Simulation study of the liquefaction of low-pressure unconventional natural gas and a novel hybrid liquefaction cycle. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Heng; Na, Fengyi; Sun, Shoujun; Nan, Xing; Chen, Cheng
• Is Part Of: Cryogenics. Volume 101(2019)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Liquefaction -- Pressure-boost process -- Hybrid process -- Unconventional gas; Low temperature engineering -- Periodicals; Low temperature research -- Periodicals; 536.56
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryogenics.2019.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-2275

Abstract

Highlights: Two efficient liquefactions of low-pressure unconventional gas are analysed. Pressure-boost liquefaction at optimal pressure works for gas without oxygen. Optimised novel hybrid liquefaction works for gas with oxygen. Abstract: The feed pressure of many unconventional gas resources is relatively low, which causes difficulties in their subsequent liquefaction. The key to the liquefaction process for low-pressure unconventional gas is to achieve a high energy-efficiency. For unconventional gas without oxygen, the pressure-boost liquefaction process could be used and process simulations were undertaken to obtain the optimal pressure. For an unconventional gas with oxygen, such as coal mine methane (CMM), the pressure-boost process should be avoided for safety reasons, therefore, a novel hybrid MRC-Linde process is presented. The simulation and optimisation of the hybrid liquefaction process proved its advantage in terms of energy efficiency. The optimised process parameters are provided and the heat exchange process is discussed. The hybrid liquefaction process offers good prospects for practical application.