US3195316A - Methane liquefaction system - Google Patents

Methane liquefaction system Download PDF

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US3195316A
US3195316A US299506A US29950663A US3195316A US 3195316 A US3195316 A US 3195316A US 299506 A US299506 A US 299506A US 29950663 A US29950663 A US 29950663A US 3195316 A US3195316 A US 3195316A
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gas
vapor
pressure
liquefied
natural gas
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James B Maher
Mair James
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Chicago & Bridge & Iron Co
Chicago & Bridge & Iron Compan
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Chicago & Bridge & Iron Compan
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Priority to US299506A priority patent/US3195316A/en
Priority to GB24808/64A priority patent/GB1038898A/en
Priority to NL6408572A priority patent/NL6408572A/xx
Priority to FR983583A priority patent/FR1402606A/fr
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    • 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
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/025—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the pressure as the parameter
    • 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
    • F25J1/0025—Boil-off gases "BOG" from storages
    • 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"
    • F25J1/0045—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 vaporising a liquid return stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—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
    • F25J1/008—Hydrocarbons
    • F25J1/0085—Ethane; Ethylene
    • 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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0221—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 the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open refrigeration loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/02—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/62—Liquefied natural gas [LNG]; Natural gas liquids [NGL]; Liquefied petroleum gas [LPG]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • F25J2220/62—Separating low boiling components, e.g. He, H2, N2, Air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/08—Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler
    • 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
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/60—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being (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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/912—External refrigeration system

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus and methods for storing materials which are normally gases at ambient tempertaures and pressures in the form of liquids. More particularly, this invention is concerned with novel processes and apparatus for liquefying methane, such as in the form of natural gas, and subsequently storing the gas in liquefied form.
  • the demand for gas varies seasonally as well as daily. Larger amounts of gas are needed during the winter season in the northern parts of the United States than during the warmer periods of the year. The same is true of the southern parts of the country but to a lesser extent.
  • the demand for gas varies during the day, with lesser amounts being required during evening hours than during the daylight period. This is because industry employs larger amounts, generally, during the daylight hours and because home consumption is generally greater due to cooking during the daylight and early evening hours than in the nighttime.
  • Natural gas in distributed by means of pipelines which are usually unable to provide suflicient gas to supply the demand at peak periods.
  • the liquefied gas is generally stored in large doublewalled insulated tanks at a low temperature which gives a vapor pressure only slightly above atmospheric pres- :sure.
  • An internal vapor pressure of 15 p.s.i.a. with the storage temperature of the liquefied gas being about 25'8 F. is quite common and representative of the storage conditions.
  • the natural gas is normally liquified by a cascade refrigeration system followed by isenthalpec expansion, or flashing, into the storage tank.
  • a disadvantage of this system is that large volumes of vapor must be handled by expensive equipment using considerable horsepower.
  • the gas in the pipeline may be about 315 p.s.i.a. and in the consumer distribution header at about 90 p.s.i.a.
  • the ratio of gas being stored to gas being distributed as vapor from the tank is about 1 to 1.
  • the calorific value of the vapor or distributed gas must be maintained above a specified minimum to meet standards required for the gas.
  • Maintaining the calorific value of the gas involved in the liquefied vapor flashed to storage temperature is a serious problem since contaminating gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide are present in the natural gas in volumes determined by equilibrium conditions. For example, a flow-of natural gas carrying 2% nitrogen when compressed to 1000 p.s.i.a., cooled to 206 F., liquefied and flashed to a storage temperature of 258 F., would "ice release vapor carrying about 30% nitrogen. If the resulting vapor is then sent into a distribution system, the calorific value of the distributed gas would be lower, unless suitable steps are taken to correct the calorific content, than the gas fed directly from the pipeline to the distribution system.
  • novel processes and apparatus which employ the liquefied product for controlling the vapor pressure in the storage tank as well as processes and apparatus which use the liquified product as a means for lowering the temperature of gas to be stored as a liquid in the tank.
  • a mehtod of controlling the pressure in an insulated storage tank holding liquefied methane, such as in the form of natural gas, at close to but slightly above atmospheric pressure which comprises withdrawing vapor from the tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn vapor, feeding the vapor at increased pressure into the tube side of a vessel cooled on the shell side by liquefied methane withdrawn from the tank, liquefying the vapor in the tube side of the vessel, feeding said liquefied methane into the tank and feeding the methane from the shell side of the vessel to a transfer pipe either for use in refrigerating additional supplies of gas to be stored or for distribution to the consumer system.
  • liquefied methane such as in the form of natural gas
  • the liquefied natural gas in the storage tank is used for further cooling methane, or natural gas, already brought to a liquid condition but which has a temperature which exerts a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure, to a. temperature considerably lower so that upon flashing into the storage tank, a substantial portionof the gas will be cooled to storage temperature at approximately atmospheric pressure.
  • incoming natural gas is subjected to the refrigerating action of a cascade system to convert it into a liquid at a temperature which exerts a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure, after which the so liquefied gas is further cooled by passing it through the tube side of a vessel which is cooled on the shell side by liquefied natural gas withdrawn from the storage tank holding the same at close to, but slightly above, atmospheric pressure, removing the liquefied gas from the tube side of the vessel at a much lower temperature than at which it entered and then flashing the so cooled liquefied gas into the storage tank to further cool it to storage temperature.
  • storage temperature is meant that temperature which gives a vapor pressure close to but slightly above atmospheric pressure.
  • the figure is. a fiow sheet showing schematically a system of receiving natural gas from a pipeline, its liquefaction and storage in a main storage tank, vaporization of the liquefied gas and distribution to a consumer header.
  • Natural gas is received from a pipeline at apressure of about 315 p.s.i.a. and is sent through line 10'to compressor 11 where it is raised toabout 1000 p.s.i.a. and
  • heat exchanger 13 where it is cooled, such as to about 22 F.
  • the cooling in heat exchanger 13 is effected-by the natural gas removed from the main storage tankand used in the liquefaction process as will be more fully described subsequently.
  • the eooled'natural gas from heat exchanger 13 is conveyed by pipe 9 into the tube side of the evaporator-condenser 14.
  • a closedloop propane refrigerating cycle is used to cool the natural gas on the tube side of the evaporator 14 to a temperature of about 35 F.
  • propane vapor from vessel 14 is compressed by compressor 70, condensed by cooling water, the condensate collected in receiver 15 and returned to vessel 14 after passing through the heat exchanger 16.
  • the natural gas After the natural gas has been cooled such as to about 35 F. in vessel 14, it is conveyed by pipe 17 through heat exchanger 65 which is cooled by natural gas removed from the main storage tank. After leaving the heat exchanger 65, the natural gas is lowered to a temperature of about 48 F.- The natural gas is then cooled further by conveying it by pipe 18 through the tube side of evaporator-condenser 1? which is cooled on the shell side by means of ethylene.
  • ethylene vapor from vessel 1% is compressed by compressor 72, condensed by propane in vessel 14, the ethylene condensate collected in receiver 20. and returned through heat exchanger 21 to vessel 19.
  • the natural gas as it leaves vessel 19 has been cooled such as down to about 130 F. It is then conveyed by pipe 22 through heat exchanger 23 where itis further cooled by'natural gas removed from the main storage tank. After leaving the heat exchanger 23, the gas is conveyed by pipe 24 through the tube side of .the,
  • Vapors are removed from receiver 27 by pipe 28 and fed to the engines (not shown) used in the system.
  • the vapors removed are somewhat enriched in nitrogen but this is no problem since the engines can readily handle gas containing an appreciable increase in nitrogen. Removal of some of the nitrogen in this way serves to raise the calorific content of the natural gas that is stored in liquefied condition, subsequently vaporized and then distributed.
  • Liquefied gas is sent from receiver 27 through pipe 29 into the bottom of the main storage tank 30. There it is fiashedtofurther cool it to a temperature of about -25 8 F. and a pressure of 15 p.s.i.a.
  • the vapors are then conducted by pipe 33 through the tube side of evaporator-condenser vessel 34 where they are liquefied and then conveyed by pipe 35 into receiver 36.
  • Pump 37 then conveys the liquefied gas from receiver 36 by pipe 38 into the bottom of the main storage tank 30.
  • Vessel 34 is cooled by withdrawing liquefied natural gas from the main storage tank 36 by means of pipe d and then sending it through pipe 51 to pump 52 where the leaves by pipe 55 which feeds to blower 56.
  • Blower 56 sends the gas through heat exchanger and by means of pipe 57 it is conveyed through heat exchanger 13 and then by pipe 3% into the line 46) for distribution to a consumer header at a pressure of about 90 p.s.i.a.
  • Liquid natural gas is also removed from the main storage tank 30 and is conveyed by pipe 50 to pump 41 from Y throughheat exchanger 23' and exits from it at a temperature of about l40 F. through line 45.
  • Line 45 conveys the still cool natural gas through heat exchanger 65 from which it is conveyed by pipe 46 through heat exchanger 13 from which it leaves by pipe 47 and is then conveyed to pipe 4%) for distribution.
  • the liquid product in the main storage tank 36 can be removed by pipe 50, conveyed to pump 48 and then to line 49 which feeds itto a main vaporizer station 60 which in turn sends it throughpipe 61 into pipe 40 .for distribution.
  • the concentration of nitrogen in the vapor space of storage tank 30 is considerably higher than in the natural gas received fromthe pipeline so the vapor mixture has a lower calorific content. If vapor was removed from the storage tank and either fed directly into the distribution line 40, or first used to cool natural gas being liquefied bypassing it through vessel 43 and/ or heat exchangers 23, 65 and '13 before feeding it to line 40, the calorific content would be lower than that of the gas received in the pipeline. This is because the partial pressure of nitrogen at the'storage conditions is much higher than the partial pressure of liquefied natural gas.
  • thescalorific content of the gas after vaporizing isnot less, and usually is more, than that ofthe natural gas originally'received from the pipeline.
  • vessels 34 and 43 showvaporization of the liquified gas therein, adequate cooling can alternatively be obtained by passing the gas through the shell side in liquid form. However, this would require a greater flow or" gas through the shell side andperhaps increased pressures on the tube sides of these vessels.
  • the invention thus permits delivering methane vapor at a high temperature by pumping liquefied methane from a storage tank at close to atmospheric pressure, passing the so withdrawn gas through heat'exchangers and Vaporizers which vaporize the outgoing gas while cooling a stream of methane incoming to the tank, while generating all of said high pressure by the'liquid pump, i.e., without the need of a high. pressure, low temperature operating blower.
  • the described process also uses less horsepower than the classical cascade system for liquifying natural gas.
  • the process of this invention uses about 580 horsepower, while the classical cascade system would use about 825 horsepower, per one million standard cubic feetper day.
  • V i i A method of liquefying natural gas and storing the same in an insulated storage tank 'at'close to-but slightly above atmospheric pressure, which comprises subjecting incoming natural gasto the refrigerating action of a cascade system to convert it into a liquid at a temperature which exertsa pressure substantially-above atmospheric pressure,- further cooling the liquefied gas bypassing it through the tube side of a first vessel cooled on theshell side of liquefied natural gas withdrawn from a storage tank holding the same at close to but slightly above atmospheric pressure, removing the liquefied gas from the tube side of the first vessel at a much lower temperature than at which it entered and flashing it into said storage tank for storage at a temperature at, which'the gas gives a vapor pressure close to but slightly above atmospheric pressure, withdrawing vapor from the tank when it reaches'a nominal level, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn vapor, feeding the vapor at increased pressure into the tube side of a second vessel cooled on the shell side by liquefied
  • Apparatus for liquefying methane and storing the same for subsequent distribution as a vapor which comprises in combination a cascade means for receiving methane from a pipeline and cooling the same until liquefied with a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure, a first vessel for receiving the said liquefied methane on the tube side for further cooling it, said first vessel being adapted to be cooled by liquefied methane removed by pipe means communicating with an insulated main storage tank and the steel side of the first vessel, pipe means communicating with the shell side of the first vessel for conveying methane therefrom to means for cooling methane liquefied by the cascade means and then to a vapor distribution line, pipe means for removing liquefied methane from the tube 'side of said first vessel and conveying it to the main storage tank for flash cooling therein, pipe means communicating with the main storage tank and with means for vaporizing liquefied gas withdrawn from the tank and distributing the vapor to distribution means, pipe means communicating with the vapor space in the tank and with

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
US299506A 1963-08-02 1963-08-02 Methane liquefaction system Expired - Lifetime US3195316A (en)

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NL133404D NL133404C (xx) 1963-08-02
US299506A US3195316A (en) 1963-08-02 1963-08-02 Methane liquefaction system
GB24808/64A GB1038898A (en) 1963-08-02 1964-06-16 Methane liquefaction system
NL6408572A NL6408572A (xx) 1963-08-02 1964-07-27
FR983583A FR1402606A (fr) 1963-08-02 1964-07-30 Procédé et appareil de liquéfaction de gaz tel que le méthane

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Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3271967A (en) * 1965-02-19 1966-09-13 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid handling
US3273349A (en) * 1965-02-15 1966-09-20 Air Reduction Variable demand air rectification plant with recycle
US3303660A (en) * 1965-09-27 1967-02-14 Clyde H O Berg Process and apparatus for cryogenic storage
US3318104A (en) * 1965-12-13 1967-05-09 Theodore R Roszkowski Method and apparatus for storing low-boiling liquids
US3319434A (en) * 1966-03-14 1967-05-16 Air Reduction Low temperature refrigeration and gas storage
US3324670A (en) * 1964-11-09 1967-06-13 Shell Oil Co Method of transporting methane or natural gas
US3331214A (en) * 1965-03-22 1967-07-18 Conch Int Methane Ltd Method for liquefying and storing natural gas and controlling the b.t.u. content
US3440828A (en) * 1966-02-11 1969-04-29 Air Prod & Chem Liquefaction of natural gas employing cascade refrigeration
US3453836A (en) * 1967-07-24 1969-07-08 Mcmullen John J Liquefied petroleum gas tanker
JPS50148281A (xx) * 1974-04-22 1975-11-27
US4249387A (en) * 1979-06-27 1981-02-10 Phillips Petroleum Company Refrigeration of liquefied petroleum gas storage with retention of light ends
US4675037A (en) * 1986-02-18 1987-06-23 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Apparatus and method for recovering liquefied natural gas vapor boiloff by reliquefying during startup or turndown
US4888955A (en) * 1988-08-23 1989-12-26 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Two phase CO2 storage tank
US5325894A (en) * 1992-12-07 1994-07-05 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied natural gas
US5590535A (en) * 1995-11-13 1997-01-07 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Process and apparatus for conditioning cryogenic fuel to establish a selected equilibrium pressure
US5615561A (en) * 1994-11-08 1997-04-01 Williams Field Services Company LNG production in cryogenic natural gas processing plants
US5674053A (en) * 1994-04-01 1997-10-07 Paul; Marius A. High pressure compressor with controlled cooling during the compression phase
US5687776A (en) * 1992-12-07 1997-11-18 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied cryogenic fuel
US5769610A (en) * 1994-04-01 1998-06-23 Paul; Marius A. High pressure compressor with internal, cooled compression
US5771946A (en) * 1992-12-07 1998-06-30 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied cryogenic fuel
US20040194499A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2004-10-07 Grenfell Conrad Q. Method and apparatus for pressurizing a gas
US20060032239A1 (en) * 2004-08-12 2006-02-16 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Boil-off gas removal system
US20070028648A1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2007-02-08 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for providing bubble-free liquid carbon dioxide
US20070125122A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2007-06-07 John Mak Lng vapor handling configurations and methods
US20140260404A1 (en) * 2011-09-30 2014-09-18 Carrier Corporation High efficiency refrigeration system
US20200408463A1 (en) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-31 Sichuan Tibo Fluid Technology Co., Ltd. Liquid air storage device and method, and air liquefaction apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2588947B1 (fr) * 1985-10-21 1989-02-10 Distrigaz Sa Procede pour maintenir la composition du produit stocke constante dans un stockage de gaz liquefie a basse temperature

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US2082189A (en) * 1934-05-09 1937-06-01 Lee S Twomey Method of liquefying and storing fuel gases
US2582148A (en) * 1947-05-15 1952-01-08 Pritchard & Co J F Method of recovering desirable liquefiable hydrocarbons
US2682154A (en) * 1949-06-21 1954-06-29 Air Reduction Storage of liquefied gases
US2884763A (en) * 1956-11-20 1959-05-05 Cities Service Refining Corp Storage of liquified gases
US2960837A (en) * 1958-07-16 1960-11-22 Conch Int Methane Ltd Liquefying natural gas with low pressure refrigerants

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2082189A (en) * 1934-05-09 1937-06-01 Lee S Twomey Method of liquefying and storing fuel gases
US2582148A (en) * 1947-05-15 1952-01-08 Pritchard & Co J F Method of recovering desirable liquefiable hydrocarbons
US2682154A (en) * 1949-06-21 1954-06-29 Air Reduction Storage of liquefied gases
US2884763A (en) * 1956-11-20 1959-05-05 Cities Service Refining Corp Storage of liquified gases
US2960837A (en) * 1958-07-16 1960-11-22 Conch Int Methane Ltd Liquefying natural gas with low pressure refrigerants

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3324670A (en) * 1964-11-09 1967-06-13 Shell Oil Co Method of transporting methane or natural gas
US3273349A (en) * 1965-02-15 1966-09-20 Air Reduction Variable demand air rectification plant with recycle
US3271967A (en) * 1965-02-19 1966-09-13 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid handling
US3331214A (en) * 1965-03-22 1967-07-18 Conch Int Methane Ltd Method for liquefying and storing natural gas and controlling the b.t.u. content
US3303660A (en) * 1965-09-27 1967-02-14 Clyde H O Berg Process and apparatus for cryogenic storage
US3318104A (en) * 1965-12-13 1967-05-09 Theodore R Roszkowski Method and apparatus for storing low-boiling liquids
US3440828A (en) * 1966-02-11 1969-04-29 Air Prod & Chem Liquefaction of natural gas employing cascade refrigeration
US3319434A (en) * 1966-03-14 1967-05-16 Air Reduction Low temperature refrigeration and gas storage
US3453836A (en) * 1967-07-24 1969-07-08 Mcmullen John J Liquefied petroleum gas tanker
JPS50148281A (xx) * 1974-04-22 1975-11-27
US4249387A (en) * 1979-06-27 1981-02-10 Phillips Petroleum Company Refrigeration of liquefied petroleum gas storage with retention of light ends
US4675037A (en) * 1986-02-18 1987-06-23 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Apparatus and method for recovering liquefied natural gas vapor boiloff by reliquefying during startup or turndown
US4888955A (en) * 1988-08-23 1989-12-26 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Two phase CO2 storage tank
US5325894A (en) * 1992-12-07 1994-07-05 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied natural gas
US5771946A (en) * 1992-12-07 1998-06-30 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied cryogenic fuel
US5687776A (en) * 1992-12-07 1997-11-18 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied cryogenic fuel
US5674053A (en) * 1994-04-01 1997-10-07 Paul; Marius A. High pressure compressor with controlled cooling during the compression phase
US5769610A (en) * 1994-04-01 1998-06-23 Paul; Marius A. High pressure compressor with internal, cooled compression
US5615561A (en) * 1994-11-08 1997-04-01 Williams Field Services Company LNG production in cryogenic natural gas processing plants
US5590535A (en) * 1995-11-13 1997-01-07 Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company Process and apparatus for conditioning cryogenic fuel to establish a selected equilibrium pressure
US20040194499A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2004-10-07 Grenfell Conrad Q. Method and apparatus for pressurizing a gas
WO2004088232A2 (en) * 2003-04-01 2004-10-14 Grenfell Conrad Q Method and apparatus for pressurizing a gas
WO2004088232A3 (en) * 2003-04-01 2004-11-25 Conrad Q Grenfell Method and apparatus for pressurizing a gas
US7065974B2 (en) 2003-04-01 2006-06-27 Grenfell Conrad Q Method and apparatus for pressurizing a gas
US20070125122A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2007-06-07 John Mak Lng vapor handling configurations and methods
US8505312B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2013-08-13 Fluor Technologies Corporation Liquid natural gas fractionation and regasification plant
US20060032239A1 (en) * 2004-08-12 2006-02-16 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Boil-off gas removal system
US20070028648A1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2007-02-08 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for providing bubble-free liquid carbon dioxide
US20140260404A1 (en) * 2011-09-30 2014-09-18 Carrier Corporation High efficiency refrigeration system
US10935286B2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2021-03-02 Carrier Corporation High efficiency refrigeration system
US20200408463A1 (en) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-31 Sichuan Tibo Fluid Technology Co., Ltd. Liquid air storage device and method, and air liquefaction apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1038898A (en) 1966-08-10
FR1402606A (fr) 1965-06-11
NL6408572A (xx) 1965-02-03
NL133404C (xx)

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