A potential auto-cascade absorption refrigeration system for pre-cooling of LNG liquefaction

作者：He, Yijian; Li, Rong; Chen, Guangming^*; Wang, Yi

来源：Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2015, 24: 425-430.

DOI：10.1016/j.jngse.2015.03.035

• Absorption refrigeration
• Auto-cascade processes
• Low-grade thermal energy
• LNG pre-cooling
• Energy saving

Low temperature cooling is required during production or recovery processes of the liquefied natural gas (LNG). An absorption refrigeration system for pre-cooling of LNG production or recovery, which can be powered by low-grade thermal energy and produce low temperature cooling, could provide great potential of energy saving by recovering waste heat. An auto-cascade absorption refrigeration (ACAR) system is investigated for potential pre-cooling of LNG liquefaction in this context. Under the actuating heat with a temperature of 122.5 degrees C, a minimum refrigeration temperature of -52.9 degrees C is obtained by the. ACAR system. An experimental COPr value of the ACAR system reaches 0.011 with a refrigeration temperature of -52.9 degrees C. For an absorption refrigeration system, used for re-liquefaction of a LNG bulk gas carrier by utilizing exhaust engine heat with a temperature of 145 degrees C, the required minimum value of COPr is about 0.05 with a refrigeration temperature of -30 degrees C. However, under the actuating heat with a temperature of 120 degrees C, the minimum value becomes about 0.023 with a refrigeration temperature of -53 degrees C. Therefore, performance of the experimental ACAR prototype is approaching the basic requirements for re-liquefaction of a LNG bulk gas carrier, which could utilize exhaust engine heat. Based on the theoretical COPr values of the ACAR system, it is found that its energy saving could be equivalent to that of an ammonia/water absorption refrigeration system for pre-cooling of LNG liquefaction. Moreover, the ACAR system could show good performance in broader operational conditions. Besides, it overcomes some drawbacks on the manufactured materials and operational maintenance of an ammonia/water absorption refrigeration system. In summary, an ACAR system could provide pre-cooling at lower temperatures for LNG liquefaction by utilizing waste heat and show comprehensive advantages over an ammonia/water absorption refrigeration system. Hence, it shows good potential for pre-cooling of LNG liquefaction, especially for re-liquefaction of a LNG bulk gas carrier.

• 出版日期2015-5
• 单位浙江大学