GB2643541A - Methane-capture system - Google Patents

Methane-capture system

Info

Publication number
GB2643541A
GB2643541A GB2412274.9A GB202412274A GB2643541A GB 2643541 A GB2643541 A GB 2643541A GB 202412274 A GB202412274 A GB 202412274A GB 2643541 A GB2643541 A GB 2643541A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
gas
refrigerant
methane
compressed
compressed gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2412274.9A
Inventor
Richard Killingbeck Bernard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tree Associates Ltd
Original Assignee
Tree Associates Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tree Associates Ltd filed Critical Tree Associates Ltd
Priority to GB2412274.9A priority Critical patent/GB2643541A/en
Priority to PCT/GB2025/051823 priority patent/WO2026041856A1/en
Publication of GB2643541A publication Critical patent/GB2643541A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0228—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream
    • F25J3/0233—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/002—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by condensation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F17C7/02—Discharging liquefied gases
    • F17C7/04—Discharging liquefied gases with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0035—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
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    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
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    • F25J1/0047—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0052—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream
    • F25J1/0057—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using an "external" refrigerant stream in a closed vapor compression cycle by vaporising a liquid refrigerant stream after expansion of the liquid refrigerant stream with extraction of work
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0095—Oxides of carbon, e.g. CO2
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/006—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the refrigerant fluid used
    • F25J1/0097—Others, e.g. F-, Cl-, HF-, HClF-, HCl-hydrocarbons etc. or mixtures thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0203—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle
    • F25J1/0204—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using a single-component refrigerant [SCR] fluid in a closed vapor compression cycle as a single flow SCR cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
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    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0262—Details of the cold heat exchange system
    • F25J1/0264—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams
    • F25J1/0265—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer
    • F25J1/0267—Arrangement of heat exchanger cores in parallel with different functions, e.g. different cooling streams comprising cores associated exclusively with the cooling of a refrigerant stream, e.g. for auto-refrigeration or economizer using flash gas as heat sink
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0279—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc.
    • F25J1/0281—Compression of refrigerant or internal recycle fluid, e.g. kind of compressor, accumulator, suction drum etc. characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F25J1/0284—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/08—Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures or from liquefied gases or liquefied gaseous mixtures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/70—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602
    • B01D2257/702—Hydrocarbons
    • B01D2257/7022—Aliphatic hydrocarbons
    • B01D2257/7025—Methane
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
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    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/02—Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2260/00—Coupling of processes or apparatus to other units; Integrated schemes
    • F25J2260/60—Integration in an installation using hydrocarbons, e.g. for fuel purposes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

A methane-capture system 100 comprises: a refrigeration system comprising an evaporator 208 and arranged to supply a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator; a gas compressor 302 arranged to compress air including gaseous methane; and a compressed air storage vessel 304 arranged to receive the compressed air from the gas compressor and comprising an air outlet 304a. The evaporator is arranged to extract heat from the compressed air in the compressed air storage vessel by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed air to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture

Description

[0001] METHANE-CAPTURE SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a methane-capture system. BACKGROUND Each year, human activities release more methane (CH4) into the atmosphere than natural processes can remove, causing the amount of methane in the atmosphere to increase. Due to the greenhouse effect, this increase of methane in the atmosphere is causing global temperatures to rise. This is felt acutely in densely populated cities, where buildings, roads, and other expanses of concrete tend to retain heat.
[0003] Attempts have been made to capture and store methane before it enters the atmosphere. The methane is usually captured from a large production source, such as a chemical plant or a biomass power plant, and then stored in an underground geological formation. The aim is to prevent the release of methane from heavy industry with the intent of mitigating the effects of climate change.
[0004] There is however a risk that some methane might leak into the atmosphere over a long period of time. Purpose-built systems for extracting methane from air have also been constructed, but the lower concentration of methane in air compared to combustion sources complicates the engineering and leads to higher costs. There is also still a problem of how to securely store the methane once it has been captured.
[0005] The present invention aims to address these problems of methane capture and global warming.
[0006] SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a methane-capture system, comprising: a refrigeration system comprising an evaporator and arranged to supply a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator; an gas compressor arranged to compress a gas mix including gaseous methane; and a compressed gas storage vessel arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas compressor and comprising a gas outlet; wherein: the evaporator is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the compressed gas storage vessel by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture The invention advantageously captures methane (0H4) from the external environment, such as an industrial process, and liquidises it for further storage and/or use. Furthermore, the captured liquid methane may be utilised in a variety of industrial applications, for example in energy production or as feedstock for production of ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
[0008] The composition and properties of the gas mix will vary depending on the external environment the gas mix is received from. For example, the gas mix may comprise methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane, the gas mix may have pressure around 1 bar and temperature equal to or less than 40°C.
[0009] The cooled compressed gas mix does not comprise the liquified methane.
[0010] Optionally, the gas outlet is configured to release the cooled compressed gas mix from the compressed gas storage vessel to an external environment of the 20 methane-capture system.
[0011] In this way, the invention provides a cooling effect on the external environment. That is, the claimed system functions efficiently as both a methane-capture system and an air conditioning system. This heat is a major contribution to climate change that tends to be neglected by the usual measures taken to tackle global warming.
[0012] Alternatively, or in addition, the gas outlet may be configured to release the cooled compressed gas mix from the compressed gas storage vessel to return the gas mix to the gas compressor The gas mix may be returned directly to the gas compressor or to another component of the methane-capture system before (i.e. upstream of) the gas compressor. In this way, the methane-free gas mix can be used to help regulate the gas mix in the methane-capture system, for example by regulating the pressure of the gas mix in and/or before the compressor This also helps to ensure that any methane which remains in a vapour or gaseous state can still be recycled to a liquid.
[0013] Where the cooled compressed gas mix comprises a plurality of different gasses, one or more of these different gasses may be separated from the others before the cooled compressed gas mix is released to the external environment or returned to the gas compressor For example, a first gas of the cooled compressed gas mix may be separated from a second gas of the cooled compressed gas mix, and the first gas of the cooled compressed gas mix is released to the external environment while the second gas of the cooled compressed gas mix is returned to the gas compressor.
[0014] The gas mix entering the methane-capture system may comprise a high concentration of methane, for example in the case of industrial processes such as material production.
[0015] The methane-capture system can go straight to liquid methane.
[0016] The refrigeration system may comprise: a refrigerant compressor arranged to receive evaporated refrigerant gas from the evaporator and to compress the refrigerant gas; and a refrigerant gas cooler and expander system arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator The refrigeration system may be a cascade refrigeration system.
[0017] The refrigerant gas cooler and expander system may comprise: a refrigerant gas cooler arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool the compressed refrigerant gas; and a refrigerant turbine arranged to receive the cooled compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant gas cooler and to expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator.
[0018] The refrigerant gas cooler and expander system may comprise a refrigerant turbine expansion device arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool and expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator.
[0019] The refrigerant turbine may comprise a boundary layer turbine.
[0020] The methane-capture system may comprise an electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine for generating electrical power.
[0021] The electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power for driving the refrigerant compressor.
[0022] The electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz. This may be converted to other frequencies such as 50Hz or 60Hz.
[0023] The methane-capture system may comprise a gas turbine arranged to receive the 15 cooled compressed gas mix from the outlet of the compressed gas storage vessel and, optionally to expand the cooled compressed gas mix for cooling the external environment of the methane-capture system.
[0024] The gas turbine may comprise a boundary layer turbine.
[0025] The methane-capture system may comprise an electrical generator connected to the gas turbine for generating electrical power.
[0026] The electrical generator connected to the gas turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power for driving the gas compressor.
[0027] The electrical generator connected to the gas turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz. This may be converted to other frequencies such as 25 50Hz or 60Hz.
[0028] The methane-capture system may comprise a gas filter for removing contaminants from the cooled compressed gas mix.
[0029] The methane-capture system may comprise a methane storage vessel arranged to receive the liquidised methane. At least a portion of this liquidised methane may be returned to feedstock for an industrial process, and/or may be released to the gas compressor (directly or indirectly) to regulate the composition of the gas mix intake to the methane-capture system. Providing a fluid connection between the methane storage vessel may also help to ensure that any methane which remains in a vapour or gaseous state can still be recycled to a liquid.
[0030] The evaporator may be located at least partially inside the compressed gas storage vessel.
[0031] The evaporator may be located entirely inside the compressed gas storage vessel.
[0032] The refrigerant may comprise carbon dioxide or other suitable refrigerant(s).
[0033] In some embodiments, the refrigeration system may comprise a plurality of evaporators and is arranged to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporators, the evaporator being a first one of the evaporators; and the system further comprises a plurality of compressed gas storage vessels each comprising a gas outlet, the compressed gas storage vessel being a first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; wherein: a second one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; a first one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels, and a second one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the second one of the compressed gas storage vessels, by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methane-capture system, comprising: a refrigeration system comprising a plurality of evaporators and arranged to supply a liquid refrigerant to the evaporators; a gas compressor arranged to compress a gas mix including gaseous methane; and a plurality of compressed gas storage vessels each comprising a gas outlet; wherein: a first one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas compressor; a second one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; a first one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels, and the second one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the second one of the compressed gas storage vessels, by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
[0035] The composition and properties of the gas mix will vary depending on the external environment the gas mix is received from. For example, the gas mix may comprise methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane, the gas mix may have pressure around 1 bar and temperature equal to or less than 40°C.
[0036] The cooled compressed gas mix does not comprise the liquified methane.
[0037] The gas outlet of the second compressed gas storage vessel, or of a further compressed gas storage vessel which is located downstream of the second compressed gas storage vessel, may be arranged to release the cooled compressed gas mix from the second or further compressed gas storage vessel to an external environment of the methane-capture system.
[0038] Alternatively, or in addition, the gas outlet of the second compressed gas storage vessel, or of a further compressed gas storage vessel which is located downstream of the second compressed gas storage vessel, may be arranged to release the cooled compressed gas mix from the second or further compressed gas storage vessel to return the gas mix to the gas compressor. The gas mix may be returned directly to the gas compressor or to another component of the methane-capture system before (i.e. upstream of) the gas compressor In this way, the methane-free gas mix can be used to help regulate the gas mix in the methane-capture system, for example by regulating the pressure of the gas mix in and/or before the compressor.
[0039] 1/Vhere the cooled compressed gas mix comprises a plurality of different gasses, one or more of these different gasses may be separated from the others before the cooled compressed gas mix is released to the external environment or returned to the gas compressor. For example, a first gas of the cooled compressed gas mix may be separated from a second gas of the cooled compressed gas mix, and the first gas of the cooled compressed gas mix is released to the external environment while the second gas of the cooled compressed gas mix is returned to the gas compressor.
[0040] The refrigeration system may comprise: a refrigerant compressor arranged to receive evaporated refrigerant gas from the evaporators and to compress the refrigerant gas; and a refrigerant gas cooler and expander system arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporators.
[0041] The refrigeration system may be a cascade refrigeration system.
[0042] The refrigerant gas cooler and expander system may comprise: a refrigerant gas cooler arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool the compressed refrigerant gas; and a plurality of refrigerant turbines, each arranged to receive the cooled compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant gas cooler and to expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to a respective one of the evaporators.
[0043] The refrigerant gas cooler and expander system may comprise a plurality of refrigerant turbines, each arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool and expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to a respective one of the evaporators.
[0044] The refrigerant turbines may comprise boundary layer turbines.
[0045] The methane-capture system may comprise an electrical generator connected to a respective one of the refrigerant turbines for generating electrical power.
[0046] The electrical generator connected to the respective one of the refrigerant turbines may be arranged to generate electrical power for driving the refrigerant compressor The electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz. This may be converted to other frequencies such as 50Hz or 60Hz.
[0047] The methane-capture system may comprise a gas turbine arranged to receive the cooled compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the first compressed gas storage vessel and to partially expand the cooled compressed gas mix for entry into the second compressed gas storage vessel.
[0048] The gas turbine may comprise a boundary layer turbine The methane-capture system may comprise an electrical generator connected to the gas turbine for generating electrical power The electrical generator connected to the gas turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power for driving the gas compressor.
[0049] The electrical generator connected to the gas turbine may be arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz. This may be converted to other frequencies such as 50Hz or 60Hz.
[0050] The methane-capture system may comprise a gas filter for removing contaminants from the cooled compressed gas mix.
[0051] The methane-capture system may comprise one or more methane storage vessels arranged to receive the liquidised methane.
[0052] At least one of the evaporators may be located at least partially inside the respective compressed gas storage vessel.
[0053] The at least one of the evaporators may be located entirely inside the respective compressed gas storage vessel.
[0054] The refrigerant may comprise carbon dioxide or other suitable refrigerant(s).
[0055] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0056] Examples will now be described with reference to accompanying Figures 1, 2, and 3, which are schematic representations of methane-capture systems according to the invention.
[0057] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] Referring to Figure 1, a methane-capture system 100 comprises a refrigerant pad or system 200 and a gas part or system 300. The main elements of the refrigerant part 200 are: a refrigerant compressor 202; a refrigerant gas cooler 204 located downstream of the refrigerant compressor 202; a refrigerant turbine or refrigerant expander 206 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204; and an evaporator 208 located downstream of the refrigerant turbine 206. These elements are connected together by pipework sections PR1-PR4. The refrigerant part 200 also comprises a working fluid refrigerant. In this example, the working fluid refrigerant is carbon dioxide. It will be understood that as used herein the term "downstream" relates to the direction of movement of the fluid refrigerant through the refrigerant part 200, as will be described later herein.
[0059] The main elements of the gas part 300 are: a gas compressor 302; and a compressed gas storage tank 304 located downstream of the gas compressor 302 and including a gas outlet 304a. In this example, the evaporator 208 is located inside the compressed gas storage tank 304. In this example, the gas part 300 also comprises a methane storage tank 306 connected to the compressed gas storage tank 304. In this example, the gas part 300 further comprises a gas turbine 308 located downstream of the gas outlet 304a. In this example, the gas part 300 yet further comprises a gas filter 310 located downstream of the gas turbine 308. These elements are connected together by pipework sections PA1-PA7. It will be understood that as used herein the term "downstream" relates to the direction of movement of gas through the gas part 300, as will be described later herein.
[0060] Also in this example, the methane-capture system 100 comprises an electrical system 400 including: an electrical generation and supply system 400a; a battery loop storage system 400b; a refrigerant part electrical generator 400c connected to an output shaft of the refrigerant turbine 206; a gas part electrical generator 400d connected to an output shaft of the gas turbine 308; and a controller 400e.
[0061] The operation of the methane-capture system 100 will now be described. Terms such as cold, warm, hot, low-pressure, and high-pressure, will be used in the description. It will be understood that these are relative terms, used for ease of understanding of the states of the fluids at different stages in the refrigerant part 200 and the gas part 300 of the methane-capture system 100. The description also includes approximate values of temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate, of the fluids. These values are merely exemplary and are in no way limiting of the claimed invention.
[0062] Referring to the refrigerant part 200, pipework section PR1 contains a warm, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, in this example carbon dioxide.
[0063] The warm, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is received by the refrigerant compressor 202 and is compressed, thereby increasing the pressure and temperature of the gaseous refrigerant to provide a hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. In this example, the refrigerant compressor 202 is driven by a mains grid power supply via the electrical generation and supply system 400a.
[0064] The hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant compressor 202 to the refrigerant gas cooler 204 via pipework section PR2. The refrigerant gas cooler 204 is a heat exchanger configured to reduce the temperature of the hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, to provide a cool, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, while keeping the fluid pressure substantially constant. It will be understood by the skilled person that the refrigerant gas cooler 204 may take any appropriate structural form, for example a double-tube (or tube-and-shell) arrangement for heat transfer to another fluid such as ambient air. Fans may be provided for blowing ambient air over the refrigerant gas cooler 204 to aid heat loss from the compressed refrigerant therein.
[0065] The cool, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant gas cooler 204 to the refrigerant turbine 206 via pipework section PR3. In this example, the refrigerant turbine 206 comprises a boundary layer turbine (BLT), also known as a "Tesla Turbine". In general, in a boundary layer turbine the gas is driven by a compressor into the turbine and across the surface of the turbine discs. Due to the boundary layer effect, nearby fluid drags on the surface of each disc, transferring energy to the disc and causing it to rotate. As the fluid loses energy it spirals towards the centre of the disc where the exhaust vent is arranged. The amount of work available from a boundary layer turbine is significantly greater than a conventional bladed turbine. This is because energy is transferred across the whole length of a disc spiral, which is substantially further (for a turbine of given size) than is the distance fluid travels as it passes over the blades of a bladed turbine. The greater the rotational velocity, the greater the spiral radius, therefore increasing shaft torque. Furthermore, different from a bladed turbine, performance of the boundary layer turbine is substantially unimpaired by phase changes of the working fluid between gas, vapour, and liquid.
[0066] The cool, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is expanded through the refrigerant turbine 206, causing the refrigerant turbine 206 to be rotated by the force of the fluid flow. The refrigerant part electrical generator 400c, which is coupled to the output shaft of the refrigerant turbine 206, is thereby caused to rotate to produce electrical power The cool, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant changes phase during the expansion through the refrigerant turbine 206, to a vapour and to a cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant turbine 206 to the evaporator via pipework section PR4.
[0067] In some examples of the invention, not shown in the figures, the refrigeration part 200 is a cascade refrigeration system.
[0068] Turning now to the gas part 300 of the methane-capture system 100, pipework section PA1 admits an ambient gas mix including gaseous methane. For example, the ambient gas mix may have a pressure of about 1 bar and a temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius. The gas mix is received by the gas compressor 302 and is compressed, thereby increasing the pressure and temperature of the gas mix to provide a hot, high-pressure gas mix.
[0069] The hot, high-pressure gas mix is fed from the gas compressor 302 to the compressed gas storage tank 304 via pipework section PA2. Heat is transferred, from the hot, high-pressure gas mix in the compressed gas storage tank 304 to the cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 208, thereby causing evaporation (boiling) of the liquid refrigerant. Thus, warm, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant (or refrigerant vapour) is returned to pipework section PR1 for entry to the refrigerant compressor 202, as has been described herein above.
[0070] The temperature of the compressed, high-pressure gas mix in the compressed gas storage tank 304 is therefore reduced to provide cold, high-pressure gas mix therein. As a result of this reduction in temperature, the methane contained in the compressed gas mix is liquified.
[0071] In this example, the liquified methane is drained out of the compressed gas storage tank 304 into the methane storage tank 306, via pipework section PA3. In some examples, a portion of the liquified methane in the storage 306 can be fed back to the gas part 300 system before the gas compressor 302, this can help to regulate the system inlet composition to ensure the methane-capture system 100 continues to operate efficiently. For example, through pipework section PA7a to pipework section PA1 or into the compressor 302.
[0072] The pressure of the compressed gas mix in the compressed gas storage tank 304 may be maintained at a desired level by control of the gas compressor 302, thereby ensuring the correct conditions for liquification of the methane. Also, heat generated by the gas compressor 302 may be used to remove moisture from the low/high-pressure gas mix. The compressed gas storage tank 304 may be insulated for thermal efficiency.
[0073] It will be appreciated that various pressure and temperature combinations are possible to liquify the methane in the compressed gas mix, and these may be selected according to other aspects such as the properties of the gas mix, ambient conditions, and so on.
[0074] Where the gas mix comprises component gasses which are liquified at higher temperatures and/or lower pressures than methane, these component gasses may be separated from the gas mix before the gaseous methane in the gas mix is liquified. For example, by liquifying the component gasses and separating them from the gas mix before the gaseous methane in the gas mix is liquified. It will be appreciated that the process and apparatus used to separate these other component gasses may vary depending on factors such as the properties of the component gasses and the environment.
[0075] The gas outlet 304a is controlled to be opened (for example by activation of a valve, or the like) to release the cold, high-pressure gas mix (minus the methane that has been removed therefrom) from the compressed gas storage tank 304. The cold, high-pressure gas mix is fed from the gas outlet 304a to the gas turbine 308 via pipework section PA4. In this example, the gas turbine 308 comprises a boundary layer turbine (BLT), the operating principle of which has already been discussed herein above.
[0076] The cold, high-pressure gas mix is received by the gas turbine 308 and is expanded therethrough, causing the gas turbine 308 to be rotated by the force of the gas mix flow. The gas part electrical generator 400d, which is coupled to the output shaft of the gas turbine 308, is thereby caused to rotate to produce electrical power.
[0077] The cold, low-pressure gas mix is fed from the gas turbine 308 to the gas filter 310 via pipework section PA5. The gas mix is cleaned of any contaminants, e.g. dust particles, biological pathogens including bacteria and viruses, and the like, as it flows through the gas filter 310.
[0078] Having passed through the gas filter 310, the cold, low-pressure gas mix enters the pipework section PA6, from which it exits the methane-capture system 100.
[0079] The gas mix may exit the methane-capture system 100 into the external environment. The temperature of the environment is greater than the temperature of the cold, low-pressure gas mix leaving the methane-capture system 100. Accordingly, the colder air has a cooling effect on the warmer environment. Alternatively, or in addition, the cold, low-pressure gas mix may be fed into external capture tank(s), or kept within the gas system 300 to go through the process again to liquidise and separate any remaining gaseous methane in the gas mix.
[0080] In some embodiments where the cold, low-pressure gas mix comprises multiple different gas components, one or more of the different gas components may be separated from others of the cold, low-pressure gas mix and pass to different destinations after the liquid methane is separated. For example, a first component gas of the cold, low-pressure gas mix may exit the methane-capture system 100 into the external environment, a second component gas of the cold, low-pressure gas mix may be kept within the gas system 300 to go through the process again, and a third component gas of the cold, low-pressure gas mix may be fed into an external capture tank.
[0081] The tables below summarise the state of each of the two working fluids of the methane-capture system 100 through the stages of their respective cycles: Refrigerant part 200 Part of Cycle State of Refrigerant Entry to refrigerant compressor 202 Warm, low-pressure gas Entry to refrigerant gas cooler 204 Hot, high-pressure gas Entry to refrigerant turbine 206 Cool, high-pressure gas Entry to evaporator 208 Cold, low-pressure liquid Gas part 300 Part of Cycle State of Air Entry to gas compressor 302 Ambient conditions (e.g atmospheric or industrial exhaust Entry to compressed gas storage Hot, high-pressure gas tank 304 Entry to gas turbine 308 Cold, high-pressure gas Exit to external capture tanks Cold, low-pressure gas In the above-described example, each of the refrigerant part electrical generator 400c and the air part electrical generator 400d provides an electrical power output. The controller 400e may control this electrical power to be fed back to the mains grid via the electrical generation and supply system 400a, or to contribute to driving one or both of the refrigerant compressor 202 and the gas compressor 302, or to be stored by the battery loop storage system 400b for later use, or any combination of these. Generation may be at 400 Hz, which may be converted to 50/60 Hz.
[0082] The refrigerant gas cooler 204 may be located in the stream of the cool gas mix leaving the pipework section PA6 in order to enhance cooling performance.
[0083] VVhile in the above-described example the gas system 300 comprises a gas filter 310, in other examples the gas filter 310 is omitted. In yet other examples, the gas filter 310 is located upstream (before) the gas turbine 308, rather than downstream of the gas turbine 308.
[0084] VVhile in the above-described example the gas system 300 comprises an gas turbine 308, in other examples the gas turbine 308 is omitted. In such examples where the gas system 300 expels the gas mix, the cold, high-pressure gas mix may simply exit the gas outlet 304a of the compressed gas storage tank 304 into the external environment or capture tank(s). Or, the cold, high-pressure gas mix may exit the gas outlet 304a and then be passed through the air filter 310 before entering the external environment or capture tank(s).
[0085] VVhile in the above-described example the refrigerant part 200 uses carbon dioxide as the working fluid, in other examples different refrigerant fluids are used. Examples include, but are not limited to, ammonia, difluoromethane, and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
[0086] While in the above-described example the evaporator 208 is located inside the compressed gas storage tank 304, in other examples the evaporator 208 is located outside the compressed gas storage tank 304, or is located partially inside and partially outside the compressed gas storage tank 304. All such arrangements are within the scope of the claimed invention, provided that the evaporator 208 is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the compressed gas storage tank 304 by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
[0087] While in the above-described example the refrigerant part 200 comprises a refrigerant gas cooler 204, and a refrigerant turbine 206 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204, in other examples the refrigerant gas cooler 204 and the refrigerant turbine 206 are omitted. In such examples, the refrigerant part 200 comprises a condenser (i.e. in place of the refrigerant gas cooler 204) and an expansion valve (or other throttling device) located downstream of the condenser (i.e. in place of the refrigerant turbine 206). In these examples, the cooled fluid refrigerant leaves the condenser and enters the expansion valve as a high-pressure liquid, and exits the expansion valve as a cold, low-pressure liquid for entry to the evaporator 208. It will therefore be understood that, in these examples, the refrigerant part 200 is essentially a conventional refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
[0088] While in the above-described example the refrigerant part 200 comprises a refrigerant gas cooler 204, and a refrigerant turbine 206 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204, in other examples the refrigerant gas cooler 204 is omitted, along with pipework section PR3. In such examples, the refrigerant turbine 206 is arranged to receive the hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant compressor 202 via pipework section PR2. The hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is expanded through the refrigerant turbine 206, causing the refrigerant turbine 206 to be rotated by the force of the fluid flow. In this way, heat and pressure are given up by the hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to drive the turbine to produce useful work, i.e. to drive the refrigerant part electrical generator 400c. The hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant changes phase during the expansion through the refrigerant turbine 206, to a vapour and to a cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant turbine 206 to the evaporator via pipework section PR4, as has been described herein above. Thus, in these examples, the refrigerant turbine 206 or "single-expander" receives a hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and expels a cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant for use in the evaporator. The refrigerant turbine 206 is therefore a single device which efficiently performs the functions of both of a condenser and an expansion valve of a conventional refrigeration system.
[0089] While in the above-described example the liquified methane is drained into the methane storage tank 306, in other examples the methane storage tank 306 is omitted. In such examples, the liquified methane may be directed (drained or pumped) out of the methane-capture system 100 for (immediate or later) use in an industrial process.
[0090] While in the above-described example the elements of the refrigerant part 200 and the gas part 300 of the methane-capture system 100 are connected together by pipework sections PR1-PR4, PA1-FAG, in other examples at least some of the pipework sections are omitted and at least some of the elements are connected to each other directly.
[0091] While in the above-described example the refrigerant compressor 202 and the gas compressor 302 are driven by the mains power supply via the electrical generation and supply system 400a, in other examples some other kind of drive means is used. For example, one or both of the refrigerant compressor 202 and the gas compressor 302 may be arranged to be driven by an output shaft of an engine.
[0092] In an example, an additional or "first stage" gas compressor (not shown in Figure 1) is located upstream of the gas compressor 302. The first stage gas compressor is a low pressure compressor, relative to the gas compressor 302, for removing unwanted elements from pipework section PA1. The first stage gas compressor may be arranged to be driven by the mains power supply via the electrical generation and supply system 400a, or by some other means such as an engine. The gas mix is then supplied to and compressed by the gas compressor 302 or "second stage" compressor, for example to comply with phase change of methane from gas to liquid While in the above-described example the methane-capture system 100 comprises a single compressed gas storage tank 304 and a single evaporator 208, in other examples there is provided a plurality of gas storage tanks and a plurality of evaporators. Such an example will now be described with reference to Figure 2.
[0093] As shown in Figure 2, a methane-capture system 100' comprises a refrigerant part or system 200' and a gas part or system 300'. The refrigerant system is a cascade refrigerant system. The main elements of the refrigerant part 200' are: a refrigerant compressor 202' comprising an intake 202'a; a refrigerant gas cooler 204' (or condenser, as has been discussed herein above) located downstream of the refrigerant compressor 202'; a first refrigerant turbine or refrigerant expander 2061 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204'; a first evaporator 208'1 located downstream of the first refrigerant turbine 206'1 and arranged within a first gas storage tank 3041, the first evaporator 2081 being upstream of and connected to the intake 202'a of the refrigerant compressor 202'; a second refrigerant turbine or refrigerant expander 2062 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204'; a second evaporator 2082 located downstream of the second refrigerant turbine 2062 and arranged within a second gas storage tank 3042, the second evaporator 2082 being upstream of and connected to the intake 202'a of the refrigerant compressor 202'; a third refrigerant turbine or refrigerant expander 206'3 located downstream of the refrigerant gas cooler 204'; and a third evaporator 208'3 located downstream of the third refrigerant turbine 206'3 and arranged within a third gas storage tank 304'3, the third evaporator 2083 being upstream of and connected to the intake 202'a of the refrigerant compressor 202'. The refrigerant part 200' also comprises a working fluid refrigerant. In this example, the working fluid refrigerant is carbon dioxide. It will be understood that as used herein the terms "downstream" and "upstream" relate to the direction of movement of the fluid refrigerant through the refrigerant part 200'.
[0094] The main elements of the gas part 300' are: a gas compressor 302', in this example comprising a first, low pressure stage 3021 and a second, high pressure stage 302'2; the first compressed gas storage tank 3041, located downstream of the gas compressor 302' and including a first gas outlet 304'1a and a first methane drain port 304'1 b; a first gas turbine 308'1 located downstream of the first gas outlet 304'1a; the second compressed gas storage tank 3042, located downstream of the first gas turbine 308'1 and including a second gas outlet 304'2a and a second methane drain port 304'2b; a second gas turbine 3082 located downstream of the second gas outlet 304'2a; the third compressed gas storage tank 304'3, located downstream of the second gas turbine 308'2 and including a third gas outlet 304'3a and a third methane drain port 304'3b; a third gas turbine 3083 located downstream of the third gas outlet 304'3a; and a gas filter 310' located downstream of the third gas turbine 3083 and leading to the exit of the gas part 300'.
[0095] It will be understood that as used herein the terms "downstream" and "upstream" relate to the direction of movement of the fluid refrigerant through the refrigerant part 200 and the gas mix through the gas part 300 It will be understood that the elements of the methane-capture system 100' are connected together by pipework sections (not labelled in Figure 2) in the manner described herein above. Alternatively, at least some of the pipework sections are omitted and at least some of the elements are connected to each other directly.
[0096] The operation of the methane-capture system 100' of Figure 2 is broadly similar to that of the methane-capture system 100 of Figure 1 as described herein above, except that in the methane-capture system 100' of Figure 2 the flow of the fluid refrigerant leaving the refrigerant gas cooler 204' is divided so as to feed each of the first, second and third refrigerant expanders 206'1, 2062, 206'3 and thereby the first, second and third evaporators 208'1, 2082, 208'3. Thus, the first, second and third evaporators 2081, 2082, 2083 are arranged in parallel, and they each direct warm, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the intake 202'a of the refrigerant compressor 202'. Furthermore, the first, second and third gas storage tanks 3041, 3042 and 3043, and the first, second and third gas turbines 3081, 3082, 3083, are arranged in series.
[0097] The refrigerant compressor 202' and/or the gas compressor 302' may be driven by a mains power supply via an electrical generation and supply system, or by some other suitable drive means such as an output shaft of an engine, as has been described herein above.
[0098] The configuration of the methane-capture system 100' may vary from the described example of Figure 2. The variations may be as described herein above with respect to the methane-capture system 100' of Figure 1. All such practicable configurations are envisaged and are within the scope of the claimed invention, provided that the methane-capture system 100' includes more than one compressed gas storage tank and more than one evaporator.
[0099] Figure 3 shows another methane-capture system 101 with a single compressed gas storage tank 304 and single evaporator 204 in the refrigerant system 200.
[0100] The methane-capture system 101 of Figure 3 includes several modifications to the system 100 of Figure 1, to provide further examples of the invention.
[0101] The gas system 300 includes a first further heat exchanger 311a arranged between the compressor 302 and the compressed gas storage tank 304, this heat exchanger 311a partially pre-cools the compressed gas before it enters the compressed gas storage tank 304. A second further heat exchanger 311b is arranged between the compressed gas storage tank 304 and the gas turbine 308, this heat exchanger 311b can heat or cool the gas mix leaving the compressed gas storage tank 304 as necessary for optimum generation of electrical power It will be appreciated that while the methane-capture system 101 includes the two further heat exchangers 311a, 311b, other systems may include only one of these heat exchangers 311a, 311b, or additional further heat exchangers. These further heat exchangers 311a, 311b may also be incorporated into the methane-capture system 101' as shown in Figure 2.
[0102] The methane-capture system 101 of Figure 3 also shows pipework section PA7b for transporting liquid methane from the methane storage tank 306 for other purposes, such as input to other industrial processes. This pipework section PA7b may be in addition to the pipework section PA7a as shown in Figure 3. In other example, the gas system 300 includes pipework section PA7b but not PA7a, and in yet further examples the gas system 300 includes neither pipework section PA7a or PA7b.
[0103] It should be understood that the invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments and may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS1. A methane-capture system, comprising: a refrigeration system comprising an evaporator and arranged to supply a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator; a gas compressor arranged to compress a gas mix including gaseous methane; and a compressed gas storage vessel arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas compressor and comprising a gas outlet; wherein: the evaporator is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the compressed gas storage vessel by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
2. A methane-capture system according to claim 1, wherein the gas outlet is 15 configured to release the cooled compressed gas mix from the compressed gas storage vessel to an external environment of the methane-capture system.
3. A methane-capture system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas outlet is configured to return the cooled compressed gas mix from the compressed gas storage vessel to the gas compressor.
4. A methane-capture system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cooled compressed gas mix comprises a plurality of different gasses, and one or more of the plurality of different gasses is separated from the rest of the cooled compressed gas mix before the cooled compressed gas mix is released to the external environment or is returned to the gas compressor.
5. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, wherein the refrigeration system comprises: a refrigerant compressor arranged to receive evaporated refrigerant gas from the evaporator and to compress the refrigerant gas; and a refrigerant gas cooler and expander system arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator.
6. A methane-capture system according to claim 5, wherein the refrigerant gas cooler and expander system comprises: a refrigerant gas cooler arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool the compressed refrigerant gas; and a refrigerant turbine arranged to receive the cooled compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant gas cooler and to expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator
7. A methane-capture system according to claim 5, wherein the refrigerant gas cooler and expander system comprises a refrigerant turbine arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant gas from the refrigerant compressor and to cool and expand the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby to liquify the compressed refrigerant gas to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator.
8. A methane-capture system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the refrigerant turbine comprises a boundary layer turbine.
9. A methane-capture system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising an electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine for generating electrical power.
10. A methane-capture system according to claim 9, wherein the electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine is arranged to generate electrical power for driving the refrigerant compressor.
11. A methane-capture system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the electrical generator connected to the refrigerant turbine is arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz.
12. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, comprising a gas turbine arranged to receive the cooled compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the compressed gas storage vessel.
13. A methane-capture system according to claim 12, wherein the gas turbine comprises a boundary layer turbine.
14. A methane-capture system according to claim 12 or 13, comprising an electrical generator connected to the gas turbine for generating electrical power.
15. A methane-capture system according to claim 14, wherein the electrical generator connected to the gas turbine is arranged to generate electrical power for driving the gas compressor
16. A methane-capture system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the electrical generator connected to the gas turbine is arranged to generate electrical power at 400 Hz.
17. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, comprising a gas filter for removing contaminants from the cooled compressed gas mix.
18. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, comprising a methane storage vessel arranged to receive the liquidised methane.
19. A methane-capture system according to claim 18, wherein the methane storage vessel is configured to release at least a portion of the liquidised methane to the gas compressor.
20. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, wherein the evaporator is located at least partially inside the compressed gas storage vessel.
21. A methane-capture system according to claim 20, wherein the evaporator is located entirely inside the compressed gas storage vessel.
22. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, wherein the refrigerant comprises carbon dioxide.
23. A methane-capture system according to any preceding claim, wherein: the refrigeration system comprises a plurality of evaporators and is arranged to supply the liquid refrigerant to the evaporators, the evaporator being a first one of the evaporators; and the system further comprises a plurality of compressed gas storage vessels each comprising a gas outlet, the compressed gas storage vessel being a first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; wherein: a second one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; a first one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels, and a second one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the second one of the compressed gas storage vessels, by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
24. A methane-capture system, comprising: a refrigeration system comprising a plurality of evaporators and arranged to supply a liquid refrigerant to the evaporators; a gas compressor arranged to compress a gas mix including gaseous 5 methane; and a plurality of compressed gas storage vessels each comprising a gas outlet, wherein: a first one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive 10 the compressed gas mix from the gas compressor; a second one of the compressed gas storage vessels is arranged to receive the compressed gas mix from the gas outlet of the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels; a first one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the first one of the compressed gas storage vessels, and the second one of the evaporators is arranged to extract heat from the compressed gas mix in the second one of the compressed gas storage vessels, by evaporation of the liquid refrigerant, thereby to cool the compressed gas mix to liquidise the gaseous methane for capture.
GB2412274.9A 2024-08-20 2024-08-20 Methane-capture system Pending GB2643541A (en)

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US3400547A (en) * 1966-11-02 1968-09-10 Williams Process for liquefaction of natural gas and transportation by marine vessel
US20100326133A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2010-12-30 Clive Beeby Method and apparatus for cooling down a cryogenic heat exchanger and method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream
KR102198046B1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2021-01-05 한국조선해양 주식회사 gas treatment system and offshore plant having the same

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EP2505948B1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2018-10-10 General Electric Technology GmbH Cryogenic CO2 separation using a refrigeration system
EP4240945A1 (en) * 2020-11-09 2023-09-13 Bennamann Services Ltd Systems and methods for smoothing and storage of intermittent renewable power
WO2023144550A1 (en) * 2022-01-28 2023-08-03 PuriFire Labs Limited Extraction device
GB2623779A (en) * 2022-10-26 2024-05-01 Tree Ass Ltd Carbon-capture cooling system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3400547A (en) * 1966-11-02 1968-09-10 Williams Process for liquefaction of natural gas and transportation by marine vessel
US20100326133A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2010-12-30 Clive Beeby Method and apparatus for cooling down a cryogenic heat exchanger and method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream
KR102198046B1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2021-01-05 한국조선해양 주식회사 gas treatment system and offshore plant having the same

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