Air Separation Application Gas Turbo Expander Expansion Turbine
Air Separation Application Gas Turbo Expander Expansion Turbine
A turboexpander is a type of rotating device that has an expansion turbine. It is similar to a steam or gas turbine as it converts the energy from a gas into mechanical work. The main purpose of a steam or gas turbine is to convert this mechanical work into useful power, either by driving an electric generator or by being the main source of power for another rotating device like a compressor or a high-power pump.
In situations where the process gas needs to be refrigerated, a turboexpander is unique because it expands the gas stream for its own sake, and the generation of mechanical work is a secondary outcome. However, this does not mean that the mechanical work produced is not valuable. In fact, most turboexpanders are likely used to drive a compressor or generator. In this scenario, the compressor or generator acts as a device that consumes or slows down the energy produced by the expander. Another term commonly used for this type of machine is "compander," although it is not as frequently used in the natural gas processing industry.
Applications of Turboexpanders. Turboexpanders were first introduced in the mid-1930s when the initial device was created and installed for separating air. The initial turboexpander for a natural gas purpose was designed and installed in the early 1960s. Presently, over 5,000 units are operational worldwide.
Cryogenic turbo expanders are utilized in various applications. They are commonly used in the natural gas sector for liquefaction and controlling dew points. Additionally, they are employed in the petrochemical industry for ethylene plants, air separation, refrigeration, and power generation.
The primary markets for these machines are hydrocarbon processing and air separation plants. In both scenarios, there is a need to alter the state of a process gas to a specific pressure and temperature. Turboexpanders accomplish these temperature objectives by extracting substantial amounts of energy and subsequently reducing temperatures. Consequently, they can be perceived as highly efficient refrigeration devices.
