Integrated multi-functional pipeline system for delivery of chilled mixtures of natural gas and chilled mixtures of natural gas and NGLS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas and natural gas/NGL mixtures transportation systems require costly external chilling to meet downstream process demands, leading to inefficient energy consumption and high capital expenses.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a high-pressure pipeline system with a turbo expander or Joule-Thompson device at the terminus to achieve internal chilling, utilizing the pipeline's pressure differential for temperature reduction, and recovering energy for power generation, thereby reducing the need for external chilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional external chilling methods are used to meet downstream process demands, then the required temperature and pressure specifications are achieved, but capital expenses and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline system utilizes its own high-pressure energy to provide chilling through Joule-Thompson expansion at the terminus, eliminating the need for separate external chilling infrastructure. The pressure energy that would otherwise be wasted is converted into cooling effect, making the system self-sufficient for temperature conditioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter from a wasted resource to a useful energy source by implementing high-pressure delivery (up to 3000 psig) followed by controlled expansion through Joule-Thompson valves or turbo expanders, converting pressure differential into temperature reduction to meet downstream specifications.
2Device complexity
If high-pressure pipeline delivery is implemented with Joule-Thompson chilling at the terminus, then internal chilling is achieved reducing external infrastructure needs, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure pipeline system serves multiple functions: it delivers natural gas to downstream facilities, provides storage capacity through line pack, and generates chilling effect through controlled expansion at the terminus. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate chilling plants while maintaining temperature control capability.
3Temperature
If pressure differential is increased to enhance Joule-Thompson chilling effect, then chilling efficiency improves, but the risk of liquid dropout increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary NGL removal or adjustment before the Joule-Thompson expansion point, ensuring that the gas composition is optimized to prevent liquid dropout during high-pressure differential expansion. This pre-conditioning of the gas stream maintains phase stability while enabling efficient chilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system carefully controls the pressure and temperature parameters through the Joule-Thompson expansion process, maintaining the gas state within the vapor region of the phase envelope. By adjusting the expansion ratio and monitoring the final temperature, the system achieves efficient chilling while preventing condensation of heavier hydrocarbons.
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
Significantly reduces capital and operating costs by providing efficient chilling and energy recovery, enabling higher mass flow rates with lower energy consumption and emissions, and allowing for integrated pipeline and process design.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the pipeline's pressure differential for temperature reduction through a turbo expander or Joule-Thompson device at the terminus
Implementation Method 2
considerable recovery of the last stage pipeline pressure energy now becomes available as electrical/or shaft power where the J-T device is coupled with generation/mechanical linkage
Data Source
AI summary
Herein pipeline pressure, temperature and NGL constituents are manipulated for the transportation and optional storage in a pipeline system of natural gas mixtures or rich mixtures for delivery of chilled Products for downstream applications. Pressure reduction from a last compression section delivers internally chilled Products for reduced capital and operating costs. A high lift compressor station before the pipeline terminus provides pressure differential for Joule-Thompson chilling of the pipeline contents. The chilling step can be retrofitted to existing pipeline systems, and the chilling steep can include a turbo expander or the like for recovery of pipeline pressure energy for power generation. For like throughout, with this higher pressure operation, the effects of enhanced NGL content results in a reduction in diameter of the pipeline by at least one standard size. Substantial overall reduction in energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions is thereby achieved through integrated pipeline/processing applications.