Turbo expanders in natural gas applications

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Turbomach. Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6357618

Holm, J

Turboexpanders are proven, reliable and used widely in such natural gas applications as: ethane and propane extraction; natural gas (NG) dewpoint control; production of liquefied natural gas (LNG); flashing hydrocarbon liquids; NG pressure letdown energy recovery; and oilfield cogeneration. These applications are each discussed in this article as well as the design of a turboexpander and the various loading devices available. Mechanical designs of low temperature, high speed machinery are routine. Stiff designs have eliminated shaft and bearing criticals in the entire operating range. Rotor resonance problems are almost totally eliminated. Thrust bearing problems can be accurately monitored and controlled. Condensing streams and some dust in gas can be handled without erosion.

• Research Organization: Rotoflow Corp., Los Angeles, CA
• OSTI ID: 6357618
• Journal Information: Turbomach. Int.; (United States), Vol. 25:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS
PROCESSING
TURBOMACHINERY
USES
BEARINGS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY
PERFORMANCE
RELIABILITY
ROTORS
SHAFTS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
MACHINE PARTS
MACHINERY
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing