Patent ID: 6564579
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: F17C,F25J

Abstract:
A method for vaporizing a liquefied natural gas, recovering natural gas liquids from the liquefied natural gas, and conditioning the liquefied natural gas for delivery to a pipeline or for commercial use, the method comprising:a) vaporizing at least a major portion of a stream of the liquefied natural gas to produce an at least partially vaporized natural gas stream; b) fractionating the at least partially vaporized natural gas stream to produce a gas stream and a natural gas liquids stream; c) compressing the gas stream to increase the pressure of the gas stream by about 50 to about 150 psi to produce a compressed gas stream and cooling the vaporized stream by heat exchange with the stream of liquefied natural gas to produce a liquid stream; d) pumping the liquid stream to produce a high-pressure liquid stream at a pressure from about 800 to about 1200 psig; e) vaporizing the high-pressure liquid stream to produce a conditioned natural gas suitable for delivery to a pipeline or for commercial use; and f) recovering at least a portion of the natural gas liquids.