The focus on a simple liquefaction technology solution is making offshore projects a reality in the LNG supply market. The PRICO SMR (single mixed-refrigerant) process offers a progressive solution for small- to mid-scale offshore or nearshore LNG facilities. Advantages of the process include its simplicity, flexibility, costeffectiveness and shorter schedule for producing LNG. The main concerns for a floating facility can be very different from those for a land-based facility. A successful barge-mounted project requires the application of liquefaction technology that is space-efficient, cost-efficient and energy-efficient. The SMR process is the workhorse of the small- and midscale LNG industry, and it is used in more than 85% of all units in operation. The low equipment count of an SMR process allows it to fit within tighter space limitations, thereby lowering associated capital costs. The proprietary SMR technology, in contrast to the other processes discussed, has a single compression system for refrigeration. Also, the main exchanger is a simple plate-fin unit with a minimal number of connections. This setup results in a low-cost and easy-to-operate liquefaction process. The system is designed so that, during a shutdown, the refrigerant inventory is maintained in the system. No venting or pressure relief is needed, and an advanced refrigerant recovery system eliminates losses to the main compression seal gas system. One of the significant advantages of a floating facility is that it can move from location to location as the economics or resources change. The SMR process has been used successfully in many applications with varying feed gas compositions and pressures. The Jilin Songyan Qianyuan Energy LNG project in China, which is scheduled to start up in 2014, is designed to process feed gas containing up to 6% N2 while meeting a specification of less than 1% N2 in the LNG product. This plant has also been designed for operational flexibility and can process gas ranging from 200 psig-1,000 psig without the need for inlet compression. The SMR process can be tailored for applications other than typical pipeline gas liquefaction. In January 2014, the Wuhai Xilaifeng LNG plant began producing an LNG product stream using synthetic natural gas (SNG) as the feed gas from an upstream coking gas methanation process. The excess N2 and hydrogen (H2) contained in the feed (up to 20% H2 and 10% N2 of the incoming SNG) is removed, while the purified LNG is directed to an LNG storage tank. SMR technology is also an attractive option for large-scale plants. Multiple trains can be used to attain the desired LNG production rate. With four trains in operation, there is less production loss with a single mechanical failure. If a train is forced to shut down, production will only decrease by 25%, as opposed to 100% with only one train. Also, dividing the plant into multiple trains results in smaller liquefaction modules. This segmentation is especially beneficial for offshore applications where space is limited.


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    Title :

    Flexibility is key to FLNG project success


    Contributors:
    Talib, J. (author) / Hoffart, S.D. (author) / Bartel, W.L. (author)

    Published in:

    Hydrocarbon Processing ; 93 , 4, Supplement Gas Processing ; 41-46


    Publication date :

    2014


    Size :

    6 Seiten, Bilder, Tabellen



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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