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Abstract: It is preferable to transport or store natural gas (NG) in a liquid state, as liquefied natural gas (LNG). In recent decades, a variety of natural gas liquefaction processes (NGLPs) using mixed refrigerants (MRs) with different configurations have been developed, which have greatly enriched the family of NGLPs. In this review, we introduce the configurations of featured commercial processes or patented designs chronologically in each category based on a modified classification framework. The corresponding refrigerant combinations and operating parameters such as operating pressures, the refrigeration temperature in each stage, and the number of evaporating pressure levels are also discussed. Specific power consumption (SPC) was considered as the major performance indicator. This review aims to clarify the development of NGLPs using MRs (MR-NGLPs) from a configurative perspective, and to provide a reference for the future improvement of their thermodynamic performance.

The proposed review study presents the development of natural gas liquefaction processes using mixed refrigerants from a configurative perspective, and to provide a helper for the future improvement of their thermodynamic performances. This paper demonstrates a worthy information relevant to mixed-refrigerants based natural gas liquefaction processes.

混合工质天然气液化流程的特色结构与性能综述

概要:天然气的运输与储存均以液态(LNG)为宜.近几十年来,随着混合制冷剂天然气液化流程的飞速发展,出现了种类繁多的结构形式,为业界提供了丰富的选择.针对种类繁多的混合制冷剂天然气液化流程,本文提出了一个新的分类框架,并在此基础上介绍了每一类中具有特色的商业化流程或专利设计中的结构特点;同时,整理和讨论了这些流程所采用的制冷剂组合和运行参数(包括运行压力、每一级的制冷温度和蒸发压力位的数量等),并将单位液化功作为最重要的性能指标.本综述旨在从流程结构的角度厘清混合制冷剂天然气液化流程的发展历程,以及展示流程之间结构性的区别,为从业人员选择合适流程提供参考,同时也为已有流程性能的优化以及新流程的构建提供依据与建议.
关键词：天然气;液化;混合制冷剂;结构;性能

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