Advances in driver selection and compressor arrangements of LNG plants

Abstract

This article presents practical notes and guidelines on driver type, power management and compressor train arrangement for LNG plants. Electrical motor driven refrigeration trains are used successfully in small and medium size LNG facilities and many operators are investigating to use this technology for large LNG modules. Optimum compressor and driver arrangement for LNG plants are discussed. Evaluations show overall installation and operation costs of the gas turbine driven refrigeration system and electrical motor driven trains is close to each other. Case studies are presented.

Keywords:

• Compressor
• LNG
• driver
• power management

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amin Almasi

Amin Almasi is a rotating machine consultant in Brisbane, Australia. He is a chartered professional engineer of Engineers Australia (MIEAust CPEng – Mechanical) and IMechE (CEng MIMechE) in addition to a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in mechanical engineering and RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer in Queensland). He specialises in rotating machines including centrifugal, screw and reciprocating compressors, gas turbines, steam turbines, engines, pumps, subsea, offshore rotating machines, LNG units, condition monitoring and reliability. Mr Almasi is an active member of Engineers Australia, IMechE, ASME, CMVI, Vibration Institute, SPE, IEEE, and IDGTE. He has authored more than 60 papers and articles dealing with rotating equipment, condition monitoring, offshore, subsea and reliability.