Patent ID: 6604380
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: F25J

Abstract:
A process of recovering hydrocarbons heavier than methane from liquefied natural gas (LNG) comprising,a) pumping liquid, low pressure LNG to a pressure of greater than 100 psia; b) splitting the pressurized liquid LNG from step a) into first and second portions; c) directing the first portion of pressurized liquid LNG from step b) to a cold box where it is heat exchanged to increase its temperature; d) bypassing the cold box and splitting the second portion of pressurized liquid LNG from step b) into a first reflux and a second reflux; e) directing the heat exchanged first portion of pressurized liquid LNG from step c) to a recovery tower where in combination with the first reflux without heat exchange generates a recovery tower overhead and a stabilizer feed; f) directing the stabilizer feed to a stabilizer where in combination with the second reflux without heat exchange generates a stabilizer overhead and NGL stream; g) compressing the recovery tower overhead to form a methane rich stream; h) directing the methane rich stream and the stabilizer overhead to the cold box where they are heat exchanged with the first portion of pressurized liquid LNG; and i) mixing the heat exchanged methane rich stream and stabilizer overhead.