2 replies to this topic

[Dineshpoduval]

Dear all,

I am new to this forum....

Having conducted energy efficiency audits in a few fertiliser plants, I am interested in getting some clarifications from experienced members..

1. Usually the Natural gas pressure from grid is about 40 bar, which is used at the same pressure for reformer feed. Natural gas used as reformer fuel, boilers etc require less than 5 bar pressure. I was wondering if this is a good application for Turbo expanders to generate power using a coupled induction generator/alternator. NG 40 bar and 25 deg.C need to be heated to about 100 deg.c before expanding to a suitable downstream pressure without any condensation.

2. Some of the manufacturers viz. MAFI TRENCH/ATLAS COPCO informed that there is no such system installed in India. Any one here aware of any such installations?

3. Do you think it can work?

Regards

Dinesh

[Zauberberg]

Yes it can work, assuming that there is continuous flow of fuel gas within a certain margin (minimum/maximum) that can be handled with a single expander.

The basic question here is whether the economics will support expander installation, if you can prove that it is fully workable from a process point of view. I haven't seen such installation anywhere, but it wouldn't be different from other expanders: high-pressure gas expanded to a lower pressure, generating work that is used for driving other equipment in the plant.

[Dineshpoduval]

Thank you, Sir.

I have seen turbo-expanders driving gas compressors in Gas processing complexes. Lets see how this progress, I will keep the developments posted here.

Thanks!