Smart coolant for NGL processing in very hot regions

H. Y. Noh, Saudi Aramco, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia A propane refrigeration system, consisting of a compressor, air coolers, an expansion valve and an evaporator, is commonly used for deethanizer overhead cooling in the oil and gas industry. Air temperature plays a key role in determining the efficiency of the air coolers and, therefore, the entire refrigeration system. Extremely hot ambient temperatures in the Middle East often lead to reductions in efficiency and limitations of cooling capacity. As a result, gas plant operators may end up losing more profitable components to less valuable product streams, or they must curtail the feedrate to some extent before the product goes off-spec in extrem