of a single, multistage compressor) and then cooled by first stage heat exchanger or cooler 34.
  • the resulting mixed refrigerant vapor stream travels to a second stage suction drum 35 and then to a second stage compressor 36 (which may be an individual compressor or a stage of the single, multistage compressor) and, after compression, is cooled in second stage heat exchanger or cooler
  • the system of Fig. 1 includes a pre-cooling system, indicated in general at 40.
  • the pre-cooling system includes a pre-cool warm heat exchanger, indicated in general at 42a, and a pre-cool cold heat exchanger, indicated in general at 42b.
  • Warm and cold heat exchangers 42a and 42b may be, as an example only, CORE-IN-KETTLE heat exchangers, available from Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc. of The Woodlands, Texas.
  • heat exchangers including, but not limited to, shell and tube or thermosiphon type heat exchangers may be used for warm and cold heat exchangers 42a and 42b.
  • the pre-cooling system may alternatively feature a single pre-cool heat exchanger or more than two pre-cool heat exchangers.
  • the pre-cooling system also includes a compressor system, indicated in general at 44, for processing and reconditioning a pre-cooling system refrigerant, such as propane, butane, ammonia or a chlorofluorocarbon. While the pre-cooling systems in the embodiments described herein use propane, alternative refrigerants including, but not limited to, butane, ammonia or liquid fluorinated hydrocarbons may be used.
  • a pre-cooling system refrigerant such as propane, butane, ammonia or a chlorofluorocarbon.
  • the pre-cooling compressor system 44 includes a first stage suction drum 46 that receives a propane refrigerant vapor stream 48 from cold heat exchanger 42b, as described in greater detail below. Vapor stream 52 from the first stage suction drum travels to a pre- cooling compressor 54, and the resulting compressed stream travels to pre-cooling condenser 56. A resulting propane refrigerant liquid stream travels to pre-cooling refrigerant accumulator 62. A propane refrigerant liquid stream 64 travels from the accumulator to an expansion device 66 so that a two-phase stream 72 enters a shell 74 of the warm heat exchanger 42a. A liquid level sensor 76 controls the setting of the expansion device 66 so that a proper liquid level is maintained within the shell 74.
  • expansion device 66 may be an expansion valve, such as a Joule-Thomson valve, or another type of expansion device including, but not limited to, a turbine or an orifice.
  • the shell 74 of the pre-cool warm heat exchanger 42a houses a core 78 that receives a natural gas feed stream 82.
  • the core 78 of the warm feed gas heat exchanger may be a brazed aluminum heat exchanger (BAHX) or other heat exchanger type such as micro-channel or welded plate, tubes or coils, printed circuit heat exchanger, etc.
  • BAHX brazed aluminum heat exchanger
  • the natural gas stream is cooled by the propane liquid refrigerant in the core 78, and the cooled natural gas stream exits the warm heat exchanger 42a as stream 84.
  • the gas stream may be routed directly to cold heat exchanger 42b as indicated by dashed line 84’ in Fig. 1.
  • core 78 may be omitted.
  • a warm propane refrigerant vapor stream 86 exits the shell 74 of the pre-cool warm heat exchanger 42a and travels to a second stage suction drum 88 and to an inlet of pre- cooling compressor 54.
  • the shell 98 of the cold heat exchanger 42b houses a core 104 that receives the natural gas feed stream 84 (or natural gas feed stream 84’).
  • the natural gas stream 84 is further cooled (or cooled) by the propane liquid refrigerant in the core 104, and the cooled natural gas stream exits the cold heat exchanger 42b as pre-cooled stream 16 and travels to liquefying passage 18 of the liquefaction heat exchanger 10.
  • the gas stream 84’ of Fig. 1 may be routed directly to liquefying passage of the liquefaction heat exchanger.
  • core 104 may also be omitted.
  • the propane refrigerant vapor stream 48 exits the shell 98 of the pre-cool cold heat exchanger 42b and travels to the first stage suction drum 46.
  • the high pressure mixed refrigerant stream 112 from the second stage compressor 36 and heat exchanger 38 of the mixed refrigerant compression system travels to a core 114 positioned within the shell 74 of the pre-cool warm heat exchanger 42a.
  • the mixed refrigerant flowing through core 114 is cooled by the liquid propane refrigerant within shell 74, and the resulting cooled mixed refrigerant stream 116 is directed to the cold mixed refrigerant core 118 positioned within the shell 98 of the pre-cool cold heat exchanger 42b.
  • the mixed refrigerant flowing through core 118 is cooled by the liquid propane refrigerant within shell 98, and a resulting mixed refrigerant (MR) mixed phase stream 122 is directed to a high pressure accumulator 124.
  • a accumulator drum is illustrated as high pressure accumulator 124, alternative separation devices may be used, including, but not limited to, another type of vessel, a cyclonic separator, a distillation unit, a coalescing separator or mesh or vane type mist eliminator. The same applies for the remaining separation devices or drums discussed herein.
  • High pressure vapor refrigerant stream 126 exits the vapor outlet of the accumulator 124 and travels to the warm end of the heat exchanger 10.
  • High pressure liquid refrigerant stream 128 exits the liquid outlet of accumulator 124 and also travels to the warm end of the heat exchanger. After cooling in the heat exchanger 10, via high pressure liquid cooling passage 125, it is flashed at 129 and travels to warm temperature separator 131. Vapor stream 127 and liquid stream 133 travel from the warm temperature separator 131 to the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the heat exchanger 10 also receives and cools, via high pressure vapor cooling passage 135, the high pressure vapor stream 126 from the high pressure accumulator 124 and cools it so that it is partially condensed.
  • the resulting mixed phase cold separator feed stream 132 is provided to a cold vapor separator 134 so that cold separator vapor stream 136 and cold separator liquid stream 138 are produced.
  • the cold separator vapor stream 136 is cooled and condensed in the heat exchanger 10, via cold separator vapor cooling passage 141, into liquid stream 142, flashed through expansion device 144 and directed to cold temperature separator 146 to form a cold temperature liquid stream 152 and a cold temperature vapor stream 154, which are directed to the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the heat exchanger 10 as a cold temperature refrigerant stream.
  • the cold separator liquid stream 138 is cooled in the heat exchanger 10, via cold separator liquid cooling passage 143, to form subcooled cold separator liquid 160, which is flashed at 162 and directed to mid temperature separator 164.
  • a resulting liquid stream 166 and a resulting vapor stream 168 are directed to the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the combined refrigerant streams from the warm temperature separator 131, the mid temperature separator 164 and the cold temperature separator 146 provide the refrigeration for liquefying pre-cooled feed gas stream 16 within the liquefying or cooling passage 18 of the heat exchanger 10, and exit the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the liquefaction heat exchanger as a combined return refrigerant stream 26, which preferably is in the vapor phase.
  • the return refrigerant stream 26 flows to the suction drum 24, which results in vapor mixed refrigerant stream 27, as referenced previously.
  • the liquefied natural gas stream 172 exits the cold side of the heat exchanger and may be optionally expanded, using expansion device 174, and delivered to storage or a process.
  • Fig. 1 therefore shows a propane (C3) pre-cooled mixed refrigerant (MR) process in combination with a cold vapor separator (CVS) located in the main liquefaction section of the process.
  • C3 pre-cooling and MR results in a more efficient process than pre-cooling without the CVS and with lower equipment cost and also facilitates higher plant capacities.
  • the combination of pre-cooling and CVS allows the C3 system to operate at a significantly warmer temperature such as, as an example only, approximately -5°C vs. -35 to -40°C, with high efficiency, which reduces the propane system cost and power consumption.
  • Fig. 1 can be used with any MR liquefaction process that utilizes a CVS.
  • Fig. 1 shows two stages of pre-cooling in the pre-cooling system 40, one or more stages of pre-cooling may alternatively be used.
  • Fig. 1 shows an MR liquefaction system 8 featuring separate warm, mid and cold temperature separators, any of these may be combined or, in certain cases, tiie separators may be eliminated. Furthermore, while these separators are illustrated as stand pipes, alternative types of separators known in the art may be used.
  • Figs. 2-4 feature the same mixed refrigerant compressor system, mixed refrigerant liquefaction system and pre-cooling compressor system components and operation as described above with reference to Fig. 1, and thus common reference numbers are used to indicate these portions, and common components, of the systems.
  • FIG. 2 A second embodiment of the system of the disclosure is presented in Fig. 2.
  • two high pressure MR accumulators are used, instead of the single high pressure MR accumulator 124 of Fig. 1.
  • stream 182 exiting the second stage compression and cooling cycle of the MR compressor system 22 is directed to the core 114 of the warm pre-cool heat exchanger 42a.
  • the core 114 cools the stream 182 using the liquid propane refrigerant within shell 74.
  • the resulting cooled MR stream 186 travels to a first high pressure MR accumulator 188.
  • the resulting vapor MR stream 192 travels to a core 194 positioned within the pre-cool cold heat exchanger 42b where it is cooled by the liquid propane refrigerant within shell 98.
  • the resulting cooled stream 198 travels to a second high pressure MR accumulator 202.
  • the vapor stream 204 leaving the second high pressure MR accumulator 202 is cooled within the liquefaction heat exchanger 10, via passage 206, and is directed to cold vapor separator 208.
  • the vapor stream exiting the cold vapor separator is processed as described above with regard to Fig. 1.
  • the liquid stream 212 leaving the second high pressure MR accumulator 202 is cooled within the liquefaction heat exchanger 10, via passage 214, is flashed via expansion device 216 and is directed to mid temperature separator 164, where it is combined with the cooled and flashed liquid stream from the cold vapor separator 208.
  • the vapor and liquid streams exiting the mid temperature separator are directed to the primary refrigeration passage 28.
  • the liquid MR stream exiting the first high pressure MR accumulator 188 travels to a core 196 positioned within the pre-cool cold heat exchanger 42b where it is cooled by the liquid propane refrigerant within shell 98.
  • the resulting cooled stream 218 is cooled in the liquefaction heat exchanger 10 via passage 220, and the resulting cooled liquid stream is flashed via expansion device 222 and delivered to warm temperature separator 131.
  • the vapor and liquid streams exiting the warm temperature separator are directed to the primary refrigeration passage 28.
  • the pre-cooling system is used to cool the discharge stream 224 exiting the first stage compression and cooling cycle of the MR compressor system 22.
  • the pre-cool warm heat exchanger 42a contains a core 226 which receives the stream 224 through an interstage mixed refrigerant inlet and cools it using the propane liquid refrigerant within the shell 74.
  • the resulting cooled stream exits the core through an interstage mixed refrigerant outlet and travels to an Interstage or MR low pressure accumulator 228.
  • the resulting vapor stream 232 is directed to an input of the second stage compressor 36 of the MR compressor system 22.
  • the liquid stream 234 exiting the MR low pressure accumulator 228 is received by a core 236 positioned within the shell 98 of the cold heat exchanger 42b.
  • the resulting cooled stream 238 is cooled in passage 242 of the liquefaction heat exchanger 10, flashed via expansion device 244 and directed to the primary refrigeration passage 28 of the heat exchanger 10.
  • pre-cooling the discharge stream (224) of the first compression and cooling stage of the MR compressor system 22 before compressing in the second stage and incorporating first and second MR high pressure accumulators (188 and 202) in the process are distinct and independent and may be utilized in combination or separately.
  • the pre-cooled liquid stream 224 from the first compression and cooling stage may be introduced into the MR liquefaction system 8 separately, as shown in Fig. 2, or combined with any of the other refrigeration streams in the separators of the MR liquefaction system 8 or in some cases without any separators.
  • FIG. 3 A third embodiment of the system of the disclosure is presented in Fig. 3.
  • a warm mixed refrigerant (MR) pre-cooling system indicated in general at 252 is used in place of the propane pre-cooling system of Figs. 1 and 2.
  • MR warm mixed refrigerant
  • the MR pre-cooling system includes a warm MR pre-cooling heat exchanger, indicated in general at 254, that includes a pre-cooling passage 256 that receives natural gas feed stream 82.
  • the MR pre-cooling system also includes a pre-cooling compressor system 262 that includes a first stage suction drum 264 that receives a pre-cooling MR vapor stream 266 from a pre-cooling primary refrigeration passage 268 of the heat exchanger 254. Vapor stream 272 from tiie first stage suction drum travels to an inlet of pre-cooling compressor 272, and the resulting compressed stream travels to pre-cooling condenser 274. A resulting MR liquid stream travels to pre-cooling MR accumulator 276.
  • the vapor stream from the accumulator 276 may either be vented via valve 278 or directed via a second valve to a second stage suction drum 284.
  • the vapor stream 286 from the second stage suction drum 284 travels to an inlet of pre-cooling compressor 272.
  • a liquid pre-cooling MR stream 292 travels from accumulator 276 through cooling passage 294 of the heat exchanger 254, and the resulting cooled liquid stream travels to an expansion device 296 and is flashed, with the resulting mixed phase stream entering precooling cold separator 302.
  • a portion of (or all of) the cooled liquid stream leaving passage 294 of the heat exchanger may be directed to a secondary pre-cooling refrigeration passage 304 of the heat exchanger using valve 298 depending on the system temperature and duty needs.
  • the vapor stream 306 exiting the secondary pre-cooling refrigeration passage 304 is directed to second stage suction drum 284.
  • Both the vapor and liquid pre-cooling MR streams (308 and 312, respectively) from the pre-cooling cold separator 302 are directed to the pre-cooling primary refrigeration passage 268 of the heat exchanger 254.
  • the natural gas feed stream flowing through pre-cooling passage 256 of the pre- cooling heat exchanger 254 is pre-cooled via refrigeration passages 268 and 304 of the heat exchanger, and the resulting cooled natural gas stream 314 is directed to the liquefaction heat exchanger 10 to be liquefied.
  • the liquefaction compressor system 316 features a first stage compression and cooling cycle, that produces first stage liquefaction MR stream 318, and a second stage compression and cooling cycle, that produces second stage liquefaction MR stream 322.
  • Liquefaction MR streams 318 and 322 are further cooled in the pre-cooling heat exchanger 254 via passages 324 and 326, and the resulting mixed phase stream 328 exiting passage 324 travels to a liquefaction MR low pressure accumulator 332, while the resulting mixed phase stream 334 travels to liquefaction MR high pressure accumulator 336.
  • Liquefaction MR vapor stream 338 travels from the liquefaction MR low pressure accumulator 332 to second stage suction drum 342 of the liquefaction compressor system 316, with the resulting vapor stream being directed to the second stage compression and cooling cycle.
  • Liquefaction MR liquid stream 344 from the liquefaction MR low pressure accumulator 332 is cooled in passage 346 of the liquefaction heat exchanger 350, flashed via expansion device 348 and directed to the primary refrigeration passage 352 of the heat exchanger 350.
  • the liquid stream 362 leaving the liquefaction MR high pressure accumulator 336 is cooled within the liquefaction heat exchanger 350, via passage 364, is flashed via expansion device 366 and is directed to mid temperature separator 368, after it is combined with the cooled and flashed liquid stream from the cold vapor separator 358 (which is functionally equivalent to combining the streams in the mid temperature separator, as indicated in Fig. 2).
  • the vapor and liquid streams exiting the mid temperature separator are directed to the primary refrigeration passage 352 of the heat exchanger 350.
  • pre-cooling the liquefaction MR compression system 316 first stage discharge (318) before compressing in the second stage is an optional feature and may be utilized in combination with the other features or not used at all.
  • the mixed refrigerants used in the pre-cooling system and the liquefaction system may be of the same or different compositions.
  • the MR pre-cooling system illustrated at 262 in Fig. 3 is merely an example of a suitable MR system - other MR systems, and non-mixed refrigerant systems, known in the art may be used instead as the pre-cooling system.
  • the pre-cooling system 370 includes a pre-cool warm heat exchanger, indicated in general at 372a, and a pre-cool cold heat exchanger, indicated in general at 372b.
  • Warm and cold heat exchangers 372a and 372b may be, as an example only, CORE-IN-KETTLE heat exchangers, available from Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc. of The Woodlands, Texas.
  • Alternative types of heat exchangers including, but not limited to, shell and tube or thermosiphon type heat exchangers may be used.
  • a core 374 (which, as an example only, may be a brazed aluminum heat exchanger (BAHX) or other heat exchanger type such as micro-channel or welded plate, etc.) extends thru the internal head 376 between the shells 378 and 382 of the warm and cold heat exchangers 372a and 372b such that the process stream, which is the discharge stream 384 from the second compression and cooling stage of the liquefaction MR compressor system 386, is continuous thru the core 374.
  • BAHX brazed aluminum heat exchanger
  • other heat exchanger type such as micro-channel or welded plate, etc.
  • Fig. 4. reduces the power consumption of the process, either the propane system or the liquefaction system or both, attributed to mal-distribution or simplifies the equipment count and reduces cost to eliminate mal-distribution effects.
  • the cooled MR stream 416 then flows to high pressure accumulator 124, with the resulting liquid and vapor streams directed to the liquefaction heat exchanger 420 of the MR liquefaction system 408, as in previous embodiments.
  • Fig. 5 shows a chilled water pre-cooled MR process
  • any chilled cooling fluid may be used, such as, but not limited to, ammonia, water, water glycol mix, lithium bromide solution, liquid fluorinated hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons, etc.
  • Fig. 5 shows a shell and tube heat exchanger for the pre-cooling system heat exchanger 414
  • any heat exchanger type may be used.
  • Fig. 5 shows separate warm, mid and cold temperature stand pipes 422, 424 and 426, any of these may be combined or in certain cases, the stand pipe may be eliminated.
  • the chilled water cooling system may also be used to cool the feed gas and/or cool the 1st stage discharge as shown in Fig. 2 or provide cooling for turbine inlet air for the gas turbine driver or cool multiple liquefaction systems.

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AU2019255212A1 (en) 2020-11-26
CA3095583A1 (en) 2019-10-24
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US20190323769A1 (en) 2019-10-24
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AR115345A1 (es) 2020-12-23

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