Importance

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Abstract

A compact assembly of a liquefied natural gas, (LNG)-mixed hydrocarbon refrigerants, (MR), arranged on a single shaft assembly for individual expanding the LNG and MR streams including sealing means for separating and isolating the processing of a LNG stream and MR stream at a pre-selected location intermediate the ends of the single shaft assembly. The liquefied natural gas, LNG, stream is coupled to a hydraulic turbine expander mounted on the single shaft assembly adjacent a first end thereof. The hydraulic turbine expander has two phase expansion capabilities. The hydraulic expander is enclosed in a vessel mounted between one end of the sealing means and beyond the first end of the shaft assembly for isolating the expander. The LNG stream and the vessel are arranged to traverse a pre-selected path within the vessel. The compact assembly may include a induction motor means mounted to the shaft assembly adjacent the sealing means. At least a single MR hydraulic turbine expander mounted to the single shaft assembly adjacent a second end of the shaft assembly. Each of the hydraulic turbine expanders having runner means mounted to the shaft assembly to be rotatably responsive to the fluid streams coupled thereto for rotating the shaft assembly and thereby the induction motor means functioning as an electrical power generator. The remaining portion of the shaft assembly is enclosed in a MR vessel for isolating the MR expander and the second end of the shaft assembly. The MR vessel is designed to have a MR inlet and outlet for causing the MR stream to follow a path in the opposite direction from the LNG stream to offset the thrust forces generated by the hydraulic turbine. The thrust forces can be offset without the need for an individual thrust equalizing mechanism.

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First Claim