(39c) Optimal NGL Recovery in Natural Gas Liquefaction Plants

Refrigerant make-up, product specification constraints, avoiding hydrocarbon freezing and improving revenue are reasons why most LNG production facilities are designed with the capability of extracting some amount of ethane and/or heavier hydrocarbons from the feed gas. The capital cost and potential revenue from NGL extraction can have a significant impact on the overall economics of an LNG project. Existing and planned liquefaction facilities feature various methods to extract NGL for LPG recovery and heating value adjustment as well as varying degrees of NGL extraction. This paper explores the performance implications and cost-effectiveness of using typical turbo-expander and scrub column configurations at different degrees of LPG recovery when developing a grassroots LNG facility.