Abstract: An air operated heat exchanger has a plurality of process tubes for process fluid, a plurality of rotating fans to move ambient air along an air stream path past the plurality of process tubes. At least one optical fiber is configured within the one or more air stream paths. At least one light pulse is passed into the at least one optical fiber, and at least one optical signal is detected from the at least one optical fiber in response to the at least one light pulse, to provide at least one signal profile. One or more air temperatures at a plurality of locations along the at least one optical fiber are determined from the at least one signal profile and evaluated against one or more comparison operational conditions.

Abstract: In a heater for a liquefied stream, a first heat transfer zone has a box stretching longitudinally along an axis. A first heat transfer surface is arranged inside the box, across which a first indirect heat exchanging contact is established between a liquefied stream that is to be heated and a heat transfer fluid. A second heat transfer zone is located gravitationally lower and includes a second heat transfer surface across which the heat transfer fluid is brought in a second indirect heat exchanging contact with the ambient. A downcomer fluidly connects the first heat transfer zone with the second heat transfer zone and has a first transverse portion and a first downward portion that are fluidly connected to each other via a connecting elbow portion. The connecting elbow portion, when viewed in a vertical projection on a horizontal plane, is located external to the box compared to the axis.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for passing a mixed vapour and liquid stream between a first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) the mixed vapour and liquid stream outflows from the first heat exchanger (101) through two or more outlets (104). Then, the mixed vapour and liquid stream in the outlets (104) passes through two or more intermediate conduits (103) to the second heat exchanger (102), after which the mixed vapour and liquid stream inflows from the intermediate conduits (103) into the second heat exchanger (102) through two or more inlets (105). The number (X) of outlets (104) is equal to or greater than the number (Y) of inlets (105).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream. A feed stream is provided and passed through at least two cooling stages. Each cooling stage involves one or more heat exchangers. One of the heat exchangers involves a first refrigerant circuit having a first refrigerant stream, and a second of the heat exchangers involves a second refrigerant circuit having a second refrigerant stream. The liquefied hydrocarbon stream is expanded and a flash vapor is separated to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon product stream and a gaseous stream. The gaseous stream, at least a part of the first refrigerant stream, and at least a part of the second refrigerant stream are passed through a heat exchanger, for the gaseous stream to provide cooling to the first and second refrigerant streams.

Abstract: An air operated heat exchanger has a plurality of process tubes for process fluid, a plurality of rotating fans to move ambient air along an air stream path past the plurality of process tubes. At least one optical fibre is configured within the one or more air stream paths. At least one light pulse is passed into the at least one optical fibre, and at least one optical signal is detected from the at least one optical fibre in response to the at least one light pulse, to provide at least one signal profile. One or more air temperatures at a plurality of locations along the at least one optical fibre are determined from the at least one signal profile and evaluated against one or more comparison operational conditions.

Abstract: Process for producing purified synthesis gas from soot-containing synthesis gas having a temperature of at least 5° C. above its dew point comprising the steps of (a) cooling the soot-containing synthesis gas to a temperature below its dew point by indirect heat exchange in a shell-tube heat exchanger without removing the condensate formed, thereby forming a synthesis gas/condensate mixture; and (b) contacting the synthesis gas/condensate mixture with a scrubbing liquid to remove the condensate resulting in a purified synthesis gas and used scrubbing liquid, wherein the soot-containing synthesis gas in step (a) is passed through the shell-tube heat exchanger at the tube side.

Abstract: A fluid is cooled and liquefied in an apparatus with a heat exchanger. A plurality of flow passages has two or more primary groups of one or more primary flow passages. Each primary group carries a part of the fluid stream through the heat exchanger and indirectly cools the part of the fluid stream against a refrigerant in the shell side of the heat exchanger to provide a liquefied fluid stream. A primary inlet header connects the two or more primary groups of primary flow passages to a source of the fluid, and is arranged to split the fluid stream between the two or more primary groups of primary flow passages. Valves are provided for selectively blocking at least one of the two or more primary groups of primary flow passages whilst allowing the fluid stream to flow through the remaining unblocked primary groups of primary flow passages.

Abstract: In a heater for a liquefied stream, a first heat transfer zone has a box stretching longitudinally along an axis. A first heat transfer surface is arranged inside the box, across which a first indirect heat exchanging contact is established between a liquefied stream that is to be heated and a heat transfer fluid. A second heat transfer zone is located gravitationally lower and includes a second heat transfer surface across which the heat transfer fluid is brought in a second indirect heat exchanging contact with the ambient. A downcomer fluidly connects the first heat transfer zone with the second heat transfer zone and has a first transverse portion and a first downward portion that are fluidly connected to each other via a connecting elbow portion. The connecting elbow portion, when viewed in a vertical projection on a horizontal plane, is located external to the box compared to the axis.

Abstract: Process for producing purified synthesis gas from soot-containing synthesis gas having a temperature of at least 5° C. above its dew point comprising the steps of (a) cooling the soot-containing synthesis gas to a temperature below its dew point by indirect heat exchange in a shell-tube heat exchanger without removing the condensate formed, thereby forming a synthesis gas/condensate mixture; and (b) contacting the synthesis gas/condensate mixture with a scrubbing liquid to remove the condensate resulting in a purified synthesis gas and used scrubbing liquid, wherein the soot-containing synthesis gas in step (a) is passed through the shell-tube heat exchanger at the tube side.

Abstract: In a closed circuit a heat transfer fluid is cycled from a first heat transfer zone to a second heat transfer zone via a downcomer, all arranged in an ambient. The first heat transfer zone, housed inside a first box, comprises a first heat transfer surface across which the liquefied stream is brought in a first indirect heat exchanging contact with the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is allowed to condense, and a part of the condensed portion of the heat transfer fluid is allowed to accumulate within the first box thereby forming a liquid layer of the heat transfer fluid. Liquid is drawn from the liquid layer and passed through the downcomer to the second heat transfer zone. The second heat transfer zone comprises a second heat transfer surface across which the heat transfer fluid is brought in a second indirect heat exchanging contact with the ambient.

Abstract: A fluid is cooled and liquefied in an apparatus with a heat exchanger (5) having a shell side (78) within its walls (85) and a plurality of flow passages extending through the shell side (78). The plurality of flow passages comprises two or more primary groups (40a, 40b) of one or more primary flow passages, each said primary group for carrying a part of the fluid stream through the heat exchanger (5) and to indirectly cool said part against a refrigerant in the shell side (78) of the heat exchanger (5) to provide a liquefied fluid stream (50, 70). A primary inlet header (6,6?) connects the two or more primary groups (40a, 40b) of primary flow passages to a source of the fluid (10), and arranged to split the fluid stream between the two or more primary groups (40a, 40b) of primary flow passages.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for passing a mixed vapour and liquid stream between a first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) the mixed vapour and liquid stream outflows from the first heat exchanger (101) through two or more outlets (104). Then, the mixed vapour and liquid stream in the outlets (104) passes through two or more intermediate conduits (103) to the second heat exchanger (102), after which the mixed vapour and liquid stream inflows from the intermediate conduits (103) into the second heat exchanger (102) through two or more inlets (105). The number (X) of outlets (104) is equal to or greater than the number (Y) of inlets (105).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream. A feed stream is provided and passed through at least two cooling stages. Each cooling stage involves one or more heat exchangers. One of the heat exchangers involves a first refrigerant circuit having a first refrigerant stream, and a second of the heat exchangers involves a second refrigerant circuit having a second refrigerant stream. The liquefied hydrocarbon stream is expanded and a flash vapour is separated to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon product stream and a gaseous stream. The gaseous stream, at least a part of the first refrigerant stream, and at least a part of the second refrigerant stream are passed through a heat exchanger, for the gaseous stream to provide cooling to the first and second refrigerant streams.