US3768271A - Method and plant for storing and transporting a liquefied combustible gas - Google Patents

Method and plant for storing and transporting a liquefied combustible gas Download PDF

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US3768271A
US3768271A US3768271DA US3768271A US 3768271 A US3768271 A US 3768271A US 3768271D A US3768271D A US 3768271DA US 3768271 A US3768271 A US 3768271A
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gas
inert gas
container
liquefied
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L Denis
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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
    • F25J1/006—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
    • 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
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F17C9/02—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
    • F17C9/04—Recovery of thermal energy
    • 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
    • F25J1/0022—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"
    • F25J1/0035—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 gas expansion with extraction of work
    • F25J1/0037—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 gas expansion with extraction of work of a 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
    • F25J1/005—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
    • F25J1/02—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
    • F25J1/0204—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 single flow SCR cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0221—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
    • 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
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • F25J1/0249—Controlling refrigerant inventory, i.e. composition or quantity
    • F25J1/025—Details related to the refrigerant production or treatment, e.g. make-up supply from feed gas itself
    • 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
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • F25J1/0251—Intermittent or alternating process, so-called batch process, e.g. "peak-shaving"
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • 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
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • 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
    • F25J2210/42—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
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/60—Natural gas or synthetic natural gas [SNG]
    • 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
    • F25J2210/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream
    • F25J2210/70—Flue or combustion exhaust 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • cryogenic plants it is occasionally required to alternately liquefy one of two gases, depending on the phases of operation of the plant.
  • an inert gas usually nitrogen
  • an inert gas usually nitrogen
  • such vessels are equipped with liquid nitrogen tanks or with inert-gas generators.
  • the ship consumes in its propulsion machinery the natural gas that evaporates from the tanks, or approximately 0.1 to 0.3 percent of the transported quantity daily. More often'than not a good state of equilibrium exists between evaporation on the one hand and consumption by the ships boilers or engines on the other, but if the engines must be slowed or stopped there is a surplus of evaporated gas and the problems of eliminating it then arise and have heretofore been unsatisfactorily resolved.
  • the fourth mode corresponds to the phase. of ap-. proach to the terminal port and the time during which the ship is laid up with its engines stopped. In this case it is impossible to burn the gas in the engines. since ship propulsion requirements are minimal or nil, so that elimination of the evaporated gas poses problems heretofore unresolved.
  • a fifth mode corresponds to the unloading phase. In this case it is usually possible to discharge the evaporated gas to land through pipes provided for the purpose.
  • a sixth mode corresponds to the degassing phase, namely the discharging into the atmosphere of the gas contained in the empty tanks, in conjunction with the process of filling with nitrogen and the subsequent entry of atmospheric air.
  • This operation requires a certain amount of nitrogen which is produced by an inertgas generator or a store of liquid nitrogen, and in order to accomplish all the above-mentioned operations a very large stock of liquid nitrogen may be carried on board, namely approximately one ton of liquid nitrogen for every thousand cubic metres of natural gas tankag e.
  • methane tankers involves two requirements which it has heretofore been the custom to meet separately.
  • One is the production and/or storage of liquid nitrogen, the other is the elimination of evaporated natural gas when consumption of the latter is slowed or arrested by design or not when the vessels propulsion system is slowed or stopped on reaching port.
  • the present invention rests on the discovery that it is possible to meet both these requirements together under satisfactory conditions. i
  • the inert gas is liquefied by making use of additional energy derived from the evaporation of the combustible gas, or else the evaporated combustible gas is reliquefied by making use of the evaporation of the liquid inert gas, as the case may be.
  • the associated plant or equipment most notably for a methane tanker, includes a machine capable of receiving surplus energy for assuring the two hereinspecified operating modes in alternation, some at least of the component parts of said machine being used for both operating modes.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall arrangement of a plant according to this invention, as used aboard a methane tanker
  • FIG. 2 shows the same plant adapted for producing liquid nitrogen
  • FIG. 3 shows the same plant adapted for reliquefying natural gas.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 the piping circuits which are in service are shown in bold lines, while the others, which are inoperative through closure of appropriate cocks and valves, are shown in fine lines.
  • the plant includes a turbo-compressor set consisting of an alternating or rotary compressor 1 coupled either directly or through gearing to a reciprocating or rotary expansion engine 2 and to an extra-power motor 3, which motor may be an electric motor or a heat or steam engine, or be formed of a plurality of motors.
  • a turbo-compressor set consisting of an alternating or rotary compressor 1 coupled either directly or through gearing to a reciprocating or rotary expansion engine 2 and to an extra-power motor 3, which motor may be an electric motor or a heat or steam engine, or be formed of a plurality of motors.
  • it is powered with natural gas taken from the natural gas transported in the ship.
  • the plant includes a plurality of heat-exchangers, the drawings most clearly showing the cooling exchanger 4 which utilizes water supplied by the ships cooling network 5, and the cooling exchanger 6 which in this case involves four separate fluid flow-paths 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.
  • the plant further comprises a liquid nitrogen separator 7 and a natural gas liquefier 8 liquid methane tanks as represented by the tank 9,
  • tank 10 Y a natural-gas-fired boiler 11, the combustion smokes from which are discharged through the stack 12 and associated pipes, valves (see below) and other gear.
  • the gaseous nitrogen generator 13 When it is required to produce nitrogen, the gaseous nitrogen generator 13 is activated and extracts the carbon dioxide from the stack tains the nitrogen.
  • the cycle generated by the turbine engine 1-2 can be designed to work at atmospheric pressure during suction of compressor 1.
  • a two-pressure cycle could be used, in which the lower pressure would be higher than atmospheric pressure.
  • the gaseous nitrogen produced by generator 13 is compressed by a booster 14 driven by an appropriate motor 15.
  • valves allow of establishing different circuits for performance of the plants different functions, these valves being designated from left to right by reference numerals 16, 17 33, 34 (only the valves relevant to the present description being shown on the drawing).
  • valve 26 When valve 26 is open it allows boiler 11 to be fed directly with evaporated gas without passing through the heat exchanger 6 when the production of nitrogen is stopped.
  • valve 27 When valve 27 is open, the ships ancillary systems and services are supplied with nitrogen in the gaseous state.
  • the plant is capable of operating in at least two different ways in a first operating mode liquid nitrogen is produced
  • the shaft lines 1, 2, 3 and l4, are set in rotation, and the evaporated gas is caused to pass through open valve 24 and heat exchanger circuit 6d, where the evaporated gas at around 161.4 C relinquishes its frigories and issues at around 40 C in order to feed the boiler 11 through open valve 25.
  • the plant achieves steady-state operating conditions when it liquefies a quantity of nitrogen equal to the nitrogen produced by the generator. Production of liquid nitrogen is facilitated by the extra cold which is produced by the methane evaporated in tanks 9 and which is given up in heat exchanger 6.
  • the plant may be designed to produce liquid nitrogen without extra cold from methane evaporation in the tanks 9 (e.g., when the latter are waiting to be filled with, or else no longer contain any, liquefied methane), in which case the extra power supplied by motors 3 and 15 will attain its highest level, these motors being accordingly designed to be capable of continuous operation under these conditions without being overloaded.
  • the plant In a second operating mode, the plant is devised in such manner as to reliquefy the evaporated natural gas from the tanks 9.
  • Liquid nitrogen is conveyed from tank 10 (assumed to already contain liquid nitrogen from a previous operation or an external source) to cooling heat-exchanger 6b and issues therefrom under gravity, pressure or pumping. This additional cooling effect enables the nitrogen refrigeration cycle to be initiated in a closed circuit.
  • the plant will achieve steady operating conditions when the extra frigories provided by the liquid nitrogen and the extra energy provided by the motor 3 allow all the evaporated gas from the tanks to be liquefied in the condenser 8, the liquid procuded in this way returning to tank 9 through open valve 17.
  • the liquid nitrogen is evaporated and heats up in the circuit 6b of heat-exchanger 6 and is discharged to the stack at a temperature of approvimately 20 C to 30 C.
  • a plant devised according to this invention allows of accomplishing two entirely different functions, to wit, producing liquid nitrogen and reliquefying the natural gas evaporating from the methane tankers tanks, These functions are moreover performed by utilizing the same basic elements, namely the liquefaction line formed by compressor 1, turbine 2, motor 3, heatexchanger 4 and heat-exchanger 6, an important feature of the invention being this dual function of the elements 1, 2, 3, 4 6.
  • a system for handling a liquefiable combustible gas for storage and transportion including a container for liquefiable inert gas in liquid form, a container for a liquefiable combustible gas in liquid form, a source of said inert gas in gaseous form, and a source of said combustible gas in gaseous form, an improved arrangement for optionally liquefying a selected one of said gases in gaseous form for delivery to the corresponding container comprising:
  • a. means for circulating said inert gas through a refrigeration cycle including an expansion stage, a compression stage, and power means for supplying to said compression stage at least a portion of the energy required thereby;
  • said combusting means is a boiler and including further means for treating the resulting smoke, which further means include means for eliminating the carbon dioxide from the smoke whereby to extract nitrogen inert gas therefrom, and a booster connected to said circulating means for compressing this nitrogen and injecting it into said circulating means whereby to liquefy it.
  • a liquefiable combustible gas for storage and transportion including a container for liquefiable inert gas in liquid form, a container for a liquefiable combustible gas in liquid form, a source of said inert gas in gaseous form, and a source of said combustible gas in gaseous form, an improved arrangement for optionally liquefying a :selected one of said gases in gaseous form for delivery 'to the corresponding container comprising:

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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)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (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)
US3768271D 1971-01-19 1972-01-18 Method and plant for storing and transporting a liquefied combustible gas Expired - Lifetime US3768271A (en)

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Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885394A (en) * 1972-12-11 1975-05-27 Sulzer Ag Process and apparatus for treating and utilizing vaporized gas in a ship for transporting liquified gas
WO1980001103A1 (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-05-29 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Heat and liquid recovery using open cycle heat pump system
US4420950A (en) * 1981-04-01 1983-12-20 Energiagazdalkodasi Intezet Plant for utilization of low-potential waste heat of a gas-pipeline compressor station
GB2252817A (en) * 1990-12-14 1992-08-19 George Michael Ettinger Heat transport apparatus
US5176002A (en) * 1991-04-10 1993-01-05 Process Systems International, Inc. Method of controlling vapor loss from containers of volatile chemicals
US5678411A (en) * 1995-04-26 1997-10-21 Ebara Corporation Liquefied gas supply system
EP0880000A3 (en) * 1997-05-19 1998-12-16 Praxair Technology, Inc. Turbine/motor (generator) driven booster compressor
WO2001057430A1 (en) * 2000-02-03 2001-08-09 Cabot Lng Llc Vapor recovery system using turboexpander-driven compressor
US20040083756A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-06 Jean-Pierre Tranier Combined air separation natural gas liquefaction plant
US20040182090A1 (en) * 2003-03-20 2004-09-23 Snecma Moteurs Feeding energy to a gas terminal from a ship for transporting liquefied gas
US20070214806A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Solomon Aladja Faka Continuous Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air
US20070214804A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Robert John Hannan Onboard Regasification of LNG
US20070214805A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Macmillan Adrian Armstrong Onboard Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air
US20080016879A1 (en) * 2002-12-09 2008-01-24 Dresser, Inc. System and method of use of expansion engine to increase overall fuel efficiency
US20090193780A1 (en) * 2006-09-11 2009-08-06 Woodside Energy Limited Power Generation System for a Marine Vessel
US20090314005A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-12-24 Green Partners Technology Gmbh Piston engine systems and methods
US20100170297A1 (en) * 2008-02-27 2010-07-08 Masaru Oka Liquefied gas reliquefier, liquefied-gas storage facility and liquefied-gas transport ship including the same, and liquefied-gas reliquefaction method
WO2010128466A2 (en) * 2009-05-08 2010-11-11 Corac Group Plc Production and distribution of natural gas
US20110030391A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Woodside Energy Limited Mechanical Defrosting During Continuous Regasification of a Cryogenic Fluid Using Ambient Air
US20120325811A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2012-12-27 Honeywell International Inc. Hybrid fuel tank inerting system
WO2015063453A3 (en) * 2013-10-28 2015-08-27 Highview Enterprises Limited Method and system for the re-liquefaction of boil-off gas
US10539361B2 (en) 2012-08-22 2020-01-21 Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd. Modular LNG production facility
US11402152B2 (en) * 2017-07-07 2022-08-02 Tor Christensen Large scale coastal liquefaction

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US3000707A (en) * 1959-05-29 1961-09-19 Southwest Ind Inc Process for generating inert gas
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US3365898A (en) * 1965-06-03 1968-01-30 Shell Oil Co Method for transporting gas
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US3400547A (en) * 1966-11-02 1968-09-10 Williams Process for liquefaction of natural gas and transportation by marine vessel

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US3000707A (en) * 1959-05-29 1961-09-19 Southwest Ind Inc Process for generating inert gas
US3389829A (en) * 1963-04-24 1968-06-25 Exxon Research Engineering Co Method of providing an inert atmosphere
US3313116A (en) * 1965-03-15 1967-04-11 Mcmullen Ass John J Method for cooling and filling liquefied gas transport and storage tanks
US3365898A (en) * 1965-06-03 1968-01-30 Shell Oil Co Method for transporting gas
US3400547A (en) * 1966-11-02 1968-09-10 Williams Process for liquefaction of natural gas and transportation by marine vessel

Cited By (40)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885394A (en) * 1972-12-11 1975-05-27 Sulzer Ag Process and apparatus for treating and utilizing vaporized gas in a ship for transporting liquified gas
WO1980001103A1 (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-05-29 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Heat and liquid recovery using open cycle heat pump system
EP0020645A1 (en) * 1978-11-15 1981-01-07 Minnesota Mining & Mfg AN OPEN CYCLE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM USING HEAT AND LIQUID RECOVERY PROCESS.
EP0020645A4 (en) * 1978-11-15 1981-10-13 Minnesota Mining & Mfg HEAT AND LIQUID RECOVERY USING AN OPEN-CYCLE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM.
US4295282A (en) * 1978-11-15 1981-10-20 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Heat and liquid recovery using open cycle heat pump system
US4420950A (en) * 1981-04-01 1983-12-20 Energiagazdalkodasi Intezet Plant for utilization of low-potential waste heat of a gas-pipeline compressor station
GB2252817B (en) * 1990-12-14 1995-05-10 George Michael Ettinger Heat transport systems
GB2252817A (en) * 1990-12-14 1992-08-19 George Michael Ettinger Heat transport apparatus
US5176002A (en) * 1991-04-10 1993-01-05 Process Systems International, Inc. Method of controlling vapor loss from containers of volatile chemicals
US5678411A (en) * 1995-04-26 1997-10-21 Ebara Corporation Liquefied gas supply system
EP0880000A3 (en) * 1997-05-19 1998-12-16 Praxair Technology, Inc. Turbine/motor (generator) driven booster compressor
WO2001057430A1 (en) * 2000-02-03 2001-08-09 Cabot Lng Llc Vapor recovery system using turboexpander-driven compressor
US6460350B2 (en) 2000-02-03 2002-10-08 Tractebel Lng North America Llc Vapor recovery system using turboexpander-driven compressor
AU777111B2 (en) * 2000-02-03 2004-09-30 Tractebel Lng North America Llc Vapor recovery system using turboexpander-driven compressor
US20040083756A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-06 Jean-Pierre Tranier Combined air separation natural gas liquefaction plant
US7143606B2 (en) 2002-11-01 2006-12-05 L'air Liquide-Societe Anonyme A'directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etide Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Combined air separation natural gas liquefaction plant
US20080016879A1 (en) * 2002-12-09 2008-01-24 Dresser, Inc. System and method of use of expansion engine to increase overall fuel efficiency
US7287389B2 (en) * 2003-03-20 2007-10-30 Snecma Moteurs Feeding energy to a gas terminal from a ship for transporting liquefied gas
US20040182090A1 (en) * 2003-03-20 2004-09-23 Snecma Moteurs Feeding energy to a gas terminal from a ship for transporting liquefied gas
US8069677B2 (en) 2006-03-15 2011-12-06 Woodside Energy Ltd. Regasification of LNG using ambient air and supplemental heat
US20070214805A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Macmillan Adrian Armstrong Onboard Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air
US20070214806A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Solomon Aladja Faka Continuous Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air
US8607580B2 (en) 2006-03-15 2013-12-17 Woodside Energy Ltd. Regasification of LNG using dehumidified air
US20070214804A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Robert John Hannan Onboard Regasification of LNG
US20090199575A1 (en) * 2006-09-11 2009-08-13 Woodside Energy Limited Boil off gas management during ship-to-ship transfer of lng
US20090193780A1 (en) * 2006-09-11 2009-08-06 Woodside Energy Limited Power Generation System for a Marine Vessel
US20090314005A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-12-24 Green Partners Technology Gmbh Piston engine systems and methods
US8739569B2 (en) * 2008-02-27 2014-06-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Liquefied gas reliquefier, liquefied-gas storage facility and liquefied-gas transport ship including the same, and liquefied-gas reliquefaction method
US20100170297A1 (en) * 2008-02-27 2010-07-08 Masaru Oka Liquefied gas reliquefier, liquefied-gas storage facility and liquefied-gas transport ship including the same, and liquefied-gas reliquefaction method
WO2010128466A2 (en) * 2009-05-08 2010-11-11 Corac Group Plc Production and distribution of natural gas
WO2010128466A3 (en) * 2009-05-08 2011-12-29 Corac Group Plc Production and distribution of natural gas
US20110030391A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Woodside Energy Limited Mechanical Defrosting During Continuous Regasification of a Cryogenic Fluid Using Ambient Air
US8499567B2 (en) * 2011-06-27 2013-08-06 Honeywell International, Inc. Hybrid fuel tank inerting system
US20120325811A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2012-12-27 Honeywell International Inc. Hybrid fuel tank inerting system
US10539361B2 (en) 2012-08-22 2020-01-21 Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd. Modular LNG production facility
WO2015063453A3 (en) * 2013-10-28 2015-08-27 Highview Enterprises Limited Method and system for the re-liquefaction of boil-off gas
CN105683690A (zh) * 2013-10-28 2016-06-15 高维有限公司 用于再液化蒸出气体的方法和系统
JP2016535211A (ja) * 2013-10-28 2016-11-10 ハイヴュー・エンタープライゼズ・リミテッド ボイルオフガスを再液化する方法およびシステム
CN105683690B (zh) * 2013-10-28 2020-03-13 高维有限公司 用于再液化蒸出气体的方法和系统
US11402152B2 (en) * 2017-07-07 2022-08-02 Tor Christensen Large scale coastal liquefaction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2122307B1 (ru) 1975-01-17
FR2122307A1 (ru) 1972-09-01

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