Integration of the Single-Effect Mixed Refrigerant Cycle with Liquified Air Energy Storage and Cold Energy of LNG Regasification: Energy, Exergy, and Efficiency Prospectives

Abstract

The escalating global energy demand has prompted increased focus on the industry of liquefied natural gas (LNG), emphasizing the need for optimizing liquefaction processes to minimize capital costs. Thus, the integration between liquified natural gas LNG regasification and liquid air energy storage (LAES) to produce electricity and utilize the cold energy of LNG regasification has several interests to maximize the benefits of the process to generate power and face the challenges such as energy saving and reducing the total operations costs...etc. Fortunately, this study introduces a novel approach that combines a single-effect mixed refrigerant (SMR) cycle with air liquefaction, incorporating regenerative Rankine cycles for enhanced efficiency. The effectiveness of the LNG-SMR-LAES process was evaluated using comprehensive energy, exergy, and economic analyses to ascertain its viability. The results showed a notable improvement in the overall net power energy by 6% and an increase in exergy efficiency by 11.7% compared to the base case. Energy savings of 31.6% (470.10 kW) contributed to the process's environmental and economic feasibility. The net present value was estimated at 11,230.4 US dollars, affirming the industrial-feasible design and economic viability of the LNG-SMR-LAES process.