IMPROVED MULTI-COMPONENT REFRIGERATION PROCESS FOR LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS

摘要

This invention relates to a process for liquefying a pressurized gas stream (10) rich in methane in which the liquefication of the gas stream occurs in a heat exchanger (33) being cooled by a closed-loop multi-component refrigeration system (45) to produce a methane-rich liquid product having a temperature above about -112 ~C (-170 ~F) and a pressure sufficient for the liquid product to be at or below its bubble point. The liquefied gas product is then introduced to a storage means (50) at a temperature above about -112 ~C (-170 ~F).