Gas Liquids Engineering introduces energy efficient extraction method
by CM Staff
The SABR process helps to achieve propane or ethane recovery from natural gas of up to 99 per cent.
Natural gas chiller, using propane refrigeration. (CNW Group/GAS LIQUIDS ENGINEERING LTD.)
CALGARY — Gas Liquids Engineering has announced the availability of SABR, a new licensed process for propane and ethane extraction from natural gas, which typically uses 5 to 20 per cent less energy than competitive processes.
SABR or Split ABsorber Reflux is a term that covers multiple variations of the process. It is intended for increased recovery of natural gas liquids from natural gas through varied applications.
The Calgary based gas company explained that historically, deep-cut extraction plants have relied on a piece of equipment called a turboexpander to provide the cooling needed to deeply extract liquids from natural gas.
The SABR process is different in that it uses standard propane refrigeration, shell and tube heat exchangers, and distillation to achieve propane or ethane recovery from natural gas of up to 99 per cent.
According to GLE, refrigeration allows the process to achieve recoveries even under turned-down operation. As the outlet pressure of gas leaving the process is much higher than turboexpander based processes, the recompression requirements after processing are reduced, and this creates opportunities for energy and emissions reductions.
“We are truly thrilled to offer SABR at this time to the natural gas processing industry,” stated Gas Liquids Engineering vice president operations, Stuart MacKenzie in a statement.
“In many cases, SABR can recover propane and ethane with lower energy use, and better turndown than the historically used deep-cut technologies. Not only does this equate to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, it also lowers gas plant operating costs.”
