APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR THE REFRIGERATION, LIQUEFACTION AND SEPARATION OF GASES WITH VARYING LEVELS OF PURITY

Title:

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR THE REFRIGERATION, LIQUEFACTION AND SEPARATION OF GASES WITH VARYING LEVELS OF PURITY

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO1999031447

Kind Code:

A3

Abstract:

A process for the separation and liquefaction of component gases from a pressurized mixed gas stream (100) is disclosed. The process involves cooling the pressurized mixed gas stream in a heat exchanger (10) so as to condense one or more of the gas components having the highest condensation point; separating the condensed components from the remaining mixed gas stream in a gas-liquid separator (14); cooling the separated condensed component stream (118) by passing it through an expander (12); and passing the cooled component stream back through the heat exchanger (10) such that the cooled component stream functions as the refrigerant for the heat exchanger (10). The cycle is then repeated for the remaining mixed gas stream (116) and continues until all of the component gases are separated from the desired gas stream. The final gas stream (126) is passed through a final heat exchanger (30) and expander (32, 62, 82) to produce a refrigerant gas (108) for the heat exchangers and some liquid (106).

Inventors:

BINGHAM DENNIS N
WILDING BRUCE M
MCKELLAR MICHAEL G

Application Number:

PCT/US1998/027232

Publication Date:

August 26, 1999

Filing Date:

December 16, 1998

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

LOCKHEED MARTIN IDAHO TECH CO (US)

International Classes:

F25J1/00; F25J3/06; F25J3/00; (IPC1-7): F25J3/00; F25J3/06

Domestic Patent References:

WO1988000936A1

1988-02-11

Foreign References:

US5511382A	1996-04-30
US5505048A	1996-04-09
US2209534A	1940-07-30
US2937503A	1960-05-24

Other References: