APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFYING NATURAL GAS, AND METHOD RELATING TO THE SAME

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a method for producing liquefied natural gas.

SOLUTION: A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure reduction station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and divided into a process stream 154 and a cooling stream 152. The cooling stream 152 passes through a turbo expander 156, creating work output. A compressor 158 is driven by the work putout and compresses the process stream 154. The compressed process stream is cooled, for example, by an expanded cooling stream. The cooled compressed process stream is divided into a first portion 172 and a second portion 170. A separator 180 separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas through liquefaction of the natural gas by expanding the first portion 172. A second portion 170 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-removing cycle and a carbon dioxide-removing cycle.

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