A method for the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nitrogen is provided. The method may include the steps of: a) providing a nitrogen production facility, wherein nitrogen production facility comprises: a main heat exchanger, an air separation unit, a nitrogen recycle compressor, a first nitrogen refrigeration supply configured to provide refrigeration to the main heat exchanger for cooling a main air feed, b) providing a secondary refrigeration supply; c) liquefying a natural gas stream using refrigeration from the secondary refrigeration supply to form an LNG product stream; wherein the secondary refrigeration supply is configured to compress and expand a refrigerant to produce refrigeration, wherein the refrigerant of the secondary refrigeration supply is shared with refrigerant of the first nitrogen refrigeration supply

A method describing the integration of a nitrogen liquefier and letdown of natural gas for the production of liquid nitrogen and lower pressure natural gas is provided. The method may include: providing a nitrogen liquefier having a nitrogen refrigeration cycle, wherein the nitrogen liquefier comprises a nitrogen compressor, a nitrogen recycle compressor, a heat exchanger, and at least a first turbine booster and introducing a nitrogen gas stream to the nitrogen liquefier under conditions effective for liquefying the nitrogen to produce a liquid nitrogen product. The refrigeration needed to liquefy the nitrogen is provided for by the nitrogen refrigeration cycle and letdown of a high pressure natural gas stream.

A method for the integration of a nitrogen liquefier and liquefaction of natural gas for the production of liquefied natural gas and liquid nitrogen is provided. The method may include providing a nitrogen liquefaction unit and providing a natural gas liquefaction unit. Liquefaction of the nitrogen can be achieved via a nitrogen refrigeration cycle within the nitrogen liquefaction unit. Liquefaction of the natural gas can be achieved through the use of natural gas letdown and a second nitrogen refrigeration cycle. The two liquefaction units can be integrated via a common nitrogen recycle compressor, thereby providing significant capital savings.

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 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.

An apparatus for using nitrogen within a closed loop cryogenic system is described. A cryochamber is provided that has a first nitrogen flow line with an inlet for connection to a nitrogen source and an outlet. At least one cryogenic cooling loop is provided that has a nitrogen inlet and a nitrogen outlet. The nitrogen inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the first nitrogen flow line. The nitrogen inlet is positioned upstream of the nitrogen outlet. A heat exchanger is provided on the at least one cryogenic cooling loops through which the nitrogen passes. The heat exchanger has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A turbo expander is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first nitrogen flow line and the nitrogen source. The turbo expander re-cools the nitrogen that passes through the first flow line and the at least one cryogenic cooling loop.