Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874621

Bingham, Dennis N ^[1]; Wilding, Bruce M ^[1]; McKellar, Michael G ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A process for the separation and liquefaction of component gasses from a pressurized mix gas stream is disclosed. The process involves cooling the pressurized mixed gas stream in a heat exchanger so as to condensing one or more of the gas components having the highest condensation point; separating the condensed components from the remaining mixed gas stream in a gas-liquid separator; cooling the separated condensed component stream by passing it through an expander; and passing the cooled component stream back through the heat exchanger such that the cooled component stream functions as the refrigerant for the heat exchanger. The cycle is then repeated for the remaining mixed gas stream so as to draw off the next component gas and further cool the remaining mixed gas stream. The process continues until all of the component gases are separated from the desired gas stream. The final gas stream is then passed through a final heat exchanger and expander. The expander decreases the pressure on the gas stream, thereby cooling the stream and causing a portion of the gas stream to liquify within a tank. The portion of the gas which is hot liquefied is passed back through each of the heat exchanges where it functions as a refrigerant.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6425263
• OSTI ID: 874621
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
process
refrigeration
liquefaction
separation
gases
varying
levels
purity
component
gasses
pressurized
mix
gas
stream
disclosed
involves
cooling
mixed
heat
exchanger
condensing
components
condensation
separating
condensed
remaining
gas-liquid
separator
separated
passing
expander
cooled
functions
refrigerant
cycle
repeated
draw
cool
continues
final
passed
decreases
pressure
causing
portion
liquify
tank
hot
liquefied
exchanges
heat exchanger
gas stream
varying levels
component gas
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