Optimized SMR Process with Advanced Vessel Economizer

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the characteristics and superiority of new SMR process by comparison with competitive proven technologies such as single mixed refrigerant (SMR) and dual mixed refrigerant (DMR) and showing stable operation without changing the MR composition under various feed stream conditions. The new process has been developed based on SMR process that is used on current LNG production market to get higher performance showing the following attractive features in addition to the advantage of typical SMR process. ✓Achievement of Efficiency Enhancement by application of Advanced Vessel Economizer, Optimization of operating condition and Semi-DMR technologies✓Stable operation without changing the MR composition under various feed stream composition✓Compact configuration, easy operation and maintenance and low OPEX and CAPEX due to minimal equipment Two case studies were conducted to demonstrate the above features. The first case study is to compare the new SMR process with commercialized SMR and DMR process targeting at 3.5MTPA LNG production. As a result, the new SMR process showed 20.6% higher production efficiency than SMR-II Process [1] and 5.7% better than DRM process [2]. This means that less OPEX is required for the new liquefaction process. Also, the new liquefaction process required fewer equipment than the LNG SMR-II Process [1] and about half the number of equipment required than the LNG DMR Process [2], which means less CAPEX. The second case study was conducted in the variation of actual feed composition such as typical case, high inert, low inert, rich gas and it is verified that new SMR process operated stably without significant change of the MR composition under various feed stream composition. Through two case studies, the features of new liquefaction process and superior performance were demonstrated.