The invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for processing natural gas in an LNG facility. A natural gas feed is introduced into a heavies removal unit. The heavies removal system includes a heavies removal column and a distillation column. The heavies removal column and the distillation column are connected via a purge/recovery line. One or more components of the natural gas feed is purged from the heavies removal column to the distillation column via the purge/recovery line to obtain a specified concentration or concentration range of heavy components feeding into the distillation column.

A method for controlling the flow of natural gas and refrigerant in the main heat exchanger of a natural gas liquefaction facility. The method provides for the automated control of a flow rate of a natural gas feed stream through a heat exchanger based on one or more process variables and set points. The flow rate of refrigerant streams through the heat exchanger is controlled by different process variables and set points, and is controlled independently of the flow rate of the natural gas feed stream.

A method and a system for feeding a feed gas including methane (CH.sub.4) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) to a cryogenic distillation column are provided herein. The method includes flowing a freeze zone CO.sub.2 vapor stream into a freezing section of the column to produce an overhead stream that exits the column. The method includes heating the overhead stream via a heating component to reduce or prevent solidification of the CO.sub.2 in the overhead stream.

A system and method for an intermediate pressure vessel to receive a purge in a cryogenic distillation column system. The vessel operates at an intermediate pressure to reduce solidification of the purge. The cryogenic distillation column receives a natural gas having methane and acid gas. The column discharges an overhead stream rich in the methane, and a bottoms stream rich in the acid gas. An overhead system receives the overhead stream, and discharges a vapor methane product, and a cooled liquid for reflux to the cryogenic distillation column.

A drive system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. A standardized machinery string consisting of a multi-shaft gas turbine with no more than three compressor bodies, where the compressor bodies are applied to one or more refrigerant compressors employed in one or more refrigerant cycles (e.g., single mixed refrigerant, propane precooled mixed refrigerant, dual mixed refrigerant). The standardized machinery strings and associated standardized refrigerators are designed for a generic range of feed gas composition and ambient temperature conditions and are installed in opportunistic liquefaction plants without substantial reengineering and modifications. The approach captures D1BM (Design 1 Build Many) cost and schedule efficiencies by allowing for broader variability in liquefaction efficiency with location and feed gas composition.

An apparatus for separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprising: a system of columns; a first turbine; a warm compressor coupled to the first turbine; a second turbine; a cold compressor coupled to the second turbine; a heat exchanger; means for sending air cooled in the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger to the cold compressor; means for sending expanded air from the second turbine to the system of columns; means for sending air compressed in the cold compressor to an intermediate point of the heat exchanger and then at least in part to the system of columns via a first valve; means for sending air compressed in the cold compressor to the inlet of the first turbine via a second valve without passing through the heat exchanger, wherein the means for sending air compressed in the cold compressor to the inlet of the first turbine via the second valve without passing through the heat exchanger is also connected to the inlet of the first turbine; means for sending a fraction of air cooled in the heat exchanger to an intermediate temperature of the latter to the first turbine; means for sending expanded air from the first turbine to the system of columns; and a bypass line provided with an expansion valve configured to send air from the cold compressor to the system of columns without passing through the heat exchanger.

Method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in an air separation device comprising a system of columns, a first turbine and a second turbine, wherein, in de-icing operation, a common duct bringing air from the two turbines to a column is closed by means of an isolation valve, a purge gas is sent to the turbines at a temperature above 0 C. in order to de-ice them, but purge gas is not sent to the system of columns.

Method for separating air by cryogenic distillation, wherein at least part of the air to be distilled is boosted in an air booster, compressed air is allowed to expand in at least one expansion turbine and, if the pressure drop between two points of the booster passes under a threshold and/or a flow of the booster passes under a minimum flow of the booster, part of the air boosted in the booster is allowed to expand without having been cooled between the booster and the expansion turbine and the boosted expanded air is sent upstream or downstream of the at least one turbine, without having been cooled in the heat exchanger, after having been boosted.

Method for separating air by cryogenic distillation, wherein air is compressed in a compressor and is subsequently sent to a heat exchanger, with the air cooled in the exchanger being sent to a check valve downstream of the heat exchanger and subsequently to a turbine, the valve being positioned so that air from a short-circuiting duct cannot return to the exchanger from the compressor.

An arrangement comprising at least one liquefaction plant for liquefying a gaseous medium to produce a liquefied medium; and at least one storage tank for storing the liquefied medium. At least one first transfer line is connected between the liquefaction plant and the storage tank, for transferring liquefied medium from the liquefaction plant into the storage tank. At least one second transfer line is connected between the liquefaction plant and the storage tank, for transferring gaseous medium from the storage tank into the liquefaction plant. At least one shut-off valve is provided in each transfer line. The apparatus further includes a bypass line