WO2003069245A1 - Method for liquefying a flow rich in hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Method for liquefying a flow rich in hydrocarbons Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003069245A1
WO2003069245A1 PCT/EP2003/001498 EP0301498W WO03069245A1 WO 2003069245 A1 WO2003069245 A1 WO 2003069245A1 EP 0301498 W EP0301498 W EP 0301498W WO 03069245 A1 WO03069245 A1 WO 03069245A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigerant mixture
gas
fraction
gas fraction
liquefying
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2003/001498
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pentti Paurola
Rudolf Stockmann
Werner Prietzel
Original Assignee
Linde Aktiengesellschaft
Statoil Asa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde Aktiengesellschaft, Statoil Asa filed Critical Linde Aktiengesellschaft
Priority to AU2003206896A priority Critical patent/AU2003206896A1/en
Priority to US10/504,525 priority patent/US20050210915A1/en
Priority to EP03704617A priority patent/EP1476706A1/en
Publication of WO2003069245A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003069245A1/en
Priority to NO20043844A priority patent/NO20043844L/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0052—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
    • 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
    • F25J1/0248—Stopping of the process, e.g. defrosting or deriming, maintenance; Back-up mode or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/02—Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/32—Details on header or distribution passages of heat exchangers, e.g. of reboiler-condenser or plate heat exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream, wherein at least one indirect heat exchange takes place between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture of at least one refrigerant mixture circuit, and the refrigerant mixture after subcooling into a gas and separated into a liquid fraction and these fractions are combined again before and / or during the reheating of the refrigerant mixture.
  • a wide variety of methods are known for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream.
  • an indirect heat exchange between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture of at least one refrigerant mixture circuit is realized.
  • the refrigerant mixture is separated into a gas and a liquid fraction. The aforementioned fractions are then combined before and / or during the reheating of the refrigerant mixture; The re-heating of the refrigerant mixture is usually carried out against the one to be cooled and liquefied
  • Fractions result in an improved heat transfer between the refrigerant mixture and the further process stream (s) when the refrigerant mixture is reheated.
  • a liquefaction process is therefore carried out in such a way that, after the refrigerant mixture has been supercooled, it can be separated into a gas and a liquid fraction.
  • boundary conditions - which can vary during the liquefaction process - it can happen that The refrigerant mixture is subcooled to such an extent that it no longer has a gaseous fraction.
  • the aforementioned heat transfer between the then only liquid refrigerant mixture and the one or more process streams is adversely affected.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a generic method which makes it possible for heat to be exchanged between one or more process streams, in particular between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture at any time and under all process conditions, in which the process subsequently takes place supercooled refrigerant mixture has both liquid and gaseous components.
  • the procedure according to the invention thus ensures that the refrigerant mixture also has gaseous constituents at all times during the heat exchange between the refrigerant mixture and at least one further process stream.
  • the phrase "admixing a gas fraction similar or identical in composition” means that this gas fraction is fed into the line (s) via which the gas fraction withdrawn from the separation is conducted during normal operation , to understand.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the gas fraction, which is similar or identical in composition, is admixed when the gas fraction obtained in the separation of the refrigerant mixture is below a minimum amount.
  • a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the gas fraction, which is similar or identical in composition, is drawn off at a suitable point in the refrigerant mixture circuit, the refrigerant mixture of which is separated into a gas and a liquid fraction.
  • gas fraction that is similar or identical in composition can come from any “source”.
  • the figure shows a section of a liquefaction process, four process streams being brought into thermal contact with one another in a heat exchanger E. These are: a first refrigerant mixture stream introduced via line 1, a second refrigerant stream (mixture) conducted via line 7 through the heat exchanger E, the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied via line 8 through the heat exchanger E and the stream via line 5 Heat exchanger E supplied, to be heated first refrigerant mixture flow, which is drawn off from the heat exchanger E via line 6 after heating up against the aforementioned three process streams.
  • the mixed refrigerant stream supplied to the heat exchanger E via line 1 is subcooled in the heat exchanger E and then fed to the expansion valve a via line 2 and subjected to a Joule-Thomson expansion in this.
  • an expansion turbine can also be provided.
  • the refrigerant mixture flow in separator D is then separated into a liquid fraction and a gas fraction.
  • the liquid fraction is drawn off from the bottom of the separator d via line 3, in which a control valve b is provided, and is fed to the aforementioned line 5.
  • the gas fraction obtained in the separator D is drawn off via line 4 at the top of the separator D and brought together with the liquid fraction in line 3.
  • a control valve c is also provided in line 4.
  • the proportion of the gas fraction present in the expansion valve a after the expansion is determined by the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant mixture flow in line 2.
  • the separator D may not only serve to separate the refrigerant mixture flow into a liquid and a gaseous fraction, but also, in the event of a plant shutdown, as a storage container in which the refrigerant mixture is temporarily stored during the plant shutdown. This storage of the refrigerant mixture at the coldest point of a refrigerant mixture circuit makes it possible to implement the shortest possible start-up procedure when starting up again.
  • the separator D should therefore preferably be dimensioned so that it can hold the entire amount of refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant circuit.
  • line 4 is now supplied via a side line 9, in which a control valve d is likewise provided, a gas fraction which is similar or identical in composition.
  • the control valve d can be controlled automatically and / or manually.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for liquefying a flow rich in hydrocarbons, particularly a flow of natural gas. To this end, at least one indirect heat exchange occurs between the hydrocarbon-rich flow that is to be liquefied and the coolant mixture of at least one coolant mixture circuit. The coolant mixture is separated into a gas fraction and into a liquid fraction after an ensuing undercooling, and these fractions are purified once again before and/or during the re-heating of the coolant mixture. According to the invention, the gas fraction (4) obtained during separation (D) is at least occasionally mixed with a gas fraction (9) having a similar or identical composition. The admixing of this gas fraction (9) having a similar or identical composition can ensue when the amount of the gas fraction (4) obtained during separation (D) of the coolant mixture falls below a minimum.

Description

Beschreibung description
Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen StromesProcess for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Stromes, insbesondere eines Erdgas-Stromes, wobei wenigstens ein indirekter Wärmetausch zwischen dem zu verflüssigenden Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Strom und dem Kaltemittelgemisch wenigstens eines Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes erfolgt und wobei das Kaltemittelgemisch nach erfolgter Unterkühlung in eine Gas- und in eine Flüssigfraktion aufgetrennt und diese Fraktionen vor und/oder während der Wiederanwarmung des Kaltemittelgemisches wieder vereinigt werden.The invention relates to a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream, wherein at least one indirect heat exchange takes place between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture of at least one refrigerant mixture circuit, and the refrigerant mixture after subcooling into a gas and separated into a liquid fraction and these fractions are combined again before and / or during the reheating of the refrigerant mixture.
Es sind unterschiedlichste Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff- reichen Stromes, insbesondere eines Erdgas-Stromes, bekannt. Hierbei wird bei einer Vielzahl dieser Verflüssigungsverfahren ein indirekter Wärmetausch zwischen dem zu verflüssigenden Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Strom und dem Kaltemittelgemisch wenigsten eines Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes realisiert. Dabei erfolgt oftmals nach einer erfolgten Unterkühlung des Kaltemittelgemisches eine Auftrennung des Kaltemittelgemisches in eine Gas- und eine Flüssigfraktion. Die vorgenannten Fraktionen werden anschließend vor und/oder während der Wiederanwarmung des Kaltemittelgemisches vereinigt; die Wiederanwarmung des Kaltemittelgemisches erfolgt im Regelfall gegen den abzukühlenden und zu verflüssigendenA wide variety of methods are known for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream. In the case of a large number of these liquefaction processes, an indirect heat exchange between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture of at least one refrigerant mixture circuit is realized. Often after the refrigerant mixture has been supercooled, the refrigerant mixture is separated into a gas and a liquid fraction. The aforementioned fractions are then combined before and / or during the reheating of the refrigerant mixture; The re-heating of the refrigerant mixture is usually carried out against the one to be cooled and liquefied
Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Strom und ggf. weiteren Verfahrens- insbesondere Kältemittel(gemisch)ströme.Stream rich in hydrocarbons and possibly other process flows, especially refrigerant (mixed) flows.
Die vorbeschriebene Auftrennung des unterkühlten Kaltemittelgemisches in eine Gas- sowie in eine Flüssigfraktion und die anschließende Wiedervereinigung der beidenThe above-described separation of the supercooled refrigerant mixture into a gas and a liquid fraction and the subsequent reunification of the two
Fraktionen hat einen verbesserten Wärmeübergang zwischen dem Kaltemittelgemisch und dem oder den weiteren Verfahrensströmen bei der Wiederanwarmung des Kaltemittelgemisches zur Folge.Fractions result in an improved heat transfer between the refrigerant mixture and the further process stream (s) when the refrigerant mixture is reheated.
Im Regelfall wird ein Verflüssigungsprozess daher so gefahren, dass nach erfolgter Unterkühlung des Kaltemittelgemisches eine Auftrennung in eine Gas- sowie in eine Flüssigfraktion möglich ist. Unter bestimmten Randbedingungen - die im Laufe des Verflüssigungsprozesses variieren können - kann es jedoch passieren, dass das Kaltemittelgemisch soweit unterkühlt ist, dass es keinen gasförmigen Anteil mehr aufweist. Dies hat zur Folge, dass der vorgenannte Wärmeübergang zwischen dem dann nurmehr flüssigen Kaltemittelgemisch und dem oder den weiteren Verfahrensströmen negativ beeinflusst wird.As a rule, a liquefaction process is therefore carried out in such a way that, after the refrigerant mixture has been supercooled, it can be separated into a gas and a liquid fraction. However, under certain boundary conditions - which can vary during the liquefaction process - it can happen that The refrigerant mixture is subcooled to such an extent that it no longer has a gaseous fraction. As a result, the aforementioned heat transfer between the then only liquid refrigerant mixture and the one or more process streams is adversely affected.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein gattungsgemäßes Verfahren anzugeben, das es ermöglicht, dass zu jedem Zeitpunkt und unter allen Verfahrensbedingungen ein Wärmetausch zwischen einem oder mehreren Verfahrensströmen, insbesondere zwischen dem zu verflüssigen Kohlenwasserstoff- reichen Strom und dem Kaltemittelgemisch erfolgt, bei dem das anschließend unterkühlte Kaltemittelgemisch sowohl flüssige als auch gasförmige Bestandteile aufweist.The object of the present invention is to provide a generic method which makes it possible for heat to be exchanged between one or more process streams, in particular between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture at any time and under all process conditions, in which the process subsequently takes place supercooled refrigerant mixture has both liquid and gaseous components.
Dies wird dadurch erreicht, dass zumindest zeitweise der in der Auftrennung gewonnenen Gasfraktion eine in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion zugemischt wird.This is achieved in that at least at times the gas fraction obtained in the separation is mixed with a gas fraction that is similar or identical in composition.
Mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrensweise wird somit sichergestellt, dass zu jedem Zeitpunkt bei dem Wärmetausch zwischen dem Kaltemittelgemisch und wenigstens einem weiteren Verfahrensstrom das Kaltemittelgemisch auch gasförmigen Bestandteile aufweist.The procedure according to the invention thus ensures that the refrigerant mixture also has gaseous constituents at all times during the heat exchange between the refrigerant mixture and at least one further process stream.
Sofern das unterkühlte Kaltemittelgemisch keine gasförmigen Bestandteile mehr aufweist, sei unter der Formulierung "Zumischung einer in der Zusammensetzung ähnlichen oder identischen Gasfraktion" ein Zuführen dieser Gasfraktion in die Leitung(en), über die während des normalen Betriebes die aus der Auftrennung abgezogene Gasfraktion geführt wird, zu verstehen.If the supercooled refrigerant mixture no longer has any gaseous constituents, the phrase "admixing a gas fraction similar or identical in composition" means that this gas fraction is fed into the line (s) via which the gas fraction withdrawn from the separation is conducted during normal operation , to understand.
Eine vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zumischung der in der Zusammensetzung ähnlichen oder identischen Gasfraktion bei Unterschreitung einer Mindestmenge der in der Auftrennung des Kaltemittelgemisches gewonnenen Gasfraktion erfolgt.An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the gas fraction, which is similar or identical in composition, is admixed when the gas fraction obtained in the separation of the refrigerant mixture is below a minimum amount.
Es ist nicht zwingend erforderlich, dass eine in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion der in der Auftrennung gewonnenen Gasfraktion permant zugemischt wird, da diese bei einem regulären Verfahrensablauf auf ein ausreichendes Mengenvolumen eingeregelt ist. Wird nun eine voreingestellte Mindestmenge der bei der Auftrennung des Kaltemittelgemisches gewonnenen Gasfraktion unterschritten, so ist es ausreichend, wenn zu diesen Zeiten eine Zumischung der in der Zusammensetzung ähnlichen oder identischen Gasfraktion erfolgt. Die hierfür erforderlichen Regelmechanismen sind dem Fachmann vertraut.It is not absolutely necessary that a gas fraction similar or identical in composition to the gas fraction obtained in the separation is permanent is added, since this is regulated to a sufficient volume in a regular process. If the gas fraction obtained during the separation of the refrigerant mixture is below a preset minimum amount, it is sufficient if the gas fraction, which is similar or identical in composition, is mixed in at these times. The control mechanisms required for this are familiar to the person skilled in the art.
Eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion an einer dafür geeigneten Stelle des Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes, dessen Kaltemittelgemisch in eine Gas- und in eine Flüssigfraktion aufgetrennt wird, abgezogen wird.A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the gas fraction, which is similar or identical in composition, is drawn off at a suitable point in the refrigerant mixture circuit, the refrigerant mixture of which is separated into a gas and a liquid fraction.
Prinzipiell kann die in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion jedoch aus einer beliebigen "Quelle" stammen.In principle, however, the gas fraction that is similar or identical in composition can come from any “source”.
Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren sowie weitere Ausgestaltungen desselben, die Gegenstände der abhängigen Patentansprüche darstellen, seien im Folgenden anhand des in der Figur dargestellten Ausführungsbeispieles näher erleutert.The method according to the invention and further refinements of the same, which are the subject matter of the dependent claims, are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure.
Die Figur zeigt einen Ausschnitt aus einem Verflüssigungsverfahren, wobei in einem Wärmetauscher E vier Verfahrensströme miteinander in Wärmekontakt gebracht werden. Diese sind: ein über Leitung 1 herangeführter, erster Kältemittelgemischstrom, ein über Leitung 7 durch den Wärmetauscher E geführter zweiter Kältemittel(gemisch)strom, der mittels Leitung 8 durch den Wärmetauscher E geführte, zu verflüssigende Kohlenwasserstoff-reiche Strom sowie der über Leitung 5 dem Wärmetauscher E zugeführte, anzuwärmende erste Kältemittelgemischstrom, der nach erfolgter Anwärmung gegen die vorgenannten drei Verfahrensströme über Leitung 6 aus dem Wärmetauscher E abgezogen wird.The figure shows a section of a liquefaction process, four process streams being brought into thermal contact with one another in a heat exchanger E. These are: a first refrigerant mixture stream introduced via line 1, a second refrigerant stream (mixture) conducted via line 7 through the heat exchanger E, the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied via line 8 through the heat exchanger E and the stream via line 5 Heat exchanger E supplied, to be heated first refrigerant mixture flow, which is drawn off from the heat exchanger E via line 6 after heating up against the aforementioned three process streams.
Der dem Wärmetauscher E über Leitung 1 zugeführte Kältemittelgemischstrom wird in dem Wärmetauscher E unterkühlt und anschließend über Leitung 2 dem Entspannungsvetnil a zugeführt und in diesem einer Joule-Thomson-Entspannung unterworfen. Anstelle des in der Figur dargestellten Entspannungsventiles a kann auch eine Entspannungsturbine vorgesehen werden. Anschließend wird der Kältemittelgemischstrom im Abscheider D in eine Flüssigfraktion sowie in eine Gasfraktion aufgetrennt. Die Flüssigfraktion wird über Leitung 3, in der ein Regelventil b vorgesehen ist, aus dem Sumpf des Abscheiders d abgezogen und der vorgenannten Leitung 5 zugeführt.The mixed refrigerant stream supplied to the heat exchanger E via line 1 is subcooled in the heat exchanger E and then fed to the expansion valve a via line 2 and subjected to a Joule-Thomson expansion in this. Instead of the expansion valve a shown in the figure, an expansion turbine can also be provided. The refrigerant mixture flow in separator D is then separated into a liquid fraction and a gas fraction. The liquid fraction is drawn off from the bottom of the separator d via line 3, in which a control valve b is provided, and is fed to the aforementioned line 5.
Die im Abscheider D anfallende Gasfraktion wird über Leitung 4 am Kopf des Abscheiders D abgezogen und mit der Flüssigfraktion in der Leitung 3 zusammengeführt. Auch in der Leitung 4 ist im Regelfall ein Regelventil c vorgesehen.The gas fraction obtained in the separator D is drawn off via line 4 at the top of the separator D and brought together with the liquid fraction in line 3. As a rule, a control valve c is also provided in line 4.
Der Anteil der nach der Entspannung im Entspannungsventil a vorliegenden Gasfraktion wird durch den Grad der Unterkühlung des Kältemittelgemischstromes in der Leitung 2 bestimmt.The proportion of the gas fraction present in the expansion valve a after the expansion is determined by the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant mixture flow in line 2.
Das Vermischen der in dem Abscheider D gewonnenen Fraktionen vor dem Wärmetauscher E bzw. im Eingangsbereich des Wärmetauschers E - diese Verfahrensführung ist in der Figur nicht dargestellt - hat eine gute Verteilung der Flüssig- und Gasanteile des Kältemittelgemischstromes in dem Wärmetauscher E zur Folge, was zu einem verbessertem Wärmeübergang in dem Wärmetauscher E führt; dies gilt insbesondere dann, wenn es sich bei dem Wärmetauscher E um einen sog. Plate-Fin-Typ-Wärmetauscher handelt.The mixing of the fractions obtained in the separator D in front of the heat exchanger E or in the entrance area of the heat exchanger E - this process control is not shown in the figure - has a good distribution of the liquid and gas components of the refrigerant mixture flow in the heat exchanger E, which leads to leads to an improved heat transfer in the heat exchanger E; this applies in particular if the heat exchanger E is a so-called plate-fin type heat exchanger.
Der Abscheider D dient gegebenenfalls nicht nur der Auftrennung des Kältemittelgemischstromes in eine flüssige und in eine gasförmige Fraktion, sondern darüber hinaus im Falle eines Anlagenstillstandes als Speicherbehälter, in dem das Kaltemittelgemisch während des Anlagenstillstandes zwischengespeichert wird. Diese Speicherung des Kaltemittelgemisches am kältesten Punkt eines Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes ermöglicht es, eine möglichst kurze Anfahrprozedur bei der Wiederinbetriebnahme zu realisieren. Der Abscheider D ist daher vorzugsweise so zu dimensionieren, dass er die gesamte Kältemittelgemischmenge des Kältemittelkreislaufes aufnehmen kann.The separator D may not only serve to separate the refrigerant mixture flow into a liquid and a gaseous fraction, but also, in the event of a plant shutdown, as a storage container in which the refrigerant mixture is temporarily stored during the plant shutdown. This storage of the refrigerant mixture at the coldest point of a refrigerant mixture circuit makes it possible to implement the shortest possible start-up procedure when starting up again. The separator D should therefore preferably be dimensioned so that it can hold the entire amount of refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant circuit.
Ist der Kältemittelgemischstrom in der Leitung 2 nunmehr soweit unterkühlt, dass er nach der Entspannung im Entspannungsventil a einen zu geringen Anteil an gasförmigen Bestandteilen oder gar keine gasförmigen Bestandteile aufweist, so wird nunmehr erfindungsgemäß der Leitung 4 über eine Seitenleitung 9, in der ebenfalls ein Regelventil d vorgesehen ist, eine in der Zusammensetzung ähnlich oder identische Gasfraktion zugeführt. Hierbei kann die Steuerung des Regelventils d automatisch und/oder manuell erfolgen. If the refrigerant mixture flow in line 2 is now subcooled to such an extent that after expansion in the expansion valve a it has too little of a gaseous component or no gaseous components at all According to the invention, line 4 is now supplied via a side line 9, in which a control valve d is likewise provided, a gas fraction which is similar or identical in composition. The control valve d can be controlled automatically and / or manually.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Stromes, insbesondere eines Erdgas-Stromes, wobei wenigstens ein indirekter Wärmetausch zwischen dem zu verflüssigenden Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Strom und dem Kaltemittelgemisch wenigstens eines Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes erfolgt und wobei das Kaltemittelgemisch nach erfolgter Unterkühlung in eine Gas- und in eine Flüssigfraktion aufgetrennt und diese Fraktionen vor und/oder während der Wiederanwarmung des Kaltemittelgemisches wieder vereinigt werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest zeitweise der in der Auftrennung (D) gewonnenen Gasfraktion (4) eine in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion (9) zugemischt wird.1. A method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream, wherein at least one indirect heat exchange takes place between the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixture of at least one refrigerant mixture circuit, and the refrigerant mixture after subcooling into a gas and in a liquid fraction is separated and these fractions are recombined before and / or during the reheating of the refrigerant mixture, characterized in that at least at times the gas fraction (4) obtained in the separation (D) is mixed with a gas fraction (9) that is similar or identical in composition ,
2. Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Stromes nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zumischung der in der2. A method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream according to claim 1, characterized in that the admixture of the in
Zusammensetzung ähnlichen oder identischen Gasfraktion (9) bei Unterschreitung einer Mindestmenge der in der Auftrennung (D) des Kaltemittelgemisches gewonnenen Gasfraktion (4) erfolgt.The composition of similar or identical gas fraction (9) takes place when the minimum amount of the gas fraction (4) obtained in the separation (D) of the refrigerant mixture is undershot.
3. Verfahren zum Verflüssigen eines Kohlenwasserstoff-reichen Stromes nach3. Process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream
Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die in der Zusammensetzung ähnliche oder identische Gasfraktion (9) an einer dafür geeigneten Stelle des oder desjenigen Kaltemittelgemischkreislaufes, dessen Kaltemittelgemisch in eine Gas- (4) und in eine Flüssigfraktion (3) aufgetrennt wird, abgezogen wird. Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas fraction (9), which is similar or identical in composition, is drawn off at a suitable point in the or that refrigerant mixture circuit, the refrigerant mixture of which is separated into a gas (4) and a liquid fraction (3) becomes.
PCT/EP2003/001498 2002-02-15 2003-02-14 Method for liquefying a flow rich in hydrocarbons WO2003069245A1 (en)

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EP03704617A EP1476706A1 (en) 2002-02-15 2003-02-14 Method for liquefying a flow rich in hydrocarbons
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US8541404B2 (en) 2009-11-09 2013-09-24 Elexopharm Gmbh Inhibitors of the human aldosterone synthase CYP11B2

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US20050210915A1 (en) 2005-09-29

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