초록 ▼

A method of cooling natural gas in a system in which the natural gas contains components other than methane which are separable by dewpoint condensation and the natural gas is available from a source, e.g. a well, at an elevated pressure. In accordance with the present invention, the natural gas is

A method of cooling natural gas in a system in which the natural gas contains components other than methane which are separable by dewpoint condensation and the natural gas is available from a source, e.g. a well, at an elevated pressure. In accordance with the present invention, the natural gas is initially expanded in a work-producing expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of the components to be separated and the portion of the natural gas remaining after separating these components is compressed in a compressor which can in part be driven by the turbine so that at least a portion of the work output of the turbine is at least in some cases utilized for compressing the methane-containing portion which can be forced under pressure into a pipeline. In dependence upon the variable pressure difference between the input of the expansion turbine and the output of the compressor, energy is recovered from the turbine or supplied to the set formed by the turbine and compressor and the compression of the expanded methane-containing portion is effected after heat exchange with the natural gas to be expanded and/or is directly carried out at the expansion temperature.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of cooling natural gas derived from a source at an elevated pressure and supplying a consumer with a compressed portion of the natural gas, said method comprising the steps of: work expanding the natural gas derived from said source in an expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a tempe

A method of cooling natural gas derived from a source at an elevated pressure and supplying a consumer with a compressed portion of the natural gas, said method comprising the steps of: work expanding the natural gas derived from said source in an expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of a component thereof, thereby condensing said component; separating the condensed components from the remainder of the natural gas; compressing said remainder of the natural gas in a compressor coupled to said turbine and forming a set therewith, the compressed remainder of the natural gas being delivered to said consumer; and controlling the expansion and compression of the gas in response to variable pressure differences between an input to said expansion turbine and an output of said compressor by withdrawing energy beyond that required for said compressor, supplying energy to said set upon the source pressure diminishing to a level precluding condensation of said component and carrying out the compression of said remainder of said natural gas selectively directly at the expansion temperature or after heat exchange with the gas to be fed to said input.