DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Idaho Falls, ID
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1013571
Patent Number(s):
7637122
Application Number:
11/536,477
Assignee:
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F25 - REFRIGERATION OR COOLING F25J - LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS {OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS} MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT {OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-05ID14517
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Turner, Terry D, Wilding, Bruce M, and McKellar, Michael G. Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same. United States: N. p., 2009. Web.
Turner, Terry D, Wilding, Bruce M, & McKellar, Michael G. Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same. United States.
Turner, Terry D, Wilding, Bruce M, and McKellar, Michael G. Tue . "Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1013571.
@article{osti_1013571,
title = {Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same},
author = {Turner, Terry D and Wilding, Bruce M and McKellar, Michael G},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2009},
month = {12}
}