Low Temperature Process Design

Low temperature gas processing and liquefaction is a major subject in natural gas processing. It enables the production of natural gas to specification for fuel or chemicals feedstock, extracts valuable components for sale and is used to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) on which many countries depend for clean energy.
Low temperature processes need cost-effective production of refrigeration and can be very large power consumers, especially for liquefaction. Good process design relies on understanding the relation between energy and power (or “work”) and process integration techniques for energy efficiency and optimisation.
Natural gas liquids extraction and cryogenic nitrogen removal need efficient distillation and present further challenges in optimising separation and energy transfer.
The principles of optimal process design will be discussed by examining some fundamental thermodynamic principles and process evaluation techniques (especially for multicomponent distillation). These techniques help screen and select designs prior to detailed process simulation. Industrial examples will be shown to demonstrate key equipment such as compressors, turbo-expanders and plate-fin heat exchangers.