| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: supplying a partly condensed feed stream ( 10 ) having a pressure above 60 bar to a first separator ( 2 ) wherein it is separated into a gaseous stream ( 20 ) and a liquid stream ( 30 ); expanding the liquid stream ( 30 ) and the gaseous stream ( 20 ) and subsequently feeding them into the distillation column ( 3 ); removing from the distillation column ( 3 ) a gaseous overhead stream ( 80 ), partially condensing it, feeding it ( 90 ) into a second separator ( 8 ) thereby obtaining a liquid stream ( 100 ) and a gaseous stream ( 110 ), feeding the liquid stream ( 100 ) into the distillation column ( 3 ) and liquefying the gaseous stream ( 110 ) thereby obtaining a liquefied stream ( 200 ); wherein the gaseous overhead stream ( 80 ) is partially condensed by heat exchanging against the expanded gaseous stream ( 60 ) before it ( 70 ) is fed into the distillation column ( 3 ); and wherein the gaseous stream ( 110 ) is removed from the second separator but before it ( 160 ) is liquefied, is heat exchanged against the feed stream ( 10 a ), thereby partially condensing the feed stream ( 10 a ). |