Patent attributes
The present invention relates to a system for depressurisation of high pressure pipeline fluids. The system may provide for net power generation without the pressurised fluid undergoing liquefaction or solidification or unacceptable temperature reduction as a result of a Joule-Thompson process. The system is particularly relevant for depressurising high pressure natural gas pipelines in an energy efficient manner whilst making possible net power generation. The system for depressurisation of a pressurised fluid in a pipeline comprises at least one depressuriser for expanding the fluid in the pipeline to a lower pressure; and a transcritical heat pump for circulating a supercritical fluid, wherein the supercritical fluid undergoes cooling so as to release heat for transmission to the pressurised fluid in the pipeline prior to at least one expansion of said pressurised fluid.
