Abstract: A system and method is provided to control a purge valve during an unsafe condition associated with a cryopump. An electronic controller may be used to control the opening and closing of one or more purge valves during the unsafe condition. The purge valve can be a cryo-purge valve or exhaust purge valve. The purge valve can be a normally open valve. The electronic controller can release the normally open valve in response to the unsafe condition. The electronic controller can delay its response to the unsafe condition for a safe period of time. Attempts from other systems to control these valves during unsafe conditions can be preempted during unsafe conditions. A user can be inhibited from manually controlling the purge valve during unsafe conditions. A power failure recovery routine may be initiated in response to a restoration of power. The power failure recovery routine can respond to an unsafe condition even if the power failure recovery routine has been manually turned off by a user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cryogenic distillation of air. In a system of air separation columns, all the air is taken to a high pressure which is 5 to 10 bar greater than a medium pressure. A portion of air, between 10% and 50% of the high pressure air stream, is boosted in a cold booster. This boosted air is then sent to an exchanger and a portion of it liquefies at the cold end of the exchanger. Part of the air is sent to one column of the column system, and another fraction is partly expanded in a Claude turbine. After expansion in the turbine, the air is sent to a medium pressure column, and a liquid stream is withdrawn for one of the columns of the system. The withdrawn stream is pressurized and vaporizes in the exchange line. The cold booster is coupled to either an expansion turbine, an electric motor, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the removal of CO2 from acid gas by cryogenic distillation performed in two steps. The feed mixture is first distilled at high pressure (at least 45 bar) in a first distillation column. The top product or a part thereof is then, after heating, subjected to a second distillation step at a lower pressure (lower than 45 bar). The top product of the second distillation step is methane of high purity (more than 99 mol. %). The bottom product of the second distillation step is recycled back to the first distillation column. The method according to the invention allows complete separation of methane also at higher level of acidic components, is economical and does not result in solid CO2 build-up, which is a common problem in cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and fed to the top of a mass transfer means. A distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a first heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components and form a bottom liquid product. A distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is combined with any vapor in the expanded cooled gas stream, and the combined vapor stream is cooled in a second heat and mass transfer means to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream that is fed to the top of the mass transfer means. A portion of the bottom liquid product is subcooled, expanded to lower pressure, and used to cool the combined vapor stream.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as a feed between two absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the lower absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the lower absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. A distillation vapor stream from the top of the heat and mass transfer means is cooled by a distillation vapor stream from the top of the upper absorbing means, thereby forming a condensed stream that is supplied as a top feed to the upper absorbing means.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger system (1) for heat exchange between at least a first medium (M), in particular in the form of a hydrocarbon-rich phase, and a second medium (K), with at least first and second pipe space sections (101, 103; 103, 105) for accommodating the first medium (M), and with a first pipe space section connecting means (102; 104), via which the two pipe space sections (101, 103; 103, 105) are connected to one another in a flow-guiding manner. The first pipe space section (101; 103) is surrounded by a first shell space (201, 203), and the second pipe space section (103; 105) is surrounded by a second shell space (203, 205) for accommodating the second medium (K). The first shell space (201; 203) is defined by a first shell (301; 303) and the second shell space (203; 205) is defined by a second shell (303; 305).

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the recondensation of boiloff gas in liquid natural gas storage tanks are presented. In especially preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, BOG from a storage tank is condensed using refrigeration content of a portion of LNG sendout in a direct or indirect manner, and the BOG condensate and LNG sendout portion are combined to form a subcooled stream that is then combined with the balance of the LNG sendout, to be fed to a high pressure pump. Contemplated recondensation operations advantageously occur without using otherwise needed large volume recondensers. Moreover, the condensing and subcooling operations are decoupled from the LNG sendout rate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a feed containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and optionally nitrogen to form a product gas having a desired H2:CO molar ratio and optionally a hydrogen product gas and a carbon monoxide product gas. The feed is partially condensed to form a hydrogen-enriched vapor fraction and a carbon monoxide-enriched liquid fraction. The hydrogen-enriched vapor fraction and carbon monoxide-enriched liquid fraction are combined in a regulated manner to form an admixture, which is cryogenically separated to form the product mixture having the desired H2:CO molar ratio.

Abstract: Process for efficiently operating a natural gas liquefaction system with integrated heavies removal/natural gas liquids recovery to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or natural gas liquids (NGL) products with varying characteristics, such as, for example higher heating value (HHV) and/or propane content. Resulting LNG and/or NGL products are capable of meeting the significantly different specifications of two or more markets.

Abstract: This method envisions cooling the supply flow in a first heat exchanger, separation in a first separation flask in order to produce a light upper flow and a heavy lower flow and dividing the light upper flow into a supply fraction of a dynamic pressure reduction turbine and a supply fraction of a first distillation column. A cooled reflux flow is formed from an effluent from a dynamic pressure reduction turbine, the portion of the effluent being cooled and at least partially liquefied in a heat exchanger. The cooled reflux flow is introduced from the heat exchanger into the first distillation column.

Abstract: An NGL recovery facility utilizing a single, closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle for recovering a substantial portion of the C2 and heavier or C3 and heavier NGL components from the incoming gas stream. Less severe operating conditions, including a warmer refrigerant temperature and a lower feed gas pressure, contribute to a more economical and efficient NGL recovery system.

Abstract: An active gas regenerative refrigerator includes a plurality of compressor-expander units, each having a hermetic cylinder with a drive piston configured to be driven reciprocally therein, and a quantity of working fluid in each end of the cylinder. A piston seal in a central portion of the cylinder prevents passage of the working fluid between ends of the cylinder. Movement of the piston to a first extreme results in radial compression of one of the quantities of working fluid in a cylindrical gap formed between one end of the piston and an inner surface of the cylinder, while the other quantity is expanded in the opposite end of the cylinder. The piston includes a plurality of magnets arranged in pairs, with magnets of each pair positioned with like-poles facing each other. A piston drive is configured to couple with transverse magnetic flux regions formed by the magnets.

Abstract: A thermoelectric wine pouch cooler/dispenser apparatus powered by household current has a thermally insulated cabinet that sits on a countertop or other flat surface and has a thermoelectric cooling system. The cabinet has at least one thermally insulated compartment that receives a removable bag support housing containing a collapsible flexible wine-filled bag from a “bag-in-box” wine container and its dispensing valve. The bag support housing includes a spring biased plate to facilitate emptying of the contents of the bag. The temperature of each compartment is individually controlled by a digital temperature controller and a thermoelectric cooling assembly which includes a fan and a cold plate engaged on a thermally conductive heat transfer block at the top of each compartment which engages the bag support housing.

Abstract: A liquefier includes a Dewar having a storage portion and a neck portion extending therefrom. A hermetically isolated liquefaction chamber is disposed within the neck of the Dewar. One or more control components including a temperature and pressure sensor are coupled to a CPU and disposed within the liquefaction chamber for dynamic control of liquefaction conditions. A gas flow control is coupled to the CPU for regulating an input gas flow into the liquefaction chamber. A volume surrounding the liquefaction chamber may be adapted to provide a counter-flow heat exchange. These and other features provide improved liquefaction efficiency among other benefits.

Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.

Abstract: A semi-closed loop system for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) that combines certain advantages of closed-loop systems with certain advantages of open-loop systems to provide a more efficient and effective hybrid system. In the semi-closed loop system, the final methane refrigeration cycle provides significant cooling of the natural gas stream via indirect heat transfer, as opposed to expansion-type cooling. A minor portion of the LNG product from the methane refrigeration cycle is used as make-up refrigerant in the methane refrigeration cycle. A pressurized portion of the refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle is employed as fuel gas. Excess refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle can be recombined with the processed natural gas stream, rather than flared.

Abstract: A method for separating a feed gas, containing nitrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, in a distillation column: the feed gas is cooled in a heat exchanger; at least a portion of the feed gas, or at least a portion of a gas derived from the feed gas, is sent to a reboiler of the distillation column so as to condense the gas while producing a liquid, and optionally a gas; at least a portion of the liquid is sent to the distillation column; a nitrogen gas-rich flow is extracted from the distillation column; a carbon monoxide-rich flow is extracted from the distillation column, heated in the heat exchanger, and compressed so as to provide a carbon monoxide-rich material at production pressure.

Abstract: A gas-flow cryostat adapted for dynamic temperature regulation using a fluid level sensor; the cryostat further including one or more heaters coupled to various components of the cryostat. As fluid evaporates from a liquid cryogen evaporation reservoir within the cryostat, the fluid level sensor and a feedback control unit are adapted to monitor and dynamically control the level of evaporating cryogen by regulating the heaters. Accordingly, the cryostat is adapted to dynamically control temperature about a specimen region within the cryostat. The cryostat can be used in various applications, including analytical laboratory equipment for measuring various physical properties of samples. Temperature sensors are further incorporated for added control and optimization of the cryostat.

Abstract: A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide.