Patent ID: 6250244
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: F25J,Y10S

Abstract:
An offshore apparatus for liquefying natural gas, comprising:a support structure which is either floatable or is otherwise adapted to be disposed in an offshore location at least partially above sea level, andnatural gas liquefaction means disposed on or in the support structure, the natural gas liquefaction means comprisinga series of heat exchangers for cooling the natural gas in countercurrent heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant,compression means for compressing the refrigerant,expansion means for isentropically expanding at least two separate streams of the compressed refrigerant, wherein said expanded streams of refrigerant communicate with a cool end of a respective one of the heat exchangers,a flash vessel for separating the natural gas cooled by said series of heat exchangers into a liquid phase stream and a gaseous phase stream, the gaseous phase stream being arranged in countercurrent head exchange relationship with part of the refrigerant by means, andwherein the flash vessel and at least some of the or each series of heat exchangers and pipework connected thereto are disposed within a single, common heat insulating housing.