Process for liquefying a natural gas stream containing at least one freezable component

摘要

A process for producing pressurized liquid (19) rich in methane from a multi-component feed stream (10) containing methane and a freezable component having a relative volatility less than that of methane. The multi-component feed stream (10) is introduced into a separation system (31) having a freezing section operating at a pressure above 1,380 kPa (200 psia) and under solids forming conditions for the freezable component and a distillation section positioned below the freezing section. The separation system (31) produces a vapour stream (14) rich in methane and a liquid stream (12) rich in the freezable component. At least a portion of the vapour stream is cooled to produce a liquefied stream (19) rich in methane having a temperature above about -112°C (-170°F) and a pressure sufficient for the liquid to be at or below its bubble point. From the liquefied stream (19), a product stream (20) rich in methane is withdrawn, and a stream (21) is used to provide refrigeration to the separation system.