Abstract: This specification relates to operating industrial facilities, for example, crude oil refining facilities or other industrial facilities that include operating plants that process natural gas or recover natural gas liquids.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system (10) comprising a cryostat (12), a two-stage cryogenic cold head (24) and at least one thermal connection member (136; 236; 336; 436) that is configured to provide at least a portion of a heat transfer path (138; 238; 338; 438) from the second stage member (30) to the first stage member (26) of the two-stage cryogenic cold head (24). The heat transfer path (138; 238; 338; 438) is arranged outside the cold head (24). A thermal resistance of the provided at least portion of the heat transfer path (138; 238; 338; 438) at the second cryogenic temperature is larger than a thermal resistance of the provided at least portion of the heat transfer path (138; 238; 338; 438) at the first cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: A pretreatment system and method for a floating liquid natural gas (“FLNG”) facility are presented. The inlet natural gas stream flows through a membrane system to remove carbon dioxide and a heat exchanger, producing first and second cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate streams. The first cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream is routed to additional pretreatment equipment, while the second cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream is routed directly to a LNG train. Alternatively, the inlet natural gas stream may flow through a membrane system to produce a single cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream that is routed to the LNG train after sweetening and dehydration. Because the pretreatment system delivers the incoming gas stream to the LNG train at a lower temperature than conventional systems, less energy is needed to convert the gas stream to LNG. In addition, the pretreatment system has a smaller footprint than conventional pretreatment systems.

Abstract: A process for removing light components from an ethylene stream may include providing a dried ethylene stream containing ethylene, ethane, CO, CO2, H2, CH4, and C3+ hydrocarbons. The process may include sending the dried ethylene stream to a stripper to produce an overhead stream containing ethylene, CO, H2 and CH4, and a bottom stream containing ethylene, ethane, CO2, and C3+ hydrocarbons. The gaseous phase on top of the stripper may be condensed in a heat exchanger cooled by a refrigerant stream to get a first gaseous phase and a first liquid phase. The first gaseous phase may be condensed in a heat exchanger cooled by liquid ethane or liquid ethylene to get a second gaseous phase containing ethylene CO, H2 and CH4 and a second liquid phase. The first and second liquid phases may be the reflux of the stripper.

Abstract: A pretreatment system and method for a floating liquid natural gas (“FLNG”) facility are presented. The inlet natural gas stream flows through a membrane system to remove carbon dioxide and a heat exchanger, producing first and second cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate streams. The first cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream is routed to additional pretreatment equipment, while the second cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream is routed directly to a LNG train. Alternatively, the inlet natural gas stream may flow through a membrane system to produce a single cooled CO2-depleted non-permeate stream that is routed to the LNG train after sweetening and dehydration. Because the pretreatment system delivers the incoming gas stream to the LNG train at a lower temperature than conventional systems, less energy is needed to convert the gas stream to LNG. In addition, the pretreatment system has a smaller footprint than conventional pretreatment systems.

Abstract: A printed circuit-type heat exchanger includes a vaporizer having a structure in which one or more A-channel plates and one or more B-channel plates are sequentially stacked, to vaporize a fluid A with heat exchange through the A-fluid channels. A gas-liquid separator separates the fluid A into a vaporized gas and a non-vaporized liquid and includes a gas outlet for the vaporized gas and a liquid outlet for non-vaporized liquid. A super heater, having the same structure as the vaporizer, super heats the vaporized gas with heat exchange through the A-fluid channels and discharges the superheated gas through a gas outlet communicating with the outside. A first intermediate plate is disposed between the vaporizer and the gas-liquid separator to separate the vaporizer from the gas-liquid separator, and a second intermediate plate is disposed between the gas-liquid separator and the super heater to separate the super heater from the gas-liquid separator.

Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus that includes a displacer within a cylinder is disclosed. The displacer reciprocates within the cylinder by a linear actuator that includes electrical coils, an armature, and a coil spring system. The spring system includes collinear first and second coil springs of opposite sense. First ends of the springs are captured in a first plate; second ends of the springs are captured in a second plate. Without constraint, the springs can compensate to forces by bending, rotating, increasing in diameter, and combinations thereof. In certain applications, such as the heat pump, bending should be minimized. By selecting the points of capture of the hooks at the ends of the springs in the plates, bending force of the first spring counteracts the bending force of the second spring.

Abstract: A natural gas liquefaction method and system having integrated nitrogen removal. Recycled LNG gas is cooled in a separate and parallel circuit from the natural gas stream in the main heat exchanger. Cooled recycled gas and natural gas streams are directed to a nitrogen rectifier column after the warm bundle. The recycle stream is introduced to the rectifier column above the natural gas stream and at least one separation stage is located in the rectifier column between the recycle stream inlet and the natural gas inlet. The bottom stream from the rectifier column is directed to a cold bundle of the main heat exchanger where it is subcooled.

Abstract: A quench system for a refrigeration cycle of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility includes at least one compressor for compressing a refrigerant that cools a natural gas stream. Also included is a quench fluid supply structure containing a quench fluid. Further included is a cooler vessel and a quench fluid line extending from the quench fluid supply structure and through the cooler vessel for cooling therein, the quench fluid maintained in a liquid state through the entirety of the quench fluid line. Yet further included is a quench control valve disposed downstream of the cooler vessel to control a flow rate of the quench fluid routed therein. Also included is a refrigerant suction drum located downstream of the quench control valve and configured to receive the quench fluid from the quench fluid line, the refrigerant suction drum in fluid communication with at least one component for cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the production of a liquefied natural gas product stream (31) obtained by removing heat from natural gas by indirect heat exchange with an expanded heavy mixed refrigerant and an expanded light mixed refrigerant. The method comprises executing a control loop comprising maintaining the flow rate of the liquefied natural gas product stream (31) at a dependent set point and maintaining the flow rates of the heavy mixed refrigerant (60a) and the light mixed refrigerant (65) at operator manipulated set points (80, 81). The method further comprises executing an override control loop comprising: determining an override set point (95?) for the flow rate of the liquefied natural gas and computing an override set point (80?) for the flow rate of the heavy mixed refrigerant and an override set point (81?) to reduce residual available power of the electric motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) or Brayton cycle. The objective of this invention is to provide redundancy by having a water cooled compressor manifolded to an air cooled compressor and sensors to detect faults so that an expander can be kept running if there is a failure in either the water or air supply.

Abstract: A first-stage regenerator material and a second-stage regenerator material are regenerator materials each having a laminated structure for use in a GM refrigerator. Each layer of the regenerator material is provided with a plurality of holes to allow gas to pass therethrough along a laminating direction. At least one layer includes a base material and a coating covering the base material. Volumetric specific heat of the coating is larger than volumetric specific heat of the base material in a temperature range from 20 K to 40 K.

Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas liquids from a recycle stream having natural gas liquids includes receiving a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas, and the natural gas liquids. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide and the natural gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream, and the separator is coupled to the piping and is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream.

Abstract: An LNG plant comprises a cold box and a refrigeration unit fluidly coupled with a plurality of heat exchanger passes in the cold box. The refrigeration unit is configured to provide a first refrigerant stream to a first heat exchanger pass of the plurality of heat exchanger passes at a first pressure, a second refrigerant stream to a second heat exchanger pass at a second pressure, and a third refrigerant stream to a third heat exchanger pass at a third pressure. The second refrigerant stream comprises a first portion of the first refrigerant stream, and the third refrigerant stream comprises a second portion of the first refrigerant stream. The second pressure and the third pressure are both below the first pressure. The cold box is configured to produce LNG from a natural gas feed stream to the cold box using a refrigeration content from the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a door; an ice-making compartment mounted on an interior of the cabinet or on a back surface of the door, the ice-making compartment having an ice-making chamber and a cold air discharge hole; an ice tray located in the ice-making compartment; an ice bin arranged beneath the ice tray; a dispenser located at the door; a discharge duct located inside the door, the discharge duct having an entrance communicating with the ice-making compartment and an exit communicating with the dispenser; a thermoelectric element coupled to a bottom surface of the ice tray; a heat-radiating member forced against the thermoelectric element; and a cold air guide mounted on the bottom surface, the cold air guide defining a space that receives the thermoelectric element and the heat-radiating member, a cold air inlet, and a cold air outlet that communicates with the cold air discharge hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for removing solidifiable gas from a process gas stream by direct contact with a cold liquid. The process gas stream includes at least gas that is frozen by the cold liquid while one or more other gases of the process gas stream remain in a gaseous state. The process gas stream may include water, and will have a different composition than the cold liquid. The contacting of the cold liquid with the process gas stream may be at a pressure that is less than 200 psia, and optionally less than 100 psia, 50 psia, or even 30 psia, and the solidified gas may be removed from the contacting assembly as a slurry with cold liquid.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process and an air separation plant comprising a rectification column system comprising a high-pressure column, a low-pressure column, a main heat exchanger, and a main air compressor. The total air supplied to the rectification column system is compressed in the main air compressor to a first pressure level. The high-pressure column is operated at a second pressure level, at least 3 bar below the first pressure level. A gaseous, nitrogen-rich fluid is removed from the high-pressure column and warmed up in the gaseous state without prior liquefaction. A first partial quantity of the gaseous, nitrogen-rich fluid is warmed to a first temperature level of ?150 to ?100° C., supplied at this first temperature level to a booster and compressed further to a third pressure level. The first partial quantity is then warmed to a second temperature level and discharged from the air separation plant.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerating machine enables maintenance of an orifice while circulation of refrigerant gas within individual components is allowed, thus reducing the time required for maintenance. A compressor delivers a refrigerant gas having a high pressure and sucks the refrigerant gas having a low pressure. A cold head including a regenerator tube through which the refrigerant gas circulates and a pulse tube is connected to a housing. The flow of the refrigerant gas is controlled by one or more orifices, which are disposed outside the housing. The compressor, the housing, and the orifices are coupled via tubing. A coupling unit is disposed at both ends of at least one of the orifices. The coupling unit has a structure such that it can be split while the refrigerant gas is retained within the tubing. When the coupling unit is split, a detachable unit portion including the orifice is isolated.

Abstract: A cryopump includes: a first-stage target temperature selection unit which includes a normal target temperature for a normal mode of maintaining each of a first stage cryopanel and a second stage cryopanel at an extremely low temperature region, and a cool-down target temperature lower than the normal target temperature, for a cool-down mode of cooling each of the first stage cryopanel and the second stage cryopanel from room temperature to the extremely low temperature region, and selects the normal target temperature as a first-stage target temperature in a case where a current operation mode is the normal mode, and at least temporarily selects the cool-down target temperature as the first-stage target temperature in a case where the current operation mode is the cool-down mode; and a first-stage temperature control unit which controls a first-stage cryopanel temperature according to the selected first-stage target temperature.

Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder. A plurality of thermal stages is stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. Each of the plurality of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a non-magnetic ring. The plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within the non-magnetic ring in each of the plurality of thermal stages. The plurality of magnets and the non-magnetic ring of each of the plurality of thermal stages collectively define a cylindrical slot. The magneto-caloric cylinder is positioned within the cylindrical slot. In each of the plurality of magnets in one of the plurality of thermal stages, a first, second, third and fourth magnet segments are positioned and oriented such that the first, second, third and fourth magnet segments collectively form a closed loop high-field zone across the cylindrical slot.