Abstract

A method for efficiently reducing the energy required to convert natural gas from a natural gas pressure letdown facility at high pressure and pipeline/wellhead temperature to liquid natural gas in close proximity to/collocation with a natural gas pressure letdown/regulation facility using Non-Freezing Vortex Tubes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,231) in arrangement with indirect contact heat exchangers. The Non-Freezing Vortex Tubes separate the inlet natural gas into hot flow and cold flow outlet natural gas flows. One portion of the natural gas flow from the high-pressure transmission line/gas wellhead is directed through the Non-Freezing Vortex Tube and the cold outlet flow of the natural gas is directed to the indirect contact heat exchanger(s) to act as the cooling medium. The liquid natural gas plant's required natural gas flow is directed at the existing pipeline/wellhead gas pressure through the heat exchanger and cooled. The already cooled natural gas flow is directed to a turbo expander and refrigeration cold box system where it is further chilled and converted into liquid natural gas at −162° C.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25B 9/04 - Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using Joule-Thompson effectCompression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using vortex effect using vortex effect
• F25J 3/06 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well

Abstract

A vortex tube is disclosed. A vortex tube is a slender tube with a diaphragm closing one end of the tube with a discharge hole in the center of the diaphragm with tangential inlet nozzles. The vortex tube separates an inlet gas stream into two compartments. The present invention relates to an optional geometry of the vortex tube for use with compressed natural gas.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25B 9/04 - Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using Joule-Thompson effectCompression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using vortex effect using vortex effect
• B01D 45/12 - Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by centrifugal forces

Abstract

A vortex tube is disclosed. A vortex tube is a slender tube with a diaphragm closing one end of the tube with a discharge hole in the center of the diaphragm with tangential inlet nozzles. The vortex tube separates an inlet gas stream into two compartments. The present invention relates to an optional geometry of the vortex tube for use with compressed natural gas.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25B 9/04 - Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using Joule-Thompson effectCompression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using vortex effect using vortex effect