| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090071634 | HEAT EXCHANGER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A heat exchanger and associated methods for sublimating solid particles therein, for conveying fluids therethrough, or both. The heat exchanger includes a chamber, and a porous member having a porous wall having pores in communication with the chamber and an interior of the porous member. A first fluid is conveyed into the porous member while a second fluid is conveyed into the porous member through the porous wall. The second fluid may form a positive flow boundary layer along the porous wall to reduce or eliminate substantial contact between the first fluid and the interior of the porous wall. The combined first and second fluids are conveyed out of the porous member. Additionally, the first fluid and the second fluid may each be conveyed into the porous member at different temperatures and may exit the porous member at substantially the same temperature. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090145167 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING FLUID STREAMS HAVING MULTIPLE CONSTITUENTS - Methods, apparatuses and systems for processing fluid streams having multiple constituents are provided including embodiments utilizing ascending temperature separation processes as well as combined ascending and descending temperature separation processes. For example, in one embodiment, a mixed gas stream may be processed by flowing the stream through multiple heat exchangers, expanding the stream, and then separating the stream into a liquid portion and a vapor portion. The vapor portion, having an increased or decreased concentration of an identified constituent may then pass through the heat exchangers again in reverse order and collected. The liquid portion may then be subjected to further, sequential separation acts which each take place at increasing temperatures. In another embodiment, numerous, sequential separation acts take place in, for example, at decreasing temperatures and, subsequently, at increasing temperatures. Such a mixed fluid stream, for example, may include constituents such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20100186446 | APPARATUS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION OF A GAS AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME - Apparatuses and methods are provided for producing liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas. In one embodiment, a liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may sequentially pass through a compressor and an expander. The process stream may also pass through a compressor. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20110089377 | MOLTEN METAL REACTOR AND METHOD OF FORMING HYDROGEN, CARBON MONOXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE USING THE MOLTEN ALKALINE METAL REACTOR - A molten metal reactor for converting a carbon material and steam into a gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide is disclosed. The reactor includes an interior crucible having a portion contained within an exterior crucible. The interior crucible includes an inlet and an outlet; the outlet leads to the exterior crucible and may comprise a diffuser. The exterior crucible may contain a molten alkaline metal compound. Contained between the exterior crucible and the interior crucible is at least one baffle. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110094261 | NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION CORE MODULES, PLANTS INCLUDING SAME AND RELATED METHODS - A method of natural gas liquefaction may include liquefying natural gas from a first natural gas source with a first core module, and liquefying natural gas from at least a second natural gas source having a gas property different than a gas property of the first natural gas source with at least a second core module substantially identical to the first core module. Additionally, a method of designing a natural gas liquefaction plant may include utilizing a preconfigured core module design for a core module configured to receive source gas at site-independent predetermined input conditions, expel tail gas at site-independent predetermined outlet conditions, and liquefy natural gas. Furthermore, a method of distributing liquid natural gas may include providing a plurality of natural gas liquefaction plants comprising substantially identical core modules to a plurality of gaseous natural gas source locations. Finally, a modular natural gas liquefaction plant may include a preconfigured core module, and site-specific inlet and outlet modules. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094262 | COMPLETE LIQUEFACTION METHODS AND APPARATUS - A method and apparatus are described to provide complete gas utilization in the liquefaction operation from a source of gas without return of natural gas to the source thereof from the process and apparatus. The mass flow rate of gas input into the system and apparatus may be substantially equal to the mass flow rate of liquefied product output from the system, such as for storage or use. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094263 | METHODS OF NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION AND NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION PLANTS UTILIZING MULTIPLE AND VARYING GAS STREAMS - A method of natural gas liquefaction may include cooling a gaseous NG process stream to form a liquid NG process stream. The method may further include directing the first tail gas stream out of a plant at a first pressure and directing a second tail gas stream out of the plant at a second pressure. An additional method of natural gas liquefaction may include separating CO | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110135565 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN USING SODIUM ION SEPARATION MEMBRANES - A method of producing hydrogen from sodium hydroxide and water is disclosed. The method comprises separating sodium from a first aqueous sodium hydroxide stream in a sodium ion separator, feeding the sodium produced in the sodium ion separator to a sodium reactor, reacting the sodium in the sodium reactor with water, and producing a second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream and hydrogen. The method may also comprise reusing the second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream by combining the second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream with the first aqueous sodium hydroxide stream. A system of producing hydrogen is also disclosed. | 06-09-2011 |
