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Development of natural gas liquefaction processes using mixed refrigerants: a review of featured process configurations and performance

混合工质天然气液化流程的特色结构与性能综述

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An Erratum to this article was published on 19 May 2020

This article has been updated

Abstract

It is preferable to transport or store natural gas (NG) in a liquid state, as liquefied natural gas (LNG). In recent decades, a variety of natural gas liquefaction processes (NGLPs) using mixed refrigerants (MRs) with different configurations have been developed, which have greatly enriched the family of NGLPs. In this review, we introduce the configurations of featured commercial processes or patented designs chronologically in each category based on a modified classification framework. The corresponding refrigerant combinations and operating parameters such as operating pressures, the refrigeration temperature in each stage, and the number of evaporating pressure levels are also discussed. Specific power consumption (SPC) was considered as the major performance indicator. This review aims to clarify the development of NGLPs using MRs (MR-NGLPs) from a configurative perspective, and to provide a reference for the future improvement of their thermodynamic performance.

概要

天然气的运输与储存均以液态 (LNG) 为宜. 近 几十年来, 随着混合制冷剂天然气液化流程的飞 速发展, 出现了种类繁多的结构形式, 为业界提 供了丰富的选择. 针对种类繁多的混合制冷剂天 然气液化流程, 本文提出了一个新的分类框架, 并在此基础上介绍了每一类中具有特色的商业 化流程或专利设计中的结构特点; 同时, 整理和 讨论了这些流程所采用的制冷剂组合和运行参 数 (包括运行压力、每一级的制冷温度和蒸发压 力位的数量等), 并将单位液化功作为最重要的 性能指标. 本综述旨在从流程结构的角度厘清混 合制冷剂天然气液化流程的发展历程, 以及展示 流程之间结构性的区别, 为从业人员选择合适流 程提供参考, 同时也为已有流程性能的优化以及 新流程的构建提供依据与建议.

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Change history

  • 19 May 2020

    The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

    In p.750, the sentence “Therefore, it is hard to recommend operation stated, and two-phase states of MRs are necessary for component separation, which might limit the use of gas expanders and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> mixtures” should be “Therefore, it is hard to recommend operation parameters and comparable SPC ranges. As already stated, two-phase states of MRs are necessary for component separation, which might limit the use of gas expanders and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> mixtures.”

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  1. Key Laboratory of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Qi Song, Jing-peng Zhang, Zhen Zhao, Jie-lin Luo, Qin Wang & Guang-ming Chen

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  1. Qi Song
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  3. Zhen Zhao
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  5. Qin Wang
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Correspondence to Qin Wang.

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Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFB0901404)

Contributors

Qi SONG conducted the literature survey, wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and revised and edited the final version. Jing-peng ZHANG, Zhen ZHAO, and Jie-lin LUO assisted with the literature survey, and document delivery and arrangement. Qin WANG put forward the original idea of the proposed classification framework and supervised the research activities. Guang-ming CHEN provided suggestions on the classification framework.

Conflict of interest

Qi SONG, Jing-peng ZHANG, Zhen ZHAO, Jie-lin LUO, Qin WANG, and Guang-ming CHEN declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Song, Q., Zhang, Jp., Zhao, Z. et al. Development of natural gas liquefaction processes using mixed refrigerants: a review of featured process configurations and performance. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A 20, 727–780 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A1900143

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