Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing

Based on the medium-pressure natural gas ethane recovery and helium extraction process, this paper proposes three different refrigerant Schemes. Thermodynamic analysis and adaptability evaluation of the three Schemes were conducted using Aspen HYSYS V12 software. The ethylene–propane cascade refrige...

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Main Authors: Hong Jiang, Wentang Huang, Xiang Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3406
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author Hong Jiang
Wentang Huang
Xiang Cheng
author_facet Hong Jiang
Wentang Huang
Xiang Cheng
author_sort Hong Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Based on the medium-pressure natural gas ethane recovery and helium extraction process, this paper proposes three different refrigerant Schemes. Thermodynamic analysis and adaptability evaluation of the three Schemes were conducted using Aspen HYSYS V12 software. The ethylene–propane cascade refrigeration Scheme demonstrated superior energy efficiency in terms of comprehensive energy consumption, heat exchange performance in the cryogenic cold box, and exergy analysis. Adaptability analysis indicated that this Scheme exhibits strong tolerance to variations in feed gas temperature as well as N<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> content. The ethylene–propane cascade refrigeration process demonstrates significant energy-saving advantages and exhibits robust operational performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-6d8cccfb4bac43fcb84a0494c4d69b9e
institution Kabale University
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-6d8cccfb4bac43fcb84a0494c4d69b9e2025-08-20T03:50:21ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-06-011813340610.3390/en18133406Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas ProcessingHong Jiang0Wentang Huang1Xiang Cheng2Petroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaPetroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaSouthwest Branch of PetroChina Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Chengdu 610041, ChinaBased on the medium-pressure natural gas ethane recovery and helium extraction process, this paper proposes three different refrigerant Schemes. Thermodynamic analysis and adaptability evaluation of the three Schemes were conducted using Aspen HYSYS V12 software. The ethylene–propane cascade refrigeration Scheme demonstrated superior energy efficiency in terms of comprehensive energy consumption, heat exchange performance in the cryogenic cold box, and exergy analysis. Adaptability analysis indicated that this Scheme exhibits strong tolerance to variations in feed gas temperature as well as N<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> content. The ethylene–propane cascade refrigeration process demonstrates significant energy-saving advantages and exhibits robust operational performance.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3406ethane recoveryhelium extractionthermodynamic analysisadaptability analysis
spellingShingle Hong Jiang
Wentang Huang
Xiang Cheng
Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
Energies
ethane recovery
helium extraction
thermodynamic analysis
adaptability analysis
title Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
title_full Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
title_fullStr Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
title_full_unstemmed Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
title_short Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigerant Systems for Ethane Recovery and Helium Extraction in Medium-Pressure Natural Gas Processing
title_sort thermodynamic analysis of refrigerant systems for ethane recovery and helium extraction in medium pressure natural gas processing
topic ethane recovery
helium extraction
thermodynamic analysis
adaptability analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3406
work_keys_str_mv AT hongjiang thermodynamicanalysisofrefrigerantsystemsforethanerecoveryandheliumextractioninmediumpressurenaturalgasprocessing
AT wentanghuang thermodynamicanalysisofrefrigerantsystemsforethanerecoveryandheliumextractioninmediumpressurenaturalgasprocessing
AT xiangcheng thermodynamicanalysisofrefrigerantsystemsforethanerecoveryandheliumextractioninmediumpressurenaturalgasprocessing