Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling a natural gas production system in an upset scenario, and/or during startup of turbo-expander system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating a Joule-Thomson valve of a natural gas production system includes determining an upset event within the natural gas production system, obtaining a flow rate through at least one expander prior to the upset event, and calculating, based on the flow rate, a percent opening of the Joule-Thomson valve. The method further includes opening the Joule-Thomson valve to the percent opening, controlling the Joule-Thomson valve by a PID controller in a set point tracking mode for a period of time, and controlling the Joule-Thomson valve by the PID controller in an automatic mode.
Abstract:
An oil-lubricated cryocooler compressor that compresses a refrigerant gas of a cryocooler includes a liquid-cooled heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant gas and/or an oil through heat exchange with a coolant and a cooling controller that is configured to acquire a supply temperature of the coolant supplied to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and to control a flow rate of the coolant of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and/or an exhaust heat amount of the cryocooler compressor based on the acquired supply temperature of the coolant.
Abstract:
A refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a cooling part for cooling an object to be cooled through heat exchange with a refrigerant; an expander-integrated compressor including a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and an expander for expanding the refrigerant integrated therein; and a refrigerant circulation line configured to circulate the refrigerant through the compressor, the expander, and the cooling part. The compressor includes a low-stage compressor, a middle-stage compressor, and a high-stage compressor disposed in series in the refrigerant circulation line. The expander-integrated compressor includes: the middle-stage compressor; an expander for adiabatically expanding and cooling the refrigerant discharged from the high-stage compressor; a first motor having an output shaft connected to the middle-stage compressor and to the expander; at least one non-contact type bearing, disposed between the middle-stage compressor and the expander, for supporting the output shaft of the first motor without being in contact with the output shaft; and a casing for housing the middle-stage compressor, the expander, and the at least one non-contact type bearing.
Abstract:
A method for controlling the flow of natural gas and refrigerant in the main heat exchanger of a natural gas liquefaction facility. The method provides for the automated control of a flow rate of a natural gas feed stream through a heat exchanger based on one or more process variables and set points. The flow rate of refrigerant streams through the heat exchanger is controlled by different process variables and set points, and is controlled independently of the flow rate of the natural gas feed stream.
Abstract:
Embodiments generally relate to a motor driven compressor (MDC) power network electrically isolated and independent from a balance of plant (BOP) power network within an electrical power system and methods for operating the same. In one embodiment, the MDC power network can include one or more MDC trains, and each of the MDC trains can include an MDC distribution bus, one or more MDC turbine generators, one or more electric motors, and one or more compressors. The BOP power network can include a BOP distribution bus, one or more BOP turbine generators, and one or more plant circuits comprising the balance of the plant.
Abstract:
A variable speed drive system employing an electric motor and a frequency converter arranged between an AC power source and the electric motor is operated. The frequency converter functions to convert AC power obtained from the AC power source at a source frequency to converted power at a variable drive frequency. A mechanical assembly can be coupled to the electric motor. Electric modulation circuitry is provided interacting with the frequency converter. It is arranged to impose fluctuations, independently from any torsional excitation in the mechanical assembly and the AC power source, in the inter-harmonic frequencies of inter-harmonic currents generated in the frequency converter.
Abstract:
A method and system for producing liquefied and sub-cooled natural gas by means of a refrigeration assembly using a single phase gaseous refrigerant comprising: at least two expanders (1-3); a compressor assembly (5-7); a heat exchanger assembly (8) for heat absorption from natural gas; and a heat rejection assembly (10-12). The novel features according to the present invention are arranging the expanders (1-3) in expander loops; using only one and the same refrigerant in all loops; passing an expanded refrigerant flow from the respective expander into the heat exchanger assembly (8), each being at a mass flow and temperature level adapted to de-superheating, condensation or cooling of dense phase and/or sub-cooling of natural gas; and serving the refrigerant to the respective expander in a compressed flow by means of the compressor assembly having compressors or compressor stages enabling adapted inlet and outlet pressures for the respective expander.
Abstract:
At least part of a fluid is compressed in a compressor driven by an electric motor. The compressor has variable inlet guide vanes of which an angle can be adjusted. The electric motor is powered using a power supply network, and a signal representative of a condition of the power supply network is monitored. From the signal, it is automatically determined whether additional load shedding is needed, by comparing the signal to a predetermined criterion. The variable inlet guide vanes angle is automatically adjusted when the criterion is satisfied and additional load shedding is needed. This automatically reduces the loading of the compressor. The compressor and the method of operating it may be employed as part of a system for producing a liquefied hydrocarbon stream and/or in the course of producing a liquefied hydrocarbon stream, in which case the compressor can be a refrigerant compressor and the fluid a refrigerant fluid.
Abstract:
A control method and apparatus for critical rotational speed avoidance in a compressor-expander set in a gas refrigeration system. By varying an opening of an antisurge or recycle valve, a shaft power used by the compressor in the compressor-expander set may be varied, thereby varying the rotational speed of the compressor-expander set to move it away from its critical speed zone. Additionally, a feedforward signal may be provided by a compressor-expander set control system to cause an antisurge valve for a recycle compressor to open upon a trip or shutdown of one compressor-expander set.
Abstract:
A method of controlling one or more refrigerant compressors (12) for one or more gaseous streams (10) at a normal operating temperature. At least one refrigerant compressor (12) has a vapour recirculation line (30). A compressor feed stream (10a) is provided from a combination of a vapour recirculation stream (30) from the vapour recirculation line (30) and an at least partly evaporated refrigerant stream (8). The compressor feed stream (10a) is passed through a suction drum (11) to provide a compressor gaseous stream (10), which is passed through the refrigerant compressor (s) (12). The inlet temperature T1 of the compressor gaseous stream (10) is determined, and cooling of a refrigerant stream is controlled in response to temperature T1 to provide the compressor gaseous stream (10) at the normal operating temperature of at least one refrigerant compressor (12).