Efficient Design, Operating and Control Strategies for LNG Plants

Abstract

This paper presents concrete examples of how to increase the LNG plant efficiency for existing assets through improved operation and for new projects with new design approaches. In today's environment, a strong focus exists in the gas industry to maximize the output of an LNG plant. Environmental constraints, high construction costs, difficult feed gases and remote locations are all current challenges that plant designers and operators face. To overcome these challenges, there needs to be a continued effort to optimize the operation of existing LNG plants and implement lessons learned in any new design. Operational feedback from LNG sites all over the world, including tropical environments and sub-arctic locations, enables Shell to select the most appropriate technology for any new development. The operational experience gained from the different technologies e.g. water-cooled or air-cooled, powered by steam turbine or gas turbine, contributes to increased awareness of the importance of integration and how to best implement it in new projects.