natural gas refrigeration
TRANSCRIPT
Prepared By:
Shafaat KhanChemical Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar, Pakistan
Cooling of Natural Gas by Refrigeration Process
Contents
Natural Gas Composition Main Uses Natural Gas Processing Cooling Cooling Methods Refrigeration Parts of MRU
Contents (Cont…..)
Refrigerant Cycle Recommendations
Natural Gas
Natural gas consisting mainly of methane.
Nonrenewable fossil fuel. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in
coal beds.
Composition
Methane 70-90% Ethane 5-15% Propane 5% Butane 5%
Main Uses
Power generation Domestic use Transportation Fuel Fertilizer Aviation Hydrogen
Natural Gas Processing Dehydration Desulphurization Cooling
Dehydration
Removal of water content from natural gas.
Because:
i). Water forms hydrates
ii). Water causes corrosion
Desulphurization
Removal of Sulpher content from natural gas is called Desulphurization.
Because
i). Sulpher pollutes the environment.
Cooling
Lowering the temperature of the raw gas so condensates can be removed.
Control the Hydrocarbon Dew Point.
Cooling Methods
Refrigeration Turbo Expander JT Valve
Refrigeration
Mechanical Refrigeration Unit is used for refrigeration Process
Parts of MRU
Coalescer Filter Unit Gas-Gas Exchanger Gas-Liquid Exchanger Chiller Low Temperature
Separator De-Ethanizer MEG Injection
Coalescer Filter Unit
It consist of two sections
i). Coalescer Element
ii). Double Pocket Vane It removes initially free liquid contents
www.amistco.com
Gas-Gas Exchanger
Gas-Gas Exchanger is used to cool the gas by exchanging heat with the cooled residue gas.
MEG is used in this step It is a mixture of water(20%) and Mono
Ethylene glycol(80%).
Gas-Liquid Exchanger
Condensate Enters form Shell side Raw Gas from Gas-Gas Exchanger enters
the tube side. Raw Gas temperature lowers from 70ºF to
50ºF Condensate temperature rises from -15ºF
to 30ºF
Chiller
Pre cooled gas from gas-gas exchanger enters the chiller.
The function of chiller is to further reduce the temperature of raw gas before it enters LTS.
It is just like a heat exchanger and propane is used as a refrigerant.
Low Temperature Separator High pressure horizontal vessel. It consist of deflector plates. It separates the liquid from gas on the
basis of gravity and retention time.
De-Ethanizer
Hydrocarbon Liquids passes through the liquid gas heat exchanger.
From gas liquid heat exchanger it enters the De-Ethanizer and Showered from top of De-Ethanizer.
Mono ethylene Glycol Injection
MEG is injected along with raw gas before it enters the Gas/Gas exchanger.
It enters the tube side of the gas/gas Heat exchanger.
It prevents Hydrates formation. It is 80% MEG and 20% water.
Refrigerant cycle
It recovers the refrigerant.
Refrigerant Accumulator A horizontal high pressure vessel. For maintaining high pressure,
regulators are installed. It accumulates the refrigerant.
Dessicator
It consist of silica gel, which acts as moisture absorbent.
Acts as filter for removal of impurities.
Overhead Heat Exchanger It is a U type Shell and tube Heat
Exchanger. It cools the refrigerant prior to the
throttling valve.
Refrigerant Shell Side
De Ethanizer Vapor Tube Side
Expansion Valve
Refrigerant passes through it. Sudden expansion occurs. Due to which pressure drops and
temperature lowers.
Economizer
Reduces the load on the compressor. Make the process economical. Consist of the level control valve which
works as an expansion valve. Pressure drops and temperature lowers.
Evaporator
Just like a heat exchanger.
Refrigerant Shell side
Gas Tube side After Heat exchange the refrigerant
enters the compressor
Compressor
Compressor draws the refrigerant vapors from evaporator.
Rises the pressure and temperature. Sends the compressed refrigerant to the
condenser.
Condenser The condenser accepts the high
pressurized refrigerant from the compressor.
Exchanges the heat with the atmosphere.
Here phase change occurs. Refrigerant Liquefies. Liquefied Refrigerant back to the
accumulator.
Recommendations
Refrigerant Selection Magnetic Refrigeration
Factors affecting Refrigerant
Properties Operating condition System components Chemical stability Cost Environmental Friendly
Properties
Temperature Pressure Toxicity Heat Capacity
Operating Conditions
Environmental Effect on the operation Temperature Difference
System Components
Temperature Withstand Corrosiveness
Selected
Ammonia Toxic, High Temp, Environment
R-134 Corrosive R-122 Selected
Magnetic refrigeration Working principle are based on the
magnetocaloric effect. MCE is the lowering of temperature. Temperature as low as 0.3K MCE is the phenomena in which a material
temperature is changed by exposing it to the changing magnetic field.
Paramagnetic salt is used as refrigerant. e.g. cerium magnesium nitrate.
References
www.processgroup.com.au www.britannica.com www.wipo.int www.naturalgas.org www.pfaudler.com www.amistco.com