LNG

(Liquefaction of natural gas)

C3-MR and APX
Refrigerants classification based on
their own chemical composition

Halocarbon: Contains one or more of the three(halogens

chlorine, fluorine or ,bromine)

Inorganic: Ammonia and Carbon

dioxide

Hydrocarbons

Cryogenic gases : gas or Mixture , i.e. (Nitrogen-

Oxygen-air-methane )
Refrigerants classification based on
Temperature range during phase
change

1- Zeotropic Mixture

2- Azeotropic Mixture
 1- Zeotropic Mixture
A mixture of chemicals is zeotropic
if the compositions of the vapor
and the liquid phases at the vapor-
liquid equilibrium state are never
the same.
Zeotropic mixture of nitrogen
and methane at 0.1 MPa.
 Liquid>> 18 % Nitrogen & 82% Methane
Vapor >> 90 % Nitrogen & 10% Methane
 1- Azeotropic Mixture
- A mixture that can not be
separated to into its components
by distillation .
- Evaporates and condensates as a
single substance .
 Advantages of Zeotropic
Mixture .
1- Reducing the compression ratio .
2- Increasing the capacity
3- Reaching non constant temperature of
refrigeration
>> Reduce (Tc) >> Increase (Tevp)
>> reduces Compressor power
>> COP Increases
Compared to (zeotropic Mixture)
Azeotropic Mixture can have

>>lower Tevp >>higher C.C

At the same operating condition

Guidelines for choosing MR
Components
1- First fluid boiling temperature at 1.5 bar is less than the
desired refrigerating temperature .

2- second fluid boiling point is about 30-60 k above the basic

fluid (that does not exhibit liquid-liquid immiscibility at low
temperature with the primary fluid).

3- Choose a third fluid that exhibits a liquid-liquid immiscibility at

low temperature with the first fluid and whose boiling point is
at least 30 K above that of the second fluid.

4-Choose a fourth and an optional fifth fluid that exhibit liquid-

liquid immiscibility at low temperatures with the first fluid.
 Mixed refrigerant in LNG

Permits boiling of refrigerant

over a temperature range,
leading to high efficiency when
it`s most crucial.
Cooling curve for natural gas
#NOTE
T(MR) < T(NG)
Delta T = T(NG) - T(MR) should be
MINMUM
Despite large heat transfer
area (high initial cost),
Compressor available power
must be matched .

Delta T is defined by
refrigerant
Selection and Composition
 C3-MR process

Developed by APCI
(Air Product and Chemicals Inc)

Since the late 1970s, Occupies 75% of LNG

market.
 C3-MR process

Consists of :-

1- Multistage propane pre-cooling system.

2- Liquefaction using mixed refrigerant system.

MR >> Methane - ethane - propane .

C3/MR Process Simplified Flow Diagram
APX Process Simplified Flow Diagram
 THANKS

Fahd Hatem