Numerical study of multicomponent mixed refrigerant composition regulation during natural gas liquefaction

One of the promising directions of energy efficiency enhancement and operating cost reduction when small-scale natural gas liquefaction plants where mixed refrigeration machines are employed is the use of mixed refrigerant composition regulating systems which do away with the refrigeration circuit recharging procedure. A method for regulating refrigeration machine operation is described. Numerical modeling of the operation of a mixed refrigeration machine under regulated conditions was carried out. The energy efficiency of the natural gas liquefaction plant with a mixed refrigerant composition regulating system under ambient temperature variation conditions was studied. The feasibility of introduction of the regulation method into small-scale natural gas liquefaction plants was analyzed.