Ronald D May

US Patent:

44191146, Dec 6, 1983

Filed:

Apr 19, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/369159

Inventors:

Ronald L. May - Humble TX
Nicholas J. Snow - Houston TX

Assignee:

Sappsucker, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 300
F25J 500

US Classification:

62 17

Abstract:

A method of converting natural wellhead gas to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) may comprise the steps of: separating natural gas from petroleum fluids exiting a well-head; compressing the natural gas; refrigerating the natural gas, liquefying at least a portion thereof; and separating LPG from gas vapors of the refrigerated natural gas. A system for performing the method may comprise: a two-stage gas compressor connected to the wellhead; a refrigeration unit downstream of the gas compressor for cooling the compressed gases therefrom; and a product separator downstream of the refrigeration unit for receiving cooled and compressed gases discharged from the refrigeration unit and separating LPG therein from gases remaining in vapor form.

US Patent:

44628137, Jul 31, 1984

Filed:

Dec 5, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/557852

Inventors:

Ronald L. May - Kingwood TX
Bobby W. Sinclair - Wichita Falls TX

Assignee:

Sappsucker, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F25J 300
F25J 500

US Classification:

62 17

Abstract:

A method of converting natural wellhead gas to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) may comprise the steps of: separating natural gas from petroleum fluids exiting a wellhead; compressing the natural gas; refrigerating the natural gas, liquefying at least a portion thereof; separating LPG from gas vapors of the refrigerated natural gas; storing the separated LPG in a storage tank with a vapor space therein; and recirculating a portion of the LPG vapors in the storage tank with the natural gas exiting the wellhead to enhance recovery of LPG. A system for performing the method may comprise: a two-stage gas compressor connected to the wellhead; a refrigeration unit downstream of the gas compressor for refrigerating the compressed gases therefrom; at least one product separator downstream of the refrigerator unit for receiving refrigerated and compressed gases discharged from the refrigeration unit and separating LPG therein from gases remaining in vapor form; and a storage tank for receiving and storing the separated LPG therein, the storage tank having a vapor space therein connected upstream of the gas compressor through a pressure regulator allowing recirculation of some LPG vapors with the natural gases through said system.