METHOD OF LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: liquefaction of gases. SUBSTANCE: high-pressure natural gas at temperature of 270 to 300 K is divided into flows: one main flow is directed to preliminary heat exchanger and second flow is directed to vortex tube. Main flow of gas cooled in preliminary heat exchanger is fed to recuperative heat exchanger where its temperature is reduced additionally due to heat exchange with return flow of noncondensed gas and then to throttle valve. After throttling, liquid phase is accumulated in condensate receiver; gaseous phase after recuperative heat exchanger is combined with flows escaping from vortex tube. EFFECT: increased coefficient of liquefaction due to introduction of vortex tube by 28-46%. 2 dwg