The Problem
Do you ever want to increase the output of your PRICO LNG liquefaction plant? You used a steady state process simulator and designed a PRICO LNG plant to liquefy 280,000 lb/hr natural gas to -250 F. After you deliver to site, you are told that the natural gas flow will increase by 20% to 336,000 lb/hr. Do you think your PRICO LNG plant can still handle it?
Let us give it a try. LNG temperature increases dramatically at the time when the flow increases by 20%. As the compressors speed up, the LNG temperature starts to drop and finally it is cooled down to about -237 F. It seems the compressor is already running at its max speed of 3600 RPM with a power consumption of 368,000 HP. What can we do to cool the LNG temperature to -250 F?
The Solution
Let us play with the super-heat of the gas entering the compressor. Currently the super-heat is 40 F, how about we reduce to 20 F? Great, the LNG temperature dropped instantly and after a while, the temperature is settled at -250 F. Wow, simply by changing the super-heat set-point, now the LNG PRICO process can handle 20% extra LNG flow. What's even better, the liquefaction power is reduced as well.
Benefits of Dynamic Simulation
Thanks to the powerful dynamic simulation software developed by Virtual Materials Group, now engineers are empowered to handle challenging and demanding process integration with the real world application, such as to increase the output of any existing plant.
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