Method for the production of liquefied natural gas

Abstract

A method for the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) without the use of externally provided electricity is provided The method may include the steps of: providing a transportable apparatus, wherein the transportable apparatus comprises a housing, a heat exchanger, a phase separator, a first refrigeration supply, and a second refrigeration supply, wherein the first refrigeration supply and the second refrigeration supply are configured to provide refrigeration within the heat exchanger; introducing a natural gas stream into the transportable apparatus at a first pressure under conditions effective for producing an LNG stream; withdrawing the LNG stream from the transportable apparatus; and withdrawing a warm natural gas stream from the transportable apparatus, wherein the warm natural gas stream is at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 201,947, filed on Aug. 6, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 305,381, filed on Mar. 8, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 370,953 filed on Aug. 4, 2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a packaged unit without any rotating machinery.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There are numerous reasons for the liquefaction of gases, including naturally occurring gases such as methane. Perhaps the chief reason is that liquefaction greatly reduces the volume of a gas, making it feasible to store and transport the liquefied gas in containers of improved economy and design. Liquid gases can be stored in suitably designed cryogenic containers and dispensed into vehicle tanks using tech...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that satisfies at least one of these needs. In certain embodiments, the invention can provide a lower cost, more efficient and flexible method to produce LNG using

Problems solved by technology

However, producing liquid from methane may not be achieved with high pressure alone.

Unfortunately, the cost and maintenance of such plants is expensive because of the cost of constructing, operating and maintaining one or more external, single or mixed refrigerant, closed-loop cooling circuits.

Such circuits typically require the use and storage of multiple highly explosive refrigerants that can present safety concerns.

Refrigerants such as propane, ethylene and propylene are explosive, while propane and propylene, in particular, are heavier than air, further complicating dispersion of these gases in the event of a leak or other equipment failure.

The equipment used to liquefy cryogenic gases in high volumes is large, complex and very expensive.

Materials required in convention

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