US20130160487A1 - Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment - Google Patents
Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130160487A1 US20130160487A1 US13/719,902 US201213719902A US2013160487A1 US 20130160487 A1 US20130160487 A1 US 20130160487A1 US 201213719902 A US201213719902 A US 201213719902A US 2013160487 A1 US2013160487 A1 US 2013160487A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- stream
- heat exchanger
- exchanger core
- external heat
- refrigerant stream
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 90
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 62
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 47
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000003949 liquefied natural gas Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 7
- 108091006146 Channels Proteins 0.000 description 6
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011143 downstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007792 gaseous phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005514 two-phase flow Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
-
- 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
- F25J1/02—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
- F25J1/0259—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the liquefaction unit and in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
-
- 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
- F25J1/0272—Multiple identical heat exchangers in parallel
-
- 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
- F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
- F25J1/0277—Offshore use, e.g. during shipping
- F25J1/0278—Unit being stationary, e.g. on floating barge or fixed platform
-
- 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.
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J5/00—Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants
- F25J5/002—Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants for continuously recuperating cold, i.e. in a so-called recuperative heat exchanger
- F25J5/005—Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants for continuously recuperating cold, i.e. in a so-called recuperative heat exchanger in a reboiler-condenser, e.g. within a column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D21/0017—Flooded core heat exchangers
-
- 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
- F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
- F25J2250/20—Boiler-condenser with multiple exchanger cores in parallel or with multiple re-boiling or condensing streams
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
- F25J2290/72—Processing device is used off-shore, e.g. on a platform or floating on a ship or barge
Definitions
- This invention relates to a system and method for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment, utilizing a core-in-shell type heat exchanger.
- Natural gas in its native form must be concentrated before it can be transported economically.
- the use of natural gas has increased significantly in recent years due to its environmentally-friendly, clean burning characteristics. Burning natural gas produces less carbon dioxide than any other fossil fuel, which is important since carbon dioxide emissions have been recognized as a significant factor in causing the greenhouse effect.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is likely to be used more and more in densely-populated urban areas with the increased concern over environmental issues.
- Abundant natural gas reserves are located all over the world. Many of these gas reserves are located offshore in places that are inaccessible by land and are considered to be stranded gas reserves based on the application of existing technology. Existing technical reserves of gas are being replenished faster than oil reserves, making the use of LNG more important to meeting the demands of future energy consumption. In liquid form, LNG occupies 600 times less space than natural gas in its gaseous phase. Since many areas of the world cannot be reached by pipelines due to technical, economic, or political limits, locating the LNG processing plant offshore and utilizing a nautical vessels to directly transport the LNG offshore from the processing plant to the transportation vessel can reduce initial capital expenditure and release otherwise uneconomical offshore gas reserves.
- Floating liquefaction plants provide an off-shore alternative to on-shore liquefaction plants and alternative to costly subsea pipeline for stranded offshore reserves.
- a floating liquefaction plant can be moored off the coast, or close to or at a gas field. It also represents a moveable asset, which can be relocated to a new site when the gas field is nearing the end of its production life, or when required by economic, environmental or political conditions.
- a system for cooling or liquefying a process gas in a motion environment includes: (a) a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles, wherein the separation vessel separates a high pressure refrigerant stream thereby producing a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream; (b) a vapor liquid refrigerant pipe for delivering the liquid refrigerant stream from the separation vessel to an external heat exchanger core; (c) at least one external heat exchanger core, wherein the external heat exchanger core is external to a kettle, wherein the liquid refrigerant stream and a warmer process stream undergo indirect heat exchange in the external heat exchanger core thereby producing a cooled process stream and a vaporized refrigerant stream, wherein the cooled process stream is delivered to a location external to the external heat exchanger core; and (e) a partially vaporized refrigerant pipe for delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant from the external heat exchanger core to the separation vessel,
- a system for chilling or liquefying a process gas in a motion environment includes: (a) a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel separates a refrigerant stream thereby producing a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream; (b) a vapor liquid refrigerant pipe for delivering the liquid refrigerant stream from the separation vessel to an external heat exchanger core; (c) at least one external heat exchanger core, wherein the liquid refrigerant stream and a warmer process stream undergo indirect heat exchange in the external heat exchanger core thereby producing a cooled process stream and a vaporized refrigerant stream; and (d)a partially vaporized refrigerant pipe for delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant from the external heat exchanger core to the separation vessel.
- a method for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment includes: (a) introducing a refrigeration into a separation vessel to thereby produce a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream, wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles; (b) introducing the liquid refrigerant stream near the bottom of an external heat exchanger core; (c) introducing a warmer process stream into the external heat exchanger core at a location above the liquid refrigerant stream; (d) cooling the warmer process stream via indirect heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant stream to thereby produce a cooled process stream and a partially vaporized refrigerant stream; (e) removing the cooled process stream and the partially vaporized refrigerant stream from the external heat exchanger core; (f) delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant stream to the separation vessel; and (g) delivering the cooled process stream to a location external to the external heat exchanger core.
- a method for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment includes: (a) introducing a refrigeration into a separation vessel to thereby produce a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream; (b) introducing the liquid refrigerant stream near the bottom of an external heat exchanger core; (c) introducing a warmer process stream into the external heat exchanger core at a location above the liquid refrigerant stream; (d) cooling the warmer process stream via indirect heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant stream in the external heat exchanger core to thereby produce a cooled process stream and a partially vaporized refrigerant stream; and (e) removing the cooled process stream and the partially vaporized refrigerant stream from the external heat exchanger core.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of a separation vessel, according to one embodiment of the invention involving an external heat exchanger core.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of a separation vessel, according to one embodiment of the invention involving multiple external heat exchanger cores.
- a principle design of the core-in-shell heat exchanger provides cross exchange of a hot process feed stream against the colder vaporizing fluid.
- the vaporizing fluid resides in a pressure vessel where brazed aluminum compact exchanger cores are mounted and completely submerged in the vaporizing fluid which is at or near its boiling point.
- the liquid is drawn into the bottom face of the exchanger where it contacts the hotter surfaces within the core.
- the vaporizing fluid then transfers heat through the exchanger core channels. The majority of the heat transfer is from the latent heat of vaporization of the vaporizing fluid.
- the feed stream is cooled or condensed as it passes through the opposite side of the channels in the exchanger cores.
- thermosiphon effect is a passive fluid transfer phenomenon resulting from natural convective thermal forces.
- the fluid is heated and the fluid density decreases.
- fresh liquid is drawn in. This results in a natural circulation of the vaporizing fluid into the core channels induced by the thermal gradient inside the core. Not all liquid in the channel is vaporized and a mixture of liquid and vapors typically are transported up through the exchanger core channels and expelled through the top of the core.
- thermosiphon circulation effect in the core is enhanced or impaired by the external hydraulic pressure (level differences) between the effective liquid level inside the core versus the liquid level outside the core.
- the driving force for the transfer of the liquid into the exchanger core is decreased, and the effective heat transfer is reduced.
- the vaporizing fluid circulation stops due to the loss of the thermosiphon effect which results in the loss of heat transfer. If the heat exchanger is operated with a liquid level higher than the core, i.e., flooded, the heat transferred is impaired further as the vapor produced in the core has to overcome the additional head to escape from the core.
- FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary configuration of an external heat exchanger core 50 connected to a kettle/separation vessel 42 .
- the expansion valve 40 can be utilized as a control valve to control the level in the separation vessel 42 .
- At least a portion of the expanded refrigerant stream is introduced to the separation vessel 42 to thereby produce a vapor refrigerant stream in conduit 6 and a liquid refrigerant stream.
- the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles to reduce the liquid sloshing.
- the motion suppressing baffles 52 can be horizontally disposed, vertically disposed or combinations thereof.
- the liquid level within the separation vessel should be monitored and controlled.
- the vessel can also be fitted with a weir plate to ensure liquid is maintained at a minimum level in the vessel.
- a portion of the liquid refrigerant stream is introduced into the bottom of the external heat exchanger core 50 via a liquid refrigerant pipe 8 .
- a warmer process stream is also introduced into the external heat exchanger core 50 via conduit 12 , whereby the warmer process feed stream is cooled via indirect heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant stream to thereby produce a cooled process stream and a partially vaporized liquid refrigerant stream.
- the partially vaporized liquid refrigerant stream is re-circulated into the separation vessel via a pipe 16 .
- the amount of vaporization is controlled to ensure adequate gas dispersion and the two phase flow regime is maintained in the dispersed region. Piping size and distances are controlled to ensure minimum pressure drop and thermosiphon effect is maintained. The higher the pressure drop in the pipe, the higher the liquid level has to be maintained in the separation vessel to ensure the flow to the external heat exchanger core is maintained. Adequate vapor disengaging space is provided above the partially vaporized liquid refrigerant transport pipe within the separation vessel to ensure that separation is maintained for re-circulated stream.
- the remaining portion of the liquid refrigerant stream is transported to an expansion means (illustrated as expansion valve 48 ), wherein the stream is reduced in pressure to thereby produce an overflow refrigerant in conduit 18 which can be utilized in subsequent lower pressure stages of refrigeration.
- expansion valve 48 illustrated as expansion valve 48
- FIG. 2 shows several configurations whereby the separation vessel is connected to multiple external heat exchanger cores.
- Configuration of the exchangers external to the separation vessel also offers the advantage of eliminating downstream refrigerant compressor scrubbers as the pressure vessel can function as both a refrigerant separator and a compressor suction scrubber.
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)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13/719,902 US20130160487A1 (en) | 2011-12-20 | 2012-12-19 | Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US201161578085P | 2011-12-20 | 2011-12-20 | |
| US13/719,902 US20130160487A1 (en) | 2011-12-20 | 2012-12-19 | Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US20130160487A1 true US20130160487A1 (en) | 2013-06-27 |
Family
ID=48653241
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13/719,902 Abandoned US20130160487A1 (en) | 2011-12-20 | 2012-12-19 | Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20130160487A1 (enExample) |
| EP (1) | EP2795214A4 (enExample) |
| JP (1) | JP2015506454A (enExample) |
| CN (1) | CN104011487B (enExample) |
| AP (1) | AP2014007703A0 (enExample) |
| AU (1) | AU2012359032A1 (enExample) |
| RU (1) | RU2620310C2 (enExample) |
| WO (1) | WO2013096464A1 (enExample) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015168509A1 (en) * | 2014-05-01 | 2015-11-05 | Conocophillips Company | Liquid drains in core-in-shell heat exchanger |
| EP3114422A4 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2017-03-08 | Conoco Phillips Company | Heat exchanger system with mono-cyclone inline separator |
| CN114777412A (zh) * | 2022-04-01 | 2022-07-22 | 中国科学院理化技术研究所 | 一种具有热虹吸式氢过冷器的氢气液化装置 |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106024074A (zh) * | 2016-05-11 | 2016-10-12 | 中广核研究院有限公司 | 抑制液面晃荡的核电厂稳压器 |
| CN105957565B (zh) * | 2016-06-23 | 2018-05-29 | 中广核研究院有限公司 | 抑压水池及具有该抑压水池的安全壳 |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5644931A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1997-07-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho | Gas liquefying method and heat exchanger used in gas liquefying method |
| US20100281915A1 (en) * | 2009-05-05 | 2010-11-11 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Pre-Cooled Liquefaction Process |
| US20100293996A1 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2010-11-25 | Michiel Gijsbert Van Aken | Method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream and floating vessel or offshore platform comprising the same |
| US20130098105A1 (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2013-04-25 | Paul Scott Northrop | Cryogenic Systems For Removing Acid Gases From A Hydrocarbon Gas Stream Using Co-Current Separation Devices |
| US8752401B2 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2014-06-17 | Technip France | Method for producing a flow which is rich in methane and a cut which is rich in C2+ hydrocarbons from a flow of feed natural gas and an associated installation |
Family Cites Families (26)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US436003A (en) * | 1890-09-09 | Process of circulating liquefied refrigerating agents | ||
| NL300398A (enExample) * | 1962-11-22 | |||
| DE2438443C2 (de) * | 1974-08-09 | 1984-01-26 | Linde Ag, 6200 Wiesbaden | Verfahren zum Verflüssigen von Erdgas |
| JPS5733298A (en) * | 1980-07-31 | 1982-02-23 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Liquefaction/recovery device for evaporated gas in ship's tank |
| US4445916A (en) * | 1982-08-30 | 1984-05-01 | Newton Charles L | Process for liquefying methane |
| FR2545589B1 (fr) * | 1983-05-06 | 1985-08-30 | Technip Cie | Procede et appareil de refroidissement et liquefaction d'au moins un gaz a bas point d'ebullition, tel que par exemple du gaz naturel |
| JPH0133985Y2 (enExample) * | 1984-09-25 | 1989-10-16 | ||
| JPH06299174A (ja) * | 1992-07-24 | 1994-10-25 | Chiyoda Corp | 天然ガス液化プロセスに於けるプロパン系冷媒を用いた冷却装置 |
| JPH06159928A (ja) * | 1992-11-20 | 1994-06-07 | Chiyoda Corp | 天然ガス液化方法 |
| JP3320934B2 (ja) * | 1994-12-09 | 2002-09-03 | 株式会社神戸製鋼所 | ガスの液化方法 |
| MY117899A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 2004-08-30 | Shell Int Research | Method of liquefying and treating a natural gas. |
| JPH11244671A (ja) * | 1998-02-27 | 1999-09-14 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd | 原油処理用中空糸膜モジュールならびにこれを用いた原油処理方法および原油処理装置 |
| TW421704B (en) * | 1998-11-18 | 2001-02-11 | Shell Internattonale Res Mij B | Plant for liquefying natural gas |
| MY122625A (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2006-04-29 | Exxonmobil Upstream Res Co | Process for making pressurized liquefied natural gas from pressured natural gas using expansion cooling |
| US6220287B1 (en) * | 2000-02-03 | 2001-04-24 | The Boeing Company | Baffle for suppressing slosh in a tank and a tank for incorporating same |
| WO2001088447A1 (en) * | 2000-05-18 | 2001-11-22 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Enhanced ngl recovery utilizing refrigeration and reflux from lng plants |
| JP2004536176A (ja) * | 2001-06-29 | 2004-12-02 | エクソンモービル アップストリーム リサーチ カンパニー | メタン豊富な加圧液体混合物からエタン及びより重い炭化水素を回収する方法 |
| KR101301024B1 (ko) * | 2004-06-23 | 2013-08-29 | 엑손모빌 업스트림 리서치 캄파니 | 혼합 냉매 액화 공정 |
| WO2006014301A1 (en) * | 2004-07-02 | 2006-02-09 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Lng sloshing impact reduction system |
| US7637121B2 (en) * | 2004-08-06 | 2009-12-29 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Natural gas liquefaction process |
| RU2459652C2 (ru) * | 2006-11-22 | 2012-08-27 | Шелл Интернэшнл Рисерч Маатсхаппий Б.В. | Способ и устройство обеспечения однородности паровой и жидкой фаз в двух или более потоках и способ охлаждения углеводородного потока |
| JP5254354B2 (ja) * | 2007-12-04 | 2013-08-07 | 三星重工業株式会社 | Lngカーゴタンクのためのスロッシング抑制構造 |
| US20090139263A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-04 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Thermosyphon reboiler for the denitrogenation of liquid natural gas |
| US10780955B2 (en) * | 2008-06-20 | 2020-09-22 | Seaone Holdings, Llc | Comprehensive system for the storage and transportation of natural gas in a light hydrocarbon liquid medium |
| RU2382301C1 (ru) * | 2008-10-20 | 2010-02-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Научно-исследовательский и проектный институт по переработке газа" ОАО "НИПИгазпереработка" | Установка низкотемпературного разделения углеводородного газа |
| FR2943683B1 (fr) * | 2009-03-25 | 2012-12-14 | Technip France | Procede de traitement d'un gaz naturel de charge pour obtenir un gaz naturel traite et une coupe d'hydrocarbures en c5+, et installation associee |
-
2012
- 2012-12-19 CN CN201280063729.2A patent/CN104011487B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-12-19 WO PCT/US2012/070647 patent/WO2013096464A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2012-12-19 JP JP2014548840A patent/JP2015506454A/ja not_active Ceased
- 2012-12-19 AU AU2012359032A patent/AU2012359032A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-12-19 AP AP2014007703A patent/AP2014007703A0/xx unknown
- 2012-12-19 RU RU2014129588A patent/RU2620310C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2012-12-19 EP EP12860640.7A patent/EP2795214A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-12-19 US US13/719,902 patent/US20130160487A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5644931A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1997-07-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho | Gas liquefying method and heat exchanger used in gas liquefying method |
| US20100293996A1 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2010-11-25 | Michiel Gijsbert Van Aken | Method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream and floating vessel or offshore platform comprising the same |
| US8752401B2 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2014-06-17 | Technip France | Method for producing a flow which is rich in methane and a cut which is rich in C2+ hydrocarbons from a flow of feed natural gas and an associated installation |
| US20100281915A1 (en) * | 2009-05-05 | 2010-11-11 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Pre-Cooled Liquefaction Process |
| US20130098105A1 (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2013-04-25 | Paul Scott Northrop | Cryogenic Systems For Removing Acid Gases From A Hydrocarbon Gas Stream Using Co-Current Separation Devices |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| Chang-Ming Lee et al., "Field Confirmation of CFD Design for FPSO-mounted Separator", May 2004, Offshore Technology Conferenace May 3-6 Houston, Texas 2004 * |
| Stephen Arneth et al., "Characteristics of thermosiphon reboilers", April 2001, International Journal of Thermal Science Volume 40, Issue 4, pages 385-391 * |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3114422A4 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2017-03-08 | Conoco Phillips Company | Heat exchanger system with mono-cyclone inline separator |
| WO2015168509A1 (en) * | 2014-05-01 | 2015-11-05 | Conocophillips Company | Liquid drains in core-in-shell heat exchanger |
| US10378837B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2019-08-13 | Conocophillips Company | Liquid drains in core-in-shell heat exchanger |
| US11162746B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2021-11-02 | Conocophillips Company | Liquid drains in core-in-shell heat exchanger |
| CN114777412A (zh) * | 2022-04-01 | 2022-07-22 | 中国科学院理化技术研究所 | 一种具有热虹吸式氢过冷器的氢气液化装置 |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| RU2620310C2 (ru) | 2017-05-24 |
| RU2014129588A (ru) | 2016-02-20 |
| EP2795214A1 (en) | 2014-10-29 |
| EP2795214A4 (en) | 2016-01-06 |
| JP2015506454A (ja) | 2015-03-02 |
| AU2012359032A1 (en) | 2014-07-03 |
| CN104011487B (zh) | 2017-03-01 |
| AP2014007703A0 (en) | 2014-06-30 |
| CN104011487A (zh) | 2014-08-27 |
| WO2013096464A1 (en) | 2013-06-27 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP2795232B1 (en) | Internal baffle for suppressing slosh in a core-in-shell heat exchanger | |
| RU2304746C2 (ru) | Способ и установка для сжижения природного газа | |
| US20130160487A1 (en) | Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment | |
| EP2795216B1 (en) | Method for reducing the impact of motion in a core-in-shell heat exchanger | |
| US11162746B2 (en) | Liquid drains in core-in-shell heat exchanger | |
| CN107304974B (zh) | 液化天然气冷能回收系统和方法 | |
| KR20150093333A (ko) | 냉매 공급 시스템 및 방법 | |
| CA2942710C (en) | Weather-vaning air-cooled heat exchangers | |
| CN106839650A (zh) | 天然气油气回收系统及工艺 | |
| CN202382519U (zh) | 深冷分离装置冷箱 | |
| US20090031755A1 (en) | Natural gas liquefaction process to extend lifetime of gas wells | |
| KR101751830B1 (ko) | 천연가스 분류장치를 포함하는 부유식 해상 구조물 |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DAVIES, PAUL RAYMOND;JAMES, WILL TAYLOR;GRAVOIS, SHAUN PHILLIP;SIGNING DATES FROM 20130108 TO 20130116;REEL/FRAME:030079/0690 |
|
| STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |