Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same

Patent · Tue Dec 29 04:00:00 EST 2009

OSTI ID:1013571

Turner, Terry D ^[1]; Wilding, Bruce M ^[1]; McKellar, Michael G ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

Apparatuses and methods are provided for producing liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas. In one embodiment, a liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may be sequentially pass through a compressor and an expander. The process stream may also pass through a compressor. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): 7,637,122
• Application Number: 11/536,477
• OSTI ID: 1013571
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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