A semi-closed loop system for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) that combines certain advantages of closed-loop systems with certain advantages of open-loop systems to provide a more efficient and effective hybrid system. In the semi-closed loop system, the final methane refrigeration cycle provides significant cooling of the natural gas stream via indirect heat transfer, as opposed to expansion-type cooling. A minor portion of the LNG product from the methane refrigeration cycle is used as make-up refrigerant in the methane refrigeration cycle. A pressurized portion of the refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle is employed as fuel gas. Excess refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle can be recombined with the processed natural gas stream, rather than flared.

A LNG liquefaction plant system includes concurrent power production, wherein the refrigeration content of the refrigerant or SMR is used to liquefy and sub-cool a natural gas stream in a cold box or cryogenic exchanger. For concurrent power production, the system uses waste heat from refrigerant compression to vaporize and superheat a waste heat working fluid that in turn drives a compressor for refrigerant compression. The refrigerant may be an external SMR or an internal LNG refrigerant working fluid expanded and compressed by a twin compander arrangement.

A process and apparatus for liquefying a gas stream comprising hydrocarbons and sour species is provided in which the sour species are removed in liquefied form as the sweetened gas stream is progressively cooled to liquefaction temperatures. The process involves cooling the gas stream in a manner to produce a cooled gas stream comprising gaseous hydrocarbons and residual sour species. The cooled gas stream is then treated with a cold solvent to deplete the cooled gas stream of residual sour species. The resulting cooled sweetened gas stream is then further cooled to produce liquid hydrocarbons.

A method of processing natural gas to produce liquefied natural gas using a consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The natural gas is cooled in a first array of one or more heat exchangers using a first refrigerant from a first refrigerant circuit, wherein the first refrigerant is compressed in a first compressor. A second refrigerant from a second refrigerant circuit is compressed in a second compressor. The second refrigerant is cooled and partially condensed using the first refrigerant in a second array of one or more heat exchangers located in the consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The partially condensed second refrigerant is separated into liquid and vapor phases using a refrigerant separator located in the consolidated refrigeration and liquefaction module. The natural gas is liquefied to produce LNG in a third array of one or more heat exchangers using the vapor and liquid phases of the partially condensed second refrigerant.

A hydrocarbon processing plant, such an LNG plant, is disclosed. A piperack structure has a major axis parallel to the major axis of the train with which it is associated. A first multipurpose module, substantially pre-assembled prior to being transported to an operating location, has a major axis that is either parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the piperack. The first multipurpose module contains: process components that perform a function related to hydrocarbon processing or handling; piping systems that connect the process components directly to a second module that is adjacent the first multipurpose module, and wherein at least part of the piping systems are aligned with the major axis of the piperack structure; and at least one heat exchanger located in the first multipurpose module and operationally connected to process components in the hydrocarbon processing plant.

Provided is a natural gas processing facility for the liquefaction or regasification of natural gas. The facility includes a primary processing unit, e.g., refrigeration unit, for warming natural gas or chilling natural gas to at least a temperature of liquefaction. The facility also has superconducting electrical components integrated into the facility. The superconducting electrical components incorporate superconducting material so as to improve electrical efficiency of the facility by at least one percent over what would be experienced through the use of conventional electrical components. The superconducting electrical components may be one or more motors, one or more generators, one or more transformers, switch gears, one or more electrical transmission conductors, variable speed drives, or combinations thereof.

By using the power generated by an expander by an expansion of material gas, the outlet pressure of a compressor is increased, and a requirement on the cooling capacity of a cooler is reduced. The liquefaction system (1) for natural gas comprises a first expander (3) for generating power by expanding natural gas under pressure as material gas; a first cooling unit (11, 12) for cooling the material gas depressurized by expansion in the first expander; a distillation unit (15) for reducing or eliminating a heavy component in the material gas by distilling the material gas cooled by the first cooling unit; a first compressor (4) for compressing the material gas from which the heavy component was reduced or eliminated by the distillation unit by using the power generated in the first expander; a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the material gas introduced into the first compressor and the material gas compressed by the first compressor; and a liquefaction unit (21) for liquefying the material gas compressed by the first compressor by exchanging heat with a refrigerant.

The invention is directed to a carbon capture and liquefication system comprising a liquified natural gas (LNG) exergy recovery section. The invention is more specifically directed to such a system to liquify carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) gas from a CO.sub.2 containing gas, more particularly from an exhaust gas from a means of maritime transportation. The invention is further directed to a method for recovery of exergy using the exergy recovery section, a means of maritime transportation comprising the system, and the use of such a system for liquefaction of carbon dioxide gas.

A LNG liquefaction plant system includes concurrent power production, wherein the refrigeration content of the refrigerant or SMR is used to liquefy and sub-cool a natural gas stream in a cold box or cryogenic exchanger. For concurrent power production, the system uses waste heat from refrigerant compression to vaporize and superheat a waste heat working fluid that in turn drives a compressor for refrigerant compression. The refrigerant may be an external SMR or an internal LNG refrigerant working fluid expanded and compressed by a twin compander arrangement.

The present application includes a plant for treating gas, particularly natural gas, supplied by a transmission network. The plant includes a gas inlet connected to the transmission network, a portion of the plant that decompresses, to a predefined outlet pressure, a first fraction of the gas from the inlet, and supplies the decompressed gas at a first outlet. The plant also includes another portion that liquifies a second fraction of the gas from the inlet and supplies the liquefied gas at a second outlet. The portion that carries out the decompressing includes a valve for throttling the first gas fraction, a heat exchanger establishing a thermal exchange relationship between the decompressing portion placed downstream the throttle valve and the portion that liquifies and supplies the gas, another heat exchanger establishing a thermal exchange relationship between the plant portions placed downstream the first heat exchanger and upstream the throttle valve. The portion that liquifies and supplies also includes a valve for throttling the second gas fraction that is downstream the first heat exchanger.