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http://dx.doi.org/10.7842/kigas.2015.19.6.72

A Study on the Operational Optimization of Turbo-Expander Pressure Reduction System to the Natural Gas Flow Rates  

Yoo, Han Bit (Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul)
Kim, Hyo (Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas / v.19, no.6, 2015 , pp. 72-79 More about this Journal
Abstract
Electricity can be generated when the natural gas passes through a turbo-expander pressure reduction system at natural gas pressure reduction stations. Efficiency of the turbo-expander depends on the ratio of the natural gas flow rates to the design flow rate of the turbo-expander. Therefore, the optimal conditions for the operation of the pressure reduction system can be determined by controlling the natural gas flow rates. In this study, we have calculated the electric energy generation depending on the natural gas flow rates at the two low-pressure reduction stations when the pressure of the natural gas is reduced from 17.5 bar to 8.5 bar and have found the optimal conditions for the turbo-expander pressure reduction system through the comparison with the calculation results. The turbo-expander generates the electric power efficiently for the high natural gas flow rates which variations are slight. The determined design flow rate of the turbo-expander has the highest coverage of the natural gas flow rates. The electricity generation is calculated as much as 9 MW(B station) and 12 MW(D station) at each pressure reduction station.
Keywords
natural gas; flow rate; turbo-expander; pressure reduction; energy recovery; optimization;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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