COGENERATION BASED HIGH EFFICIENCY LNG LIQUEFACTION PLANTS

摘要

High thermal efficiency of LNG liquefaction plants is of importance to minimize feed usage and to reduce CO_2 emissions. The need for high efficiency becomes important in gas constrained situations where any savings in fuel auto consumption of the plant for liquefaction chilling and power generation can be converted into LNG production. The Darwin LNG Facility was the world's first liquefaction facility to utilize high efficiency aeroderivatives and its successful operation for close to four years has increased the interest in aeroderivative based liquefaction plants. The application of aeroderivative engines allows a significantly lower CO_2 footprint of about 30% compared to the use of simple cycle industrial industrial engines. Aeroderivative engines offer very attractive efficiencies where steam systems are not viable or desired by the customer. When steam systems are acceptable, a cogeneration type liquefaction facility can be attractive. Cogeneration concepts can also be used to augment the already high efficiency of aeroderivative engines. This paper will cover concepts relating to cogeneration options for LNG facilities using both aeroderivative engines and industrial engines.