LNG is an acronym for Liquefied Natural Gas. All of the processes to produce LNG are based on a common concept cool the natural gas down to a temperature where it is a liquid at ambient pressure, approximately 162. There are different processes in cooling the natural gas, however all of the LNG processes begin in the same way. Raw natural gas passes through the pre-treatment section of the plant, where it is treated to remove carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, mercury, mercaptans and dehydrated to remove water. The treated, dry gas is then precooled to an intermediate temperature, approximately 30~ 40. This will cause the he avier hydrocarbon components, which can freeze at very low temperatures, to condense and separate from the gas. The lean gas, mainly methane and ethane, is then sentto the liquefaction section of the plant, where it is cooled to approximately 162 before sending it to storage.
Three zones could be noted in the process of the gas being liquefied. A pre-cooling zone, followed by a liquefaction zone, and completed by a sub-cooling zone. The three zones have different temperature zone andcooling zone due to different components and pressure of natural gas. The LNG processes are designed trying to closely approach the cooling curve at the different zones/stages of theliquefaction process to achieve high refrigeration efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
For small sized LNG plant, the Cascade Process and Mixed Refrigerant Process are not generally practical as these processes are too complicated. In our design, isentropic gas turbo expander is used to produce cooling. The gas for expansion shall be either the natural gas or nitrogen.
Features of partly liquefied natural gas by using the pressure difference of gas coming from piping manifold |
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Features of small sized natural gas liquefier by using turbo expander |
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