Installation and method for purifying and liquefying natural gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facilities for purifying and liquefying natural gas are inefficient, require significant electricity and cold water, and generate excessive environmental discharges, especially when isolated from the electricity grid, due to the lack of integration of energy production and gas purification processes.
Innovation Solution
A facility comprising an adsorption purification unit, a hydrocarbon separation unit by refrigeration, and a gas-fired power plant for combined heat and power production, where the power plant is electrically connected to the facility's electrical members, allowing for flexible energy supply and heat recovery, with a bypass line to directly supply fuel gas from the source to the power plant, optimizing energy use and reducing environmental discharges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gas-fired power plant is integrated with the purification and liquefaction facility, then energy autonomy and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power generation function with the gas purification and liquefaction facility by integrating a gas-fired power plant. The power plant combines heat and power production, and its components (combustion chamber, turbine, generator, heat exchangers) are functionally integrated with the purification units and liquefaction system, allowing the facility to generate its own energy and operate autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-fired power plant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electrical energy through the turbine-generator, produces thermal energy through heat exchangers for the purification and liquefaction processes, and can operate in different modes (base load, peak shaving, standalone) to provide energy flexibility to the overall facility.
2Loss of energy
If effluent gases from purification and hydrocarbon separation are used as fuel for power generation, then energy efficiency is improved, but purification effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effluent gases containing hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, which would normally be flared or vented, into a valuable fuel source for the power plant. The combustion chamber burns these effluent gases to generate mechanical energy in the turbine, which is then converted to electrical energy, transforming a waste stream into a beneficial energy resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers energy from effluent gases by directing them to the power plant's combustion chamber. The heat exchangers capture thermal energy from the combustion process to support the purification and liquefaction operations, while the turbine generates electrical power, effectively recovering both thermal and mechanical energy that would otherwise be lost.
3Productivity
If cold water is used for cooling between compression stages in the liquefier, then liquefaction efficiency is improved, but water consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facility serves its own cooling needs by using the cold effluent gases from the purification and hydrocarbon separation units as a cooling medium. These cold gases, which would otherwise be wasted, are directed through heat exchangers to provide cooling between compression stages in the liquefaction process, eliminating the need for external cold water supplies.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers act as intermediaries that transfer thermal energy from the compression stages to the cold effluent gases. This intermediary heat exchange system enables the cold gases to absorb heat from the compressed gas, providing the necessary cooling for liquefaction without requiring external water resources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the facility operates autonomously without grid connection, then energy independence is improved, but reliability of power supply decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-fired power plant provides dynamic operation capabilities with multiple operating modes including base load operation, peak shaving, and standalone operation. The system can rapidly adjust its power output to match facility demands and can transition between different operational states, ensuring reliable power supply while maintaining energy independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility incorporates feedback control systems that monitor power generation, consumption, and storage in real-time. The control system adjusts the power plant's operation based on facility demands, battery charge levels, and gas availability, ensuring reliable power supply while optimizing energy independence and operational flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables an autonomous, efficient, and flexible natural gas purification and liquefaction process with reduced energy consumption and environmental impact, allowing for flexible operation and maximum heat recovery, even in isolated locations without access to the electricity grid.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption purification unit, a unit for separating hydrocarbon(s) by refrigeration
Implementation Method 2
a unit for separating hydrocarbon(s) by refrigeration comprising a first outlet for purified gas connected to an inlet of the liquefier and a second outlet for effluent gases enriched in hydrocarbons produced during purification by cooling
Implementation Method 3
a gas-fired power plant for combined heat and power production by combustion of a hydrocarbon
Implementation Method 4
a turbine driven by a combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel introduced in the combustion chamber of the power plant
Implementation Method 5
an electrical generator connected to the turbine and intended to supply the electrical members with electrical energy produced by a combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel introduced in a combustion chamber of the power plant
Implementation Method 6
combined heat and power production by combustion of a hydrocarbon
Data Source
AI summary
An installation and method for purifying and liquefying natural gas having, arranged in series, an adsorption purification unit, a unit for separating hydrocarbons by refrigeration, and a liquefier. The installation has a gas power plant for combined production of heat and electricity by hydrocarbon combustion. The installation has at least one electrical member, with the power plant being electrically connected to at least one of the electrical members in order to supply them with electrical energy.