UOP forms alliance with Black & Veatch to develop transport LNG fuels
9/26/2013 12:00:00 AM
Through the alliance, the two companies will offer integrated, small-scale LNG plants capable of processing between 50,000 and 500,000 gal/day of LNG per single processing train, with the capability to extend capacity.
LNG can be sold as transportation fuel or used instead of traditional diesel in high-fuel consumption, high-horsepower applications such as railroad, marine, mining, or oil and gas exploration and production.
“LNG use is growing in the North American transportation and high-horse power sectors because of its low cost and environmental benefits, coupled with the rapid introduction of affordable natural gas engine and infrastructure technology,” said Rebecca Liebert, senior vice president and general manager for UOP's gas processing and hydrogen business.
“Starting this year, this alliance will help deliver fast, economical, efficient and reliable LNG plants to help meet growing demands in North America," she added.
US natural gas production is expected to increase more than 40% over the next 30 years, and use of natural gas as a road transportation fuel is expected to nearly double from current levels by 2018, according to the International Energy Agency. At the same time, users of off-road, high-horsepower equipment are increasingly turning to LNG to replace diesel, both to cut fuel costs and reduce emissions.
“UOP Russell is the industry’s leading modularized gas processing equipment,” said John George, vice president and oil & gas manager of Black & Veatch. “UOP and Black & Veatch’s combined strengths will increase LNG plant speed to market to meet clients’ needs.”
The agreement between UOP and Black & Veatch provides a one-stop solution for proven design, procurement, construction and fabrication solutions for small-scale LNG plants in North America. The alliance combines UOP’s process technology expertise and its UOP Russell modularized equipment offerings; Honeywell’s world-leading controls and automation solutions; and Black & Veatch’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and its proven PRICO natural gas liquefaction technology.
The complete small-scale LNG plant offering will be available in 2013.
The UOP Russell product line includes modularized packaged plants that enable shale and conventional natural gas producers to remove contaminants from natural gas and recover natural gas liquids (NGLs) used for petrochemicals and fuels. UOP Russell modular equipment is factory-built to maintain tight quality control standards and significantly reduce construction time and costs.
Meanwhile, the PRICO technology from Black & Veatch is an innovative process to liquefy natural gas, making it available for transport via truck, rail or marine vessel. The process uses a patented, single-mixed refrigerant loop for natural gas liquefaction.
PRICO offers a simplified refrigeration system that requires minimal equipment, enables simplified control and maintenance, and offers flexibility in feed gas composition, allowing low capital and operating expenditures.
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