Liquefying natural gas in a motion environment

Abstract

Systems and methods for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment, utilizing a core-in-shell type heat exchanger are provided.

1 . A system for cooling or liquefying a process gas in a motion environment, comprising:
 a. a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles, wherein the separation vessel separates a high pressure refrigerant stream thereby producing a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream;   b. a vapor liquid refrigerant pipe for delivering the liquid refrigerant stream from the separation vessel to an external heat exchanger core;   c. at least one external heat exchanger core, wherein the external heat exchanger core is external to a kettle, wherein the liquid refrigerant stream and a warmer process stream undergo indirect heat exchange in the external heat exchanger core thereby producing a cooled process stream and a vaporized refrigerant stream, wherein the cooled process stream is delivered to a location external to the external heat exchanger core; and   d. a partially vaporized refrigerant pipe for delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant from the external heat exchanger core to the separation vessel, wherein the partially vaporized refrigerant pipe provides minimal pressure drop, wherein the partially vaporized refrigerant pipe ensures the thermosiphon effect is maintained.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally disposed. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are vertically disposed. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally and vertically disposed. 
     
     
         5 . A system for chilling or liquefying a process gas in a motion environment, comprising:
 a. a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel separates a refrigerant stream thereby producing a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream;   b. a vapor liquid refrigerant pipe for delivering the liquid refrigerant stream from the separation vessel to an external heat exchanger core;   c. at least one external heat exchanger core, wherein the liquid refrigerant stream and a warmer process stream undergo indirect heat exchange in the external heat exchanger core thereby producing a cooled process stream and a vaporized refrigerant stream; and   d. a partially vaporized refrigerant pipe for delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant from the external heat exchanger core to the separation vessel.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the refrigerant stream is delivered to the separation vessel as a high pressure liquid refrigerant. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally disposed. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are vertically disposed. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally and vertically disposed. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the partially vaporized refrigerant pipe provides minimal pressure drop. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the partially vaporized refrigerant pipe ensures the thermosiphon effect is maintained. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the cooled feed stream is delivered to a location external to the external heat exchanger core 
     
     
         14 . A method for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment, comprising:
 a. introducing a refrigeration into a separation vessel to thereby produce a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream, wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles;   b. introducing the liquid refrigerant stream near the bottom of an external heat exchanger core;   c. introducing a warmer process stream into the external heat exchanger core at a location above the liquid refrigerant stream;   d. cooling the warmer process stream via indirect heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant stream to thereby produce a cooled process stream and a partially vaporized refrigerant stream;   e. removing the cooled process stream and the partially vaporized refrigerant stream from the external heat exchanger core;   f. delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant stream to the separation vessel; and   g. delivering the cooled process stream to a location external to the external heat exchanger core.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally disposed. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles horizontally and vertically disposed. 
     
     
         17 . A method for liquefying natural gas in a motion environment, comprising:
 a. introducing a refrigeration into a separation vessel to thereby produce a vapor refrigerant stream and a liquid refrigerant stream;   b. introducing the liquid refrigerant stream near the bottom of an external heat exchanger core;   c. introducing a warmer process stream into the external heat exchanger core at a location above the liquid refrigerant stream;   d. cooling the warmer process stream via indirect heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant stream in the external heat exchanger core to thereby produce a cooled process stream and a partially vaporized refrigerant stream; and   e. removing the cooled process stream and the partially vaporized refrigerant stream from the external heat exchanger core.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising (f) delivering the partially vaporized refrigerant stream to the separation vessel. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising (g) delivering the cooled feed stream to a location external to the external heat exchanger core. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the separation vessel includes motion suppressing baffles. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are vertically disposed. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles are horizontally disposed. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the motion suppressing baffles horizontally and vertically disposed.