Equipment
LPG is the term for extracted liquids whose main components are propane, n-butane and iso-butane. SPEC engineers and fabricates LPG recovery and fractionation systems; references include the Umutu facility in Nigeria and the Kenlyk facility in Kazakhstan.
LPG Production Facility at Umutu Delta State, Nigeria 2009
View project →ScopeJ-T valve LPG facility with de-ethaniser, de-propaniser and de-butaniser, producing 100 tonnes a day of LPG.
Application
Natural gas liquids (NGL) is the general term for liquids extracted from the gas stream, meaning ethane and heavier. LPG refers to the narrower cut whose main components are propane, n-butane and iso-butane.
The NGL is first extracted using a hydrocarbon dew point control unit or a cryogenic plant, depending on the recovery required. Fractionation then separates the LPG components from the rest of the liquid.
System configuration
System configuration varies with process duty, operating conditions and project requirements.
A hydrocarbon dew point control unit, or a cryogenic plant where deeper recovery is required, extracts the liquids from the gas.
De-ethaniser, de-propaniser and de-butaniser: trayed towers that each take the lightest remaining product off overhead.
Introduce heat at the bottom of each tower, driving the more volatile components to the top.
Condenses the overhead vapour leaving the de-ethaniser.
Collect the condensed overhead, which the reflux pump returns to the top of the tower.
Also in the scope of supply
Final equipment arrangement and delivery format depend on process duty, transport constraints and site requirements.
Specifications
| Term | Components |
|---|---|
| Natural gas liquids (NGL) | Ethane and heavier products extracted from the gas stream |
| Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) | Mainly propane, n-butane and iso-butane |
Recovery targets, tower configuration and filling plant scope are set by SPEC engineering against your feed composition and product specification.
Detail
The extraction step is chosen first: a dew point control unit for moderate recovery, or a turbo expander cryogenic plant for deep propane recovery. Fractionation towers and the filling plant are then sized to the liquid produced. Equipment assemblies are fabricated and tested in SPEC facilities where included in the project scope.
Related
The fractionation process that separates the LPG cut.
View →Deep propane recovery ahead of fractionation.
View →NGL extraction where deep recovery is not required.
View →Process data
Enquiries
Send us your process data and operating conditions, and we will review the duty with you.
Contact Us