A system and method for cryogenic air separation arrangement having a booster loaded liquid turbine for expansion of a liquid air stream or other fluid having liquid-like densities is provided. The disclosed booster loaded liquid turbines are relatively small to provide an aerodynamic and speed match between the turbine and the coupled gas compressor. The coupled gas compressor is a supplemental booster compressor and may be a dedicated warm booster compressor or alternatively a cold booster compressor.

Liquefier arrangements configured for co-production of both liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid nitrogen (LIN) configured to operate using direct drive motor/generator arrangement for the warm and/or cold booster compressors and turbines. Alternatively, the use of a conventional generator with a bull gear in lieu of the direct drive motor/generator arrangement on the warm turbine and warm booster compressor coupling is also disclosed.

There is provided a system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG). An exemplary method includes flowing a high-pressure stream of LNG through a first series of liquid turbines. The exemplary method also includes generating electricity by reducing the pressure of the high-pressure stream of LNG to form a low-pressure stream of LNG. The exemplary method additionally includes bypassing any one the liquid turbines that has a failure while continuing to produce electricity from the first series.

A method and apparatus for producing liquefied natural gas. A portion of a natural gas stream is cooled in a first heat exchanger and re-combined with the natural gas stream, and heavy hydrocarbons are removed therefrom to generate a separated natural gas stream and a separator bottom stream. Liquids are separated from the separator bottom stream to form an overhead stream, which is cooled and separated to form a recycle gas stream. The recycle gas stream is compressed. A first portion of the compressed recycle gas stream is directed through the first heat exchanger and directed to the separator as a column reflux stream. The separated to natural gas stream is used as a coolant in the first heat exchanger to thereby generate a pretreated natural gas stream, which is compressed and liquefied.

A method and apparatus for producing liquefied natural gas. A portion of a natural gas stream is cooled in a heat exchanger and combined with the natural gas stream. Heavy hydrocarbons are removed from the combined natural gas stream, and the resulting separated natural gas stream is partially condensed in the first heat exchanger, with a liquid stream separated therefrom. The natural gas stream is warmed in the first heat exchanger and then is compressed and cooled. The resultant cooled compressed natural gas stream is expanded, thereby forming a chilled natural gas stream that is separated into a refrigerant stream and a non-refrigerant stream. The refrigerant stream recycled to the heat exchanger to be warmed through heat exchange with one or more process streams associated with pretreating the natural gas stream, thereby generating a warmed refrigerant stream. The warmed refrigerant stream and the non-refrigerant stream are liquefied.

A method for large-scale offshore LNG production from natural gas gathered from an onshore gas pipe network is described. The natural gas is pre-treated on an onshore facility for removal of mercury, acid gas, water and C5+ hydrocarbons, and then compressed and piped to an offshore platform for further compression and cooling before being transferred to a floating liquefaction, storage and offloading vessel for liquefaction of the natural gas.

Integration of a natural gas liquefaction system, a hydrogen production system, and power generation system to increase CO2 capture and improve overall plant efficiency. The predominantly methane endflash is sent to the hydrogen production system which produces hydrogen and CO2. The CO2 may be captured or beneficially used. At least a portion of the hydrogen produced is used to fuel gas turbines in the power generation which, in turn, provides power for the refrigeration compressor of the natural gas liquefaction system—either in the form of mechanical work or electricity.

Systems and methods for liquefying a gaseous hydrogen that include a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage includes a first heat exchanger configured to flow a first refrigerant to pre-cool the gaseous hydrogen. The second refrigeration stage includes a second heat exchanger configured to flow a second refrigerant to liquefy and sub-cool the hydrogen. The second refrigerant is split into two streams that flow through two compressor-expanders and multiple passes through the second heat exchanger before being recombined to repeat the second refrigeration stage circuit.

Systems and methods for liquefying a gaseous hydrogen that include a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage includes a first heat exchanger configured to flow a first refrigerant to pre-cool the gaseous hydrogen. The second refrigeration stage includes a second heat exchanger configured to flow a second refrigerant to liquefy and sub-cool the hydrogen. The second refrigerant is split into two streams that flow through two compressor-expanders and multiple passes through the second heat exchanger before being recombined to repeat the second refrigeration stage circuit.

A method for operating the liquid air energy storage (LAES) includes production of the storable liquid air through consumption of a low-demand power and recovery the liquid air for co-production of an on-demand power and a high-grade saleable cold thermal energy which may be used, say, for liquefaction of the delivered natural gas; in so doing zero carbon footprint is provided both for fueled augmentation of the LAES power output and for LNG co-production at the LAES facility.