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Exergoeconomic analysis of an LNG integrated - air separation process

  • Separation Technology, Thermodynamics
  • Published:
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Abstract

An integrated LNG regasification - air separation process is investigated using exergy and exergoeconomic analyses. The objective of developing this integrated process is to lower the calorific value of LNG by mixing regasified LNG with high purity nitrogen, while simultaneously recovering and utilizing valuable cryogenic energy from the LNG during its regasification to minimize the power consumption of the air separation unit (ASU) for nitrogen production. The overall exergy efficiency and exergy destruction of the integrated process are 76.47% and 28.52 MW, respectively, with the compression section causing the most exergy destruction. Further exergoeconomic analysis of the proposed process reveals that the air compressors have the highest capital investment (CI) and operating and maintenance (O&M) cost rates, the pumps for cooling water and LNG have the highest exergoeconomic factors, and the low-pressure column and a multistream heat exchanger have the highest exergy destruction cost rates. A parametric study is also conducted to examine the impact of economic variables including interest rate, plant life, and compressor performance on exergy destruction, CI and O&M cost rates, and exergoeconomic factor. The findings of this study offer valuable insight into the design and optimization of similar integrated processes, with potential benefits for the energy industry.

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Abbreviations

A:

area [m2]

C:

cost rate [$/h]

Cd, k :

exergy destruction cost rate for equipment k [$/h]

Cf, k :

exergy destruction cost rate for an inlet stream to equipment k [$/h]

Cp, k :

exergy destruction cost rate for an outlet stream from equipment k [$/h]

c:

cost per unit exergy [$/GJ]

cf, k :

cost per unit exergy for an inlet stream to equipment k [$/GJ]

cp, k :

cost per unit exergy for an outlet stream from equipment k [$/GJ]

D:

diameter of the vessel [m]

E:

exergy of a stream

Echem :

chemical exergy of a stream [kW]

Ephy :

physical exergy of a stream [kW]

Etot :

total exergy of a stream [kW]

Ein :

exergy of an inlet stream [kW]

Eout :

exergy of an outlet stream [kW]

Ed, k :

exergy destruction in equipment k [kW]

Ef, k :

exergy of an inlet stream to equipment k [kW]

Ep, k :

exergy of an outlet stream from equipment k [kW]

Eq :

exergy corresponding to heat flow \(({\rm{kW}}) = Q\left( {{{{{\rm{T}}_0}} \over {\rm{T}}} - 1} \right)\)

fk :

exergoeconomic factor [%]

F:

flow rate [TPH, tons per hour]

FD :

driver (electric motor, steam turbine, etc.) factor

FM :

material factor

H:

annual working hours [h]

i:

interest rate [%]

L:

length/tangent to tangent height of the vessel [m]

N:

plant lifetime [years]

n:

number of trays

PEC:

purchased equipment cost [$]

Po :

reference pressure [1.01325 bar]

Pc :

power [kW]

Q:

heat flow [kW]

rk :

relative cost difference [%]

ΔTmin :

minimum approach temperature [K]

To :

reference temperature [298.15 K]

W:

mechanical work [kW]

Wp :

work required by the pump [kW]

Win :

work required (for pumps and compressors) [kW]

Wout :

work produced (from turbine) [kW]

Y D, k :

exergy destruction ratio [%]

Z k :

investment cost rate [$/h]

ε k :

exergy efficiency [%]

η p :

pump efficiency [%]

f:

feed

P:

product

k:

k-th equipment

ASU:

air separation unit

CI:

capital investment

EES:

engineering equation solver

HP:

horsepower

LNG:

liquefied natural gas

LMTD:

log mean temperature difference

O&M:

operations and maintenance

TPH:

tons per hour

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Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the SNGPL Chair of Gas Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 54890, Pakistan

    Muhammad Haris Hamayun, Naveed Ramzan & Muhammad Faheem

  2. Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Defence Road, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Haris Hamayun

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  1. Muhammad Haris Hamayun
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Correspondence to Muhammad Faheem.

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Hamayun, M.H., Ramzan, N. & Faheem, M. Exergoeconomic analysis of an LNG integrated - air separation process. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 40, 3017–3028 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-023-1567-z

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