Gas Processing

&
Liquefaction
Presented by:
Zeynab Tahir 0347751
Dharshiren 034882
Shaun Gustave Pragassen 0339802
 Table of
Contents
• Introduction

• Helium Separation Process

• Practicability of Helium Separation

Process
• Social and Environmental Aspect

of Helium Separation Process

Introduction
Introduction
• Helium is the smallest and lightest inert gas
• Extremely low boiling point and non-flammable
properties.
• Main sources are natural gas (NG) fields
• Helium extraction involves:
• NG pretreatment
• NG refrigeration and liquefaction
• Nitrogen rejection/helium recovery from NG
• Helium upgrading
• Helium purification
• Helium liquefaction
Introduction
Extraction methods:
• Cryogenic
distillation
• Membrane
separation
• Adsorption
Introduction
Extraction methods:
• Cryogenic
distillation
• Membrane
separation
• Adsorption
Helium Separation
Process
Cryogenic Distillation

• Separation of gaseous mixture using simple

distillation at high pressure and low temperature.
• Involves cooling and liquefying the gases to -
161.45 °C.
• Can extract 90 % of helium from NG
Cryogenic Distillation
Process
• NG undergoes gas pretreatment.
• Gas feed enters the main cryogenic heat exchanger (MCHE)
where it is cooled to -161.45 °C.
• The NG feed enters an expansion turbine.
• The gas is then cooled in a high temperature gas-to-gas heat
exchanger
• Gas enters a propane chiller.
• Feed sent to a separator and divided into liquid and gaseous
streams
Cryogenic Distillation
Process
8. Gas stream enters a second cold separator and an expansion
turbine and then demethanizer.
9. Methane, nitrogen and helium are extracted from the overhead
stream.
10. Feed then enters the NRU where nitrogen is removed.
11. The gas stream from NRU leads to the helium extraction unit.
12. Helium extracted undergoes upgradation and purification using
pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) process
 Cryogenic Distillation
Process
MULTI- STAGE FLASH HIGH PRESSURE
PROCESS DISTILLATION COLUMN
• Series of flash vessels • Single-column heat
• Several stages of pumped process
compression refrigeration • Double-column heat
pumped process
Multi-Flash Cryogenic
Distillation
Single-Column Heat Pumped Double-Column Heat
Cryogenic Distillation Pumped Cryogenic
Distillation
Practicability of
Cryogenic
Distillation
 Practicability of Cryogenic
Distillation
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Energy-intensive process due to low
• High yield and product purity temperatures and high pressures.
• High purity levels of up to • Huge energy demand for gas cooling
99.9999% and liquefaction.
• Scalability for different • Higher operational costs and
environmental implications with
production capacities
hydrocarbon-based refrigerants
 ENERGY CONSUMPTION & FACTORS
AFFECTING
Distillation columns
IT
Higher helium
concentrations cause
consume significant more efficient separation
energy and lower energy
requirements

High energy losses Energy consumption

through backmixing and
temperature differences Factors varies based on raw
natural gas composition
and technologies used.

Improving equipment Choice of technologies and

design and utilizing equipment impacts energy
energy-efficient consumption.
technologies can reduce
energy requirements
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HIGH ENERGY
CONSUMPTION

- Adding Help optimize the heating and

intermediate heat cooling processes in different
exchangers sections of the column.

- The use of Recover waste heat and provide a

heat pumps more efficient and cost-effective
heat source.
 ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HIGH ENERGY
CONSUMPTION
Process of AHP Distillation
system
The key features of this system are as
follows:

• The liquid-phase material in the

stripping section is heated using the
intermediate reboiler and the bottom
reboiler.

• Intermediate condenser and

intermediate reboiler are connected
to the absorption heat pump (AHP)
Process of AHP distillation system based on intermediate exchange.
through circulating water
 ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HIGH ENERGY
CONSUMPTION
Use of the Macaba-Thiele
diagram

Used to determine the optimal

feed position.
 Social and Environmental
Aspect of Helium Separation
Process
 Social and Environmental
Aspect of Helium Separation
Process
Demand for helium is projected to increase to a
5.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in
2023

Helium recapture can conserve valuable

resources and provide a reliable source of high
quality helium
Social effects
Noise pollution
• Nuisance to residential areas around
such infrastructure.

Unattractive to businesses and regions which lack

financial affluence
• Growth block for technological and social
advancements in this sector.
• Cryogenic distillation units are expensive to build
(large and complex)
Social effects
The helium industry is a very lucrative industry
• The large capital investment can be recovered quick
• Attractive industry for high-skilled manpower.
Environmental
effects
Reduced emisions from refineries
• Repurposing of methane prevents the
venting or flaring (methane is potent
greenhouse gas)
Conservation of valuable natural resource
• Demand of helium can be answered.
• Eliminates the need for isolated helium
production processes (unsustainable)
Environmental
effects
Large area needed for a construction
• Clearance of natural forests
• Threaten the diversity and vitality of
ecosystems
Process is very energy intensive
• Large amounts of energy needed for compression
separation
• Large energy requirement makes it less sustainable
(greater use of fossil fuels).
Thank
Q and A

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