Device and method for subcooling a liquefied gas

EP4616131A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-09-17GDF SUEZ SA
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023798486
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-11-10
Filing Date
2023-11-02
Publication Date
2025-09-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing methods for liquefying gases, such as natural gas or biomethane, face challenges with steam generation during final expansion, leading to complex and unstable two-phase fluid transportation, increased energy consumption due to enhanced cooling for subcooling, and risks of impurity crystallization causing clogging and equipment damage.

Method used

A device and method that utilize a specific configuration of heat exchangers and a regulator to maintain the liquefied gas in a single-phase liquid state, allowing for recycling and further subcooling, thereby avoiding vapor generation and impurity crystallization, and minimizing energy consumption.

Benefits of technology

This approach ensures long-term stability, ease of design and safety, and economic efficiency by maintaining the liquefied gas in a single-phase state, reducing the risk of blockages and energy inefficiencies, while allowing for precise control of subcooling temperatures.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for subcooling a liquefied gas stream, which device comprises: - a first subcooling heat exchanger (105), - a second subcooling heat exchanger (125), - an expansion valve (155) for a subcooled initial liquefied gas stream, in the liquid phase, the gas stream at the outlet of the expansion valve being in a single liquid phase, - a separator (145) configured to form two streams: - a first stream of liquid subcooled initial gas, and - a second stream of liquid subcooled initial gas, and - a pipe (150) for recycling the second stream of subcooled initial liquefied gas, in the liquid phase, the pipe being connected to the inlet for the stream of expanded gas recirculated in the liquid phase of the first heat exchanger, at the outlet of the second heat exchanger, the stream of gas having a temperature such that the stream at the outlet of the expansion valve is in a single phase.
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