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Title: US6581409: Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
[ Derwent Title ]

Country: US United States of America

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31 pages

 
Inventor: Wilding, Bruce M.; Idaho Falls, ID
Bingham, Dennis N.; Idaho Falls, ID
McKellar, Michael G.; Idaho Falls, ID
Turner, Terry D.; Ammon, ID
Raterman, Kevin T.; Idaho Falls, ID
Palmer, Gary L.; Shelley, ID
Klingler, Kerry M.; Idaho Falls, ID
Vranicar, John J.; Concord, CA

Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC, Idaho Falls, ID
other patents from BECHTEL BWXT IDAHO, LLC (765648) (approx. 113)
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Published / Filed: 2003-06-24 / 2002-02-27

Application Number: US2002000086066
IPC Code: Advanced: B01D 21/26; B01D 36/04; C10L 3/10; F25J 1/00; F25J 1/02; F25J 3/00; F25J 3/08; F28D 7/04;
IPC-7: F25J 3/00;

ECLA Code: F25J3/08; F25J1/02; F25J1/02A; F25J1/02F; F25J1/02Z2; F25J1/02Z4H; F25J1/02Z4U; F25J5/00B; F28D7/04; R25J205/20; R25J205/60; R25J205/84; R25J210/60; R25J220/62; R25J220/66; R25J220/68; R25J230/60; R25J240/02; R25J240/60; R25J245/90; R25J260/10; R25J270/02; R25J270/08; R25J270/14; R25J280/02; R25J280/10; R25J290/42; R25J290/44; R25J290/62; Y02C10/12;

U.S. Class: 062/613; 062/619;

Field of Search: 062/613,619

Government Interest:

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
    The United States Government has rights in the following invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC07-99ID13727 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC.

Priority Number:
2002-02-27  US2002000086066

Abstract:     An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO2) clean-up cycle.

Attorney, Agent or Firm: Trask Britt P.C. ;

Primary / Asst. Examiners: Capossela, Ronald;

INPADOC Legal Status: Show legal status actions          Buy Now: Family Legal Status Report

Parent Case:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/288,985, filed May 4, 2001 for SMALL SCALE NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PLANT.

Family: Show 61 known family members
First Claim:
Show all 29 claims		 What is claimed:     1. A liquefaction plant comprising:
  • a plant inlet configured to be sealingly and fluidly coupled with a source of unpurified natural gas;
  • a turbo expander positioned and configured to receive a first stream of natural gas drawn through the plant inlet and produce an expanded cooling stream therefrom;
  • a compressor mechanically coupled to the turbo expander and positioned and configured to receive a second stream of natural gas drawn through the plant inlet and produce a compressed process stream therefrom;
  • a first heat exchanger positioned and configured to receive the compressed process stream and the expanded cooling stream in a countercurrent flow arrangement to cool the compressed process stream;
  • a first plant outlet positioned and configured to be sealingly and fluidly coupled with the source of unpurified gas and to discharge the expanded cooling stream thereinto subsequent to passage thereof through the heat exchanger;
  • a first expansion valve positioned and configured to receive and expand a first portion of the cooled compressed process stream to form an additional cooling stream, the plant further including conduit structure to combine additional cooling stream with the expanded cooling stream prior to the expanded cooling stream entering the first heat exchanger;
  • a second expansion valve positioned and configured to receive and expand a second portion of the cooled compressed process stream to form a gas-solid-liquid mixture therefrom;
  • a first gas-liquid separator positioned and configured to receive the gas-solid-liquid mixture; and
  • a second plant outlet positioned and configured to be sealingly and fluidly coupled with a storage vessel, the first gas-liquid separator being positioned and configured to deliver a liquid contained therein to the second plant outlet.
    •


Background / Summary: Show background / summary

Drawing Descriptions: Show drawing descriptions

Description: Show description

Forward References: Show 15 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one

       
U.S. References: Go to Result Set: All U.S. references   |  Forward references (15)   |   Backward references (20)   |   Citation Link

Buy
PDF		 Patent  Pub.Date  Inventor Assignee   Title
Get PDF - 6pp US2900797  1959-08 Kurata et al.   Separation of normally gaseous acidic components and methane
Get PDF - 5pp US3608323  1971-09 Salama   NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PROCESS
Get PDF - 11pp US3677019  1972-07 Olszewski  Union Carbide Corporation GAS LIQUEFACTION PROCESS AND APPARATUS
Get PDF - 14pp US3735600  1973-05 Dowdell et al.  Gulf Research & Development Company APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GASES
Get PDF - 18pp US4318723  1982-03 Holmes et al.  Koch Process Systems, Inc. Cryogenic distillative separation of acid gases from methane
Get PDF - 9pp US4359871  1982-11 Strass  Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method of and apparatus for the cooling of natural gas
Get PDF - 7pp US5291736  1994-03 Paradowski  Compagnie Francaise D'Etudes et de Construction "Technip" Method of liquefaction of natural gas
Get PDF - 9pp US5505232  1996-04 Barclay  CryoFuel Systems, Inc. Integrated refueling system for vehicles
Get PDF - 14pp US5537827  1996-07 Low et al.   Method for liquefaction of natural gas
Get PDF - 5pp US5551256  1996-09 Schmidt  Linde Aktiengesellschaft Process for liquefaction of natural gas
Get PDF - 5pp US5799505  1998-09 Bonaquist et al.  Praxair Technology, Inc. System for producing cryogenic liquefied industrial gas
Get PDF - 6pp US5836173  1998-11 Lynch et al.  Praxair Technology, Inc. System for producing cryogenic liquid
Get PDF - 12pp US6085546  2000-07 Johnston   Method and apparatus for the partial conversion of natural gas to liquid natural gas
Get PDF - 6pp US6085547  2000-07 Johnston   Simple method and apparatus for the partial conversion of natural gas to liquid natural gas
Get PDF - 19pp US6105390  2000-08 Bingham et al.  Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity
Get PDF - 14pp US6131407  2000-10 Wissolik   Natural gas letdown liquefaction system
Get PDF - 6pp US6138473  2000-10 Boyer-Vidal  L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude Station and process for dispensing a reduced-pressure gas
Get PDF - 17pp US6220052  2001-04 Tate, Jr. et al.  Liberty Fuels, Inc. Apparatus and method for liquefying natural gas for vehicular use
Get PDF - 29pp US6250244  2001-06 Dubar et al.  BHP Petroleum PTY LTD Liquefaction apparatus
Get PDF - 15pp US6378330  2002-04 Minta et al.  ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company Process for making pressurized liquefied natural gas from pressured natural gas using expansion cooling
       
Foreign References: None

Other Abstract Info: CHEMABS 138(01)006304S

Other References:
  • Holmes et al., Ryan/Holmes Cryogenic Acid Gas/Hydrocarbon Separations Provide Economic Benefits for LNG Production, 7th International Conference on Liquefied Natural Gas; Jakarta, Indonesia; May 1983; Institute of Gas Technology, Session II, vol. 1, pp. 1-15.


    • Continuity Data:
    Application Number Filed Notes
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a related to the prior publication
         US20030192343A1 issued 2003-10-16  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a related to the prior publication
         US20030196452A1 issued 2003-10-23  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a related to the prior publication
         US20060213223A1 issued 2006-09-28  APPARATUS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a related to the prior publication
         US20060218939A1 issued 2006-10-05  APPARATUS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a related to the prior publication
         US20070017250A1 issued 2007-01-25  APPARATUS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION OF A GAS AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME
    US2006000560682 2006-11-16  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000536477  2006-09-28   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7637122 issued 2009-12-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
    12648659   is a continuation of
    US2006000536477  2006-09-28
         US7637122 issued 2009-12-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of a gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000560682 2006-11-16  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000383411  2006-05-15   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7591150 issued 2009-09-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000536477 2006-09-28  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000383411  2006-05-15   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7591150 issued 2009-09-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11536477   is a continuation in part of
    US2006000383411  2006-05-15
         US7591150 issued 2009-09-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000560682 2006-11-16  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000536477 2006-09-28  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000383411 2006-05-15  is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11536477   is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11383411   is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11124589   is a continuation in part of
    US2006000381904  2006-05-05
         US7594414 issued 2009-09-29   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2007000674984 2007-02-14  is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000560682 2006-11-16  is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000536477 2006-09-28  is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000383411 2006-05-15  is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2006000381904 2006-05-05  is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11536477   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22 2007-05-22  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11536477   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11383411   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22 2007-05-22  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11383411   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11381904   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22 2007-05-22  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11381904   is a continuation in part of
    US2005000124589  2005-05-05
         US7219512 issued 2007-05-22   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2005000124589 2005-05-05  is a continuation of
    US2003000414991  2003-04-14   (granted)
         US6962061 issued 2005-11-08   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2005000124589 2005-05-05  is a continuation in part of
    US2003000414991  2003-04-14   (granted)
         US6962061 issued 2005-11-08   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11124589   is a continuation of
    US2003000414991  2003-04-14
         US6962061 issued 2005-11-08 2005-11-08  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    11124589   is a continuation of
    US2003000414991  2003-04-14
         US6962061 issued 2005-11-08   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same
    US2003000414991 2003-04-14  is a division of
    >US2002000086066<  2002-02-27   (granted)
         US6581409 issued 2003-06-24   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
    US2003000414991   is a division of
    >US2002000086066<  2002-02-27
         US6581409 issued 2003-06-24 2003-06-24  Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
    US2003000414991   is a division of
    >US2002000086066<  2002-02-27
         US6581409 issued 2003-06-24   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
    US2003000414883 2003-04-14  is a division of
    >US2002000086066<  2002-02-27   (granted)
         US6581409 issued 2003-06-24   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
    US2003000414883   is a division of
    >US2002000086066<  2002-02-27
         US6581409 issued 2003-06-24   Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same
    US2002000086066 2002-02-27  is a non-provisional of provisional
    US2001000288985P  2001-05-04
    US2003000414991   is a division of
    11383411     (pending)


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