Control method for mixed refrigerant based natural gas liquefier
Abstract
In a natural gas liquefaction system having a refrigerant storage circuit, a refrigerant circulation circuit in fluid communication with the refrigerant storage circuit, and a natural gas liquefaction circuit in thermal communication with the refrigerant circulation circuit, a method for liquefaction of natural gas in which pressure in the refrigerant circulation circuit is adjusted to below about 175 psig by exchange of refrigerant with the refrigerant storage circuit. A variable speed motor is started whereby operation of a compressor is initiated. The compressor is operated at full discharge capacity. Operation of an expansion valve is initiated whereby suction pressure at the suction pressure port of the compressor is maintained below about 30 psig and discharge pressure at the discharge pressure port of the compressor is maintained below about 350 psig. Refrigerant vapor is introduced from the refrigerant holding tank into the refrigerant circulation circuit until the suction pressure is reduced to below about 15 psig, after which flow of the refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant holding tank is terminated. Natural gas is then introduced into a natural gas liquefier, resulting in liquefaction of the natural gas.
- Inventors:
-
- Palatine, IL
- Chicago, IL
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 875095
- Patent Number(s):
- 6530240
- Assignee:
- Gas Technology Institute (Des Plaines, IL)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F04 - POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS F04C - ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F25 - REFRIGERATION OR COOLING F25B - REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-99CH10978
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- control; method; mixed; refrigerant; based; natural; gas; liquefier; liquefaction; storage; circuit; circulation; fluid; communication; thermal; pressure; adjusted; below; 175; psig; exchange; variable; speed; motor; started; operation; compressor; initiated; operated; discharge; capacity; expansion; valve; suction; maintained; 30; 350; vapor; introduced; holding; tank; reduced; 15; flow; terminated; resulting; fluid communication; natural gas; variable speed; control method; storage circuit; /62/
Citation Formats
Kountz, Kenneth J, and Bishop, Patrick M. Control method for mixed refrigerant based natural gas liquefier. United States: N. p., 2003.
Web.
Kountz, Kenneth J, & Bishop, Patrick M. Control method for mixed refrigerant based natural gas liquefier. United States.
Kountz, Kenneth J, and Bishop, Patrick M. Wed .
"Control method for mixed refrigerant based natural gas liquefier". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/875095.
@article{osti_875095,
title = {Control method for mixed refrigerant based natural gas liquefier},
author = {Kountz, Kenneth J and Bishop, Patrick M},
abstractNote = {In a natural gas liquefaction system having a refrigerant storage circuit, a refrigerant circulation circuit in fluid communication with the refrigerant storage circuit, and a natural gas liquefaction circuit in thermal communication with the refrigerant circulation circuit, a method for liquefaction of natural gas in which pressure in the refrigerant circulation circuit is adjusted to below about 175 psig by exchange of refrigerant with the refrigerant storage circuit. A variable speed motor is started whereby operation of a compressor is initiated. The compressor is operated at full discharge capacity. Operation of an expansion valve is initiated whereby suction pressure at the suction pressure port of the compressor is maintained below about 30 psig and discharge pressure at the discharge pressure port of the compressor is maintained below about 350 psig. Refrigerant vapor is introduced from the refrigerant holding tank into the refrigerant circulation circuit until the suction pressure is reduced to below about 15 psig, after which flow of the refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant holding tank is terminated. Natural gas is then introduced into a natural gas liquefier, resulting in liquefaction of the natural gas.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2003},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2003}
}