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Contenido archivado el 2022-12-27

NEW PROCESSING TECHNIQUES WITH A VIEW TO THE OFFSHORE LIQUEFACTION OF GAS [PHASE 2] : PILOT PROCESSING

Objetivo

The purpose of the project is to build and test an integrated pilot processing plant for the liquefaction of natural gas, which has been the subject of a design and feasibility study within the framework of contract nr. TH 12. 09/85. This new process for natural-gas processing is a new processing technique requiring a single stage for performing a series of natural-gas processing operations upon production - dehydration, adjustment of the hydrocarbon dew point with the possible production of NGL and sweetening.
The study has shown that, compared to conventional processes of dehydration, NGL extraction and sweetening the proposed integrated process leads to a reduction in investments and to greater compactness (weight and base-level surface area). The current development phase involves the testing of the industrial qualification of the process required for its subsequent commercialization.
During Phase 1, the definitive P & ID diagram of the pilot plant and the principal equipment have been defined; a general control system has been studied, comprising a PC unit, in view of ordering the metrology and the regulation equipment; then, a set of books have been drafted : process book, instrumentation book, bundle of hardware equipment.
Phase 2 consisted of making drafts and arranging the control system; the equipment has been ordered and the different skids assembled, adjusted and checked before the start-up of the plant. This phase has been completed by the installation of the analysis system and some adjustments and settings.
After preliminary tests, experimentation on the pilot plant (Phase 3) has started with tests on IFPEX-1 part of the process ( dehydration + NGL extraction). Extended runs have been performed with steady-state conditions, allowing data acquisition. Experimentation has been carried out with IFPEX-2 and IFPEXOL tests. Corrosion tests have been run inthe pilot on different products, especially with H2S and CO2. Interpretation of results (Phase 4) has been achieved. Comparative evaluations have been studied on real applied cases. A preliminary study has been carried out to achieve a first demonstration industrial unit. A brochure and an introduction leaflet are available in view of industrial application.
The principle of the integrated process is based on the implementation of a physical solvent at low temperature.
The lowering of the temperature causes the absorption of water (inhibiting the formation of ice and hydrates) and acid gases (CO2, H2S) in the solvent together with the partial condensation of the gas, which results in two liquid phases that are separated at low temperature. The process makes use of new concepts that have given rise to patent applications:
- Processing: because of the way the solvent is implemented, only a minimal amount is needed. Likewise, a new solvent-regeneration technique has been developed so as not to have recourse to distillation as is usually the case. This new technique is entirely integrated into the process.
- Refrigeration: the techniques developed to provide the refrigeration required for processing are of the static type (absorption, thermocompression) and make direct use of the heat that may be supplied by thermal discharges or by combustion.
These techniques do not require any large rotating machinery (compressors, turbines), while increasing reliability, resulting in a reduction of investments and providing greater possibilities of integration with the processing part of the process.
The project involves four phases:
Phase 1: Designing the pilot plant. Definition of the different modules, working out the construction blueprints, defining the metrology and controls, and defining and choosing the different pieces of equipment.
Phase 2: Building the pilot plant. Ordering the principal equipment, preparing the manufacturing briefs for the different modules, equipping the installation site, and assembling the modules.
Phase 3: Testing the pilot plant. Start-up and tuning, testing over a wide range of operating conditions, performance testing, and data acquisition.
Phase 4: Review and conclusions. Test interpretations and conclusions, creating computing models, studies of real applied cases.

Convocatoria de propuestas

Data not available

Régimen de financiación

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Coordinador

GERTH
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
232 AV. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
92500 Rueil Malmaison
Francia

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Coste total
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