Process and system to produce multiple distributable products from source, or imported LNG
The process that includes providing the following elements for treating source refrigerated LNG, a heat exchanger/condenser through which refrigerated LNG passes, a vaporizer receiving LNG from the heat exchanger/condenser to produce heating grade LNG product, a distillation column producing distillate condensed in the heat exchanger/condenser to produce vehicle grade LNG, some of which is returned to the distillation column, the distillation column having input of refrigerated LNG, the distillation column having a lower outlet through which produced C2+ is delivered.
1. The process that includes providing the following elements for treating source refrigerated LNG:
a) a heat exchanger/condenser through which refrigerated LNG passes,
b) a vaporizer receiving LNG from the heat exchanger/condenser to produce heating grade LNG product,
c) a distillation column producing distillate condensed in the heat exchanger/condenser to produce vehicle grade LNG, the column having an upper outlet to pass near pure methane gas to the condenser from which said vehicle grade LNG is delivered to storage, and from which condensate is returned to the column, there being means to deliver at least some of the vehicle grade LNG to mix with LNG flowing to the vaporizer,
d) the distillation column having input of refrigerated LNG from said source,
e) the distillation column having a lower outlet through which produced C2+ is delivered,
f) said column input located at a mid-region of the column above said column lower outlet.
2. The process of claim 1 including a secondary heater vaporizer receiving product from a lower portion of the distillation column and returning product to a lower portion of the column.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein said C2+ product consists of ethane and heavier hydrocarbons.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein
said LNG product is delivered to a pipeline grid
said vehicle grade LNG not returned to the column is delivered to a transport facility
said C2+ product is delivered to another transport facility.
5. The process of claim 1 which includes pumping a first portion of said source LNG to elevated pressure level for passage to the heat exchanger/condenser for heat exchange with said distillate, condensed in the heat exchanger/condenser to produce vehicle grade LNG, some of which is returned to the distillation column.
6. The process of claim 5 which includes pumping a second portion of said source LNG to elevated pressure for passage to the distillation column, receiving input of refrigerated LNG.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein said source LNG is imported via a transport vessel, as refrigerated LNG.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein substantially all of the source refrigerated LNG that is passed to the column enters the column at said input at about 7 Bara.