System and method for converting wellhead gas to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG)

Patent · Tue Jul 31 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6532184

May, R L; Sinclair, B W

A method of converting natural wellhead gas to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) may comprise the steps of: separating natural gas from petroleum fluids exiting a wellhead; compressing the natural gas; refrigerating the natural gas, liquefying at least a portion thereof; separating LPG from gas vapors of the refrigerated natural gas; storing the separated LPG in a storage tank with a vapor space therein; and recirculating a portion of the LPG vapors in the storage tank with the natural gas exiting the wellhead to enhance recovery of LPG. A system for performing the method may comprise: a two-stage gas compressor connected to the wellhead; a refrigeration unit downstream of the gas compressor for refrigerating the compressed gases therefrom; at least one product separator downstream of the refrigerator unit for receiving refrigerated and compressed gases discharged from the refrigerator unit and separating LPG therein from gases remaining in vapor form; and a storage tank for receiving and storing the separated LPG therein, the storage tank having a vapor space therein connected upstream of the gas compressor through a pressure regulator allowing recirculation of some LPG vapors with the natural gases through said system.

• Assignee: Sappsuker Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4462813
• OSTI ID: 6532184
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030400* -- Natural Gas-- Products & By-Products
COMPRESSED GASES
COMPRESSION
COMPRESSORS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLING
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS COMPRESSORS
GAS FUELS
GASES
LIQUEFIED GASES
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
LIQUIDS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PRESSURE REGULATORS
PRODUCTION
REFRIGERATION
REFRIGERATORS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STORAGE
WELLHEADS
WELLS