The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 26, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 23, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Christopher A. T. Dubar, Beaumaris, AU;
Oliver Leh Ming Tu, North Balwyn, AU;
Assignee:
BHP Petroleum PTY LTD, Melbourne, AU;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B63B 3/544 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B63B 3/544 ;
Abstract
A support structure that is either floatable or otherwise adapted to be disposed in an offshore location at least partially above sea level. A natural gas liquefaction system is located on or in the support structure and has a series of heat exchangers for cooling the natural gas in a countercurrent heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant. One or more compressors compress the refrigerant which is divided into two separate streams. Each stream is fed to a liquid expansion turbine where it is isentropically expanded. The expanded streams of refrigerant are then fed to the cool end of one of the heat exchangers.