Natural Gas Patents (Class 62/611)
  • Publication number: 20140260416
    Abstract: Liquefaction systems and associated processes and methods are disclosed herein. Liquefaction systems in accordance with the present technology can include a liquefier positioned to liquefy gases from an emission stream. The liquefier can include a compressor configured to compress a first gas to produce a first liquid, and to compress a second gas to produce a second liquid. The first liquid can be directed to a first collection tank and the second liquid can be directed to a second collection tank. In some embodiments, a liquefaction system can direct a portion of a compressed liquid to a liquefier to pre-cool gases in the emission stream and/or to cool gases at various stages of compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20140260418
    Abstract: As described herein, a method and system for operating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant are provided. The method and system also provide for domestic natural gas production. In the present methods and systems, substantially all of the natural gas produced from a well or formation is processed to form LNG; a portion of the LNG produced is regasified; and the regasification is utilized to cool the inlet air to the gas turbines in the LNG plant, either directly or indirectly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Havlik, Stanley H. Huang
  • Publication number: 20140245779
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG). An exemplary method disclosed includes flowing at least a portion of an LNG stream through an air separation unit (ASU) to form at least a portion of a natural gas (NG) stream. Heat is removed from an airflow in the ASU to separate an oxygen stream from the airflow. The oxygen stream and a fuel stream are combusted in a power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Lalit K. Bohra, O. Angus Sites, Sulabh K. Dhanuka
  • Patent number: 8821615
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for treating a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, including the following steps: deacidificating the gas mixture by bringing the gas mixture into contact with a first lean absorbent solution stream, delivering a deacidified gas mixture, and a first rich absorbent solution stream; regenerating the first rich absorbent solution stream, delivering the first lean absorbent solution stream and a sour gas stream; distillating the sour gas stream, delivering a first carbon-dioxide-rich stream and a hydrogen-sulphide-rich stream; purifying the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream by bringing the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream into contact with a second lean absorbent solution stream, delivering a second carbon-dioxide-rich stream and a second rich absorbent solution stream, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the second carbon-dioxide-rich stream being greater than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventors: Claire Weiss, Renaud Cadours, Kamal Bouzalmata
  • Patent number: 8814992
    Abstract: A gas expansion cooling method for reducing hydrocarbon emissions includes feeding a high pressure cooling gas through a valve, decreasing a temperature of the cooling gas by decreasing its pressure; feeding the cooling gas into a heat exchanger; and diverting a hydrocarbon gas into the heat exchanger such that the cooling gas decreases a temperature of the hydrocarbon gas. The cooling gas may be drawn from a preexisting high pressure gas system that serves a purpose other than supplying a coolant for the gas expansion cooling system. A portion of the hydrocarbon gas may be condensed in the heat exchanger to form a hydrocarbon liquid, which may be separated from the hydrocarbon gas in a separation vessel. The hydrocarbon liquid may be recovered, while the hydrocarbon gas may be fed to a ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Greene's Energy Group, LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Paul Hillman
  • Patent number: 8806891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process plant and method for cooling and optionally liquefaction of a product gas, particularly for liquefaction of natural gas, based on a closed loop of multi-component refrigerant in heat exchange with the gas to be cooled and optionally condensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sinvent AS
    Inventors: Einar Brendeng, Petter Nekså
  • Publication number: 20140208797
    Abstract: A gas processing facility for the liquefaction of a natural gas feed stream is provided. The facility comprises a gas separation unit having at least one fractionation vessel. The gas separation unit employs adsorbent beds for adsorptive kinetic separation. The adsorbent beds release a methane-rich gas feed stream. The facility also includes a high-pressure expander cycle refrigeration system. The refrigeration system compresses the methane-rich gas feed stream to a pressure greater than about 1,000 psia. The refrigeration system also chills the methane-rich gas feed stream in one or more coolers, and then expands the chilled gas feed stream to form a liquefied product stream. Processes for liquefying a natural gas feed stream using AKS and a high-pressure expander cycle refrigeration system are also provided herein. Such processes allow for the formation of LNG using a facility having less weight than conventional facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce T. Kelley, Harry W. Deckman, Moses K. Minta
  • Patent number: 8783061
    Abstract: A natural gas liquefaction train includes a nitrogen cooling loop. A controller is provided for controlling one or more controlled variables by adjusting one or more manipulated variables. The one or more manipulated variables may include a nitrogen flow associated with the nitrogen cooling loop in the natural gas liquefaction train. The controller could adjust the nitrogen flow by adjusting operation of a compressor associated with the nitrogen cooling loop. The one or more controlled variables may include a rundown temperature of liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop and/or a calorific or heating value of the liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop. A second controller could control other aspects of the natural gas liquefaction train, such as by controlling a mass flow rate of a feed gas in the natural gas liquefaction train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Coward
  • Publication number: 20140187837
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing gas phase and a C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase. The H2, (C1-C11) hydrocarbon-containing gas phase is partially condensed and separated to form a H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream and a C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream. The C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase, the C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream, and at least a portion of the H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream are introduced to a re-contacting recovery zone for forming a H2-rich stream, a C3/C4 hydrocarbon-rich LPG stream, and a C5+ hydrocarbon-rich reformate stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Laxmikant Bharuka, Sudipta Ghosh, Ashutosh Sharma, Kenneth David Peters
  • Publication number: 20140157823
    Abstract: This disclosure teaches systems and methods for distributed production of liquefied natural gas by utilizing refrigeration to reach the condensation of natural gas, removing of compression heat loads, sensible heat loads, and latent heat at ambient temperatures utilizes the Stirling cycle, both refrigeration and thermal heating processes, for enabling cryogenic refrigeration and the portable production of LNG. Generally, the natural gas may be supplied from existing or nearby pipelines and the LNG production system itself may be powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. The refrigeration machine/LNG production system may be installed at, within or nearby to existing or new construction gas stations for refueling of all classes of motorized vehicles. Additional embodiments include the refrigeration machine installed into standard over-seas containers for LNG import or export, as well as any other portable platform for distributed LNG production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: CARLOS RUBIO
  • Publication number: 20140157824
    Abstract: An improved refrigeration cycle is provided. The cycle provides for improved thermal performance by incorporating a refrigerant makeup tank that introduces liquid refrigerant with expanded refrigerant upstream of the heat exchanger, thereby providing a savings in either electricity costs or refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Michael A. TURNEY, Alain BRIGLIA
  • Publication number: 20140150491
    Abstract: Methods and systems for liquefying natural gas using environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerants are provided. Methods of liquefaction include cooling a fluid in an LNG facility via indirect heat exchange with an environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerant selected from the group consisting of: a fluorinated olefin, xenon, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul DAVIES, James Lee HARRIS, JR., Emery Jay THOMAS, Gregg SAPP
  • Patent number: 8727736
    Abstract: Systems and methods of driving a compressor are provided. The compressor can be driven by multiple electric motors, which can be controlled by an adjustable speed drive (ASD) to increase efficiency. A torque controller may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Shawn Michael Walth
  • Publication number: 20140130541
    Abstract: A process for recovery of natural gas liquids is disclosed, the process including: fractionating a gas stream comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane, and a heavy fraction comprising propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons; separating the light fraction into at least two fractions including a nitrogen-enriched fraction and a nitrogen-depleted fraction in a first separator; separating the nitrogen-depleted fraction into a propane-enriched fraction and a propane-depleted fraction in a second separator; feeding at least a portion of the propane-enriched fraction to the fractionating as a reflux; recycling at least a portion of the propane-depleted fraction to the first separator. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-enriched fraction may be separated in a nitrogen removal unit to produce a nitrogen-depleted natural gas stream and a nitrogen-enriched natural gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Malsam
  • Publication number: 20140123699
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cooling, preferably liquefying a boil off gas (BOG) stream from a liquefied cargo in a floating transportation vessel, said liquefied cargo having a boiling point of greater than ?110° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock Integrated Technology
    Inventor: Alan Roderick Duckett
  • Publication number: 20140116084
    Abstract: A method for liquefying a natural gas primarily including methane, preferably at least 85% of methane, the other components essentially including nitrogen and C2-C4 alkanes, in which the natural gas to be liquefied is liquefied by circulating at a pressure P0 no lower than the atmospheric pressure (Patm), P0 preferably being higher than the atmospheric pressure, in at least one cryogenic heat-exchanger (EC1, EC2, EC3) by a counter-current closed-circuit circulation in indirect contact with at least one stream of coolant gas remaining in the compressed gaseous state at a pressure P1 that is entering the cryogenic heat-exchanger at a temperature T3? that is lower than T3, T3 being the liquefaction temperature of the liquefied natural gas at the pressure P0 at the output of said cryogenic exchanger, characterised in that the coolant gas includes a mixture of nitrogen and at least one other component selected from among neon and hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Bonnissel, Bertrand Du Parc, Eric Zielinski
  • Patent number: 8707730
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream comprising at least about 70 molar percent ethane, conditioning the ethane-rich stream to a temperature such that the ethane-rich stream has a vapor pressure similar to the vapor pressure of conventional liquefied natural gas (LNG), and transporting the conditioned ethane-rich stream. Included is a plurality of processing equipment configured to implement a process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream, adjusting a temperature, a pressure, or both of the ethane-rich stream such that the ethane-rich stream has a temperature from about ?160° F. to about 0° F. and a pressure from about 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) to about 100 psia, and removing substantially all of any vapor fraction from the ethane-rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alkane, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 8683824
    Abstract: A cryogenic turbine expander system which consists essentially of a cryogenic liquid pressure vessel, and the vessel further accommodating a turbine expander, an internal bypass configuration, which are operable in parallel, a three-way valve to direct incoming high pressure liquefied gas flow to the turbine expander, or the internal bypass configuration, which further consists a Joule-Thomson valve, when the turbine expander is not operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara International Corporation
    Inventor: Joel V. Madison
  • Patent number: 8683823
    Abstract: A system for offshore liquefaction of natural gas and transport of produced liquefied natural gas using a moored floating production storage and offloading vessel, fluidly connected with a flexible conduit to a moored floating disconnectable turret which can be connected and reconnected to a floating liquefaction vessel with onboard liquefaction unit powered by a dual fuel diesel electric main power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: FLNG, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Magee Shivers, III, Richard Paul Michel, Marcus LaRoy Morris, Ned Phillip Baudat, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Publication number: 20140083132
    Abstract: A process comprising: cooling natural gas with a heat exchanger and a first expander. The heat exchanger cools the feed natural gas to temperature higher than the outlet temperature of the expander, reheating the expander outlet stream in a first cold passage of the heat exchanger to slightly below the temperature of the feed natural gas to the heat exchanger, passing the cold outlet stream from the heat exchanger into a second expander wherein it is partly liquefied, separating the outlet stream of second expander into liquid and vapour fractions, collecting the liquid fraction for use as LNG product, reheating the vapour fraction in a second cold side passage of the heat exchanger to substantially the same temperature as the temperature of the feed natural gas to the heat exchanger, recycling the reheated vapour fraction partly as feed to the first expander and partly as feed to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: GASCONSULT LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Dwight Maunder, Geoffrey Frederick Skinner
  • Publication number: 20140060110
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel supply system for a marine structure. The fuel supply system includes a BOG compression unit configured to receive and compress BOG generated in a storage tank, a reliquefaction apparatus configured to receive and liquefy the BOG compressed by the BOG compression unit, a high-pressure pump configured to compress the liquefied BOG generated by the reliquefaction apparatus, and a high-pressure gasifier configured to gasify the liquefied BOG compressed by the high-pressure pump. The fuel supply system includes a recondenser installed at an upstream side of the high-pressure pump and configured to recondense a portion or all of the generated BOG by using liquefied gas received from the storage tank. The BOG compression unit compresses BOG to a pressure of about 12 to 45 bara such that the BOG is liquefied under the compression pressure of the BOG compression unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Kyo Jung, Je Heon Jung, Jung Han Lee, Sung Jun Lee, Hyun Jun Shin, Dong Kyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20140060111
    Abstract: Described herein is a process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, is described, in which the hydrocarbon-rich fraction that is to be liquefied is cooled in indirect heat exchange against a multistage precooling circuit, the refrigerant of the precooling circuit is at least 95% by volume carbon dioxide, the cooled hydrocarbon-rich fraction is liquefied and subcooled in indirect heat exchange against a mixed cycle, and the mixed refrigerant of the mixed cycle comprises exclusively the component(s) nitrogen, methane and/or ethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Martin Gwinner, Ana-Maria Lamuela Calvo, Claudia Gollwitzer
  • Publication number: 20140053600
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel supply system for a high-pressure natural gas injection engine. The fuel supply system includes: a BOG compression unit configured to receive BOG, which is generated in a storage tank, from the storage tank and compress the received BOG to a pressure of 12 to 45 bara; a reliquefaction apparatus configured to receive and liquefy the BOG compressed by the BOG compression unit; a high-pressure pump configured to compress the BOG liquefied by the reliquefaction apparatus; a high-pressure gasifier configured to gasify the BOG compressed by the high-pressure pump and supply the gasified BOG to the high-pressure natural gas injection engine; and an excess BOG consumption unit configured to consume excess BOG corresponding to a difference between an amount of BOG generated in the storage tank and an amount of BOG required as fuel for the high-pressure natural gas injection engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Kyo Jung, Je Heon Jung, Jung Han Lee, Sung Jun Lee, Hyun Jun Shin, Dong Kyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20140053599
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas production facility and a method of designing and constructing a liquefied natural gas production facility are described. The facility includes space-apart modules for installation at a production location to form a production train including a major axis and a minor axis, each module including a module base for mounting a plurality of plant equipment associated with a selected function assigned to the module, the module base including a major axis and a minor axis. Heat exchangers are arranged to run parallel to the major axis of the production train to form a heat exchanger bank including a major axis and a minor axis, where the major axis of the bank is parallel to the major axis of the train. A subset of the plurality of heat exchangers is arranged on a first level vertically offset from the base of at least one module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: WOODSIDE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8656733
    Abstract: Liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, including compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling at least a portion of the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; expanding a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling and substantially liquefying a feed gas stream to form a substantially liquefied feed gas stream in a second heat exchanger through indirect heat exchange against the first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and further cooling a second portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a third heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Adam Adrian Brostow
  • Patent number: 8656726
    Abstract: A primary stream of boiled-off natural gas taken from the ullage space of a liquefied natural gas storage vessel is compressed by a compressor. A flow of liquefied natural gas taken from the storage vessel is partially and forcedly vaporised in a vaporiser 36 so as to form a secondary stream of natural gas containing unvaporised liquefied natural gas. Unvaporised liquefied natural gas is disengaged from the secondary stream in a phase separator. The secondary stream is mixed with the compressed primary stream to form a supply of natural gas fuel. The fuel supply may be formed and used on board an ocean-going LNG tanker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cryostar SAS
    Inventor: Josef Pozivil
  • Patent number: 8650906
    Abstract: A system and process to re-liquefy boil-off liquid natural gas in varied amounts by a process using a screw compressor having an effective compression range from about 10 to about 100 percent of its rated capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Price, Randal J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 8646289
    Abstract: A method for offshore liquefaction of natural gas and transport of produced liquefied natural gas using a floating production storage and offloading vessel, fluidly connected with a flexible conduit to a moored floating disconnectable turret which can be connected and reconnected to a liquefaction vessel with onboard liquefaction unit powered by a dual fuel diesel electric main power plant of the liquefied natural gas transport vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: FLNG, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Magee Shivers, III, Richard Paul Michel, Marcus LaRoy Morris, Ned Phillip Baudat, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Patent number: 8640494
    Abstract: A method to recover NGL's at gas Pressure Reducing Stations. A first step involve providing at least one heat exchanger having a flow path for passage of high pressure natural gas with a counter current depressurized lean cold gas. A second step involves passing the high pressure natural gas stream in a counter current flow with the lean cold gas and cooling it before de-pressurization. A third step involves the expansion of the high pressure cooled gas in a gas expander. The expansion of the gas generates shaft work which is converted into electrical power by the power generator and the expanded low pressure and cold gas enters a separator where NGL's are recovered. This process results in the recovery NGL's, electricity and the displacement of a slipstream of natural that is presently used to pre-heat gas at Pressure Reduction Stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Patent number: 8640493
    Abstract: Method for processing, treatment and liquefaction of natural gas proximate offshore gas fields with a gas floating production storage and offloading vessel with a primary processing unit, a gas treating unit, and a natural gas compressor. The liquefaction is split between a liquefied natural gas transport vessel moored on a disconnectable turret and the floating production storage and offloading vessel. High pressure liquefied natural gas inlet quality gas from the vessel is sent through conduits to the liquefied natural gas transport vessel(s) then back through the disconnectable turrets to the vessel. A separate nitrogen refrigerant on the transport vessel provides final stage liquefaction while being powered by the transport vessel's propulsion plant. When the transport vessel is full, the transport vessel disconnects from the disconnectable turret, and motors to a transfer terminal located in sheltered water for transfer of liquefied natural gas cargo to a standard trading tanker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: FLNG, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Magee Shivers, III, Richard Paul Michel, Marcus LaRoy Morris, Ned Phillip Baudat, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Patent number: 8627681
    Abstract: A process for recovery of natural gas liquids is disclosed, the process including: fractionating a gas stream comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane, and a heavy fraction comprising propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons; separating the light fraction into at least two fractions including a nitrogen-enriched fraction and a nitrogen-depleted fraction in a first separator; separating the nitrogen-depleted fraction into a propane-enriched fraction and a propane-depleted fraction in a second separator; feeding at least a portion of the propane-enriched fraction to the fractionating as a reflux; recycling at least a portion of the propane-depleted fraction to the first separator. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-enriched fraction may be separated in a nitrogen removal unit to produce a nitrogen-depleted natural gas stream and a nitrogen-enriched natural gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Malsam
  • Patent number: 8616021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for liquefying a gas stream rich in methane, said process comprising: (a) providing said gas stream; (b) withdrawing a portion of said gas stream for use as a refrigerant; (c) compressing said refrigerant; (d) cooling said compressed refrigerant with an ambient temperature cooling fluid; (e) subjecting the cooled, compressed refrigerant to supplemental cooling; (f) expanding the refrigerant of (e) to further cool said refrigerant, thereby producing an expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant; (g) passing said expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant to a heat exchange area; and, (h) passing said gas stream of (a) through said heat exchange area to cool at least part of said gas stream by indirect heat exchange with said expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant, thereby forming a cooled gas stream. In further embodiments for improved efficiencies, additional supplemental cooling may be provided after one or more other compression steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Moses Minta
  • Publication number: 20130340474
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel supply method for a marine structure using a high-pressure natural gas injection engine. BOG stored in a stored in the storage tank is compressed to a pressure of 12 to 45 bara (absolute pressure) and then reliquefied. A reliquefaction apparatus includes a cold box configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and the BOG, a compression unit configured to compress the refrigerant heated by the cold box, an expansion unit configured to expand the compressed refrigerant to drop the temperature thereof, and a plurality of gas-liquid refrigerant separators configured to separate the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. A gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid refrigerant separator disposed at an upstream side are again mixed and supplied to the gas-liquid refrigerant separator disposed at the most downstream among the plurality of gas-liquid refrigerant separators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Kyo JUNG, Jung Han LEE, Je Heon JUNG, Sung Jun LEE, Hyun Jun SHIN, Dong Kyu CHOI
  • Publication number: 20130340475
    Abstract: A method of liquefying natural gas. The method comprises cooling a gaseous natural gas process stream with a refrigerant flowing in a path isolated from the natural gas process stream. The refrigerant may differ in composition from a composition of the natural gas process stream, and the refrigerant composition may be selected to enhance efficiency of the refrigerant path with regard to a specific composition of the natural gas process stream. The refrigeration path may be operated at pressures, temperatures and flow rates differing from those of the natural gas process stream. Other methods of liquefying natural gas are described. A natural gas liquefaction plant is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding, Michael G. McKellar, Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler
  • Publication number: 20130340473
    Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises the separation of a feed stream (16) into a first fraction (60) and a second fraction (62) and the injection of at least part of the second fraction (62) into a second dynamic expansion turbine (46) to form a second expanded fraction (80). It comprises the cooling of the second expanded fraction (80) through heat exchange with at least part of the first headstream (84) coming from a first column (28) and the formation of a second feed stream (82) of the first column (28) from the second cooled expanded fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Julie Gouriou, Vanessa Gahier, Sandra Thiebault, Loic Barthe
  • Publication number: 20130333416
    Abstract: A method to recover natural gas liquids from natural gas streams at NGL recovery plants. The present invention relates to methods using liquid natural gas (LNG) as an external source of stored cold energy to reduce the energy and improve the operation of NGL distillation columns. More particularly, the present invention provides methods to efficiently and economically achieve higher recoveries of natural gas liquids at NGL recovery plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Publication number: 20130333415
    Abstract: A variable speed liquid LNG expander (X1) and a variable speed two-phase LNG expander (X2) in line, downstream from X1. The rotational speed of both expanders can be controlled and changed independent from each other. The speed of expander X1 and expander X2 is determined in such way that the amount of liquid LNG downstream from the PHS compared to the feed gas supply is maximized and the amount of vapor and boil-off downstream of X2 is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ebara International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans E. Kimmel
  • Publication number: 20130327085
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Anthony P. EATON
  • Publication number: 20130310621
    Abstract: A method for reducing one or more additives in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) such as natural gas, comprising the steps of: (a) admixing an initial hydrocarbon feed stream (10) with one or more additives (20) to provide a multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) from a first location (A) to a second location (B2); (c) at the second location (B2), passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) through a separator (22) to provide one or more liquid streams (50) comprising the majority of the one or more additives, and a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) comprising the remainder of the one or more additives; and (d) washing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) in a decontamination unit (24) with a washing stream (60), wherein the washing stream (60) comprises distilled water, to provide an additive-enriched stream (70) and an additive-reduced hydrocarbon stream (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Shell Oil Company
  • Patent number: 8578734
    Abstract: A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) providing a feed stream (10); (b) dividing the feed stream (10) of step (a) to provide at least a first feed stream (20) comprising at least 90 mass % of the initial feed stream (10), and a second feed stream (30); (c) liquefying the first feed stream (20) of step (b) at a pressure between 20-100 bar to provide a first liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream (40); (d) cooling the second feed stream (30) of step (b) to provide a cooled feed stream (50); (e) combining the first LNG stream (40) of step (c) with the cooled feed stream (50) of step (d) to provide a combined LNG stream (60); (f) reducing the pressure of the combined LNG stream (60) of step (e); and (g) passing the combined LNG stream (60) of step (f) through a flash vessel (12) to provide a product LNG stream (70) and a gaseous stream (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Marco Dick Jager
  • Patent number: 8555671
    Abstract: A method of conditioning natural gas in preparation for storage, involves taking an existing stream of continuously flowing natural gas flowing through a gas line (12) on its way to end users and diverting a portion of the stream of continuously flowing natural gas to a storage facility through a storage diversion line (22). The pressure of the natural gas is lowered, as is the temperature by the Joule-Thompson effect. The natural gas is passed in a single pass through a series of heat exchangers (18, 28,30, 32) prior to resuming flow through the gas line (12) at the lowered pressure. The diverted natural gas is liquefied in preparation for storage by effecting a heat exchange with the natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Publication number: 20130263623
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a natural gas liquefaction process of pre-cooling natural gas using a closed loop pre-cooling cycle and liquefying the pre-cooled natural gas using a closed loop liquefying cycle, wherein the closed loop pre-cooling cycle includes first and second pre-cooling cycles in parallel for pre-cooling supplied natural gases together in the same first heat exchange region through the respective pure refrigerants, and the closed loop liquefying cycle includes at least one liquefying cycle for liquefying the pre-cooled natural gas through a mixed refrigerant, the first and second pre-cooling cycles being a closed circuit cooling cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA GAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Gyu Lee, Kun Hyung Choe, Kyu Sang Cha, Chang Won Park, Yeong Beom Lee, Yong Bum Cho, Chul Gu Lee, Ho-Myung Chang
  • Publication number: 20130263624
    Abstract: A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8549877
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a portable natural gas discharge system for discharging compressed natural gas into a receiving location. The system comprises a portable chassis for holding the natural gas discharge system and all subcomponents, an inlet port for receiving the natural gas at an inlet pressure higher than a pressure of the receiving location, an expansion valve for regulating pressure of the natural gas to a stable intermediate pressure, a heat exchanger for heating up the cooled natural gas stream as a result of cooling due to expansion, a regulator for regulating a flow of the heated natural gas stream through the heat exchanger and out of the portable natural gas discharge system, and a discharge port for discharging the heated natural gas stream into the receiving location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: OsComp Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro T Santos
  • Patent number: 8549876
    Abstract: Method of cooling a hydrocarbon stream (10) such as natural gas, the method at least comprising the steps of (a) heat exchanging the hydrocarbon stream (10) against a first refrigerant stream (20) to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream (30) and an at least partly evaporated refrigerant stream (40); (b) compressing the at least partly evaporated refrigerant stream (40) using one or more compressors (14, 16, 18) to provide a compressed refrigerant stream (50, 60, 70); (c) cooling the compressed refrigerant stream (50, 60, 70) after one or more of the compressors against ambient to provide a cooled compressed refrigerant stream (70a); (d) dynamically expanding the cooled compressed gaseous refrigerant stream (70a) to provide an expanded refrigerant stream (80); and (e) further cooling the expanded refrigerant stream (80) to provide an at least partially condensed refrigerant stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Sander Kaart, Mark Antonius Kevenaar
  • Patent number: 8544296
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a gas discharge system utilizing a temperature-actuated valve. The temperature-actuated valve uses a temperature-measuring device to sense the temperature of the natural gas after it pass through an expansion valve and after leaving a heat exchanger inside the discharge station. This temperature-measuring device sends a signal to a valve that is automatically actuated. If the temperature of the gas is too low, the valve is tightened, increasing the residence time in the heat exchanger and increasing the gas temperature. If the gas temperature is too high, the valve is opened, reducing the residence time in the heat exchanger, decreasing gas temperature. Using this temperature-actuated valve to control the temperature of a wet gas discharge station is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: OsComp Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro T Santos
  • Publication number: 20130239480
    Abstract: A water intake assembly (105) is suspendable from an off-shore structure (102) is proposed. It has a bundle (106) of at least a first tubular conduit (106A) and a second tubular conduit (106B) generally stretching side by side along a length direction. At least a part of the distal portion (109) of the first tubular conduit extends further in the length direction than the second tubular conduit when in fully suspended condition. Described used of such a water intake riser assembly include: a method of producing a liquefied hydrocarbon stream and a method of producing a vaporous hydrocarbon steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Michalakis Efthymious, Kuiper Guido Leon, Van Der Meyden Herman Theodoor
  • Publication number: 20130219955
    Abstract: A method for producing pressurized liquefied natural gas and a production system therefor are provided. The method for producing pressurized liquefied natural gas includes: performing a dehydration process to remove water from natural gas supplied from a natural gas field, without a process of removing acid gas from the natural gas; and performing a liquefaction process to produce pressurized liquefied natural gas by liquefying the natural gas, which has undergone the dehydration process, at a pressure of 13 to 25 bar and a temperature of ?120 to ?95° C., without a process of fractionating natural gas liquid (NGL). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce plant construction costs and maintenance expenses and reduce LNG production costs. In addition, it is possible to guarantee high economic profit and reduce payback period in small and medium-sized gas fields, from which economic feasibility could not be ensured by the use of a conventional method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Jin Yoo, Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Je Heon Jung, Jae Yeol Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Jin Yeol Yu
  • Publication number: 20130199238
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for liquefying natural gas. In another aspect, the invention concerns a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility employing an ethylene independent heavies recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Jon M. MOCK, Megan V. EVANS, Attilio J. PRADERIO
  • Patent number: 8499569
    Abstract: Marine LNG carrier and method of operating the marine LNG carrier. The LNG carrier carries LNG in at least one tank. Gas composed of evaporated LNG within the at least one tank is removed. The gas is fed to at least one gas consuming prime mover of the LNG carrier. Power is provided with the at least one gas consuming prime mover. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel