EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Cryodynamics Division

Cryogenic Turbine

cryodynamics
Expanders

Cryogenic Expanders for Liquefied Gas

www. eba r a i n t l . co m
 Who we are Liquefaction

EBARA International Corporation, Basics

Cryodynamics Division The Liquefaction process takes gas and cyclically
compresses and cools it until liquefied, resulting
(EIC Cryo) is the premier manufacturer of Cryogenic in very high pressure that is not suitable for
Pumps and Expanders for the many segments and storage or transport. Typically, the fluid is
applications of the worldwide liquefied gas industry. expanded through a Joule-Thomson (JT) Valve
With over 40 years of continuous engineering in order to lower the pressure. While using a JT
advancement and the largest cryogenic test stand Valve, there is no enthalpy change (no energy
in the world, EIC Cryo is the only manufacturer of change) and there is always some degree of
its kind with the knowledge and expertise to provide subsequent vaporization that is either lost or
the most complete catalog of both standard and returned to the liquefaction process.
custom cryogenic pump equipment in the world.
EIC Cryo incorporates the highest caliber of quality, • By including a liquid Expander into the
engineering and technological advancement, liquefaction process, we can also achieve:
delivering the most dependable and efficient ◦ T
 he same pressure drop as a JT
equipment you can buy. Valve.

◦ P
 ower recovery as a benefit from the
EXPANDERS IN THE LIQUEFACTION PROCESS
Expanders in the Liquefaction Process
enthalpy change.

◦ R
 educed boil-off gas from the let-
LNG EXPANDER down process, resulting in higher
liquefaction production and overall
efficiency.

TO STORAGE ◦ I ncredible investment return. For

every 1 MTPA in your process, an
JOULE THOMSON (JT) VALVE
Expander can provide an estimated
return of up to $17M per year.
Investment payback may be achieved
in months, sometimes weeks.
MIXED REFRIGERANT (MR)
EXPANDER
◦ O
 ther additional benefits such as
reduced carbon emissions.
HEAT EXCHANGER

JT VALVE

NATURAL
GAS (NG)

COMPRESSOR

Typical JT Valve

COMPRESSOR

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 Expansion Expansion Evolution
Single-phase Expander with JT Valve

Highlights
• Lowers enthalpy (liquid
energy extracted as • 1997: Original, 1st Expander
Pinlet electrical power).
• 2001: First 2-Phase Installation
(Sub-cooled)
• Operates in the liquid
Expander only region to avoid
• 2008: First 2-Phase Tandem Installation
vapor. • 2011: First Floating Application:
Shell Prelude
• Bulk of expansion by Courtesy of Photographic Services/Shell International Limited
JT Valve expander.

Poutlet • Remaining expansion

(Liquid & Liquid & Vapor and phase change by
Enthalpy

• EIC Cryo Expanders are available as large as 3.3 Megawatt

Vapor) Region J-T valve.
Liquid Only • Over 150 Expanders are installed around the world
Region
Pressure

Enthalpy houtlet hinlet Turbine (power) Specific Speed Map Impluse

(Specific Gravity =1) Francis

100
Two-phase Expander, No JT Valve

95
• Lowers enthalpy (liquid

ƞ - Theoretical Hydraulic Efficiency (with no losses)

Pinlet and vapor energy
(Sub-cooled) extracted as electrical
power). 90

Expander • Operates in liquid

& vapor region by 85
controlling phase
Poutlet change with special
(Liquid &
Vapor) hydraulic components. 80
Ebara Cryo's Experience Region
Liquid • Performs all expansion,
& Vapor without a J-T valve, to
Enthalpy

75
Region improve overall plant
Liquid Only efficiency.
Region
• Greater benefit than 75
Pressure

single-phase due to 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
greater expansion ns (N'sd) -Turbine Specific Speed (US Units)
range.
Enthalpy houtlet hinlet

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 design Main Bearing Region

Design Features

• Within an upward flow design, high pressure fluid enters the vessel
through a side inlet nozzle, then feeds the expander through side-
baffles and finally discharges upward through the hydraulic stages and
the headplate discharge nozzle.

• In an upward flow configuration, debris collects at the bottom of the

pressure vessel prior to entering the machine for improved reliability.
This area can be cleaned during periodic maintenance.

• For two-phase expanders, the upward configuration follows the natural

buoyancy of gas formation, so the flow and buoyancy move in the
same direction. Any bubbles caused by vaporization travel with the
process flow of the liquid through the expander, which completely
eliminates concerns for bearing lubrication and axial balancing.

• Upward flow expanders are under external pressure which eliminates

the need for double-shell designs and redundant casings. The
pressure vessel, already designed at maximum working pressure for
safety, functions as the primary containment housing. This allows for
reduced casing size and thickness, providing lower overall weight, a
reduced vessel diameter, and a more compact design.

• The smaller, lighter design gives the customer more flexibility and
convenience with installation and periodic maintenance, particularly
in marine or retrofit applications where weight and space are precious
commodities.

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 Single Speed & Efficiency Multiple Speed

Zero Torque Head

Multiple Speed Min Flow (65% BEP)
Single Speed & Efficiency Fixed Speed Curve
Efficiency Performance Max Flow (Generator Limit)

Rated Duty Point Rated Duty Point

Differential Head
Differential Head

Efficiency [%]
Efficiency [%]
Max Speed Operating Envelope

Operating Speed
Best Efficiency Point
(BEP) Min Speed
Best Efficiency Point
(BEP)

Volumetric Flow Rate Volumetric Flow Rate

Zero Torque Head

Min & Max Speed Limits  Overspeed Condition Fixed Speed Curve

• The
 critical speed of any rotating equipment occurs when rotational
speed coincides with the natural frequency, causing destructive
vibration and catastrophic failure.
Overspeed Condition Rated Duty Point
• Expander maximum operational speed always remains below the first (Expander Operating at (Expander Operating at
critical speed. Runaway Speed) Rated Speed)

Differential Head
• Using rotordynamic analysis, all critical speeds are established and
calculated during the design process to ensure safe operation and
long-term machine reliability.

Volumetric Flow Rate

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 Expander TEst Loop
Test Facility, Sparks Nevada USA
EIC Cryo’s Sparks, NV USA facility includes several test vessels and heat
exchangers which can be configured to test a full range of cryogenic equipment. With five
pump test tanks and one dedicated liquid expander vessel, the ‘Test Stand’ is capable of
evaluating up to six different pieces of equipment each day, greatly increasing throughput
and decreasing the total time spent to complete a project.
Testing Scope
• Each Expander will receive full-scale testing at customer duty points.
• Testing includes string test of customer’s VFD power control system.
• The following items are recorded and monitored during testing by
Electronic Data Acquisition (DAQ):

◦ Power/voltage/current/frequency @ the output of the generator

◦ Inlet liquid temperature

◦ Outlet liquid temperature

VFD FOR VFD FOR ◦ Differential pressure
MOTOR GENERATOR BYPASS
CONTROL CONTROL VALVE ◦ Flow rate (derived from delta P across an orifice plate)

◦ Speed

◦ Vibration (overall and spectral)

◦ Noise (recorded manually during endurance test)

◦ Axial TEM® Position

◦ Zero torque curves

◦ Runaway/overspeed curves
CONTROL
VALVE
BOG FLARE

RETURN

BOOSTER
PUMPS N2 COOLANT

N2 VENT

EXPANDER (IN THE TANK)

HEAT EXCHANGER
SUPPLY SUPPLY

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 Financial benefits Expander Operation
Estimated Return on Investment JT VALVE BYPASS
INLET OUTLET

Single-Phase OUTLET
ISOLATION VALVE
4 $33,786,000 $49,917,000 $66,049,000 $82,181,000

3 $25,339,000 $37,437,000 $49,537,000 $61,635,000

mmtpa INLET
2 $16,893,000 $24,959,000 $33,024,000 $41,090,000 ISOLATION MAIN SPEED
VALVE CONTROL BYPASS VALVE
1 $8,446,000 $12,479,000 $16,512,000 $20,545,000
VALVE
Electricity (4) kW Hours $0.08 $0.09 $0.10 $0.11

mmbtu $4.00 $6.00 $8.00 $10.00

Two-Phase
•  The Main Control Valve is used during startup and shutdown.
4 $36,352,000 $53,710,000 $71,067,000 $88,424,000
•  The Speed Bypass Valve is used for finite adjustments during operation.
3 $27,264,000 $40,281,000 $53,300,000 $66,318,000
mmtpa •  Isolation valves are used for maintenance or shutdown purposes.
2 $18,176,000 $26,854,000 $35,533,000 $44,211,000

1 $9,088,000 $13,427,000 $17,766,000 $22,106,000

Electricity (4) kW Hours $0.08 $0.09 $0.10 $0.11 EXPANDER TEM ® IN

mmbtu $4.00 $6.00 $8.00 $10.00 NON-OPERATING CONDITION

Thrust Equalizing
Mechanism (TEM®)
In all Ebara Pumps & Expanders,
a small portion of pumped fluid
will pass through our patented
Thrust Equalizing Mechanism
• Expanders increase production of liquefied gas by (TEM®). The TEM creates an
~20 tonnes per day. equilibrium between the upper
and lower impeller surfaces to
EXPANDER TEM® IN provide an extremely stable
• Each Megawatt of generated power increases the
OPERATING CONDITION system with zero thrust loads
LNG production by ~60,000 tonnes per year.
VARIABLE ORIFICE
on the bearings. This feature
substantially increases the
• Expanders
 remove otherwise wasted energy UPPER WEAR RING
reliability and life span of the
from the LNG stream, decreasing the total
bearings and reduces equipment
power consumption and further cooling
maintenance requirements.
the cryogenic fluid.

LOWER WEAR RING

OPERATING GAP
FIXED ORIFICE
RETURN TO LOW PRESSURE
THRUST PLATE

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 Scope of Supply
Expander with Integral Electric Generator

• Electrical system with dual electrical Optional Accessories:

penetration seal and junction box suitable
for hazardous areas.
• Stainless steel pressure containing vessel
and headplate assembly
• BN 3500 Vibration Monitoring
Control Room Equipment
• RTD Temperature Monitoring

• Vibration Monitoring System (VMS) System, located on pressure

vessel
• Speed Monitoring System
• Nitrogen purge system
• Liquid Level System (electrical, VMS, and speed)

• Instrumentation Junction Box for VMS, • Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

suitable for hazardous areas.

Cryo-specialty Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

• Steel inner and outer races with silicon nitrade balls and molded resin
separator.

• Insulated bearings prevent electrical arcing damage

• Longer life than standard steel bearings

• More resistant to debris damage

• Less wear in low lubrication conditions

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 EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Cryodynamics Division

contact us
North America, Southeast Asia, Caribbean & Australia +1 775-356-2796
Europe & India +44 (0) 1372-253-470
Middle East & Africa +974 66550890
China +86 21 54260930
All Locations: sales@ebaraintl.com
For a complete list of our global network of authorized agents, please visit our website and click on “contact” in the header.
www.ebaracryo.com/authorized-agents
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