Turbomachinery configuration for LNG project concept selection

Refrigerant compressors are the pumping heart of every LNG plant. These compressors are normally centrifugal and vary in size and configuration according to the context of the project. Steam turbines, gas turbines (heavy-duty or aeroderivative) and electric motors—or a combination of these three—are all possible options to drive the refrigerant compressors. It has been demonstrated that a single shaft can drive one, two or three compressor casings depending on the plant capacity, the liquefaction process technology used and the balancing needs of power. This is particularly interesting, as drivers with larger output power and efficiency can be considered. This articlea elaborates on the sel