Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Jeffrey Tatarzyn

Daryl A Kenefake

Waleed H Amhed

Waleed H Ahmed

Methods and systems for removing moisture from a refrigerant can utilize a desiccant-based system. The methods and systems can be employed in conjunction with a liquid natural gas (LNG) refrigeration circuit in either an online mode or an offline mode. For example, a system for removing moisture from a refrigerant can include: a refrigerant source; a moisture removal unit containing desiccant; and a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a heat exchanger that are fluidly connected in a loop, wherein the refrigerant source is fluidly coupled to the moisture removal unit to supply a refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the moisture removal unit, and the moisture removal unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit to supply the refrigerant from the moisture removal unit to the refrigeration circuit.

Methods for removal of moisture from LNG refrigerant

Methods and systems for removing moisture from refrigerant that use a desiccant-based moisture removal unit can be used in the production of liquid natural gas (LNG). For example, a method can include: compressing a refrigerant; conveying at least a portion of the refrigerant to a moisture removal unit comprising a desiccant to form dehydrated refrigerant; cooling and condensing the dehydrated refrigerant to provide a cooled dehydrated liquid refrigerant; conveying the cooled dehydrated refrigerant to a heat exchanger; and passing a LNG stream rich in methane through the heat exchanger to cool at least part of the LNG stream by indirect heat exchange with the cooled dehydrated refrigerant.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Jeffrey Tatarzyn