Two-Phase Expander Potentialfor Reduced Power Requirementsin LNG
Production PlantsThe 2nd International Conference onSmall Scale LNG
in EuropeEginhard Berger & Manfred Boelt, Linde AG -
LindeEngineering Division, GermanyDr. Hans Kimmel, Ebara, USA
Content:
Basis of Comparison Options Current State of the Art and
Development in FluidExpansion for Refrigeration Expansion Options
for the Linde Single MixedRefrigerant Cycle Thermophysical
Illustration of the LNG End Flash Options Heat Temperature Diagram
(Pinch Analysis) Economic Comparison of the Options TPE (Two-Phase
Expander) Technology
LNG Process Comparison Basis: LiMuM (Linde Multi Stage Mixed
Refrigerant) LNG Process Typical Natural Gas Composition Feed Gas:
Pressure 60 bar, Temperature 30 C, Feed Gas Flow: equal for all 3
OptionsComparison Options: JTE (Joule-Thomson Expansion) HE +
JTE(Hydraulic Expander) + (Joule-Thomson Expansion) TPE (Two-Phase
Expander)Results: Different thermo-physical data for the entry and
outlet flash stream Different flash (=fuel) gas flows according to
power requirement Consequently different LNG production rates
Linde forms Global Alliance with SBM to build floating LNG
liquefaction plants for offshore natural gas fields"
Munich, 20 September 2007 Linde has formed a Global Alliance
with Single Buoying Mooring Inc. ("SBM") to develop and market
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units ("FPSO") for the
growing Liquid Natural Gas ("LNG") industry, based on Linde's
proprietary natural gas liquefaction technology.
SBM is a public listed Company, based in the Netherlands and a
market leader in the field of FPSOs for the offshore oil & gas
industry, currently owning and operating 16 world scale and
own-build F(P)SO-units for crude oil and LPG production
worldwide.
After having finalized a generic concept for a LNG FPSO with a
yearly capacity off app.2.5 million metric tonnes of LNG, global
marketing efforts will start as of today. The FPSO is designed for
any conventional natural gas composition and aims at offshore
natural gas fields with recoverable reserves of 1 trillion cubic
feet or more.
Under the Global Alliance Linde contributes the FPSO topsides
including gas pretreatment, C3+ fractionation and natural gas
liquefaction based on Linde's proprietary
Multi-Stage-Mixed-Refrigerant process (LiMuM). SBM among other
things contributes marine technology including hull and LNG storage
tanks system, power generation system, mooring system, cryogenic
offloading systems and FPSO operational experience.
Whilst all process units of a LNG FPSO are proven on-shore
technology, the integration of multiple large and heavy process
modules with the hull structure and on a limited deck space
requires innovative solutions. LNG processing, utility supply,
cryogenic offloading and mooring systems are designed to reliably
operate under severe marine conditions and with minimal
maintenance. The design also incorporates Linde's experience with
Europe's first base load LNG plant (4.2 million metric tonnes of
LNG per year) for Statoils Snohvit project, which Linde erected on
a small island in the Norwegian Arctic Circle utilizing a unique
35,000 tonnes, barge mounted process unit.