Patent ID: 8656733
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: F25J

Abstract:
1. A method of liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream in at least one compressor; (b) cooling at least a portion of the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; (c) expanding a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a first expander to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; (d) cooling and substantially liquefying a feed gas stream to form a substantially liquefied feed gas stream in a second heat exchanger through indirect heat exchange against the first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream from the first expander; and (e) further cooling a second portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a third heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream from the first expander, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.