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Processes
Volume 13
Issue 8
10.3390/pr13082530
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Simulation and Optimization of a Novel FLNG Liquefaction Process Based on Supersonic Swirling Separation and Nitrogen Expansion Refrigeration

by
Lei Gao
1,
Zhaoxi Wang
1,
Guodong Qiu
1,
Yihuai Hua
2,
Jiang Bian
3 and
Weihua Cai
1,4,*
1
Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Nuclear Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
2
Gas & Power Group Research & Development Center, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Beijing 100027, China
3
School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
4
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2530; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082530
Submission received: 13 February 2025 / Revised: 1 August 2025 / Accepted: 6 August 2025 / Published: 11 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experiments and Numerical Simulations for Heat Transfer and Flow of Supercritical Fluids)
Versions Notes

Abstract

To meet the high standards required for the liquefaction process by the Floating Liquefied Natural Gas System (FLNG), including low power consumption, compact footprint, high safety, resistance to waves, and portability, this paper proposes a novel FLNG liquefaction process which combines the supersonic swirling separation technology with pressurized liquefaction technology. The process is simulated and optimized using Aspen HYSYS V10 software and genetic algorithms. The results indicate that the specific power consumption of this liquefaction process is only 0.208 kWh/m3, with the cooler, expander, and compressor being the main equipment responsible for exergy losses, accounting for 28.85%, 26.48%, and 21.70%, respectively. This liquefaction process is relatively adaptable to changes in feed gas pressure, temperature, and methane content. The specific power consumption slightly increases with the increasing feed gas pressure and temperature, while it exhibits some fluctuations with the increasing methane content. The process requires a low CO2 removal rate, possesses moisture pretreatment capability, has fewer pieces of equipment, and saves a significant amount of valuable space. It combines low specific power consumption, minimal impact from swaying, and high safety, providing considerable application potential in future offshore natural gas development.
Keywords: FLNG; pressurized liquefaction process; supersonic separation; nitrogen expansion liquefaction; optimization FLNG; pressurized liquefaction process; supersonic separation; nitrogen expansion liquefaction; optimization

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Gao, L.; Wang, Z.; Qiu, G.; Hua, Y.; Bian, J.; Cai, W. Simulation and Optimization of a Novel FLNG Liquefaction Process Based on Supersonic Swirling Separation and Nitrogen Expansion Refrigeration. Processes 2025, 13, 2530. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082530

AMA Style

Gao L, Wang Z, Qiu G, Hua Y, Bian J, Cai W. Simulation and Optimization of a Novel FLNG Liquefaction Process Based on Supersonic Swirling Separation and Nitrogen Expansion Refrigeration. Processes. 2025; 13(8):2530. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082530

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gao, Lei, Zhaoxi Wang, Guodong Qiu, Yihuai Hua, Jiang Bian, and Weihua Cai. 2025. "Simulation and Optimization of a Novel FLNG Liquefaction Process Based on Supersonic Swirling Separation and Nitrogen Expansion Refrigeration" Processes 13, no. 8: 2530. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082530

APA Style

Gao, L., Wang, Z., Qiu, G., Hua, Y., Bian, J., & Cai, W. (2025). Simulation and Optimization of a Novel FLNG Liquefaction Process Based on Supersonic Swirling Separation and Nitrogen Expansion Refrigeration. Processes, 13(8), 2530. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082530

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