engleski

Dividing wall columns for NGL fractionation: A feasibility study for a floating NGL production case

Some alternative dividing wall column (DWC) configurations have been analysed for a given natural gas feed. The separation task studied in more detail is a case with separation of methane (C1), ethane (C2), propane and butane as an aggregate (C3&C4), and all heavier (C5+). The Vmin-diagram has been used as an assessment tool for finding the most promising configurations. Some four-product DWC configurations and combinations of conventional and 3-product DWC have been evaluated. The latter are most promising from a practical and energy point of view. Some cases have been used for more detailed sizing and weight calculations. The DWC saves energy and installation space. For the DWC with methane product the weight is not found to become reduced compared to the conventional sequence. For ethane and heavier, it is possible to choose a suitable low pressure level where weight reduction can be obtained. A three-product DWC for C2/C3&C4/C5+ separation is a possible solution. There is no experience with DWC on floaters reported.

floating LNG production; NGL fractionation; dividing wall column

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