Optimising Liquefied Natural Gas Production with an Intelligent Valve Strategy
Figure 4: High-performance Compressor Anti-surge Valve to Maximise Performance of Anti-surge Control Systems
in LNG applications – such as pump kick-back valves or boil-off gas valves – provides a good starting point for a testing and measurement strategy. A regular programme of health checks on these is fundamental to best practice. Maintenance managers should make sure that they frequently feature in the work-lists for planned and unplanned plant shutdowns. It is essential to make the most of every opportunity for in situ activity, to minimise the risk of a significant problem emerging that requires a valve to be taken offline for repair.
Measuring values such as hysteresis, dead band and stroke time response against the benchmark can provide an early indication of underlying problems such as underpowered and/or inaccurate control. Conducting this electronically enables the rapid formation of more ‘crunchable’ data for individual valves and across populations.
This facilitates trend analysis, which plays a vital role in predicting problems and even pinpointing bad actors before there is a significant impact on efficiency and productivity. These data, combined with real-time access to photographs of valves via web platforms and production data, enables valve performance engineers to deal more proactively with valves needing attention.
Conclusions Figure 5: A Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier
By some estimates, there are sufficient reserves of natural gas to meet global energy demands well into the next century. A holistic and intelligent approach to valve installations at liquefaction and regasification plants will play a vital role in achieving this. Optimising valve performance should help ensure that transportation of this precious resource remains viable – from an economic and a safety perspective – throughout that time (see Figure 5). n
Case Study 1
performance, and can ultimately be far more cost-effective than static methods alone.
With the advent of smart positioners delivering information on all key assets, it is becoming easier to evaluate and predict the need for more detailed testing and measurement procedures. Overlaying ‘live’ performance data with standard routines enables engineers to make risk-based decisions about which valves to focus their attention on.
An Intelligence-led Strategy
The priorities for testing and measurement work-lists should be directed by both engineering expertise and data from smart positioners. Effective use of digital equipment goes hand-in-hand with the knowledge and experience of engineers: coupling performance data with engineering skill can lead to a significant shift towards a continually reducing volume of operational problems.
Simply prioritising the most critical valves, identifying the top ten ‘bad actors’ or focusing on those renowned for causing problems
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Severn Glocon is supplying globe control and butterfly valves to the US$2.8 billion Donggi-Senoro LNG plant project in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The order was placed through JGC Corporation and the valves are being produced at Severn Glocon’s bespoke facility in Chennai, India. Around one-third of the valves have been designed for low-temperature applications. Donggi- Senoro produces around 2 million tons of LNG a year and 47,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of condensate. The single train LNG processing plant is expected to begin operation and delivery by 2014. Indonesia is the largest LNG supplier to Japan and the new plant will fulfil an important role in boosting production.
Case Study 2
REN Atlântico has selected Severn Glocon to provide 14 cryogenic globe control valves to support the extension of its LNG receiving terminal at Sines, the deep-water harbour in Portugal. The valves range in size from 2” to 10” with pressure ratings between 300 and 1,500 lbs. Cryogenic testing will take place in-house at Gloucester, UK and the valves will be fully Atmospheres Explosives (ATEX) and Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) certified. Severn Glocon supplied valves for the original terminal when it was built in 2003 and is offering an extended four-year warranty on the new valves, more than twice as long as the industry standard.
HYDROCARBON WORLD – VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2
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