Air Products announces successful performance test of AP-DMR LNG process tech for Coral South FLNG

Air Products, the leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology and equipment has announced its dual mixed refrigerant LNG Process technology (AP-DMR™) and equipment, which has been deployed at the Coral South floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in Mozambique, Africa, has successfully passed its performance test achieving LNG production above 3.4 MMtpy.

Air Products’ proprietary AP-DMR LNG Process was selected because of its high efficiency, reliable operation, and compact footprint. AP-DMR’s superior process efficiency combined with the use of aeroderivative machinery translates to a lower carbon intensity than all other LNG processes in floating service.

Coral South FLNG is Mozambique’s first operating LNG project, and the first deep-water FLNG project for Africa. It is the second largest FLNG facility in the world. Air Products’ involvement with this project started in 2013 with conceptual work, resulting in the selection of the AP-DMR LNG process technology and equipment, including the supply of two proprietary coil-wound main cryogenic heat exchangers (CWHEs), one for precooling and one for liquefaction within the facility. 

The CWHEs for the Coral South project were fabricated at Air Products’ LNG equipment manufacturing facility in Port Manatee, Florida. Additionally, Air Products provided expert, technical advisory services for the installation, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing.

“Having been selected to participate in this landmark project is a significant achievement and the first project to leverage our very efficient AP-DMR LNG process. Our supplied equipment having successfully completed performance testing is the direct result of the expertise and experience of our team, from all areas of the LNG business, working in close collaboration and in support of TP JGC Coral France (the EPC joint venture of Technip Energies France SAS and JGC Corporation) executing the project and Coral FLNG S.A. (the owner/operator),” said Dr. John Palamara, general manager – LNG at Air Products.  

Air Products’ AP-DMR LNG Process has also been selected for the Energía Costa Azul LNG land-based project in Mexico which is currently under construction.

Air Products has extensive experience in offshore, or floating LNG projects, having executed a rigorous 15-year FLNG development and marinization program to ensure the proprietary equipment and liquefaction processes would meet the requirements of demanding offshore conditions, such as extensive fatigue conditions that can affect mechanical integrity of equipment, and sea state induced motion conditions, which can affect process performance if not properly designed. As a result, Air Products’ LNG business has supplied liquefaction technology and equipment to all four of the first deep water, offshore FLNG projects which include Shell Prelude, Petronas FLNG Satu, Petronas FLNG Dua, and Coral South FLNG. 

Air Products is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its world-class Port Manatee facility which opened in January 2014, completed a 60% expansion in October 2019, and in July 2023 announced a significant investment to increase winding capacity to meet the needs of the ever-growing LNG industry. 

Air Products’ proprietary LNG technology, vital to helping meet the world’s increasing energy needs and desire for clean energy, processes and cryogenically liquefies valuable natural gas for consumer and industrial use. For over 50 years Air Products has manufactured LNG heat exchangers, which currently operate in over 100 LNG trains in 20 countries around the world.  

 

Typically, an LNG heat exchanger can be as large as over 15 feet (5 meters) in diameter and 180 feet (55 meters) long. A finished unit can weigh as much as 500 tons. 

Air Products’ LNG process technology and equipment is the heart of an LNG production plant. The technology, in place at some of the most remote locations around the world, takes natural gas and unlocks its value by liquefying it and making it possible to ship it economically. Typically, the LNG is eventually re-gasified for energy uses.

The majority of total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products’ technology. In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the natural gas liquefaction process for large export plants, small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants and LNG peak shavers. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides membrane nitrogen generators for LNG carriers and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals and baseload LNG plants. 

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