GB1144550A

GB1144550A - Apparatus and process for liquefying and revaporizing gases

Info

Publication number: GB1144550A
Application number: GB5761367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willem Pieter Hendal; Alfred Louis Van Kleef
Original assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Current assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority date: 1967-12-19
Filing date: 1967-12-19
Publication date: 1969-03-05
Also published as: ES361528A1; FR1595208A; NL6818078A

Abstract

1,144,550. Liquefaction and re-vaporization of gases. SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ N.V. 19 Dec., 1967, No. 57613/67. Heading F4P. Liquefied gas, e.g. natural hydrocarbon gas, having been transported in a reservoir from a production point to a consumption point, is vaporized by direct heat exchange with a cold carrier which is substantially insoluble in the L.N.G. and is of greater density, e.g. a 70: 30 water-ammonia mixture, the so-cooled carrier is then fed to the reservoir, transported to the production point and used to liquefy natural gas by direct heat exchange therewith. In operation cooling to effect liquefaction of feed natural gas occurs in three direct contact heat exchangers 12, 13, 14, Fig. 3, in series. Feed gas entering at 18 flows upwardly past trays 15 in exchanger 12 in counterflow to melted cold carrier introduced at 16 and discharged at 17, condensed impurities being withdrawn at20. The so-cooled gas enters exchanger 13 through an injection nozzle 21 and draws a mixture of granular solid and liquid carrier admitted at 24 up a capped riser 22 resulting in formation of a layer of liquid gas which is withdrawn at 23 and liquefaction of the solid carrier which is withdrawn at 26. The liquefied gas is further cooled by feeding at 30 into the bottom of an exchanger 14 and passage upwardly against downward flowing granular carrier admitted at 29 and agitated by a rotor 27. The so-cooled liquefied gas is separated from carrier at 31 and discharged at 33. Liquefied gas to be re-vaporized is admitted at 40, Fig. 4, and flows upwardly through an exchanger 34 against downward flowing powdered carrier admitted at 39 and agitated by a rotor 37. Warmed liquefied gas leaves exchanger 34 at 43 and ascends an exchanger 35 to which carrier in the liquid phase is fed at 45 and is withdrawn in the solid phase at 47. Vapour from exchanger 45 is then warmed in exchanger 36 against downward flowing carrier liquid and is withdrawn as product gas at 52.