System and method for liquefaction of natural gas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermodynamic processes for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) are costly, complex, and often fail to meet increased demand due to the need for extensive equipment and high capital expenditures, maintenance, and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A simplified liquefaction system with reduced numbers of turbines, compressors, and coolers, utilizing a propane pre-cooled mixed refrigerant (C3MR) system that includes a precooler assembly, heat exchangers, and compression assemblies to efficiently cool natural gas streams, reducing capital expenditures and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional thermodynamic processes are used to produce LNG, then LNG production can be achieved, but capital expenditures and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pre-cooling function and LNG liquefaction function into a single integrated system. The pre-cooled mixed refrigerant cycle serves dual purposes: cooling natural gas before liquefaction and directly liquefying a portion of it, eliminating the need for separate pre-cooling equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining production capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed refrigerant system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it pre-cools the natural gas stream, liquefies a fraction of the natural gas directly, and cools the compressed refrigerant. This multi-functional approach replaces conventional single-purpose equipment, reducing the number of components needed while achieving the same production output
2Productivity
If conventional thermodynamic processes are used to produce LNG, then LNG production can be achieved, but capital expenditures increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging pre-cooling and liquefaction into one integrated pre-cooled mixed refrigerant system, the patent eliminates redundant equipment such as separate pre-coolers and intermediate heat exchangers. This consolidation reduces capital expenditures for equipment purchase, installation, and associated infrastructure while preserving full LNG production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary equipment from conventional LNG production processes. By using a simplified refrigerant cycle that directly liquefies natural gas without requiring extensive pre-cooling infrastructure, the system removes redundant compressors, heat exchangers, and control systems, thereby reducing capital expenditures
3Productivity
If conventional thermodynamic processes are used to produce LNG, then LNG production can be achieved, but maintenance and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pre-cooled mixed refrigerant system reduces the total number of moving parts and equipment components compared to conventional multi-stage processes. Fewer compressors, heat exchangers, and valves mean fewer potential failure points, reduced maintenance requirements, and decreased unplanned downtime while maintaining continuous LNG production
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 system maintains similar LNG production levels while reducing capital expenditures, maintenance, and downtime, making LNG production more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger may be configured to receive the portion of natural gas stream from the natural gas source and cool at least a fraction of the portion of the natural gas stream to liquefied natural gas
Implementation Method 2
The first compression assembly may include a plurality of first refrigerant compressors configured to compress the first refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The precooler assembly may include a plurality of chillers configured to transfer thermal energy from the first refrigerant and the natural gas stream to a second refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for the production of liquefied natural gas. At least one of the systems may include a plurality of compression assemblies in fluid communication with a precooler assembly. One compression assembly may be a part of a precooling loop and may include at least one compressor driven by a variable or fixed speed motor. Another compression assembly may be part of a liquefaction loop and may include at least one pair of compressors, each compressor driven by a respective turbine. The liquefaction loop may be fluidly coupled to a main heat exchanger utilized to liquefy at least a portion of a feed gas stream containing natural gas flowing through the main heat exchanger, thereby producing liquefied natural gas.