METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFYING A HYDROCARBON STREAM AND FLOATING VESSEL OR OFFSHORE PLATFORM COMPRISING THE SAME

摘要

A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream, such as natural gas, comprising at least the steps of : (a) partially liquefying a hydrocarbon feed stream (10) to provide a partially liquefied hydrocarbon stream (20); (b) passing the partially liquefied hydrocarbon stream (20) through a first gas/liquid separator (B) to provide a methane-enriched gaseous overhead stream (30a) and a mixed C2 + enriched liquid bottom stream (30b); (c) adding at least a part (30c) of the mixed C2 + enriched bottom stream (30b) to a mixed refrigerant circuit (4) to change the C2 + component inventory of the mixed refrigerant (100) in the mixed refrigerant circuit ( 4 ); and (d) liquefying the methane-enriched gaseous overhead stream (30a, 30) against at least a fraction (110, 125, 135) of the mixed refrigerant (100) in the mixed refrigerant circuit (4) to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (50).