LNG Coil Wound Heat Exchangers Mid Sized LNG Plants
LNG Coil Wound Heat Exchangers Mid Sized LNG Plants
LNG Coil Wound Heat Exchangers Mid Sized LNG Plants
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A supplement to Hydrocarbon Engineering
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en n er and
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heat e LNG plants
M
id sized LNG plants producing from 0.5 - 2.5 million tpy are being promoted as the way to
monetise stranded gas reserves at reduced cost. The LNG industry trend in recent years has
been toward larger plants, but it is often forgotten that approximately half of the operating
LNG plants are in the capacity range of 0.5 - 2.5 million tpy, what is today called the mid size LNG
market. Coil wound heat exchangers in these mid sized operating plants have demonstrated high
reliability, operability, and productivity for more than 35 years. The coil wound heat exchanger is most
suitable for liquefying natural gas for several reasons, the most notable of which is its robust design
and resultant ability to withstand the stresses inherent in the operation of a liquefaction process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the coil wound heat exchangers
robustness and operability help to ensure that the LNG
liquefier will produce LNG as designed and achieve
the project economics projected. Reliability is the key
Figure 4. Dual mixed refrigerant LNG process. to economic success of a project, and experience and
know how of the process licensor and contractor can
help ensure reliability.2 The LNG plant does not produce
LNG while it is down for maintenance and repairs. When
making a technology decision, project developers must
continue to investigate all of the options available and
ask whether their choice carries with it undue operational
risks.
References
1. CARTER, P. et. al., Failure Analysis and Life Prediction of a Large,
Complex Plate Fin Heat Exchanger, Eng. Failure Analysis, Vol. 3,
no.1, pp 29-43, 1996 http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bit-
stream/10204/1400/3/carter%201_1996.pdf.
2. PRICE. B., et al., 'A proven low-cost liquefaction alternative', HTI
Quarterly, Winter 1995/6. pp 127 - 133.
3. COLLINS. C., et al. 'Liquefaction plant design in the 1990s'
Hydrocarbon Processing, April 1995, pp 67 - 76.
4. Scandinavian Oil and Gas Magazine, StatoilHydro Resume
Figure 5. Artist's rendition of dual MR FPSO LNG Production at Snohvit, July 14, 2008 http://www.scandoil.com/moxie-
bm2/oil/production_oil/statoilhydro-resume-production-at-snohvit.
plant layout. shtml.
Worldwide
www.airproducts.com/LNG