SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUEFYING NATURAL GAS EMPLOYING TURBO EXPANDER

摘要

An improved system and method for liquefying natural gas employing liquid nitrogen is disclosed. The improved system and method lowers the nitrogen consumption rate by using an expander, for example, a radial inflow turbo-expander, on the nitrogen side. This reduction in nitrogen consumption rate substantially reduces system operating costs.

主权项

1. A natural gas liquefier system, comprising:
a natural gas input coupled to a source of natural gas; a liquid nitrogen input coupled to a source of liquid nitrogen; a liquefier module coupled to receive the natural gas and liquid nitrogen and liquefy the natural gas by boiling the liquid nitrogen; a turbo expander module coupled to the liquefier module to receive the boiled gaseous nitrogen, cool the gaseous nitrogen by expansion and reintroduce the colder gaseous nitrogen into the liquefier module; and a liquefied natural gas output coupled to the liquefier module.