Flexibility can boost profits in cryogenic gas-processing plants

Journal Article · Mon Jul 14 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5809252

Evans, L E

Many factors influence the selection and design of a cryogenic gas processing plant, including the expected product values. For a minimal increase in investment, operating flexibility can be designed into the plant to allow for a wide range of product recovery levels. This minimal increase in capital expenditure may significantly enhance future profits. At a reduced price for ethane, producers were concerned with the recovery of the propane-plus fraction. Ethane was rejected to the residue gas. As the value of ethane increases, a plant with adequate operating flexibility will be able to recover ethane and realize increased profits. During the 1970s, the price of ethane reached a level high enough to stimulate the development of economic and cryogenic expander gas processing units. Designs are now relatively simple. Operating experience shows that onstream reliability is quite good. Control schemes also are simple, and some plants are completely automated. These factors combine to allow plants to operate with a wide range of process flow conditions, with minimal operator attention. Some key considerations typically enhance the selection of the expander process.

• OSTI ID: 5809252
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 78:28; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
020500 -- Petroleum-- Products & By-Products
ALKANES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ETHANE
FLEXIBILITY
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MODIFICATIONS
MODULAR STRUCTURES
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRICES
RECOVERY
RELIABILITY
TENSILE PROPERTIES