Patent ID: 6257017
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B63B,F17C,F25J

Abstract:
A process for producing a displacement gas from a multi-component, pressurized, liquefied gas rich in methane to be used in displacing a pressurized liquefied gas from one or more containers, comprising the steps of:(a) increasing the pressure of the multi-component, pressurized, liquefied gas and separating it into a first fraction and a second fraction;(b) expanding the first fraction to reduce its pressure and passing the expanded fraction to a separation means which produces a liquid stream and a vaporous stream;(c) heating the second fraction to covert it to a vaporous stream;(d) withdrawing a portion of the vaporous product stream, expanding the withdrawn portion to reduce it pressure and temperature, and passing it to the separation means, and discharging the remaining portion as a vaporous product;(e) recycling the liquid product produced by the separator by combining the liquid product with the multi-component, pressurized, liquefied gas before pressurization in step (a);(f) expanding the gas stream produced by the separation means to reduce its pressure and temperature, and(g) using the expanded gas stream to displace liquefied gas from one or more containers.