Short Description

This research project consists of several broad studies that have been performed at Dr. Xu’s research group for over 10 years, which include research works covering natural gas preprocessing (sweetening, dehydration, NGL recovery, and compression), LNG liquefaction, BOG recovery and minimization, as well as LNG regasification.  our expertise is based on thermodynamic fundamentals and employs both large-scale steady-state and dynamic modeling and simulation techniques to virtually study potential optimization opportunities during the manufacturing process, such as cost minimization, energy saving, emission reduction, as well as control performance improvements.

Long Description

Natural gas preprocessing, LNG liquefaction, LNG re-gasification are most important sectors of the entire LNG value chain. Tremendous cost, energy, and material saving opportunities are existing these process sectors. Meanwhile, boil-off gas (BOG) generation and handling problems in LNG processes become increasingly important due to more intensive global competitions and stricter environmental regulations. In this research area, thermodynamic-analysis-based simulation and optimization have been comprehensively performed. We have studied the optimal design, operation, and control for typical plants in all these process sectors. For instance, we have studied how to recover NGL in an energy efficient way; we have studied what are potential better design and operating conditions for various LNG liquefaction process; we have also quantitatively studied various factors causing BOG generations together with different strategies to minimize, recover, and reuse produced BOG, targeting the best performance of energy saving and processing efficiency. Our studies would not only enhance the better understanding all major manufacturing sectors of the entire LNG value chain, but also provide enable techniques for better industrial applications.

Funding

Different project aspects were funded by Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center (THWRC), Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS), and Center for Advances in Port Management (CAPM).

Selected Publications

• Wang, X. C., Xu, Y. L., Wang, S. J., Ho, T. C., Xu, Q.*, “Comprehensive Study on Boil-off Gas Generation from LNG Road Tankers under Simultaneous Impacts of Heat Leakage and Transportation Vibration”, Fuel, 275, 117876, 2020.
• Emdadul, H., Xu, Q., Pakanki, S.*, “Advanced Process Control for Cost-effective Glycol Loss Minimization in A Natural Gas Dehydration Plant under Upset Conditions”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(16), 7680–7692, 2020.
• Mazumder, M., Xu, Q.*, “Study for the Optimal Operation of Natural Gas Liquid Recovery and Natural Gas Production”, Natural Gas Processing from Midstream to Downstream, Editors: Nimir O. Elbashir, Mahmoud M. El-Halwag, Kenneth R. Hall, Ioannis Economou, Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-119-27025-6, January 2019.
• Mahmud, M. A., Mazumder, M., Xu, Q.*, Khan, R. I., “Sloshing Impact on Gas Pre-treatment for LNG Plants Located in Stranded Offshore Location”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 57(17), 5764–5775, 2018.
• Kurle, Y. M., Xu, Q.*, Palanki, S., “Dynamic Simulation Study for Boil-off Gas Minimization at Liquefied Natural Gas Exporting Terminals”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 57 (17), 5903–5913, 2018.
• Kurle Y. M., Wang, S. J.*, Xu, Q.*, "Dynamic Simulation of LNG loading, BOG Generation, and BOG Recovery at LNG Exporting Terminals", Computers & Chemical Engineering, 97, 47-58, 2017.
• Kurle Y. M., Wang, S. J.*, Xu, Q.*, "Simulation Study on Boil-off Gas Minimization and Recovery Strategies at LNG Exporting Terminals", Applied Energy, 156, 628-641, 2015.
• Wang, M. Q., Xu, Q.*, “Optimal Design and Operation for Simultaneous Shale Gas NGL Recovery and LNG Re-gasification under Uncertainties”, Chemical Engineering Science, 112, 130-142, 2014.
• Wang, M. Q., Zhang, J., Xu, Q.*, “A Novel Conceptual Design by Integrating NGL Recovery and LNG Re-gasification Processes for Maximum Energy Savings”, AIChE Journal, 59(12), 4673–4685, 2013.
• Wang, M. Q., Zhang, J., Xu, Q.*, “Optimal Design and Operation of C3MR Refrigeration System for Natural Gas Liquefaction”, Computers & Chemical Engineering, 39, 84-95, 2012.
• Wang, M. Q., Zhang, J., Xu, Q.*, Li, K. Y. “Thermodynamic-Analysis-Based Energy Consumption Minimization for Natural Gas Liquefaction”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 50 (22), 12630–12640, 2011. (2012 Best paper award of AIChE Process Development Division)
• Liu, C. W., Zhang, J., Xu, Q.*, Gossage, J. L., “Thermodynamic Analysis-based Design and Operation for Boil-off Gas Flare Minimization at LNG Receiving Terminals”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 49(16), 7412-7420, 2010. (2010 Best paper award of AIChE Environmental Division)