A method and system for liquefying a methane-rich high-pressure feed gas stream using a system having first and second heat exchanger zones and a compressed refrigerant stream. The compressed refrigerant stream is cooled and directed to the second heat exchanger zone to additionally cool it below ambient temperature. It is then expanded and passed through the first heat exchanger zone such that it has a temperature that is cooler, by at least 5 F., than the highest fluid temperature within the first heat exchanger zone. The feed gas stream is passed through the first heat exchanger zone to cool at least part of it by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant stream, thereby forming a liquefied gas stream. At least a portion of the first warm refrigerant stream is directed to the second heat exchanger zone to cool the refrigerant stream, which is compressed.

A method and system for liquefying a methane-rich high-pressure feed gas stream using a first heat exchanger zone and a second heat exchanger zone. The feed gas stream is mixed with a refrigerant stream to form a second gas stream, which is compressed, cooled, and directed to a second heat exchanger zone to be additionally cooled below ambient temperature. It is then expanded to a pressure less than 2,000 psia and no greater than the pressure to which the second gas stream was compressed, and then separated into a first expanded refrigerant stream and a chilled gas stream. The first expanded refrigerant stream is expanded and then passed through the first heat exchanger zone such that it has a temperature that is cooler, by at least 5 F., than the highest fluid temperature within the first heat exchanger zone.

A system and method for the production and supply of a densified, liquid oxidant to a space vehicle launch facility with one or more launch platforms is provided. A low pressure gaseous oxygen stream is piped from a nearby air separation unit and is then liquefied and densified in a two-stage, integrated liquefaction/densification system. The first refrigeration stage is a nitrogen based reverse Brayton cycle refrigeration cycle, that liquefies the gaseous oxygen and subcools the resulting liquid oxygen to a temperature of about 81 Kelvin. The second refrigeration stage is a mixed refrigerant loop containing some combination of helium and/or neon refrigerants that densifies the liquid oxygen to a temperature of about 57 Kelvin. The integrated liquefaction and densification system may also be configured to densify liquid methane or other propellants used in space vehicle launches.

A system and method for the co-production of a densified, liquid oxidant and a densified liquid methane fuel to a space vehicle launch facility is provided. In one embodiment, a low pressure gaseous oxygen stream is piped from a nearby air separation unit to the space vehicle launch facility where it is then liquefied and densified in a two-stage, integrated liquefaction/densification system that also densifies a source of liquid methane. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid oxygen stream produced at an air separation unit is densified in a two-stage, integrated densification system configured to densify both the liquid oxygen as well a source of liquid methane at or near the air separation unit with the resulting densified liquid products transported via truck/trailer to a nearby space vehicle launch facility.

Method for hydrogen liquefaction comprising at least one precooling step, wherein a hydrogen feed flow is cooled by a first refrigerant, a cooling step, wherein the hydrogen feed flow is cooled by a second refrigerant, and a step of expanding the hydrogen feed flow. Each of the first and second refrigerants is successively subjected to at least one compression and to at least one expansion in order to cool it, and a liquid phase of the first refrigerant cools the second refrigerant between at least three stages of said compression so that the second refrigerant does not exceed a temperature of 150 K, optionally 113 K, during said compression of the second refrigerant.

Systems and methods for multi-stage refrigeration in mixed refrigerant and cascade refrigeration cycles using one or more liquid motive eductors in combination with a pump.

Herein pipeline pressure, temperature and NGL constituents are manipulated for the transportation and optional storage in a pipeline system of natural gas mixtures or rich mixtures for delivery of chilled Products for downstream applications. Pressure reduction from a last compression section delivers internally chilled Products for reduced capital and operating costs. A high lift compressor station before the pipeline terminus provides pressure differential for Joule-Thompson chilling of the pipeline contents. The chilling step can be retrofitted to existing pipeline systems, and the chilling steep can include a turbo expander or the like for recovery of pipeline pressure energy for power generation. For like throughout, with this higher pressure operation, the effects of enhanced NGL content results in a reduction in diameter of the pipeline by at least one standard size. Substantial overall reduction in energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions is thereby achieved through integrated pipeline/processing applications.

The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition comprising neon and hydrogen. The present invention further relates to the use of the refrigerant composition in liquefying gaseous substances such as hydrogen or helium.

The present invention relates to a method and system for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a stream of pressurized natural gas which involves a combination of mechanical refrigeration.

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen liquefaction system, comprising a hydrogen pipe, where gaseous hydrogen is introduced at a front end, heat exchange occurs in a heat exchange unit leading to liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen; a pre-cooling device formed between the front end of the hydrogen pipe and the first heat exchange unit; an oxygen pipe, where gaseous oxygen is introduced at a front end, heat exchange occurs in the pre-cooling device leading to liquefaction of gaseous oxygen into liquid oxygen; and a heat exchange device, which is in thermal contact with the first heat exchange unit of the hydrogen pipe so as to perform heat exchange with the first heat exchange unit of the hydrogen pipe such that pre-cooled gaseous hydrogen can be liquefied into liquid hydrogen.