Embracing innovation and diversity in liquefaction technology—Part 2

J. G. BAGULEY and L. A. CLARK, LNG Ltd., Houston, Texas Part 1 of this article (Gas Processing, September/October) addressed evolution in the LNG marketplace, barriers to innovation, drivers for innovation and key elements impacting liquefaction plant efficiencies. Part 2 examines two key efficiency elements in greater detail, followed by a case study for an innovative design and delivery project opportunity. Refrigerant selection. A dizzying array of refrigerants has been named, ranging from chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)—which themselves are now avoided due to their high ozone depletion potential (ODP)—to conventional hydrocarbon refrigerants (propane, ethylene) and “natural” refrigerants, su