WO2014087251A2 - Systèmes et procédés pour production répartie de gaz naturel liquéfié - Google Patents

Systèmes et procédés pour production répartie de gaz naturel liquéfié Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014087251A2
WO2014087251A2 PCT/IB2013/003198 IB2013003198W WO2014087251A2 WO 2014087251 A2 WO2014087251 A2 WO 2014087251A2 IB 2013003198 W IB2013003198 W IB 2013003198W WO 2014087251 A2 WO2014087251 A2 WO 2014087251A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
natural gas
lng
cowling
gas
refrigeration
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PCT/IB2013/003198
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English (en)
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WO2014087251A3 (fr
Inventor
Carlos RUBIO
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PROYECTOS Y GENERADORES LIBELULA SA de CV
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PROYECTOS Y GENERADORES LIBELULA SA de CV
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Publication of WO2014087251A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014087251A3/fr
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
    • F25B9/14—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0225—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using other external refrigeration means not provided before, e.g. heat driven absorption chillers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0259—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the liquefaction unit and in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/24—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using regenerators, cold accumulators or reversible heat exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • F25J2220/66—Separating acid gases, e.g. CO2, SO2, H2S or RSH
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2220/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for the removal of impurities
    • F25J2220/60—Separating impurities from natural gas, e.g. mercury, cyclic hydrocarbons
    • F25J2220/68—Separating water or hydrates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/90—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/908—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration by regenerative chillers, i.e. oscillating or dynamic systems, e.g. Stirling refrigerator, thermoelectric ("Peltier") or magnetic refrigeration

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates in general to the field of liquefying gases and more particularly to systems and methods for distributed production of liquid natural gas.
  • Natural gas is amongst the cleanest burning of fossil fuels, and is a major source of energy. However, many of the end-sources of natural gas consumption may be located far from the gas fields from where it is produced. Transporting gas may be costly and impractical, especially over long distances.
  • An efficient means of transporting natural gas, including situations where pipelines cannot be built, is in the form of liquefied natural gas (hereinafter, "LNG").
  • LNG differs from liquid petroleum gas (hereinafter, LPG) in that it is required to be refrigerated to a (-162°C) cryogenic temperature, which is the temperature low enough to achieve liquefaction of the gas, and allow efficient storage and/or transport of the material.
  • LPG liquid petroleum gas
  • Natural gas is a colorless, highly flammable gaseous hydrocarbon consisting primarily of methane (80-99%) and ethane. It may also contain smaller quantities of propane and heavier hydrocarbons, as well as other minor substances including, but is not limited to: carbon dioxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, helium, and argon (please reference Table 1 below for a list of typical natural gas composition).
  • the typical sulphur content of natural gas is 5.5 mg/m 3 . This includes 4.9 mg/m 3 of sulphur in the odorant (mercaptan) added to gas for safety reasons.
  • the water vapor content of natural gas in the Union Gas system is less than 80mg/m 3 , and is typically 16 to 32 mg/m 3 .
  • Natural gas commonly occurs in association with crude oil and is extracted from drilled wells. Although some natural gas may be used as it comes from the well without any refining, most require processing before use. Table 1. Typical Natural Gas Composition.
  • Natural gas is transported either in its natural gaseous state by pipeline or after liquefaction by cooling, by tankers.
  • LNG is a clear, colorless, non-toxic liquid that may be more easily transported and stored than natural gas in its gaseous form because it occupies up to six hundred times less volume.
  • Natural gas is converted to LNG by cooling it to below -262° Fahrenheit (-162° Celsius), at which point it becomes a liquid. This allows natural gas to be transported efficiently by sea, truck, or various other means. Once it reaches its destination, LNG is unloaded from ships at import terminals or from trucks at facilities where it is stored as a liquid until it is warmed back to natural gas. The natural gas may then be sent through pipelines for distribution to homes, businesses, industries, or used as a fuel for vehicles.
  • the expander process uses the feed gas pressure expanding to a lower pressure to drive the liquefaction process.
  • plants are located where the natural gas is sourced from a high pressure main line and is to be delivered to local distribution systems. In these cases, the liquefaction of a portion of the feed gas can be accomplished with little or no compression or mechanical refrigeration.
  • a typical facility would liquefy approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the feed gas with the balance going to the downstream system.
  • These expander plants have been used frequently where the requisite pressure drops are available. If the tail gas could not be dumped to a low-pressure system, this type of process would not be considered. Recompression of the tail gas would result in a high cost and low efficiency process.
  • FIGURE 2 displays an exemplary expander process system that uses feed gas pressure expanding to a lower pressure.
  • the nitrogen refrigeration process has been used on a limited basis for liquefaction, especially in smaller systems.
  • the process is similar to the expander process in that it uses a vapor refrigeration stream with an additional large compressor for nitrogen circulation. Since the process relies on nitrogen vapor for condensing, the refrigeration flow is quite large and the system will be significantly larger than a mixed refrigerant system. The amount of power needed to run this system is much larger than other technologies.
  • FIGURE 3 displays an exemplary nitrogen refrigeration process system for liquefaction.
  • the single mixed refrigerant process is a lower cost design for small-scale liquefaction systems.
  • This technology in contrast to the other technologies in the prior art, has only a single compression system for the refrigeration.
  • the main exchanger is a simple plate-fin unit with a minimal number of connections, designed to offer a liquefaction system that is easy to operate. During a shutdown the refrigerant inventory is maintained in the system so that no venting or pressure relieving is needed.
  • FIGURE 4 displays an exemplary single mixed refrigerant process for liquefaction systems.
  • FIGURES 2 through 4 illustrate existing technologies that are used for liquefaction of natural gas.
  • FIGURE 2 displays an exemplary expander process system that uses feed gas pressure expanding to a lower pressure to drive the liquefaction process.
  • FIGURE 3 displays an exemplary nitrogen refrigeration process system for liquefaction.
  • FIGURE 4 displays an exemplary single mixed refrigerant process for liquefaction systems. Generally, these processes require about 260-370 kilowatts (kW) per MMcf/d of LNG capacity. The exact value will depend on the system design parameters, such as feed gas pressure, ambient conditions, and process specifications.
  • the main exchanger is the key piece of equipment in the liquefaction system.
  • the main exchanger is an aluminum plate-fin core or cores in a carbon steel box.
  • the box is filled with perlite for insulation. All connections are external to the box, eliminating any leak potential inside the box.
  • the portability of LNG makes it an ideal fuel to be supplied from a single point to multiple customers.
  • users can access supply from a variety of sources. This necessitates even smaller scale LNG production than is available with today's technologies for enabling the end user access to LNG at discrete sources within the local markets.
  • the following disclosure presents concepts for distributed production of liquefied natural gas.
  • the disclosed subject matter significantly improves upon prior art aimed at LNG production by utilizing the Stirling refrigeration process.
  • One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is a cowling designed as an insulated pressure resistant closed space vessel, which is fitted to a Stirling Engine, and which allows for the refrigeration of natural gas down to its condensing temperature.
  • Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is that refrigeration of the natural gas is achieved through the application of mechanical work to the Stirling Engine.
  • the required mechanical work is provided via an electric motor.
  • Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is a plurality of entry ports for accommodating a number of valves, control, and measuring devices.
  • Yet another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is a plurality of exit ports for extracting LNG, draining of condensed water, and the venting of carbon dioxide.
  • Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is a plurality of instrument ports for carrying control signals to the process control hardware.
  • the refrigeration system is arranged so that the system is capable of withstanding ambient temperatures on the outside shell and cryogenic temperatures on the inside shell, such that the construction is capable of operating while taking heavy mechanical and molecular stresses caused by operation temperatures.
  • the system comprises a main storage tank capable of storing long term amounts of LNG and a transfer tank serving as a buffer for eliminating LNG overflow.
  • FIGURE 1 is a pressure/volume graph of an idealized Stirling cycle (Prior
  • FIGURE 2 displays an exemplary expander process system that uses feed gas pressure expanding to a lower pressure (Prior Art).
  • FIGURE 3 displays an exemplary nitrogen refrigeration process system for liquefaction (Prior Art).
  • FIGURE 4 displays an exemplary single mixed refrigerant process for liquefaction systems (Prior Art).
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the inflow of 102 natural gas from an 100 external supply to the 104 exemplary cowling, the 106 transfer of heat from the natural gas to the 114 Stirling Engine through a process of applying 116 work by an 112 (external) motor to the Stirling Engine, and the outflow of 108 LNG from the system to an 110 exemplary storage tank.
  • 118 illustrates the exemplary input mechanism by which the system is able to respond to external or internal triggers.
  • FIGURE 6 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the removal of frozen material from the cowling device, through 130 interrupting the inflow of natural gas, 134 interrupting the outflow of LNG, the 136 application of work in a manner/direction differing from normal operation of the system to produce heat, 132 the transfer of heat from the Stirling Engine to the Cowling, and the venting of material, typically water or C0 2 from the system by a secondary (or plurality of secondary) vent(s).
  • FIGURE 7 depicts an exemplary distributed LNG production system employing the Stirling cycle refrigeration process.
  • Figure 7a, 7b, and 7c depict the same exemplary distributed LNG system in extracted figures.
  • FIGURE 8 illustrates a side view diagram of an exemplary cowling assembly.
  • FIGURE 9 depicts a three-dimensional isometric view an exemplary cowling assembly.
  • FIGURE 10 illustrates another side view diagram of the cowling as it is relates to mounting to the Stirling refrigerator system.
  • FIGURE 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the first step of LNG production by opening a main natural gas grid valve.
  • FIGURE 12 portrays an exemplary embodiment of the system operating under normal LNG production parameters.
  • FIGURE 13 depicts exemplary processes after normal operations have been interrupted.
  • FIGURE 14 illustrates exemplary processes for elimination of ice from the
  • FIGURES 15a, 15b, and 15c depict exemplary connections and welds as taught by the current disclosure.
  • FIGURES 16a, 16b, and 16c depict an exemplary cowling of the present disclosure and its associated structures.
  • FIGURES 17a and 17b depict side and front angle views into an exemplary cowling of the present disclosure.
  • FIGURE 18 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the initial interface and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 19 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the user interface and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 20 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the technician interface and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 21 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the programmer sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 22 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the standby interface and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 23 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the startup sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 24 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the control loop auto run sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 25 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the shutdown sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 26 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the de-icing sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 27 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the emergency stop sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 28 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the H2 sub-process and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 29 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the emergency stop sequence and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 30 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the indicators directory and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 31 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the controls directory and the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • Figure 32 a depicts one embodiment of the disclosure with the cowling shown fitted to the Stirling Engine.
  • Figure 32 B depicts an exemplary cowling in its un-insulated form.
  • FIGURE 1 generally depicts a pressure/volume graph of an idealized Stirling cycle. It is a reversible thermodynamic cycle and is commonly known as the hot air engine. In actual practice, the pressure-versus-volume thermodynamic processes do not have such definite liquid to gas transitions. A more realistic representation of most real Stirling engines is the adiabatic Stirling cycle (not shown) which is more quasi-elliptical shaped when compared to the idealized cycle; however, this is shown as a simplified version.
  • the Stirling cycle consists of four main thermodynamic processes: 1.
  • thermodynamic processes occur in four different phases as follows: 1) during the isothermal expansion phase, the working gas undergoes near-isothermal expansion by means of an external heat source; 2) during the constant-volume heat-removal phase, iso-volumetric heat removal occurs by means of an internal heat exchanger or regenerator, where the heat is dumped to a matrix of regenerator fibers.
  • the thermal Stirling cycle is fully reversible when the Stirling engine is heated through the isothermal expansion phase and is capable of producing mechanical work at efficiencies close to the well-known Carnot cycle.
  • the Stirling cycle engine is provided with mechanical work, it will produce refrigeration (e.g. heat removal) from the isothermal expansion phase due to the expansion of the working gas by means of mechanically applied work.
  • This mechanically applied work enables the isothermal expansion phase to take heat from the exterior even though the temperature is lower than the temperature within the isothermal compression phase.
  • This repetitive mechanically induced expansion and compression of the working gas will create refrigeration or heat removal.
  • natural gas enters the system through an inlet valve, or a plurality of inlet valves.
  • the natural gas is then exposed to a temperature difference induced through the application of mechanical work to the Stirling Engine.
  • the resultant temperature difference results in the natural gas being refrigerated until liquefaction is achieved and LNG is produced.
  • the resultant LNG is released from the system via an outlet valve, a liquid seal prevents gaseous natural gas to leave the cowling allowing thus only LNG to be displaced out of the cowling into the LNG external reservoir this process been limited or controlled by one or a plurality of outlet valves.
  • Ready access to LNG within local markets may be enabled by an exemplary distributed LNG production system employing the Stirling cycle refrigeration process, as depicted within FIGURE 5.
  • This process of refrigeration to reach the condensation of natural gas, removing of compression heat loads, sensible heat loads, and latent heat at ambient temperatures utilizes the Stirling cycle, both refrigeration and thermal heating processes, for enabling cryogenic refrigeration and the portable production of LNG.
  • the natural gas may be supplied from existing or nearby pipelines or directly from a gas well service valve regulated to operating inlet pressure and the LNG production system itself may be powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines.
  • the refrigeration machine / LNG production system may be installed at, within or nearby to existing or new construction gas stations for refueling of all classes of motorized vehicles. Additional embodiments include the refrigeration machine installed into standard over-seas containers for LNG import or export, as well as any other portable platform for distributed LNG production.
  • a control panel for both power and control, reaches with proper wiring to all instruments within the system, external monitoring devices, and signaling devices.
  • a working gas cylinder for industrial presentation of highly compressed hydrogen or helium is connected to a both a working gas shut off valve and pressure regulator, which are usually attached to a gas bottle.
  • the system is further comprised of a working gas compressor, which may be a solid state hydride compressor for hydrogen or mechanical piston driven for helium, and a first check valve "A" to prevent working gas returning to the bottle system.
  • the system is also comprised of a dry cooler system with 2Kw s motor fans each is a fan and coil which provides cooling for the Stirling engine coolant.
  • Flow-meter "A” and thermocouples “A” and “B” provide process signals to the control panel.
  • the 'work' is provided via an electric motor, which may range from 38 Kw to 149 Kw depending on the production rate.
  • the Stirling cycle engine or short block which may be supplied by various providers, could be comprised of an exemplary engine size of 260CC per cylinder, with four cylinder blocks capable of running from 900 to 2200RPM operating pressures of 15.5MPa maximum temperature on the heads of 750°C, minimum temperature -200°C.
  • the engine should be capable of running in both rotations clockwise and counter clockwise at any given speed.
  • the exemplary system further comprises a transfer tank, a cryogenic insulated day tank capable of holding LNG at quantities approximately equivalent to eight hours of production.
  • This tank may be considered as a buffer tank for eliminating LNG over flow and the capturing of re-liquefaction vapors produced at a main storage tank.
  • the transfer tank may be equipped with a transfer pump "A”, a low level sensor “A”, and a high level sensor “A”, with all instruments sending signals to control panel.
  • the main storage tank may be capable of storing LNG production at quantities approximately equivalent to seven days or more worth of production.
  • This main storage tank is connected to the transfer tank by means of transfer pump "A" and flexible joint for allowing the use of load cells at the bottom of main storage tank.
  • the main storage tank may also be equipped with a low level sensor "B”, a high level sensor “B”, a safety gas relief valve "B”, and a re- liquefaction line for condensing any boil-off occurred due to increasing temperature in the main storage tank.
  • This re-liquefaction line may be equipped with a manual valve "D”, a flexible joint, a re-liquefaction solenoid valve, and a check valve "C”.
  • the system includes a natural gas entry valve train including, but is not limited to: a check valve "B”, a cowling pressure regulator, a cowling solenoid valve, a dryer cartridge, a filter cartridge, manual valves "A”, “B” and “C”, a process pressure regulator, a process solenoid valve, and connections to the natural gas grid system.
  • a natural gas entry valve train including, but is not limited to: a check valve "B”, a cowling pressure regulator, a cowling solenoid valve, a dryer cartridge, a filter cartridge, manual valves "A”, “B” and “C”, a process pressure regulator, a process solenoid valve, and connections to the natural gas grid system.
  • FIGURE 6 illustrates a side view diagram of an exemplary cowling assembly.
  • FIGURE 7 depicts a three-dimensional isometric view an exemplary cowling assembly.
  • FIGURE 8 illustrates another side view diagram of the cowling as it is relates to mounting to the Stirling refrigerator system.
  • a cowling will be defined as an insulated pressure resistant closed space vessel that makes possible the refrigeration of natural gas down to its condensing temperature of -162.5°C at a process pressure with minimal heat loss to the atmosphere and to the engine's hot face.
  • the cowling carries sufficient numbers of entry ports for accommodating a number of valves, control, and measuring devices, a number of exit ports for extracting the natural gas in is liquid stage (LNG), draining of condensed water, venting of carbon dioxide, as well as a number of instrument ports that will carry control signals to the process control hardware.
  • LNG liquid stage
  • Construction of the exemplary cowling is performed utilizing specific stainless steel alloys capable of handling heavy contraction mechanical and molecular stresses caused by operating temperatures and the repeated cooling and heating processes, from cryogenic temperatures as low as -185°C to ambient temperatures or higher.
  • Other embodiments of the cowling are possible provided the material can handle these stresses while holding operating pressures and extreme emergency pressures stable.
  • the cowling may be insulated by with various materials including, but is not limited to: polyurethane foam, expanded perlite, volcanic glass foam, elastomeric synthetic rubber, vacuum chambers and or various other composites.
  • the external shell of the cowling and internal shell of the cowling are welded to a common mounting flange for allowing the free expansion and contraction of the pieces freely without causing additional mechanical stress, gas leak, or heat losses.
  • the exemplary cowling utilizes a double-wall insulated cowling with fully welded mounting flanges capable of withstanding ambient temperatures on the outside shell and cryogenic temperatures on the inside shell to allow for different contraction rates in the materials involved. Further, connections to the inside shell capable of allowing independent thermal expansion and contraction of both shells while offering a low thermal heat transfer rate to the outside is desired. The cowling must further be able to operate safely at all working pressures. Due to these criteria, construction materials for this embodiment involve multiple, different stainless steel alloys.
  • the cowling is further equipped with entry ports for incoming natural gas at ambient temperature and process operating pressures of 60PSI, which also accommodates vent valves for carbon dioxide, pressure transducer, and safety gas relief valve "A". Additionally, the cowling may also carry exit ports for extraction of LNG, a water drain solenoid valve, a LNG discharge solenoid valve, and an in-line with flow-meter "B". The cowling may further be fitted with instrument port to carry at least four cryogenic- capable thermocouples, one pressure transducer, a solid state camera, and room for additional non-commissioned future instruments.
  • FIGURE 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the first step of LNG production by opening a main natural gas grid valve. Natural gas is allowed to flow through a gas entry valve train and the process solenoid valve opens. A cowling solenoid opens [for] allowing a cowling pressure regulator to drop the gas pressure down to operating parameters. The natural gas is contained by discharge solenoid valve and check valve "C" and a pressure transducer sends signal to a control panel signaling a next step in the liquefaction process.
  • FIGURE 10 portrays an exemplary embodiment of the system operating under normal LNG production parameters.
  • the refrigeration process begins when the system is charged with natural gas and all safety supervision devices show a safe system for operation.
  • the Stirling engine must elevate the oil pressure to normal value of 45PSI and the engine coolant flow-meter must show correct operating parameters for flow and temperatures.
  • Working gas pressures shall also be within proper ranges of operation for this stage of the ramp up.
  • the program sends the electric motor signals to run steady for a designated X number of minutes, with safety supervision operations occurring up to 200 times per second.
  • the control panel signals the program to run steady in "normal run", until a designated approximation temperature is reached.
  • This designated temperature may range between -125 and -155°C, which are the temperatures at which the process reaches final refrigeration stages. At these temperatures is where natural gas condensation begins to occur.
  • the software program signals the engine into automatic condensation temperature mode, allowing the software to calculate the optimal combinations for motor RPM, electric current, coolant temperatures, natural gas pressure, and working gas pressure to reach the process set up of - 163°C for LNG production. Once the process is in automatic mode, the speed of electric motor will continuously change to produce LNG with the most efficient uses of power.
  • cowling allow the system to respond to external triggers in accordance with general practice of flammable material, transfer of dangerous good, standard safety practices for electrical equipment, severe natural gas pressure variations, aggravated contamination of natural gas, sudden vessel overheat, safety features for portable equipment etc.
  • FIGURE 11 depicts exemplary processes after normal operations have been interrupted by a high pressure signal from the main storage tank. If not attended to, safety gas relief valve "B" would open, venting natural gas to the atmosphere. This unwanted gas relief, as it wastes input materials, may be prevented by interrupting normal natural gas feed to the cowling and allowing by differential pressures, re-liquefaction pressure being set up higher than grid pressure feed, with that higher pressure from the main storage tank entering the cowling. At this moment, the main storage tank pressure is sufficiently high for operating until the refrigerator system removes heat from the otherwise vented gas.
  • FIGURE 12 illustrates exemplary processes for elimination of ice from the
  • the refrigerator will gradually reduce engine speeds to 0 RPM. After all safety systems confirm motor speeds at 0 RPM, it will be signaled to reverse rotation at 150RPM and gradually increase the speed for reversing the refrigeration process and pumping heat into the cooling heads until carbon dioxide becomes gas again and gets vented off the cowling through the carbon dioxide venting solenoid valve. A negligible amount of natural gas will invariably be vented with it, but at amounts that will not impact overall efficiency of the system.
  • the refrigerator will keep rotating slowly in reverse mode until a head temperature of 60°C is achieved for allowing all water ice to be thawed and drained out the system through the water drain solenoid valve.
  • both draining valves After running in reverse rotation and when heads are at the temperature of 60°C, both draining valves will be shut off and the system reverses the engine again.
  • the motor will reduce speed to ORPM, and when the software verifies that motor speed is at 0 RPM, it will signal to the motor to restart in forward cooling direction.
  • the motor speed After ramping up to 1800 RPM, the motor speed will be kept constant at that RPM until all thermocouples inside the cowling show a temperature close to -163°. This reaches the set up temperature necessary for normal operations and will be the permitting temperature for sequencing the opening of the feed gas valve, re-liquefaction valve, and LNG discharge solenoid valve to regain normal operating status. This thawing procedure is expected to occur every 72 hours, but may occur more or less frequently, relative to the feed gas quality.
  • FIGURES 13a, 13b, and 13c depict exemplary connections and welds as taught by the current disclosure.
  • FIGURES 14a, 14b, and 14c depict an exemplary cowling of the present disclosure and its associated structures.
  • FIGURES 15a and 15b depict side and front angle views into an exemplary cowling of the present disclosure.
  • FIGURES 16 through 29 illustrate logical flow diagrams for the formation of operating software of the present disclosure's system.
  • FIGURE 17 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the user interface.
  • FIGURE 18 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the technician interface.
  • FIGURE 19 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the programmer sequence.
  • FIGURE 20 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the standby interface.
  • FIGURE 21 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the startup sequence.
  • FIGURE 22 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the control loop auto run sequence.
  • FIGURE 23 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the shutdown sequence.
  • FIGURE 24 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the de-icing sequence.
  • FIGURE 25 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the emergency stop sequence.
  • FIGURE 26 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the H2 sub-process.
  • FIGURE 27 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the emergency stop sequence.
  • FIGURE 28 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the indicators directory.
  • FIGURE 29 illustrates a logical flow diagram for the controls directory.
  • Coolant flowmeter 252 Natural Gas to Reliquify (Boile of Gas)

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur des systèmes et sur des procédés pour la production répartie de gaz naturel liquéfié par l'utilisation d'une réfrigération pour obtenir la condensation de gaz naturel, le retrait de charges thermiques de compression, de charges thermiques sensibles et de chaleur latente à des températures ambiantes, lesquels utilisent le cycle de Stirling, aussi bien des processus de réfrigération que de chauffage thermique, pour permettre une réfrigération cryogénique et la production portable de gaz naturel liquéfié. De façon générale, le gaz naturel peut être distribué à partir d'oléoducs existants ou voisins, et le système de production de gaz naturel liquéfié lui-même peut être actionné par des moteurs électriques ou des moteurs à combustion interne. Le système de machine de réfrigération/production de gaz naturel liquéfié peut être installé dans, à l'intérieur, ou au voisinage de stations de gaz existantes ou de construction nouvelle pour l'alimentation en carburant de toutes classes de véhicules motorisés. Des modes de réalisation additionnels de l'invention portent sur la machine de réfrigération installée dans des conteneurs maritimes standards pour l'importation ou l'exportation de gaz naturel liquéfié, ainsi que sur toute autre plateforme portable pour une production de gaz naturel liquéfié répartie.
PCT/IB2013/003198 2012-06-20 2013-06-20 Systèmes et procédés pour production répartie de gaz naturel liquéfié Ceased WO2014087251A2 (fr)

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CN109339973A (zh) * 2018-12-04 2019-02-15 上海理工大学 一种液化天然气冷能利用系统
FR3109986B1 (fr) * 2020-05-05 2022-05-06 Eosgen Tech Systeme de refroidissement, systeme de climatisation, ensemble moteur et procedes associes
IT202000030023A1 (it) * 2020-12-04 2022-06-04 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl Un sistema per produrre gas naturale liquefatto e metodo
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