Chart issued patent for liquefaction technology

The brazed aluminum heat exchanger (BAHX) is key to the efficiency of cryogenic gas processing including natural gas liquefaction (LNG) and air separation. Photo courtesy of Chart Energy & Chemicals.

Chart Energy & Chemicals Inc., a Chart Industries Company, has been awarded a patent for its IPSMR cryogenic liquefaction process technology by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Initially intended for use in the making of liquefied natural gas (LNG), IPSMR  technology, uses a mixture of light hydrocarbons and nitrogen to provide refrigeration. Process optimization is achieved through an improved refrigeration cycle using Chart's proprietary brazed aluminum heat exchangers (BAHX). The IPSMR process allows clients to achieve maximum operating efficiency, economy and performance by 6% - 10% over other industry recognized single mixed refrigerant processes.

Global demand for natural gas continues to increase and liquefaction is vital for its transportation because LNG occupies 1/600th volume compared to its gaseous form. In recognizing the internal development team's accomplishment, Andrew Moriarty, President of Chart Energy & Chemicals, also highlighted the practical role and importance of the company's continuous research and development program, "The IPSMR process technology and our modular plant solutions, are at the center of many of the proposed investments, at various stages of regulatory approval, that will enable the export of North American shale gas through liquefaction," he said.

Chart is also actively developing IPSMR to improve the efficiency of other liquefaction processes, such as ethane, ethylene and energy storage projects.

In addition to the US, IPSMR process technology has been patented in other major countries, including China and Japan, and it is patent pending in many others.

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