Patent SG-11201803523W-A (SG)
Title: Expander-based lng production processes enhanced with liquid nitrogen
Inventor: PIERRE FRITZ JR
IPC: F25J1/02
Filed: 2016-11-10
Abstract: INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (43) International Publication Date 22 June 2017 (22.06.2017) WIPOIPCT (10) International Publication Number WO 2017/105680 A1 (51) International Patent Classification: F25J1/02 (2006.01) F25J1/00 (2006.01) (21) International Application Number: (30) (71) (72) (71) (74) (81) PCT/US2016/061246 (22) International Filing Date: (25) Filing Language: (26) Publication Language 10 November 2016 (10.11.2016) English English Priority Data: 62/266,979 14 December 2015 (14.12.2015) US Applicant (for all designated States except US): EXXON­ MOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY [US/US]; CORP-URC-E2.4A.296, 22777 Springwoods Village Parkway, Spring, TX 77389 (US). Inventors; and Applicants (for US only): PIERRE, Fritz Jr. [US/US]; 18011 Bayou Mead Trail, Humble, TX 77346 (US). MILES, Michael, W. [US/US]; 23 Spring Basket Trail, The Woodlands, TX 77389 (US). Agents: JENSEN, Nathan, O. et al.; ExxonMobil Up­ stream Research Company, CORP-URC-E2.4A.296, 22777 Springwoods Village Parkway, Spring, TX 77389 (US). Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KN, KP, KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). Declarations under Rule 4.17: — as to applicant's entitlement to apply for and be granted a patent (Rule 4.17(H)) — as to the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of the earlier application (Rule 4.17(iii)) Published: — with international search report (Art. 21(3)) — before the expiration of the time limit for amending the claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of amendments (Rule 48.2(h)) (54) Title: EXPANDER-BASED LNG PRODUCTION PROCESSES ENHANCED WITH LIQUID NITROGEN 00 in n O 314 Liquid Refrigerant Subcooiina Unit 312 3 310 (57) : A method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG). A natural gas stream is directed to a mechanical refrigeration unit to liquefy the natural gas stream and form a pressurized liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream with a pressure greater than 50 psia (345 kPa) and less than 500 psia (3445 kPa). A liquid refrigerant subcooling unit is provided at a first location. Liquid refrigerant is produced at a second location that is geographically separate from the first location. The produced liquid refrigerant is transported to the first location. The pressurized LNG stream is subcooled in the liquid refrigerant subcooling unit by exchanging heat between the pressurized LNG stream and at least one stream of the liquid refrigerant to thereby produce an LNG stream.