Single-Solution-Based Vortex Search Strategy for Optimal Design of Offshore and Onshore Natural Gas Liquefaction Processes

Muhammad Abdul Qyyum, Muhammad Yasin, Alam Nawaz, Tianbiao He, Wahid Ali, Junaid Haider, Kinza Qadeer, Abdul-Sattar Nizami, Konstantinos Moustakas and Moonyong Lee
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Muhammad Abdul Qyyum: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
Muhammad Yasin: Bioenergy & Environmental Sustainable Technology (BEST) Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, Defense Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Alam Nawaz: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
Tianbiao He: Department of Gas Engineering, College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Wahid Ali: Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, College of Applied Industrial Technology (CAIT), Jazan University, Jazan 45971, Saudi Arabia
Junaid Haider: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
Kinza Qadeer: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
Abdul-Sattar Nizami: Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Konstantinos Moustakas: Unit of Environmental Science & Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
Moonyong Lee: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: Propane-Precooled Mixed Refrigerant (C3MR) and Single Mixed Refrigerant (SMR) processes are considered as optimal choices for onshore and offshore natural gas liquefaction, respectively. However, from thermodynamics point of view, these processes are still far away from their maximum achievable energy efficiency due to nonoptimal execution of the design variables. Therefore, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production is considered as one of the energy-intensive cryogenic industries. In this context, this study examines a single-solution-based Vortex Search (VS) approach to find the optimal design variables corresponding to minimal energy consumption for LNG processes, i.e., C3MR and SMR. The LNG processes are simulated using Aspen Hysys and then linked with VS algorithm, which is coded in MATLAB. The results indicated that the SMR process is a potential process for offshore sites that can liquefy natural gas with 16.1% less energy consumption compared with the published base case. Whereas, for onshore LNG production, the energy consumption for the C3MR process is reduced up to 27.8% when compared with the previously published base case. The optimal designs of the SMR and C3MR processes are also found via distinctive well-established optimization approaches (i.e., genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization) and their performance is compared with that of the VS methodology. The authors believe this work will greatly help the process engineers overcome the challenges relating to the energy efficiency of LNG industry, as well as other mixed refrigerant-based cryogenic processes.

Keywords: natural gas; single mixed refrigerant; propane-precooled mixed refrigerant; liquefaction process; energy efficiency; compression power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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