Patent US4359871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4359871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and apparatus for the cooling of natural gas
Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
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Filing: 1979-11-30
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 1999-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of cooling natural gas in a system in which the natural gas contains components other than methane which are separable by dewpoint condensation and the natural gas is available from a source, e.g. a well, at an elevated pressure. In accordance with the present invention, the natural gas is initially expanded in a work-producing expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of the components to be separated and the portion of the natural gas remaining after separating these components is compressed in a compressor which can in part be driven by the turbine so that at least a portion of the work output of the turbine is at least in some cases utilized for compressing the methane-containing portion which can be forced under pressure into a pipeline. In dependence upon the variable pressure difference between the input of the expansion turbine and the output of the compressor, energy is recovered from the turbine or supplied to the set formed by the turbine and compressor and the compression of the expanded methane-containing portion is effected after heat exchange with the natural gas to be expanded and/or is directly carried out at the expansion temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfried Strass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:55
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/06; F25J3/063; F25J3/065; F02; F02C; F02C1/00; F02C1/02; F25J3/0605; F25J3/061; F25J3/0635; F25J3/067; F25J2220/00; F25J2220/60; F25J2220/64; F25J2220/66; F25J2230/00; F25J2230/08; F25J2230/20; F25J2230/60; F25J2240/00; F25J2240/02; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/12; F25J2270/60; F25J2280/00; F25J2280/02; Y; Y02; Y02C; Y02C20/00; Y02C20/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/902; Y10S62/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of cooling natural gas derived from a source at an elevated pressure and supplying a consumer with a compressed portion of the natural gas, said method comprising the steps of: work expanding the natural gas derived from said source in an expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of a component thereof, thereby condensing said component;
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of cooling natural gas derived from a source at an elevated pressure and supplying a consumer with a compressed portion of the natural gas, said method comprising the steps of: work expanding the natural gas derived from said source in an expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of a component thereof, thereby condensing said component;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
separating the condensed components from the remainder of the natural gas; compressing said remainder of the natural gas in a compressor coupled to said turbine and forming a set therewith, the compressed remainder of the natural gas being delivered to said consumer; and controlling the expansion and compression of the gas in response to variable pressure differences between an input to said expansion turbine and an output of said compressor by withdrawing energy beyond that required for said compressor, supplying energy to said set upon the source pressure diminishing to a level precluding condensation of said component and carrying out the compression of said remainder of said natural gas selectively directly at the expansion temperature or after heat exchange with the gas to be fed to said input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
separating the condensed components from the remainder of the natural gas; compressing said remainder of the natural gas in a compressor coupled to said turbine and forming a set therewith, the compressed remainder of the natural gas being delivered to said consumer; and controlling the expansion and compression of the gas in response to variable pressure differences between an input to said expansion turbine and an output of said compressor by withdrawing energy beyond that required for said compressor, supplying energy to said set upon the source pressure diminishing to a level precluding condensation of said component and carrying out the compression of said remainder of said natural gas selectively directly at the expansion temperature or after heat exchange with the gas to be fed to said input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method defined in claim 1 which comprises the step of passing at least a portion of said remainder of said portion of said natural gas compressed at the temperature generated by expansion in indirect heat exchange with the natural gas prior to expansion in said turbine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the step of supplying cold from an external source to the natural gas prior to expansion in said turbine.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for the cooling of natural gas, comprising; a housing; a turbine received in said housing, said housing being formed with inlet and outlet fittings, said inlet fitting being connectible to a source of natural gas at an elevated pressure whereby expansion of said natural gas drives said turbine rotor and cools the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of a component thereof; a separator connected to said outlet fitting for separating said component from the remainder of the natural gas; a compressor rotor received in said housing, said housing being provided with a compressor input fitting and a compressor output fitting receiving said remainder of said natural gas and said output fitting being connectible to a consumer thereof; a common shaft disposed in said housing and carrying said rotors, said shaft having at least one axial end projecting out of said housing; at least one electrical machine connected to said end of said shaft for selectively abstracting energy therefrom and supplying energy thereto; and respective bearings disposed on opposite sides of said rotors with said rotors disposed between said bearings for journaling said shaft and said rotors in said housings.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for the cooling of natural gas, comprising; a housing; a turbine received in said housing, said housing being formed with inlet and outlet fittings, said inlet fitting being connectible to a source of natural gas at an elevated pressure whereby expansion of said natural gas drives said turbine rotor and cools the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of a component thereof; a separator connected to said outlet fitting for separating said component from the remainder of the natural gas; a compressor rotor received in said housing, said housing being provided with a compressor input fitting and a compressor output fitting receiving said remainder of said natural gas and said output fitting being connectible to a consumer thereof; a common shaft disposed in said housing and carrying said rotors, said shaft having at least one axial end projecting out of said housing; at least one electrical machine connected to said end of said shaft for selectively abstracting energy therefrom and supplying energy thereto; and respective bearings disposed on opposite sides of said rotors with said rotors disposed between said bearings for journaling said shaft and said rotors in said housings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4, further comprising means for varying the power generated by said expansion turbine and consumed by said compressor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical member open at opposite ends and respective covers closing said ends of said housing and each receiving a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6, further comprising a respective sealing assembly between each bearing and said rotors, each sealing assembly including a lubricated ring seal and a gas seal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said shaft has an end connectible to a precompressor for compressing the natural gas delivered to said inlet fitting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein each of said covers is formed with an outwardly open recess and with a flanged sleeve retaining the respective bearing in said recess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |