EP4579164A2 - Vorrichtung zur methanverflüssigung - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur methanverflüssigung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4579164A2
EP4579164A2 EP24222338.6A EP24222338A EP4579164A2 EP 4579164 A2 EP4579164 A2 EP 4579164A2 EP 24222338 A EP24222338 A EP 24222338A EP 4579164 A2 EP4579164 A2 EP 4579164A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
methane
condensing
outlet
heat recovery
cooling
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
EP24222338.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4579164A3 (de
Inventor
Vladyslav Tsyplakov
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.)
Mirai Intex SAGL
Original Assignee
Mirai Intex SAGL
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 Mirai Intex SAGL filed Critical Mirai Intex SAGL
Publication of EP4579164A2 publication Critical patent/EP4579164A2/de
Publication of EP4579164A3 publication Critical patent/EP4579164A3/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • F25J1/0032—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
    • F25J1/0047—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
    • F25J1/005—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 expansion of a gaseous refrigerant stream with extraction of work
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—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
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/007—Primary atmospheric gases, mixtures thereof
    • F25J1/0072—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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0203—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0205—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a dual level SCR 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
    • F25J1/0203—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0208—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. with deep flash recycle loop
    • F25J1/0209—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. with deep flash recycle loop as at least a three level refrigeration cascade
    • F25J1/021—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 single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop, e.g. with deep flash recycle loop as at least a three level refrigeration cascade 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
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0269—Arrangement of liquefaction units or equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple "trains" concept
    • F25J1/0271—Inter-connecting multiple cold equipments within or downstream of the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0204—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the feed stream
    • F25J3/0209—Natural gas or substitute natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/66—Landfill or fermentation off-gas, e.g. "Bio-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
    • 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
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/60—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams the fluid being hydrocarbons or a mixture of hydrocarbons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for methane liquefaction comprising a cooling module provided with an inlet of gaseous methane, to the outlet of which is associated a condensing and separating module provided with an outlet of liquid methane.
  • Methane is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, it is part of natural gas, which contains 70 to 90 % of methane, and biogas, which contains about 50 to 55 % of methane, but by purification it can be converted into biomethane, which contains at least 95 % of methane.
  • Methane occurs in gaseous form at normal temperatures, but it can be liquefied, and in the liquid state it occupies 600 times less volume than in its gaseous state.
  • Methane liquefaction has several advantages. Liquefied methane is easy to store and transport. As a result, methane can be used as a fuel for cars, buses and ships. Liquefied methane also has lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline and diesel, making it a cleaner fuel. In addition, liquefaction of methane allows it to be used as a refrigerant in industry.
  • the critical state of a substance is one in which the difference (boundary) between its liquid and gaseous phases disappears, i.e., they have the same basic properties. For every substance there is a temperature above which it cannot be converted into liquid by any increase in pressure. This temperature is called the critical temperature. Saturation vapour pressure corresponding to critical temperature is called critical pressure. The volume of vapour at critical temperature and pressure is called critical volume.
  • the critical parameters for methane are a pressure of 4.6 MPa and a temperature of -82 °C. Methane cannot be liquefied at pressures above the critical value. In order to be liquefied at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa), methane must be cooled to a temperature below -161 °C. Many of the known cooling devices that could provide this temperature level are of low efficiency and the pressure increases when the condensing temperature rises above -161 °C. Therefore, the idea was conceived to develop a system which searches for the optimal temperature for using known cooling technology.
  • Methane liquefaction technology is known, for example, from US 2021/0364228 , which discloses a device comprising a generator for producing methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide arranged in series, followed by a device for drying the gas mixture from the generator and purification means for removing carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.
  • a methane condenser is arranged downstream of the purification means, downstream of which a separator for liquid methane and hydrogen gas is arranged, with the liquid methane being led from the separator to a liquid methane storage tank. From the separator and the storage tank, the gaseous components of hydrogen and methane are fed back to the inlet of the generator for methane generation.
  • the liquid methane tank serves to fill transport tanks.
  • a device for methane liquefaction comprising a cooling module to the outlet of which is associated a condensing and separating module provided with a liquid methane outlet according to the invention, whose principle consists in that the cooling module comprises at least one heat recovery exchanger and a condenser coupled to a cooling device, wherein the downstream condensing and separating module comprises a condensing cooling device and at least one recovery heat exchanger which is followed by a methane gas/liquid phase separator, upstream of which is included a throttling device, the methane gas/liquid phase separator being provided with an outlet of gas phase of methane to which are associated return pipelines passing through the heat recovery exchangers up to the end return pipeline.
  • Using two-stage refrigeration followed by methane condensation results in efficient heat transfer with a lower temperature difference in the condensing device.
  • each cooling device operates at its own temperature level and thus achieves optimal efficiency.
  • Additional condensing and separating modules are essentially the same and include the first return pipeline connecting the outlet of the methane gas phase from the respective methane gas/liquid phase separator to the respective condensing heat recovery exchanger, whereby the outlets of all the condensing heat recovery exchangers are connected to the outlet of the cooling module formed by the outlet of the cold heat recovery exchanger.
  • a main compressor and an inlet cooler For compressing methane fed into the liquefaction device by the main stream, arranged upstream of the cooling module are a main compressor and an inlet cooler, which ensure the necessary pressure and temperature of the incoming methane.
  • the end return pipeline is connected to the main gaseous methane stream via an additional compressor and an additional cooler and opens into the main stream upstream of the cooling module or upstream of the inlet to the main compressor.
  • the cooling devices used are formed by closed-cycle air cooling machines.
  • connection variants according to the invention are not limited to the drawings shown but may be varied and supplemented with the circuit elements used depending on the amount of liquid methane production, the input conditions and known standard equipment not described in more detail in this patent application and is commonly known to the skilled person.
  • the device according to the invention is intended to liquefy medium-pressure methane with low capacity and external cold source.
  • the third return pipeline R3 is connected to the recovery inlet 103 of the warm heat recovery exchanger 1 , to the recovery outlet 104 of which is connected an end return pipeline R4 , which is connected to a known methane production or purification device (not shown), or is connected to the methane main stream, as will be described below.
  • the function of the device according to Fig. 1 is as follows: Methane in gaseous form is fed to the cooling module A of the device, in which it is cooled to a temperature of -75 °C to -80 °C and fed to the condensing and separating module B of the device. After the gas methane is fed to the condenser 4, the methane is liquefied using the cold supplied from the cooling device 9 consisting of a MIRAI LNG 90 closed-cycle air cooling machine and is introduced via the condensation heat recovery exchanger 5 and the throttling device 6 to the separator 7, in which the gas phase of methane is separated from the liquid phase (LMG).
  • the cooling device 9 consisting of a MIRAI LNG 90 closed-cycle air cooling machine
  • the methane gas phase is fed from the separator 7 via the first return pipeline R1 to the condensing heat recovery exchanger 5, where it transfers some of its cold to the liquid methane that passes through the condensing heat recovery exchanger 5, cooling the liquid methane by 2 to 5 °C.
  • the methane gas phase is led via the second return pipeline R2 to the cold heat recovery exchanger 3, where it transfers part of its cold to the gaseous methane passing through the heat recovery exchanger 3 and cools the gaseous methane by 5 to 10 °C.
  • the methane gas phase is led via the third return pipeline R3 to the warm heat recovery exchanger 1, where it transfers another part of its cold to the gaseous methane and cools the gaseous methane to a temperature below atmospheric temperature, namely, for example, to 25 to 30 °C below atmospheric temperature.
  • the methane gas phase is led via the end return pipeline R4 to a known unillustrated device for methane production or purification, or to the main methane stream by connecting the end return pipeline R4 upstream or downstream of the main compressor 12, as will be described hereinafter.
  • the device shown in Fig. 2 is intended to produce 3 to 5 tonnes of liquefied methane (LMG) per day.
  • This variant of the device for methane liquefaction comprises the same cooling module A as the device according to Fig. 1 .
  • two condensing and separating modules B-1 , B-2 of the device are connected to the outlet of the cooling module A of the device, that is, to the outlet of the cool heat recovery exchanger 3 , from which gaseous methane emerges at a temperature of -75 to -80 °C.
  • the first separator 7-1 is provided with the outlet of gaseous methane, to which is connected the first return pipeline R1-1 of the first condensing and separating module B-1 , the outlet of which opens into the inlet of the first condensing heat recovery exchanger 5-1, serving to subcool the condensed methane.
  • the second return pipeline R2-1 of the first condensing and separating module B-1 To the outlet of the first condensing heat recovery exchanger 5-1 is connected the second return pipeline R2-1 of the first condensing and separating module B-1 , the outlet of which opens into the cold recovery exchanger 3, which is part of the cooling module A and in which the return pipelines R3 and R4 are arranged in the same way as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 .
  • the pipeline with cooled methane having a temperature of -75 to - 80 °C is divided into two branches, the first of which leads to the first condensing and separating module B-1 and the second branch of the pipeline with cooled methane leads to the second condensing and separating module B-2 and the cooled methane is introduced to the condenser 4-2 of the second condensing and separating module B-2 , hereinafter referred to as the second condenser 4-2, in which it is liquefied due to cooling by the condensing cooling device 9-2 of the second condensing and separating module.
  • the third condenser 4-3 is connected to the third condensing cooling device 9-3, which is in the illustrated embodiment formed by MIRAI LNG 90 closed-cycle air cooling machine, which is equipped with a water cooler 11-3.
  • To the outlet of the third condenser 4-3 is connected to the inlet of the condensing heat exchanger 5-3 of the third condensing and separating module B-3 , hereinafter referred to as the third condensing heat exchanger 5-3, in which the liquid methane is cooled by 2 to 5 °C, to prevent its evaporation.
  • the second return pipeline R2-3 of the third condensing and separating module B-3 is connected to the second return pipeline R2-2 of the second condensing and separating module B-2 and to the second return pipeline R2-1 of the first condensing and separating module B-1 before entering the cold heat exchanger 3.
  • the above-mentioned liquid methane outlet means are associated with means for returning the gaseous methane produced during the filling of the tanks or containers back to the liquid methane storage tank 13 , where the gaseous methane is collected in its upper part.
  • the storage tank 13 is provided in its upper part with a methane gas outlet 703 and a shut-off valve 14.
  • the gaseous methane is discharged back to a known unillustrated device for the production or purification of methane.
  • the gaseous methane is discharged from the separator 7 through the end return pipeline R4 after passing through heat recovery exchangers 5 , 3 and 1 , in which it gradually transferred its cold.
  • the liquid methane storage tank 13 is provided in the upper part with an outlet 703 of gaseous methane and a shut-off valve 14 , to which a gaseous methane discharge pipeline is connected, into which the end return pipeline R4 opens, through which gaseous methane is discharged from the separator 7 after passing through the recovery exchangers 5, 3 and 1_, in which it gradually transferred its cold.
  • a gaseous methane discharge pipeline is connected to which the end return pipeline R4 opens, through which gaseous methane is discharged from the separator 7 after passing through the recovery exchangers 5, 3 and 1_, in which it gradually transferred its cold.
  • Connected to the outlet of the discharge pipeline is the inlet of the additional compressor 30, the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the additional cooler 31 , from the outlet of which the gaseous methane is fed into the main stream of the gaseous methane before the cooling module A.
  • Fig. 6 it is the liquefying device according to Fig. 1 that is used again for methane liquefaction.
  • the means for storing and distributing liquid methane are formed in the same way as in the embodiment according to Figs. 4 and 5 .
  • the means for collecting and removing gaseous methane from the liquid methane storage tank 13 are designed in the same way as in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 , including the connection of the discharge pipeline with the end return pipeline R4 and the connection of the additional compressor 30 and the additional cooler 31 . The difference is that the outlet of the gaseous methane from the additional cooler 31 is fed into the main stream of gaseous methane before the main compressor 20.
  • the methane gas phase returned from the methane gas/liquid phase separator 7 is used in the recovery exchangers 5, 3 and 1 to sequentially transfer the cold to the liquid methane in the condensing recovery exchanger 5 and to the methane gas in the cold recovery exchanger 3 and subsequently in the warm recovery exchanger 1.
  • the methane gas phase returned from the liquid methane storage tank 13 is, after being combined with the methane gas phase returned from the methane gas/liquid phase separator 7, in the embodiment according to Figures 5 and 6 , introduced back into the main methane gas stream, which results in complete condensation of the entire inlet methane gas stream in the operating mode of the device according to the invention.
  • the device according to the invention is intended to liquefy methane using external sources of cold, preferably MIRAI air cooling machines. Since the cold obtained in the cooling machines is returned to the circulation in the device according to the invention by means of heat recovery exchangers, an energy saving is achieved which is approximately equal to the value of the recuperative flow rate. In addition, the pure methane gas generated when the liquid methane is depressurized to storage pressure is returned to the liquefaction cycle, which represents a further energy saving.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
EP24222338.6A 2023-12-28 2024-12-20 Vorrichtung zur methanverflüssigung Pending EP4579164A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CZ2023-516A CZ310346B6 (cs) 2023-12-28 2023-12-28 Zařízení pro zkapalňování metanu

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4579164A2 true EP4579164A2 (de) 2025-07-02
EP4579164A3 EP4579164A3 (de) 2025-07-23

Family

ID=93925396

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24222338.6A Pending EP4579164A3 (de) 2023-12-28 2024-12-20 Vorrichtung zur methanverflüssigung

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4579164A3 (de)
CZ (1) CZ310346B6 (de)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204648828U (zh) 2015-03-31 2015-09-16 昆仑能源湖北黄冈液化天然气有限公司 天然气液化甲烷制冷系统
EP3045849A2 (de) 2015-01-14 2016-07-20 Luciano Ghergo Anlage zur verflüssigung von methangas
US9863697B2 (en) 2015-04-24 2018-01-09 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Integrated methane refrigeration system for liquefying natural gas
US10240863B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2019-03-26 Rtj Technologies Inc. Method and arrangement for producing liquefied methane gas (LMG) from various gas sources
US20210364228A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2021-11-25 L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Precedes Georges Claude Installation and method for producing liquefied methane
US11243026B2 (en) 2014-05-14 2022-02-08 Cryo Pur Method and device for liquefaction of methane
EP4123251A2 (de) 2021-06-28 2023-01-25 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Herstellung von lng aus methanhaltigem synthesegas

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4525185A (en) * 1983-10-25 1985-06-25 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Dual mixed refrigerant natural gas liquefaction with staged compression
US7713497B2 (en) * 2002-08-15 2010-05-11 Fluor Technologies Corporation Low pressure NGL plant configurations
CN101625191B (zh) * 2009-08-10 2011-01-05 中国科学院理化技术研究所 一种应用分凝分离效应的气体低温液化分离系统
CN117029378B (zh) * 2023-07-27 2024-09-03 成都赛普瑞兴科技有限公司 原料气参与制冷的级联式制冷循环lng液化系统和方法

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11243026B2 (en) 2014-05-14 2022-02-08 Cryo Pur Method and device for liquefaction of methane
US10240863B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2019-03-26 Rtj Technologies Inc. Method and arrangement for producing liquefied methane gas (LMG) from various gas sources
EP3045849A2 (de) 2015-01-14 2016-07-20 Luciano Ghergo Anlage zur verflüssigung von methangas
CN204648828U (zh) 2015-03-31 2015-09-16 昆仑能源湖北黄冈液化天然气有限公司 天然气液化甲烷制冷系统
US9863697B2 (en) 2015-04-24 2018-01-09 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Integrated methane refrigeration system for liquefying natural gas
US20210364228A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2021-11-25 L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Precedes Georges Claude Installation and method for producing liquefied methane
EP4123251A2 (de) 2021-06-28 2023-01-25 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Herstellung von lng aus methanhaltigem synthesegas

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CZ2023516A3 (cs) 2025-03-19
EP4579164A3 (de) 2025-07-23
CZ310346B6 (cs) 2025-03-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5139547A (en) Production of liquid nitrogen using liquefied natural gas as sole refrigerant
AU733788B2 (en) Use of a turboexpander cycle in liquefied natural gas process
CN101108977B (zh) 在液化天然气制备中的一体化ngl回收
US6131407A (en) Natural gas letdown liquefaction system
US6253574B1 (en) Method for liquefying a stream rich in hydrocarbons
US9644889B2 (en) System for incondensable component separation in a liquefied natural gas facility
KR101302310B1 (ko) 반폐쇄 루프 액화 천연 가스 처리
US20140083132A1 (en) Process for liquefaction of natural gas
US20040255616A1 (en) Method for liquefying methane-rich gas
US20120060554A1 (en) Method for separating off nitrogen and hydrogen from natural gas
US20230147955A1 (en) Hydrogen Liquefaction with Stored Hydrogen Refrigeration Source
WO2000057118A1 (en) Industrial gas pipeline letdown liquefaction system
US20210140707A1 (en) Arctic cascade method for natural gas liquefaction in a high-pressure cycle with pre-cooling by ethane and sub-cooling by nitrogen, and a plant for its implementation
US20230332833A1 (en) Process for Producing Liquefied Hydrogen
CN113865266A (zh) 液化系统
CN119923549A (zh) 用于冷却包含氢或氦的流体的系统和方法
RU2753206C1 (ru) Способ автономного производства сжиженного природного газа и установка для его осуществления
EP4579164A2 (de) Vorrichtung zur methanverflüssigung
KR102705009B1 (ko) 선박의 증발가스 재액화 시스템 및 방법
KR101714678B1 (ko) 저장탱크를 포함하는 선박
KR20160150346A (ko) 저장탱크를 포함하는 선박
KR101714675B1 (ko) 저장탱크를 포함하는 선박
RU2847389C1 (ru) Система реконденсации отпарного газа, образующегося при погрузке сжиженного природного газа на танкер
CN118182734B (zh) 浮式液化天然气装置、回收氦气的方法
US10330381B2 (en) Plant for the liquefaction of nitrogen using the recovery of cold energy deriving from the evaporation of liquefied natural gas

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F25J 1/00 20060101AFI20250618BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20250918