US3362173A - Liquefaction process employing cascade refrigeration - Google Patents

Liquefaction process employing cascade refrigeration Download PDF

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US3362173A
US3362173A US432962A US43296265A US3362173A US 3362173 A US3362173 A US 3362173A US 432962 A US432962 A US 432962A US 43296265 A US43296265 A US 43296265A US 3362173 A US3362173 A US 3362173A
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nitrogen
gas
pressure
temperature
cooled
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Kniel Ludwig
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Lummus Technology LLC
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Lummus Co
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Priority to GB6265/66A priority patent/GB1106736A/en
Priority to NL6601927A priority patent/NL6601927A/xx
Priority to DE19661501725 priority patent/DE1501725A1/de
Priority to FR49735A priority patent/FR1468311A/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
    • F25J1/0005—Light or noble gases
    • F25J1/0007—Helium
    • 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
    • F25J1/0012—Primary atmospheric gases, e.g. 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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0012—Primary atmospheric gases, e.g. air
    • F25J1/0015—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
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0012—Primary atmospheric gases, e.g. air
    • F25J1/0017—Oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/005—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
    • F25J1/006—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
    • F25J1/0207—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 at least a three 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
    • F25J1/0228—Coupling of the liquefaction unit to other units or processes, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J1/0229—Integration with a unit for using hydrocarbons, e.g. consuming hydrocarbons as feed stock
    • F25J1/023—Integration with a unit for using hydrocarbons, e.g. consuming hydrocarbons as feed stock for the combustion as fuels, i.e. integration with the fuel gas system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—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
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • F25J1/0267—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer using flash gas as heat sink
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0285—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
    • F25J1/0288—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion of the refrigerant, so-called companders
    • 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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A process for liquefying a gas such as natural gas, wherein the gas is cooled and liquefied in a plurality of refrigeration stages and the liquefied gas is sub-cooled by indirect heat transfer with a closed compression-expansion nitrogen cycle.
  • the nitrogen after subcooling the liquefied gas is passed in an indirect heat transfer relationship with compressed nitrogen gas, compressed and the compressed nitrogen gasV cooled by the aforementioned indirect heat transfer.
  • the compressed nitrogen gas is expanded and employed for subcooling the liquefied gas.
  • This invention relates, in general, to a method of removing heat at low temperatures and, more particularly, at temperatures between the boiling point of methane at elevated pressures (about 120 F.) and the boiling point, at about atmospheric pressure, of air on nitrogen (about 320 F.).
  • the invention finds application in processes for liquefying cryogenic gases such as air, nitrogen, methane, natural gas and the like, under circumstances wherein it is necessary to reduce the temperature of the already-liquefied material in order to reduce its vapor pressure to atmospheric or near atmospheric pressure for the purpose of storing or transporting it.
  • Liquefaction of natural gas is of even greater importance in making it possible to transport the gas from a source of plentiful supply to a distant market where a deficiency exists, especially when the source of supply cannot be directly joined with the market by a pipeline or like means for the transportation of the gaseous fuel in a gaseous state.
  • surplus natural gas is available in the Gulf States of the United States, in Venezuela, and in the Persian Gulf, while deficiences exist in the northern parts of the United States, the European countries, and Japan, yet these sources of supply cannot be joined by pipeline with some of the markets.
  • Ship transportation in the gaseous state would be uneconomical, unless the gaseous materials were com- 3,362,173 Patented dan. 9, 1968 ICC pressed. and then the system would not be commercial because it would be impractical to provide containers of suitable strength and capacity.
  • natural gas when shipped from the United States or Venezuela in large volumes in liquefied state, can be made available in Great Britain, for example, at a price which is considerably less than locally manufactured gas.
  • the liquefied natural gas will have a boiling point within the range of 240 F. to 258 F. at atmospheric pressure.
  • the present invention contemplates the initial liquefaction of natural gas in incremental steps by use of a plurality of refrigerants in such a manner that each refrigerant is used to remove the maximum amount of heat, followed by sub-cooling the liquefied gas in a closed compressor-expander nitrogen system.
  • the liquefied natural gas is then reduced in pressure for storage purposes, an off-gas produced on reduction of pressure being used to cool the compressed nitrogen gas prior to expansion.
  • FIGURE 1 is a condensation curve for natural gas at 500 p.s.i.a., showing the amount of heat which must be removed per 100 mols of gas between 50 and 250 F.;
  • FIGURE 2 is a simplified fiow sheet or fiow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention as applied to the liquefaction and sub-cooling of natural gas;
  • FIGURE 3 is a Mollier diagram of the nitrogen cycle as employed in the invention.
  • the natural gas or liquefied natural gas has the following composition, it being understood that water and acidic components are removed therefrom by conventional means prior to liquefaction:
  • temperature is plotted as the ordinate and the amount of heat removed (below F.) for 100 mols of gas is plotted as the abscissa.
  • the curve shown is for natural gas of the above-noted composition at 500 p.s.i.a, this being a convenient pressure in that it corresponds approximately to well-head pressures generally found,
  • condensation of the gas begins at point a, the first discontinuity, at a temperature of 65 F.
  • Liquefaction is completed at point b, the second discontinuity, at a temperature of 127 F.
  • liqucfaction i.e. to reach point b
  • this may be done by, firstly, a propylene refrigeration cycle and, secondly, an ethylene refrigeration cycle.
  • FIGURE 2 there is illustrated a simplified schematic flow sheet of a preferred embodiment of the invention as it is applied to the liquefaction and sub-cooling of natural gas. It is to be understood that various additional pieces of apparatus will be employed in any given plant, which pieces are not shown in FIGURE 2; for example, pumps, valves, control means and circuitry, and the like. Their placement and usage, however, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • natural gas entering through line is rst desulphurized and dehydrated so as to remove all acid components and water vapor; means for accomplishing the foregoing are indicated generally at 12.
  • the gas is tirst cooled to about 30 F. over chillers 14, 16, and 18, it being understood that the number of Chillers employed in this and other steps of the process may be varied to suit the conditions of a particular installation.
  • a propylene refrigerant in lines 42, 44 is employed, refrigeration systern 40 completing the propylene cycle.
  • the gas is further cooled to 127 F.
  • Condensed LNG leaves chiller 24 in line 25 slightly below the point of complete liquefaction and is passed from there into subcooler 26 wherein it is cooled to 252 F. by nitrogen, in the manner described hereinbelow.
  • the LNG is passed via line 27, at 252 F. and still at 500 p.s.i.a., into flashdrum 28 where the pressure is reduced to near atmospheric pressure, the LNG is passed through line 30, pump 32, and line 34 into storage or the transport means (not shown).
  • Off-gas from ashdrum 28 passes through line 100 and is treated as described in detail hereinbelow.
  • Compressed nitrogen in line 92 is further cooled in heat exchanger 72, chiller 70, heat exchanger 68, and chiller 66.
  • Chillers 66 and 70 are provided with ethylene refrigerant at 65 F. in line 120 and ethylene at 140 F. in line 122, respectively.
  • the nitrogen passes out of subcooler 26 in line 62 and is reheated against returning, warm, high-pressure nitrogen in heat exchangers 68 and 72. This brings the nitrogen back to line 94 at a temperature of about 80 F. and a pressure of about 96 p.s.i.a., thus completing the nitrogen cycle.
  • FIG- URE 3 is a Mollier diagram of the nitrogen cycle.
  • the diagram in the lower right corner of FIGURE 3 represents the idealized cycle, composed of an adiabatic compressor and expander, and a heat exchanger.
  • Point a in FIGURE 3 corresponds to nitrogen in line 94 of FIGURE 2.
  • the nitrogen is compressed in three stages from 96 to 620 p.s.i.a., point b, intercoolers 80 and 82 and aftercooler 84 removing heat as indicated.
  • the compressed nitrogen is cooled from 90 F. to 137 F., point c, as it passes over chillers 70, 66 and heat exchangers 72, 68.
  • Process for the lique-faction and sub-cooling of a cryogenic gas supplied at an elevated temperature and a high pressure that comprises:
  • step (d) passing effluent nitrogen from step (c) in indirect heat exchange with highly compressed nitrogen, whereby said effluent nitrogen is heated and said compressed nitrogen is cooled;
  • step (f) further cooling the compressed nitrogen from step (e) by passing it in indirect heat exchange with said efliuent nitrogen in step (d);
  • step (g) expanding the cooled, compressed nitrogen from step (f), whereby the temperature is lowered to below the desired final temperature of said liquefied gas and the pressure of said nitrogen is reduced;
  • step (i) reducing the pressure of the liquefied gas from step (c) to about atmospheric pressure, whereby a gaseous fraction of said gas is produced;
  • step (j) passing said gaseous fraction in indirect heat transfer with refrigerant in the refrigeration stages of step (a).
  • step (f) further cooling the compressed nitrogen from step (e) by passing it in indirect heat exchange with said effluent nitrogen in step (d);
  • step (g) expanding the cooled, compressed nitrogen from step (f), whereby the temperature is lowered to below the desired final temperature of said liquefied gas and the pressure of said nitrogen is reduced;
  • step (i) reducing the pressure of the liquefied gas from step (c) to about atmospheric pressure, whereby a gaseous fraction of said gas is produced;
  • step (j) passing said gaseous fraction in indirect heat exchange with said highly compressed nitrogen in step (d), whereby Said compressed nitrogen is further cooled;
  • step (k) passing the gaseous fraction from step (j) in indirect heat transfer with refrigerant in the refrigeration stages of step (a).
  • step (d) passing efiuent nitrogen from step (c) in indirect heat exchange with highly compressed nitrogen, W-hereby said effluent nitrogen is heated and said compressed nitrogen is cooled;
  • step (f) further cooling the compressed nitrogen from step (e) by passing it in indirect heat exchange with said effluent nitrogen in step (d);
  • step (g) expanding the cooled compressed nitrogen from step (f), whereby the temperature is lowered to below the desired final temperature of said liquefied gas and the pressure of said nitrogen is reduced;
  • step (j) passing said gaseous fraction in indirect heat exchange with said compressed nitrogen in step (d), thereby further cooling said compressed nitrogen;
  • step (k) passing the gaseous fraction from step (j) in indirect heat transfer with refrigerant in the refrigeration stages of step (a).
  • Process for the liquefaction and subcooling of natural gas supplied at an elevated temperature and a high pressure that comprises:
  • step (e) passing effluent nitrogen from step (d) in indirect heat exchange with highly compressed nitrogen whereby said effluent nitrogen is heated and said compressed nitrogen is cooled;
  • step (g) further cooling the compressed nitrogen from step (1f) to about 137 F. by heat exchange with the efuent nitrogen in step (e) and by heat exchange with an ethylene refrigerant;
  • step (h) expanding the cooled, compressed nitrogen from step (g) and thereby lowering the temperature thereof to about 258 F.;
  • step (i) passing the nitrogen from step (h) to step (d);

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US432962A 1965-02-16 1965-02-16 Liquefaction process employing cascade refrigeration Expired - Lifetime US3362173A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US432962A US3362173A (en) 1965-02-16 1965-02-16 Liquefaction process employing cascade refrigeration
GB6265/66A GB1106736A (en) 1965-02-16 1966-02-11 Gas liquefaction process
NL6601927A NL6601927A (enrdf_load_html_response) 1965-02-16 1966-02-15
DE19661501725 DE1501725A1 (de) 1965-02-16 1966-02-15 Verfahren zur Verfluessigung und Unterkuehlung eines kryogenen Gases
FR49735A FR1468311A (fr) 1965-02-16 1966-02-15 Procédé de liquéfaction et de sous-refroidissement de gaz

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US432962A US3362173A (en) 1965-02-16 1965-02-16 Liquefaction process employing cascade refrigeration

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US (1) US3362173A (enrdf_load_html_response)
DE (1) DE1501725A1 (enrdf_load_html_response)
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JPS4910325B1 (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1968-09-18 1974-03-09
US5483806A (en) * 1994-05-16 1996-01-16 Miller; Jeremy P. Refrigeration system
US5755114A (en) * 1997-01-06 1998-05-26 Abb Randall Corporation Use of a turboexpander cycle in liquefied natural gas process
US5931021A (en) * 1997-06-24 1999-08-03 Shnaid; Isaac Straightforward method and once-through apparatus for gas liquefaction
US6105390A (en) * 1997-12-16 2000-08-22 Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, Llc Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity
US20060218939A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2006-10-05 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US20070107465A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2007-05-17 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of gas and methods relating to same
US20070107464A1 (en) * 2005-11-14 2007-05-17 Ransbarger Weldon L LNG system with high pressure pre-cooling cycle
US7219512B1 (en) 2001-05-04 2007-05-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US20070137246A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2007-06-21 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Systems and methods for delivering hydrogen and separation of hydrogen from a carrier medium
US20070235629A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-11 Jos Systems, Inc. Concrete Tie With Reusable Wedge
US20070245770A1 (en) * 2006-04-19 2007-10-25 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Optimization of a dual refrigeration system natural gas liquid plant via empirical experimental method
US20090071634A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-19 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Heat exchanger and associated methods
US20090145167A1 (en) * 2007-12-06 2009-06-11 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods, apparatuses and systems for processing fluid streams having multiple constituents
US7594414B2 (en) 2001-05-04 2009-09-29 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US7637122B2 (en) 2001-05-04 2009-12-29 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
US20110094262A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Complete liquefaction methods and apparatus
US20110094263A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods of natural gas liquefaction and natural gas liquefaction plants utilizing multiple and varying gas streams
US20110094261A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Natural gas liquefaction core modules, plants including same and related methods
US9217603B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2015-12-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Heat exchanger and related methods
US9254448B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2016-02-09 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Sublimation systems and associated methods
US9574713B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2017-02-21 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Vaporization chambers and associated methods
WO2018157019A1 (en) 2017-02-24 2018-08-30 Praxair Technology, Inc. Liquid natural gas liquefier utilizing mechanical and liquid nitrogen refrigeration
US10655911B2 (en) 2012-06-20 2020-05-19 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Natural gas liquefaction employing independent refrigerant path
US11536511B2 (en) 2019-08-08 2022-12-27 Herbert L. Williams Method and system for liquifying a gas

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JPS4910325B1 (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1968-09-18 1974-03-09
US6425263B1 (en) 1992-12-16 2002-07-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity
US5483806A (en) * 1994-05-16 1996-01-16 Miller; Jeremy P. Refrigeration system
US5755114A (en) * 1997-01-06 1998-05-26 Abb Randall Corporation Use of a turboexpander cycle in liquefied natural gas process
US5931021A (en) * 1997-06-24 1999-08-03 Shnaid; Isaac Straightforward method and once-through apparatus for gas liquefaction
US6105390A (en) * 1997-12-16 2000-08-22 Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, Llc Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity
US20060218939A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2006-10-05 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US20070107465A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2007-05-17 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of gas and methods relating to same
US7591150B2 (en) 2001-05-04 2009-09-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US7219512B1 (en) 2001-05-04 2007-05-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US20070137246A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2007-06-21 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Systems and methods for delivering hydrogen and separation of hydrogen from a carrier medium
US20100186446A1 (en) * 2001-05-04 2010-07-29 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
US7637122B2 (en) 2001-05-04 2009-12-29 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
US7594414B2 (en) 2001-05-04 2009-09-29 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
US20070107464A1 (en) * 2005-11-14 2007-05-17 Ransbarger Weldon L LNG system with high pressure pre-cooling cycle
US20070235628A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-11 Joslyn Mark A Concrete tie with reusable wedge
US20070235629A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-11 Jos Systems, Inc. Concrete Tie With Reusable Wedge
US20070245770A1 (en) * 2006-04-19 2007-10-25 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Optimization of a dual refrigeration system natural gas liquid plant via empirical experimental method
US8061413B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2011-11-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Heat exchangers comprising at least one porous member positioned within a casing
US9217603B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2015-12-22 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Heat exchanger and related methods
US9574713B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2017-02-21 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Vaporization chambers and associated methods
US9254448B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2016-02-09 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Sublimation systems and associated methods
US20090071634A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-19 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Heat exchanger and associated methods
US8544295B2 (en) 2007-09-13 2013-10-01 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods of conveying fluids and methods of sublimating solid particles
US20090145167A1 (en) * 2007-12-06 2009-06-11 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods, apparatuses and systems for processing fluid streams having multiple constituents
US20110094261A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Natural gas liquefaction core modules, plants including same and related methods
US8899074B2 (en) 2009-10-22 2014-12-02 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods of natural gas liquefaction and natural gas liquefaction plants utilizing multiple and varying gas streams
US8555672B2 (en) 2009-10-22 2013-10-15 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Complete liquefaction methods and apparatus
US20110094263A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Methods of natural gas liquefaction and natural gas liquefaction plants utilizing multiple and varying gas streams
US20110094262A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Complete liquefaction methods and apparatus
US10655911B2 (en) 2012-06-20 2020-05-19 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Natural gas liquefaction employing independent refrigerant path
WO2018157019A1 (en) 2017-02-24 2018-08-30 Praxair Technology, Inc. Liquid natural gas liquefier utilizing mechanical and liquid nitrogen refrigeration
US11402151B2 (en) 2017-02-24 2022-08-02 Praxair Technology, Inc. Liquid natural gas liquefier utilizing mechanical and liquid nitrogen refrigeration
US11536511B2 (en) 2019-08-08 2022-12-27 Herbert L. Williams Method and system for liquifying a gas

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FR1468311A (fr) 1967-02-03
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GB1106736A (en) 1968-03-20

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