Heat Exchange With Liquid Cryogen Patents (Class 62/614)
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Patent number: 11913715Abstract: The installation (10) comprises: —at least one air-cooled heat exchanger (22), the air-cooled heat exchanger (22) comprising a tube bundle capable of accepting a flow (24) that is to be cooled, and a fan capable of causing a flow of air to circulate across the bundle of tubes; —a water spraying assembly (26). The desalination assembly (20) comprises a salt water pickup (100) in the expanse of water (12), the desalination assembly (20) being coupled downstream to the water-spraying assembly (26). The water spraying assembly (26) comprises at least one spray nozzle opening into the bundle of tubes, the or each spray nozzle being directed towards the tubes of the tube bundle so as to spray liquid demineralised water coming from the desalination assembly (20) into contact with the tubes of the tube bundle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCEInventors: Pierre Berthelot, Philip Hagyard
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Patent number: 11747081Abstract: A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) refrigeration compressors in a LNG liquefaction plant. Each of three refrigeration compression strings include refrigeration compressors and a multi-shaft gas turbine capable of non-synchronous operation. The multi-shaft gas turbine is operationally connected to the refrigeration compressors and is configured to drive the one or more refrigeration compressors. The multi-shaft gas turbine uses its inherent speed turndown range to start the one or more refrigeration compressors from rest, bring the one or more refrigeration compressors up to an operating rotational speed, and adjust compressor operating points to maximize efficiency of the one or more refrigeration compressors, without assistance from electrical motors with drive-through capability and variable frequency drives.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: Ashley R. Guy, Sorin T. Lupascu, Donna J. Parker, Yow Yeen Lee
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Patent number: 11624555Abstract: A system and method for increasing the efficiency of natural gas liquefaction processes by using a hybrid cooling system and method. More specifically, a system and method for converting a transcritical precooling refrigeration process to a subcritical process. In one embodiment, the refrigerant is cooled to sub-critical temperature using an economizer. In another embodiment, the refrigerant is cooled to a sub-critical temperature using an auxiliary heat exchanger. Optionally, the economizer or auxiliary heat exchanger can be bypassed when ambient temperatures are sufficiently low to cool the refrigerant to a sub-critical temperature. In another embodiment, the refrigerant is isentropically expanded.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Gowri Krishnamurthy, Mark Julian Roberts
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Patent number: 11499776Abstract: Provided is a method of constructing a natural gas liquefaction plant, which can shorten a construction time period by minimizing effect of a lead time for the refrigerant compressor thereon, the method including: transporting a refrigerant compression module body 175 to an installation area 85, wherein the refrigerant compression module body is provided with a frame 120 configured to allow refrigerant compressor 150 for compressing a refrigerant for cooling natural gas to be mounted therein; installing the refrigerant compression module body 175 to the installation area 85; and mounting the refrigerant compressor 150 into a mounting space 130 predefined in the frame 120 of the installed refrigerant compression module body.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Chiyoda CorporationInventors: Kenichi Kobayashi, Takeshi Kaji, Makoto Yamagata
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Patent number: 11441840Abstract: Plant for the production of argon by cryogenic distillation, comprising an argon separation column, means for sending a gas containing argon and oxygen to the argon separation column, means for extracting a fluid enriched in argon at the top of the argon separation column, means for extracting a liquid enriched in oxygen at the bottom of the argon separation column and at least two storage tanks, positioned one above the other, each storage tank being connected to two different intermediate levels of the argon separation column by two pipes, the two storage tanks being contiguous.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Alain Briglia, Frederic Staine, Mathieu Leaute, Ingrid Berthaume, Benedicte Dos Santos
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Patent number: 11313618Abstract: An expander and motor-compressor unit is disclosed. The unit includes a casing and an electric motor arranged in the casing. A compressor is arranged in the casing and drivingly coupled to the electric motor through a central shaft. Furthermore, a turbo-expander is arranged for rotation in the casing and is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and to the compressor through the central shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE TECNOLOGIE SRLInventors: Matteo Berti, Giuseppe Sassanelli, Giuseppe Iurisci, Thomas Alban
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Patent number: 10914516Abstract: The system for treating a gas deriving from the evaporation of a cryogenic liquid and supplying pressurized gas to a gas engine according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, from upstream to downstream, a reliquefaction unit (10) with compression means (11, 12, 13), a first heat exchanger (17) and expansion means (30), and, on the other hand, a pressurized gas supply line comprising, from upstream to downstream, a pump (48) for pressurizing the liquid and high-pressure vaporization means (61). The pressurized gas supply line has, upstream of the vaporization means (61), a bypass (57) for supplying a second heat exchanger (60) between, on the one hand, pressurized liquid of the supply line (56) and, on the other hand, a line (22) of the reliquefaction unit (10) downstream of the first exchanger and upstream of the expansion means (30).Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: CRYOSTAR SASInventor: Mathias Ragot
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Patent number: 10866022Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for the liquefaction of a natural gas stream using a refrigerant comprising methane or a mixture of methane and nitrogen. The methods and systems use a refrigeration circuit and cycle that employs one or more turbo-expanders to expand one or more streams of gaseous refrigerant to provide one or more streams of at least predominantly gaseous refrigerant that are used to provide refrigeration for liquefying and/or precooling the natural gas, and a J-T valve to expand down to a lower pressure a stream of liquid or two-phase refrigerant to provide a vaporizing stream of refrigerant that provides refrigeration for sub-cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Gowri Krishnamurthy, Mark Julian Roberts
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Patent number: 10677523Abstract: A method of cooling a process stream with an auxiliary stream is described, wherein the exchange of heat between the process stream and the auxiliary stream is effected in a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected downstream thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Lutz Decker, Andres Kündig
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Patent number: 10240824Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Leendert Johannes Arie Zoetemeijer, Paul Kinghorn, Paul Blackhurst, Willem Boevee
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Patent number: 10126049Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing benzene from a lean natural gas feed is provided. The method and apparatus are capable of removing benzene from lean natural gas that is predominantly composed of methane and contains very little heavier hydrocarbon components.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: IHI E&C International CorporationInventor: Kamal Shah
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Patent number: 10030908Abstract: Disclosed herein is a natural gas liquefaction process using a single refrigeration cycle adopting a mixed refrigerant, and therefore having a simple structure and thus a compact system which is easy to operate, and further, after the mixed refrigerant is separated into two refrigerant parts, the two refrigerant parts are not mixed with each other but go through condensing (cooling), expanding, heat-exchanging, and compressing stages individually, and thus, optimal temperature and pressure conditions are applied to each of the separated refrigerant parts to increase efficiency of the liquefaction process.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: KOREA GAS CORPORATIONInventors: Sang Gyu Lee, Kun Hyung Choe, Young Myung Yang, Chul Gu Lee, Kyu Sang Cha, Chang Won Park, Sung Hee Choi, Yeong Beom Lee
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Patent number: 9625208Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquefying a gaseous hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas. The method comprises at least the steps of providing a feed stream (10) and dividing the feed stream (10) to provide at least a first stream (20) and a second stream (30). The first stream (20) is liquefied using heat exchange against a liquid nitrogen stream (40) to provide a first liquefied hydrocarbon stream (60) and an at least partly evaporated nitrogen stream (70). The second stream (20) is cooled and liquefied by heat exchanging against the at least partly evaporated nitrogen stream (70) to provide a second cooled hydrocarbon stream (80).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventor: Francois Chantant
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Patent number: 9441877Abstract: A system and method for cooling and liquefying a gas in a heat exchanger that includes compressing and cooling a mixed refrigerant using first and last compression and cooling cycles so that high pressure liquid and vapor streams are formed. The high pressure liquid and vapor streams are cooled in the heat exchanger and then expanded so that a primary refrigeration stream is provided in the heat exchanger. The mixed refrigerant is cooled and equilibrated between the first and last compression and cooling cycles so that a pre-cool liquid stream is formed and subcooled in the heat exchanger. The stream is then expanded and passed through the heat exchanger as a pre-cool refrigeration stream. A stream of gas is passed through the heat exchanger in countercurrent heat exchange with the primary refrigeration stream and the pre-cool refrigeration stream so that the gas is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Tim Gushanas, Doug Douglas Ducote, Jr., James Podolski
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Patent number: 9273899Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream (30), such as natural gas, is commonly cooled together with a first refrigerant stream (140), against an evaporating refrigerant (24) in a series of one or more consecutively arranged common heat exchangers (2), which comprises a first common heat exchanger, upstream of which first common heat exchanger the hydrocarbon stream (10) and the first refrigerant stream (130) are not commonly cooled (4, 3). The hydrocarbon stream to be cooled is fed into the first common heat exchanger at a hydrocarbon feeding temperature, while the first refrigerant stream is fed into the first common heat exchanger at a refrigerant feeding temperature. The temperature difference between the hydrocarbon feeding temperature and the refrigerant feeding temperature is lower than 60 C.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Mark Antonius Kevenaar, Johan Jan Barend Pek, Chun Kit Poh
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Publication number: 20150013379Abstract: Systems and a method for the formation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) are disclosed herein. The system includes a refrigeration system configured to chill a natural gas using a refrigerant mixture including a noble gas. The system also includes an autorefrigeration system configured to use the natural g self-refrigerant to form the LNG from the natural gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventor: Russell H. Oelfke
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Patent number: 8899074Abstract: A method of natural gas liquefaction may include cooling a gaseous NG process stream to form a liquid NG process stream. The method may further include directing the first tail gas stream out of a plant at a first pressure and directing a second tail gas stream out of the plant at a second pressure. An additional method of natural gas liquefaction may include separating CO2 from a liquid NG process stream and processing the CO2 to provide a CO2 product stream. Another method of natural gas liquefaction may include combining a marginal gaseous NG process stream with a secondary substantially pure NG stream to provide an improved gaseous NG process stream. Additionally, a NG liquefaction plant may include a first tail gas outlet, and at least a second tail gas outlet, the at least a second tail gas outlet separate from the first tail gas outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Bruce M. Wilding, Terry D. Turner
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Patent number: 8783061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Brian A. Coward
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Publication number: 20140190205Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas by; a) causing it to flow through three series connected heat exchangers, where gas is cooled to T3; T3 is less/equal to the liquefaction temperature of natural gas at atmospheric pressure; and b) causing the closed circuit circulation of a first stream of refrigerant gas at a pressure P1 lower than P3 entering the third exchanger and leaving the first exchanger, the first stream obtained using a first expander to expand a first portion of a second stream at P3 higher than P2, the second stream flowing relative to the natural gas stream entering the first exchanger and leaving the second exchanger; and a third stream at a pressure P2 higher than P1 and lower than P3 flowing relative to the first stream, entering the second exchanger and leaving the first exchanger; c) the second stream at the pressure P3 obtained by compression.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventors: Marc Bonnissel, Bertrand Du Parc, Eric Zielinski
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Patent number: 8739569Abstract: A liquefied gas reliquefier reliquefies boil-off gas resulting from evaporation of liquefied gas in a liquefied-gas storage tank to prevent a rise in the internal pressure of the liquefied-gas storage tank. The liquefied gas reliquefier includes a cooling unit for liquefying a secondary refrigerant, a liquefied-secondary-refrigerant feeding unit for feeding the liquefied secondary refrigerant, and a heat exchange unit disposed in the secondary-refrigerant circulating channel to condense the BOG by heat exchange between the BOG and the liquefied secondary refrigerant. The heat exchange unit is disposed near the liquefied-gas storage tank. The cooling unit includes a plurality of pulse-tube refrigerators. The number of pulse-tube refrigerators in operation and/or the cooling capacities of the individual pulse-tube refrigerators are controlled based on a measurement result from at least one of a thermometer, a pressure gauge, and a pump discharge flow meter installed in the liquefied-gas storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Oka, Sai Hiramatsu, Hitoshi Kondo, Yoshimasa Ohashi, Shigeo Nagaya, Tsutomu Tamada
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Publication number: 20140069117Abstract: Provided is a nonflammable mixed refrigerant for use in a reliquefaction apparatus of a fuel supply system that compresses BOG generated in an LNG storage tank to a medium pressure, reliquefies the compressed BOG, compresses the reliquefied BOG to a high pressure, gasifies the compressed requefied BOG, and supplies the gasified BOG to a high-pressure natural gas injection engine. A nonflammable mixed refrigerant for use in a fuel supply system for a high-pressure natural gas injection engine is provided. The nonflammable mixed refrigerant cools the BOG by heat exchange with the BOG in the reliquefaction apparatus. The nonflammable mixed refrigerant comprises a mixture of nonflammable refrigerants with different boiling points, and the boiling point of each of the nonflammable refrigerant ranges between a room temperature and a liquefaction temperature of natural gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Seung Kyo Jung, Je Heon Jung, Dong Kyu Choi, Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Jin Yeol Yu
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Patent number: 8544295Abstract: A heat exchanger and associated methods for sublimating solid particles therein, for conveying fluids therethrough, or both. The heat exchanger includes a chamber and a porous member having a porous wall having pores in communication with the chamber and with an interior of the porous member. A first fluid is conveyed into the porous member while a second fluid is conveyed into the porous member through the porous wall. The second fluid may form a positive flow boundary layer along the porous wall to reduce or eliminate substantial contact between the first fluid and the interior of the porous wall. The combined first and second fluids are conveyed out of the porous member. Additionally, the first fluid and the second fluid may each be conveyed into the porous member at different temperatures and may exit the porous member at substantially the same temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding
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Publication number: 20130219955Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 8464551Abstract: A method for liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, the method comprising the steps of (a) compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream in at least one compressor; (b) cooling the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; (c) expanding at least a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a first expander to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and (d) 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 at least a first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream from the first expander, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Adam Adrian Brostow
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Publication number: 20130111947Abstract: A process for liquefying a tube side stream in a main heat exchanger is described. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing a first mass flow to the warm end of a first subset of individual tubes, b) providing a second mass flow to the warm end of a second subset of individual tubes, c) evaporating a refrigerant stream on the shell side; d) measuring an exit temperature of the first mass flow; e) measuring an exit temperature of the second mass flow; and, f) comparing the exit temperature of the first mass flow measured in step d) to the exit temperature of the second mass flow measured in step e), the process characterized in that at least one of the first and second mass flows is adjusted to equalise the exit temperature of the first mass flow with the exit temperature of the second mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Derek William Hodges, Christiane Kerber, Manfred Steinbauer, Markus Hammerdinger
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Patent number: 8297074Abstract: A coiled heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes which are wound around a core tube is disclosed. The coiled heat exchanger having a casing which delimits an outer space around the tubes, and wherein a first and a second component of the coiled heat exchanger are composed of different materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Juergen Spreemann, Manfred Schoenberger, Christoph Seeholzer, Eberhard Kaupp, Stefan Bauer
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Publication number: 20120060553Abstract: The invention relates to a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction, preferably natural gas, against a nitrogen refrigeration cycle. A feed fraction is cooled against gaseous nitrogen that is to be warmed, and liquefied against liquid nitrogen that is to be vaporized. The feed fraction is cooled and liquefied in an at least three-stage heat-exchange process. In the first section of the heat-exchange process, the feed fraction is cooled against superheated gaseous nitrogen to the extent that an essentially complete separation of the relatively heavy components is achievable. In the second section, the feed fraction freed from relatively heavy components is partially liquefied against gaseous nitrogen that is to be superheated. In the third section, the feed fraction is liquefied against nitrogen that is to be partially vaporized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Heinz BAUER
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Publication number: 20120000242Abstract: Systems and methods for storing liquid natural gas is provided. In one embodiment, the natural gas vapor in the storage tank containing the liquefied natural gas may be directed a heat exchange unit attached to the storage tank, cooled by a refrigerant in the heat exchange unit, and then returned to the storage tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventor: Ned P. Baudat
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Patent number: 8065890Abstract: An LNG plant is configured to receive rich LNG and to produce LPG, lean LNG, and power using at least one fractionation column, wherein the fractionation portion of the plant can be optionally thermally coupled to a power cycle utilizing residual refrigeration from the processed lean LNG. Most preferably, a liquid portion of the rich LNG is pumped to pressure and heated, and the pressurized and superheated portion is expanded to produce electric energy before being fed into the column. The column overhead vapor is partially condensed, providing column reflux for high NGL recoveries, and the residual vapor is further condensed using refrigeration content of the rich LNG forming the lean LNG product, that is further pumped to pipeline pressure and subsequently vaporized using heated working fluid of the power cycle.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventor: John Mak
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Patent number: 8051901Abstract: The invention relates to a mass transfer or heat-exchange column, a tube bundle heat exchanger, with a first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, a first tube bundle (2), and a second mass transfer or heat-exchange area, in particular a second tube bundle (8), that is arranged spatially above the first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, which are surrounded by a cover (10?). In a tube bundle heat exchanger according to the invention, a lower end section (40) of the second, smaller tube bundle (8) projects into a cover part (13?) of the first, larger tube bundle (2), by which an intermediate space (41) is formed between the lower section (40) of the second tube bundle (8) and the cover part (13?). In the area of this intermediate space (41), an inlet (26) for injecting a medium into the column and optionally a manhole (36) are arranged on the cover part (13?).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Manfred Schonberger, Sebastian Grill, Alfred J. Wagner, Markus Hammerdinger
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Publication number: 20110185767Abstract: Method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream. The method comprises at least the steps of: first cooling the feed stream (10) against a first cooling refrigerant being cycled in a first cooling refrigerant circuit (100), wherein the first cooling refrigerant comprises >90 mol % propane, second cooling the cooled gas stream (20) to obtain a liquefied stream (60) against a first mixed refrigerant being cycled in a first mixed refrigerant circuit (200), wherein said second cooling is in two or more heat exchangers (42, 44), at least two of which are operating at different pressures and sub-cooling the liquefied stream (60) against a second mixed refrigerant or against a nitrogen refrigerant being cycled in a sub-cooling refrigerant circuit (300), thereby obtaining a sub-cooled hydrocarbon stream (70).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Marco Dick Jager, Suyog Kalyanji Kotecha, Irina Tanaeva
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Publication number: 20110146341Abstract: A gas supply system for dual-fuel or gas engines is adapted for integration with a boil-off gas reliquefaction plant. The system includes a cryogenic heat exchanger, a boil-off gas compressor having a boil-off gas preheater, and a nitrogen loop with a compander. The gas is in the form of liquefied natural gas from cargo tanks or condensate from the reliquefaction plant. The gas supply system also includes an evaporator (optimizer) that extracts cold duty from the gas, and/or an evaporator that is arranged in a closed loop, which includes at least one pump and a heating source for an intermediate medium used to optimize extraction of the cold duty.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: HAMWORTHY GAS SYSTEMS ASInventor: Eirik Melaaen
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Publication number: 20110094262Abstract: A method and apparatus are described to provide complete gas utilization in the liquefaction operation from a source of gas without return of natural gas to the source thereof from the process and apparatus. The mass flow rate of gas input into the system and apparatus may be substantially equal to the mass flow rate of liquefied product output from the system, such as for storage or use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding
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Publication number: 20110067440Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and liquefying a hydrocarbon stream using a liquefaction process wherein a hydrocarbon stream is cooled and at least partially liquefied to obtain a liquefied hydrocarbon stream. In the method, one or more compressors are driven with one or more electric drivers, that are powered with one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators. These dual-fuel diesel-electric generations are operated by passing one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams to the one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators, wherein at least one of the one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams comprises a stream that is generated in the liquefaction process. The apparatus may be provided on a floating structure, a caisson, or off-shore platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventor: Michiel Gijsbert Van Aken
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Publication number: 20110056238Abstract: A LNG storage and regasification plant includes a reliquefaction unit in which boil-off vapors from the storage tanks are re liquefied and recycled back to the LNG storage tanks for tank pressure and Wobbe index control. Preferably, LNG cold is used for reliquefaction and operational flexibility is achieved by feeding a portion of the pressurized boil-off gas to a fuel gas header and/or to be recondensed by the sendout LNG.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: John Mak
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Publication number: 20100326133Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling down a cryogenic heat exchanger, employing a programmable controller that receives input signals representing sensor signals of one or more controlled variables in a selected process, and produces control signals to control one or more manipulated variables in the selected process. The programmable controller can execute a computer program that comprises a network of at least three modules. The modules in the network are interconnected such a trigger signal received by a second and a third module of the at least three modules corresponds to a communication signal that is generated when the first module of the at least three modules has reached a pre-determined target for that module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Clive Beeby, Maria Isabel Parra-Calvache
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Publication number: 20100319361Abstract: A first liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a first source and a second liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a second source. The second liquefied hydrocarbon stream has been liquefied by cooling solely against a first cooled nitrogen-based stream. The first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams are gasified to produce a gasified hydrocarbon stream, thereby cooling a gaseous nitrogen-based stream against the gasifying first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams to provide a second cooled nitrogen-based stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Francois Chantant, Wiveka Jacoba Elion, Casper Krijno Groothuis
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Publication number: 20100293997Abstract: A refrigerant stream is provided at a refrigerant pressure, and passed through at least three heat exchange steps operating at different pressures. A hydrocarbon stream is passed through at least two of these heat exchange steps to provide a cooled stream. A fraction of the refrigerant stream is expanded and evaporated at each heat exchange step to a different pressure, to provide a first evaporated refrigerant stream at a first evaporation pressure, and at least two other evaporated refrigerant streams at evaporation pressures lower than the first. The first evaporated refrigerant stream is compressed through a highest-pressure compressor to provide at least a fraction of the refrigerant stream at the refrigerant pressure, and the other evaporated refrigerant streams are compressed through at least two parallel lower pressure compressors to provide two or more part-compressed refrigerant streams, all of which part-compressed refrigerant streams are passed through the highest pressure compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Francois Chantant, Chun Kit Poh
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Publication number: 20100293996Abstract: A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream, such as natural gas, comprising at least the steps of : (a) partially liquefying a hydrocarbon feed stream (10) to provide a partially liquefied hydrocarbon stream (20); (b) passing the partially liquefied hydrocarbon stream (20) through a first gas/liquid separator (B) to provide a methane-enriched gaseous overhead stream (30a) and a mixed C2+ enriched liquid bottom stream (30b); (c) adding at least a part (30c) of the mixed C2+ enriched bottom stream (30b) to a mixed refrigerant circuit (4) to change the C2 component inventory of the mixed refrigerant (100) in the mixed refrigerant circuit (4); and (d) liquefying the methane-enriched gaseous overhead stream (30a, 30) against at least a fraction (110, 125, 135) of the mixed refrigerant (100) in the mixed refrigerant circuit (4) to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (50).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Michiel Gijsbert Van Aken, Jordan Adriaan Van Dam
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Publication number: 20100251763Abstract: In the transportation and processing of natural gas liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide is used in a heat exchanger process to liquefy natural gas supplied by a field site. The liquefied natural gas is transported to a regasification plant where cold energy in a part of the liquefied natural gas in an air separation device is used to produce liquid nitrogen and oxygen, natural gas. The oxygen is combusted in a power production plant, which captures the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion. This carbon dioxide is liquefied it using another part of the liquefied natural gas. The liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide is then transported to be used for further liquefaction of natural gas supplied by the field site.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: NTNU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ASInventor: Aspelund Audun
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Publication number: 20100170297Abstract: A liquefied gas reliquefier that can be configured compactly and that is easy to handle is provided. A liquefied gas reliquefier (1) reliquefies BOG resulting from evaporation of LNG in a cargo tank (3). The liquefied gas reliquefier (1) includes a refrigerator group (20) disposed in a secondary-refrigerant circulating channel (24) through which nitrogen, which has a lower condensation temperature than the BOG, circulates to liquefy the nitrogen; a feed pump (22) for feeding the liquid nitrogen cooled by the refrigerator group (20) through the secondary-refrigerant circulating channel (24); and a heat exchanger (12) disposed in the secondary-refrigerant circulating channel (24) to condense the BOG by heat exchange between the BOG and the liquid nitrogen fed by the feed pump (22). The heat exchanger (12) is disposed near the cargo tank (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Masaru Oka, Sai Hiramatsu, Hitoshi Kondo, Yoshimasa Ohashi, Shigeo Nagaya, Tsutomu Tamada
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Patent number: 7721557Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting propane vapors from a propane storage tank, and condensing the extracted vapors to form a useable liquid propane product.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Inventor: John Stearns
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Publication number: 20100122551Abstract: A method for liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, the method comprising the steps of (a) compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream in at least one compressor; (b) cooling the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; (c) expanding at least a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a first expander to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and (d) 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 at least a first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream from the first expander, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Adam Adrian Brostow
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Publication number: 20100115990Abstract: Disclosed is a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich stream, in particular a natural gas stream, by indirectly exchanging hear with the coolant mixture of a coolant mixture circuit. In said method, the coolant mixture is condensed in two or more stages, is divided into at least one lower-boiling and at least one higher-boiling coolant mixture fraction, and the coolant mixture fractions are evaporated at different temperature levels against the hydrocarbon-rich stream that is to be cooled and liquefied and are then combined before being condensed once again. The coolant mixture fractions are not entirely evaporated during normal operation and are preferably not superheated. Preferably, at least 1 to 10 percent by weight of the total amount of the coolant mixture are not evaporated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventor: Wolfgang Förg
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Publication number: 20100037654Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream (30), such as natural gas, is commonly cooled together with a first refrigerant stream (140), against an evaporating refrigerant (24) in a series of one or more consecutively arranged common heat exchangers (2), which comprises a first common heat exchanger, upstream of which first common heat exchanger the hydrocarbon stream (10) and the first refrigerant stream (130) are not commonly cooled (4, 3). The hydrocarbon stream to be cooled is fed into the first common heat exchanger at a hydrocarbon feeding temperature, while the first refrigerant stream is fed into the first common heat exchanger at a refrigerant feeding temperature. The temperature difference between the hydrocarbon feeding temperature and the refrigerant feeding temperature is lower than 60-C.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Mark Antonius Kevenaar, Johan Jan Barend Pek, Chun Kit Poh
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Publication number: 20100005833Abstract: A coiled heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes which are wound around a core tube is disclosed. The coiled heat exchanger having a casing which delimits an outer space around the tubes, and wherein a first and a second component of the coiled heat exchanger are composed of different materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2006Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Juergen Spreemann, Manfred Schoenberger, Christoph Seeholzer, Eberhard Kaupp, Stefan Bauer
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Publication number: 20100000234Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the vaporization of a liquid hydrocarbon stream (110) such as LNG, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a partly condensed hydrocarbon feed stream (10) to a first gas/liquid separator (2); (b) separating the hydrocarbon feed stream (10) in the first gas/liquid separator (2) into a gaseous stream (20) and a liquid stream (30); (c) expanding the liquid stream (30) and feeding it (40) into a second gas/liquid separator (3); (d) expanding the gaseous stream (20) and feeding it into the second gas/liquid separator (3); (e) removing from the second gas/liquid separator (3) a gaseous stream (60) and feeding it (70) into a third gas/liquid separator (4); (f) separating the stream (70) thereby obtaining a liquid stream (80) and a gaseous stream (90); (g) feeding the liquid stream (80) into the second gas/liquid separator (3); and (h) removing from the second gas/liquid separator (3) a liquid stream (100, 100a); wherein the gaseous stream (60) is partiType: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Eduard Coenraad Bras, Jill Hui Chiun Chieng, Akash Damodar Wani
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Publication number: 20090314030Abstract: Method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream (10), the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) passing the feed stream (10) through a first cooling stage (100a, 100b) having at least two heat exchangers (112) and against a first single component refrigerant in a first refrigerant circuit (110a, 110b), to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the cooled hydrocarbon stream (30) through a second cooling stage (200) against a second refrigerant in a second refrigerant circuit (210a, 210b), to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40); (c) passing the second refrigerant through one or more of the heat exchangers (112) of the first cooling stage (100a, 110b); wherein the heat exchangers of the first cooling stage (100a, 100b) are shell and tube heat exchangers (112) having two or more tube circuits, the feed stream (10) passing through the tube circuit in each shell and tube heat exchanger (112) and the second refrigerant passing through another tube circuiType: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.Inventor: Marco Dick Jager
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Publication number: 20090301130Abstract: The invention relates to a mass transfer or heat-exchange column, a tube bundle heat exchanger, with a first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, a first tube bundle (2), and a second mass transfer or heat-exchange area, in particular a second tube bundle (8), that is arranged spatially above the first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, which are surrounded by a cover (10?). In a tube bundle heat exchanger according to the invention, a lower end section (40) of the second, smaller tube bundle (8) projects into a cover part (13?) of the first, larger tube bundle (2), by which an intermediate space (41) is formed between the lower section (40) of the second tube bundle (8) and the cover part (13?). In the area of this intermediate space (41), an inlet (26) for injecting a medium into the column and optionally a manhole (36) are arranged on the cover part (13?).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Manfred Schonberger, Sebastian Grill, Alfred J. Wagner, Markus Hammerdinger
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Publication number: 20090282862Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling two or more liquefied hydrocarbon streams. First (30) and second (30a) liquefied hydrocarbon streams are provided and combined thereby providing a combined liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40). The combined liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40) is further cooled against a refrigerant thereby providing a further cooled liquefied hydrocarbon stream (50) such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Francois Chantant, Jolinde Machteld Van De Graaf, Marco Dick Jager, Sander Kaart, Robert Klein Nagelvoort