LIQUEFYING PLANT Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: liquefaction of natural gas; refrigerating engineering; freezing and frozen storage of products, raw materials and various blanks. SUBSTANCE: plant operates on principle of independent expansion of separated flows of vortex coolers. Effective operation of initial pressure on inlet flow is achieved through dividing the volume of cryostat into zones connected with branches 12 and 13 of vortex coolers 11 and interconnected together. Plant may be used at gas distributing stations providing for liquefaction to 1/4 of inlet flow at pressure differential from 6.0 to 0.6 MPa and obtaining liquid methane at lowest cost. Non- liquefied portion of inlet flow will be directed to consumer at temperature close to inlet temperature. Provision is also made for independent expansion of each component of separable flows of vortex coolers which increases degree of expansion of flow, reduces temperature and consequently increases coefficient of liquefaction. EFFECT: increased degree of expansion of flow, reduced temperature; increased coefficient of liquefaction. 3 dwg