Turbo Expanders

MOHAMED ALSHARIF

DEEP COOLING .
Contents

• Introduction
• Application of Turbo Expanders
• Primary Sizing Calculations
• Expander /Compressor Performance curves
Introduction

• Turbo Expanders are radial inflow expansion turbine used for

recover heat energy available in high pressure gas streams in
process plants and covert it to mechanical energy.
• This mechanical energy is used to drive compressor /
generator or
dissipate in oil brake system
• The simplest example of expander compressor unit is turbocharger
in IC engines
• Centrifugal compressor connected on a single shaft
Cont.

Courtesy: “Tutorial on Cryogenic Turboexpanders” by Jigger Jumonvile

Cont.

Courtesy: “Tutorial on Cryogenic Turboexpanders” by Jigger Jumonvile

Cont.

Courtesy: “Tutorial on Cryogenic Turboexpanders” by Jigger Jumonvile

Application of Turbo Expanders in Oil and Gas
Industry

• Dew Point Control

• NGL Recovery
• Ethane Recovery
• LNG production
• LPG / Ethylene recovery
• MTBE and CO processing
Primary Sizing Calculation

• Parameters required for sizing of Expanders are

1. Gas Composition
2. Flow Rate
3. Inlet Pressure
4. Inlet Temperature
5. Outlet Temperature or Pressure
Cont.

• Enthalpy Drop Calculation • Isentropic Efficiency  e=

Δℎ 0
Δℎ 𝑠
• ho – Isentropic Enthalpy in kJ/kg or Btu/lb
• hs – Actual Enthalpy in kJ/kg or Btu/lb
• Power developed by the Expander (HP) = w x hs
x e in kW
• W – mass flow rate of gas in kg/sec or lb/sec
• Horse power Balance Equation

HPexpander = HPCompressor + HP Bearings

Courtesy: Fundamentals of Turbo Expanders “Basic Theory

and Design” by James Simms
Cont.

Compressor Discharge • Power required by Compressor (HP) = Δhad×w

in
Pressure Calculation kW
ηc

• c - Compressor Efficiency
• w – mass flow rate in kg/s or lb/s
• had - Adiabatic head rise in kJ/kg
• Discharge Pressure is calculated using below
equation

Courtesy: Fundamentals of Turbo Expanders “Basic Theory

and Design” by James Simms
Cont.

• Turbo Expander Design Speed

• Expander Wheel Diameter

• Compressor Wheel Diameter

Courtesy: Fundamentals of Turbo Expanders “Basic Theory

and Design” by James Simms
Expander / Compressor Performance Curve

Fig : Performance of 2MTC 200/90

Courtesy: CRYO STAR
Cont.

Fig : Performance of 2MTC 200/90

Courtesy: CRYO STAR
Magnetic Bearing System

• Active magnetic bearings

• Shaft is held in position using electromagnets arranged in close
proximity
• In AMB systems are controlled based on PID controller
• In AMB systems are classified as “Open loop Unstable” and cannot
be placed in “manual” mode
• SKF/ S2M is the manufacturer of AMB bearings
Magnetic Bearing Systems

Courtesy: “Tutorial on Cryogenic Turboexpanders” by Jigger Jumonvile

Magnetic Bearings

Courtesy: SKF Bearings and GE-NP

Magnetic Bearings

Courtesy: SKF Bearings and GE-NP