LNG Workshop Module 2

Technical Aspects of LNG: Liquefaction Plants, Shipping, Gasification Plants

Safety, reliability, flexibility, ease of operation and maintenance, high efficiency, reducing GHG emissions, and last but not least, cost, will continue to be among the most important factors in the design of LNG liquefaction and regasification plants. In this one-day workshop, the important role of various types of turbomachinery within the LNG value chain will be discussed.

The following topics will be covered:

Main process units in a LNG liquefaction plant are briefly reviewed, which include feed gas conditioning, acid gas removal, dehydration, liquefaction, nitrogen removal, heavies removal, LNG storage and loading Salient features of different liquefaction process licenses are explained. The impact on the plant layout and the design of major equipment (i.e., refrigeration compressors and heat exchangers) are discussed.

Different prime mover options for the main refrigeration compressors are discussed, which include aeroderivative gas turbines, heavy duty gas turbines, large induction motors with VFD, large synchronous motors with VFD Electrification of LNG plants: Replacement of gas turbine drivers with electrical motors for LNG liquefaction plants can significantly improve carbon footprint. Technical aspects, design options, and challenges for electrifying the existing LNG liquefaction plants are discussed.

Different arrangements for the main refrigeration compressors for mid-size and large size LNG liquefaction plants are explained. Matching of refrigeration compressors with their drivers are explained and the requirements of API 617, API 616, API 541, and API 546 are briefly discussed. Also, performance testing of centrifugal compressors using ASME PTC-10 is explained. The use of expander-compressors, expander-generators and liquid expanders in LNG liquefaction and regasification plants are reviewed. API 617 requirements for expander generators and expander-compressors are explained.

Boil-off gas management is explained.

Opportunities for reducing carbon footprint within the LNG value chain are discussed. Different options for CO2 capture and transportation are explained. Different types of compressors and pumps for transcritical CO2 compression are explained.