An unconventional supersonic liquefied technology for natural gas

Abstract

We proposed a novel supersonic liquefied technology to liquefy the natural gas to LNG liquids. The Peng-Robinson equation of state combined with a thermodynamic process modeling package was employed to calculate the gas dynamics parameters in the supersonic liquefied process. The method to intensify the liquefied process was also discussed. The results show that natural gas expands to supersonic velocities with leading to the low pressure and temperature of 1611.5 kPa and -118.86 ˚C at the nozzle exit, respectively. The pressure-temperature (P-T) curves remaining in the dense phase region indicates that the supersonic liquefied apparatus can successfully liquefy the natural gas to LNG liquids. A large expansion ratio improves the performance of a supersonic liquefied apparatus since natural gas is expanded further. Inserting a long constant conduit between the Laval nozzle and diffuser deepens the supersonic liquefied process.