Ethane-Rich Stream Conditioning for LNG-Compatible Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deethanization process in natural gas production results in substantial ethane production with little commercial value, leading to high costs and shut-in of high-ethane content wells due to pipeline heating value limits, as there is no market for extracted ethane.
Innovation Solution
Conditioning an ethane-rich stream to match the vapor pressure and temperature of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for transportation, allowing for the storage and transportation of high-ethane content streams to locations with suitable markets, such as Europe, where higher commercial values exist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If natural gas is deethanated to meet pipeline heating value limits, then the heating value specification is satisfied, but the extracted ethane has little commercial value and processing costs exceed product value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters (temperature and pressure) of the ethane-rich stream to match LNG specifications. By cooling the ethane stream to approximately -160°F to 0°F and adjusting pressure to 14.7-100 psia, the ethane is converted to a liquid state with vapor pressure similar to conventional LNG, enabling transportation to markets where ethane has higher commercial value for olefin production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to ethane utilization by creating an ethane export market through LNG-compatible conditioning. Instead of simply burning or venting the ethane, the process enables ethane to be transported as a liquid commodity to specialized markets (such as Europe) where it can be used as feedstock for high-value chemical production, fundamentally changing how ethane is valued and utilized
2Manufacturing precision
If high-ethane content natural gas wells are kept shut-in, then pipeline heating value limits are avoided, but production revenue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the natural gas stream into methane-rich and ethane-rich components. The methane is processed for pipeline sale while the ethane-rich stream (at least 70 molar percent ethane) is separately conditioned for export. This segmentation allows the well to remain productive by capturing both streams, with the ethane stream directed to specialized export facilities rather than being mixed into the pipeline gas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional processing system that can handle both pipeline-quality natural gas production and ethane export. The same well infrastructure can serve dual purposes: selling methane to the pipeline system while simultaneously exporting ethane as a liquid commodity, thereby maximizing revenue from high-ethane content wells without compromising pipeline specifications
3Manufacturing precision
If ethane is extracted from natural gas to meet pipeline specifications, then pipeline heating value limits are met, but there is no market for the extracted ethane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LNG conditioning as an intermediary process to bridge ethane production and export markets. By conditioning the ethane-rich stream to match LNG vapor pressure characteristics through temperature and pressure adjustment, the ethane becomes compatible with existing LNG transportation infrastructure, enabling access to international markets where ethane demand and pricing are higher
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to ethane market access by creating an export pathway through LNG-compatible conditioning. This transforms ethane from a domestic pipeline byproduct with limited utility into an exportable liquid commodity that can be shipped to specialized markets (such as Europe) where it serves as feedstock for olefin production and other high-value chemical applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the economic transportation and storage of ethane-rich streams, potentially increasing their commercial value by accessing markets with higher ethane demand, thereby reducing the economic burden of deethanization and revitalizing shut-in wells.
Implementation Method 1
conditioning the ethane-rich stream to a temperature such that the ethane-rich stream has a vapor pressure similar to the vapor pressure of conventional LNG
Data Source
AI summary
A process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream comprising at least about 70 molar percent ethane, conditioning the ethane-rich stream to a temperature such that the ethane-rich stream has a vapor pressure similar to the vapor pressure of conventional liquefied natural gas (LNG), and transporting the conditioned ethane-rich stream. Included is a plurality of processing equipment configured to implement a process comprising receiving an ethane-rich stream, adjusting a temperature, a pressure, or both of the ethane-rich stream such that the ethane-rich stream has a temperature from about −160° F. to about 0° F. and a pressure from about 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) to about 100 psia, and removing substantially all of any vapor fraction from the ethane-rich stream.