Liquefaction of natural gas containing nitrogen by rectification utilizing internal and external refrigeration
Abstract
Abstract LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS CONTAINING NITROGEN, THE REMAINDER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF LOW BOILING HYDROCARBON SUCH AS METHANE, AT LOW POWER REQUIREMENTS, BY SEPARATING THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE NITROGEN IN SUCH GAS DURING LIQUEFACTION, COMPRISING COOLING THE NATURAL GAS TO A SATURATED VAPOR, INTRODUCING THE COOLED SATURATED NATURAL GAS INTO A RECTIFICATION COLUMN, SEPARATING THE NATURAL GAS IN THE COLUMN INTO A NITROGEN OVERHEAD AND A LIQUID NATURAL GAS ENRICHED IN THE LOW BOILING HYDROCARBON, E,G., METHANE, PASSING THE OVERHEAD NITROGEN IN HEAT EXCHANGE REALTION ALONG THE COLUMN AND PASSING AN EXTERNAL REFRIGERNANT IN HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION ALONG THE COL- UMN, FOR REMOVAL OF HEAT FROM THE COLUMN THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH AND EFFECTING A NONADIABATIC SEPARATION OF THE NATURAL GAS IN THE COLUMN, PASSING THE RESULTING HEATED NITROGEN INTO HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION WITH THE NATURAL GAS FEED AND PASSING AN EXTERNAL REFRIGERANT IN HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION WITH THE NATURAL GAS FEED, FOR THE ABOVE-NOTED COOLING OF SUCH NATURAL GAS FEED TO A SATURATED VAPOR
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |