초록 ▼

Refrigeration process for gas liquefaction which utilizes one or more vaporizing refrigerant cycles to provide refrigeration below about -40.degree. C. and a gas expander cycle to provide refrigeration below about -100.degree. C. Each of these two types of refrigerant systems is utilized in an optim

Refrigeration process for gas liquefaction which utilizes one or more vaporizing refrigerant cycles to provide refrigeration below about -40.degree. C. and a gas expander cycle to provide refrigeration below about -100.degree. C. Each of these two types of refrigerant systems is utilized in an optimum temperature range which maximizes the efficiency of the particular system. A significant fraction of the total refrigeration power required to liquefy the feed gas (typically more than 5% and often more than 10% of the total) can be consumed by the vaporizing refrigerant cycles. The invention can be implemented in the design of a new liquefaction plant or can be utilized as a retrofit or expansion of an existing plant by adding gas expander refrigeration circuit to the existing plant refrigeration system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for the liquefaction of a feed gas which comprises providing at least a portion of the total refrigeration required to cool and condense the feed gas by utilizing(a) a first refrigeration system comprising at least one recirculating refrigeration circuit, where

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for the liquefaction of a feed gas which comprises providing at least a portion of the total refrigeration required to cool and condense the feed gas by utilizing(a) a first refrigeration system comprising at least one recirculating refrigeration circuit, wherein the first refrigeration system utilizes two or more refrigerant components and provides refrigeration in a first temperature range; and(b) a second refrigeration system which provides refrigeration in a second temperature range by work expanding a pressurized gaseous refrigerant stream.