Single-Casing Centrifugal Compression for High-Ratio LNG Refrigerant Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LNG plants face challenges in compressing light gases with high compression ratios using a single compressor, leading to inefficient and non-compact designs due to the low molecular weight of gases like mixed refrigerant, ethylene, or methane, which typically require multiple compressors.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal compression train with a single compressor, configured to achieve a high compression ratio of over 10:1, utilizing a single casing with multiple sections of compression and intercooling, and featuring a gearbox to increase rotational speed, allowing for efficient compression of light gases with molecular weights less than 30 g/mol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple compressors are used to compress light gases with high compression ratios, then the compression efficiency is improved, but the number of machines and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple compression sections into a single centrifugal compressor unit, integrating what would traditionally require separate compressors into one unified machine. This merging achieves high compression ratios for light gases while reducing the number of individual machines and overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The single centrifugal compressor is divided into multiple compression sections, each handling a stage of compression. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall compression ratios through multiple staged compression within one machine, maintaining efficiency while consolidating equipment.
2Productivity
If multiple compressors are used to compress light gases with high compression ratios, then the compression capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple compression functions into a single centrifugal compressor with multiple sections, reducing the number of separate machines from three or more to just one. This consolidation maintains the required compression capability while significantly simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single centrifugal compressor is designed to perform multiple compression stages within one machine, making it a multi-functional device that replaces what would traditionally require several specialized compressors. This universality reduces complexity while maintaining comprehensive compression capability.
3Area of stationary object
If a single centrifugal compressor is used to achieve high compression ratio, then the footprint is reduced, but the compression efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single centrifugal compressor is segmented into multiple compression sections that work in sequence, with each section contributing to the overall compression ratio. This segmentation enables the machine to achieve high compression efficiency through staged compression while maintaining a compact single-unit footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple separate compressors to a vertical or multi-sectional arrangement within a single centrifugal compressor. This dimensional reorganization allows high compression ratios to be achieved within a compact footprint by utilizing the vertical or radial space within the single machine.
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
This solution enables the compression of light gases with high compression ratios in a single casing, reducing the number of machines and footprint, improving LNG production efficiency, and simplifying maintenance and installation while minimizing gas leakages and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal compressor machine driven in rotation by said driver machine; the compressor being configured to compress a refrigerant gas with a molecular weight less than 30 g/mol from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure; wherein the ratio between discharge and suction pressures is higher than 10
Implementation Method 2
the compressor machine comprises a first section of compression, a second section of compression and a third section of compression arranged in series
Data Source
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AI summary
Compression train for a natural gas liquefaction process. The compression train comprises a driver machine and only one centrifugal compressor machine driven in rotation by said driver machine; the compressor is configured to compress a refrigerant gas with a molecular weight less than 30 g/mol from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure; the ratio between discharge and suction pressures is higher than 10, preferably higher than 12, more preferably higher than 15. LNG plant comprising one or more compression train according to the present invention.