Refrigerant technology for ethylene liquefaction plant
Costain was engaged to provide consultancy services to evaluate the merits of a particular refrigerant technology for a new ethylene liquefaction plant rather than cascade liquefaction.
Challenges
190,000 tonnes/year ethylene recovery
plant capacity
CAPEX reduction
without compromising OPEX
Costain initially undertook a process study to identify the optimal process flowsheet, equipment schedule, utilities requirements, turnkey project cost and installation schedule for the refrigeration plant.
Following the study, Costain was awarded a contract to undertake the front end engineering design of the plant. This included further assessment of project risks, especially technical risks in terms of reliability, operability, flexibility and ease of start up and shutdown.
Resolution of these issues included rigorous dynamic modelling to develop the optimal control strategy and detailed evaluation of major equipment including plate-fin exchanger design and machinery configuration.
Contact and social
Energy