Chilled water skid for natural gas processing

Abstract

An improved chilled water skid for natural gas processing is provided. The skid includes an apparatus for out a refrigeration cycle. The apparatus includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant reservoir and a control valve positioned downstream of the compressor and upstream of the refrigerant reservoir. The control valve is configured to regulate a pressure on a downstream side of the compressor.

1 . An apparatus for carrying out a refrigeration cycle, the apparatus comprising:
 an evaporator;   a compressor;   a condenser;   a refrigerant reservoir; and   a control valve positioned downstream of the compressor and upstream of the refrigerant reservoir wherein the control valve is configured to regulate a pressure on a downstream side of the compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the condenser is positioned downstream of the control valve and upstream of the refrigerant reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second control valve positioned downstream of the condenser and upstream of the refrigerant reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is configured to regulate the downstream side pressure of the compressor based on a measured pressure on the downstream side of the compressor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the control valve is configured to maintain a pressure of at least about 60 psig at a point downstream of the compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is configured to regulate the downstream side pressure of the compressor based on a measured differential pressure across the compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the control valve is configured to maintain a pressure differential of at least about 50 psi across the compressor.