Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, Lcc

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

John J Vranicar

Bruce M Wilding

Dennis N Bingham

Terry D Turner

Michael G McKellar

Gary L Palmer

Kerry M Klingler

Kevin T Raterman

Kerry M Klinger

Kevin T Rateman

Michael G Mckellar

An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO) clean-up cycle.

Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods relating to same

An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO ) clean-up cycle.

Apparatus for the liquefaction of natural gas and methods related to same

A breakaway system for a compressed natural gas fueling hose. The system includes an upper ring that surrounds the fueling hose. A lower portion includes three concentric disks that are arranged as a gimbals. An outer disk is coupled to the upper ring with three rods. The lower portion surrounds a male connector. A female connector, generally of the type known a quick-release connector, is coupled to the fueling hose. When the female connector is connected to the male connector, an outer sleeve of the female connector engages the inner disk of the gimbals. When a lateral force is exerted by the hose against the upper ring, the rods cause at least the outer ring to tilt relative to the male connector. Because of the gimbals arrangement, the inner disk always remains substantially flat and thus exerts a force against the sleeve thereby disconnecting the female connector from the male connector.

Breakaway connector for compressed natural gas hoses

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Concord, CA, United States of America

John J Vranicar