Overview

Technology Advantages

Floating LNG Plant

MCR Cryogenic Exchangers

Engineering Services

Overview

Air Products' MCR® Processes have been developed to obtain optimum designs for natural gas liquefaction plants in baseload service. These processes are based on the use of multicomponent refrigerant in a compression refrigeration system. This system provides cooling at continuum temperature levels down to the desired liquefaction temperature of the natural gas feed stream in a coil-wound heat exchanger. By using a mixture of refrigerant components, the thermodynamic irreversibilities associated with heat transfer are reduced and the liquefaction system is greatly simplified. The mixed refrigerant refrigeration system is optimised based on the production objectives and the available feed gas. Thus, the selection of an Air Products' MCR® Process results in an LNG plant with high thermodynamic efficiency combined with simplicity in construction, operation, and maintenance.

To improve the overall economics of the liquefaction system, Air Products' process design engineers can select from a versatile set of precooling options to lower the temperature of the mixed refrigerant and natural gas feed streams to an optimum level before the final stages of liquefaction. The optimum level can be influenced by ambient conditions at the plant site; choice of heat sink (i.e., ambient air or cooling water), selection of liquefaction compressor and driver types and sizes; as well as by the overall economic constraints of the specific project. The options for precooling medium include propane, separate mixed refrigerant, freon, or an ammonia-absorption refrigeration system.

To maximize economy of scale to reduce the capital cost per tonne of LNG produced even further, a state-of-art large single train design, the AP-X LNG process is available. AP-X LNG process uses the C3MR process to condition LNG at elevated pressure and relatively warmer temperatures. This warmer LNG is subcooled to desired temperature using a N2 compression/expansion refrigeration cycle. The main advantage of this combination of refrigeration, C3-MR-N2, is that much greater LNG production can be obtained while still utilizing proven machinery with MCR heat exchangers of the same size as those designed for traditional C3MR processes.

• AP-M – small modular cycles – up to 1 MTA
• C3MR – propane precooled MR – 0.5 to 6 MTA
• DMR – dual mixed refrigerant – 0.5 to 6 MTA
• AP-X – LNG process – 5.5 to 10 MTA