Liquefin - An Innovative

Process to Reduce LNG Cost

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

What is Liquefin ?
Liquefin is a Dual Mixed Refrigerant
liquefaction process,
Operated with a very low pre-cooling
temperature: around -60C (-75F),
With identical power on both MR cycles,
Without any phase separation on both MR
cycles,
With a single heat exchange line from ambient
down to cryogenic temperatures,
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Train capacity evolution

4.5

Train capacity MTPA

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Start-up date
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Liquefin Simplified Scheme:

CW
CW

Dry natural
gas

40C
-30C

Frame 7

Scrubber

Condensates

-60C

CW

Frame 7

Main heat
exchange
line

LNG
-160C

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Plate Fin Heat Exchangers architecture - 1

From / To Compressors

top view

Cold box

10 m (35 ft)

Core
(PFHE)
25 m (80 ft)
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Plate Fin Heat Exchangers architecture - 2

front view

40C
(100F)

Upper
core
15 m (50 ft)
- 60C
(-75 F)

Lower
core

-150C
(-240F)
25 m (80 ft)
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Liquefin heat exchange line

One single compact heat exchange line, made
with several Plate Fins Heat Exchangers
(PFHE)
Very large exchange area per volume unit (up
to 2000 m2/m3) and excellent thermal
performances : a very narrow temperature
approach is reached at a very competitive cost
No size limitation: module concept
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Advantages of the PFHE

exchange line
Improved process efficiency : narrow
temperature pitches and very low pressure drop
on MR and LNG sides
Cost reduction : PFHE is very cost effective,
less equipment, shorter construction time
Plant surface reduction: one assembly of 4 cold
boxes (10 m x 25 m x 15 m), instead of one
spiral wound exchanger + several large kettles
+ large interconnecting lines
XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Main Exchange Line Enthalpy Curves

Enthalpy Curves - Pre-refrigeration Core

Enthalpy curves - cryogenic core

0

60

-20

Temperature (C)

Temperature (C)

40
20
0

-20

-40
-60
-80

-100

-40

-120

-60

-140

-80

-160

50

100

150

200

Enthalpy (MW)

250

50

100

Enthalpy (MW)

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

150

Towards Very Large Capacities

With the previous scheme and two Frame
7, Liquefin can produce between 5 and 6
MTPA, depending upon the helper size
With Frame 9 : 7 to 8 MTPA with only two
drivers
With proven drivers, and a slightly modified
scheme, several possibilities exist to get 8
MTPA.

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

8 MTPA With 3 Frame 7

CW

Dry natural
gas

40C
Frame 7

-20C

Scrubber

CW

CW

Condensates

Frame 7
CW

38C

Main heat
exchange line

CW

Frame 7

-160C

LNG

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Advantage of This Option

Up to 8 MTPA with existing, proven
compressors
Compact, low cost arrangement

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Another Option for Very Large Capacity :

the Modular Scheme

MR1 -1
GAS

MR1 -2

MR2 -1

LNG
LNG

MR2 - 2

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Advantage of this option

Very high availability: a compressor
failure will not stop the unit
Use of more standard, more reliable
equipment, with several suppliers
No technical limit on the capacity

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas

Conclusion
Liquefin produces the cheapest LNG on
the market
No technical limit to capacity
Many options to fit the users choice,
and their marketing needs.

XVI Convencin Internacional de Gas, AVPG, 25-27 de mayo de 2004, Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas