Method and apparatus for liquefying gases

Patent · Tue Oct 28 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:6185038

Maher, J B; Sudduth, J W

Chicago Bridge and Iron Co.'s simplified single closed-loop cycle, multicomponent refregeration system for liquefying natural gas requires less equipment and has lower capital costs than conventional processes. The refrigerant consists of a mixture of 30 to 60 (preferably 40 to 60) mole % methane, 30 to 60 (preferably 40 to 60) mole % propane, and 0 to 10 mole % of other gas components such as ethane, butane, and higher hydrocarbons and nitrogen; the sum of the mole percants of methane and propane must be at least 90 mole %. The refrigerant is compressed to a high pressure, cooled to ambient air or water temperature, and passed through a heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant substantially below ambient temperature. The refrigerant is then isenthalpically expanded through an expansion valve to produce a cold, low-pressure refrigerant and then passed back through the same heat exchanger. It next moves to the compressor to reduce the temperature of the high-pressure refrigerant passed through and give extra refrigeration for removing heat from a product such as natural gas.

• Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3914949
• OSTI ID: 6185038
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ALKANES
CLOSED-CYCLE COOLING SYSTEMS
COOLING SYSTEMS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
LIQUEFACTION
METHANE
NATURAL GAS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROPANE
REFRIGERATING MACHINERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WORKING FLUIDS