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:
Jul. 03, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 24, 2000
Rudolf Stockmann, Buchloe, DE;
Wolfgang Forg, Icking, DE;
Manfred Bolt, Olching, DE;
Manfred Steinbauer, Geretsried, DE;
Christian Pfeiffer, Gauting, DE;
Pentti Paurola, Hafrsfjord, NO;
Arne Olav Fredheim, Trondheim, NO;
Oystein Sorensen, Trondheim, NO;
Other;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for liquefying a stream rich in hydrocarbons, especially a stream of natural gas, by the indirect exchange of heat with the refrigerants in a closed-circuit cascade of mixed refrigerants. According to the invention, said closed-circuit cascade of mixed refrigerants consists of at least 3 circuits of mixed refrigerants, with each circuit comprising different refrigerants. The first of the three mixed refrigerant circuits is used for pre-cooling (E,), the second for liquefying E,), and the third for super-cooling (E,) the hydrocarbon-rich stream (,) to be liquefied. The method provided for in the invention reduces specific energy consumption and investment costs since the three circuits of mixed refrigerants are or can be optimally adjusted to the enthalpy temperature curves of the hydrocarbon-rich stream to be liquefied and the refrigerant mixtures.