Unlocking Value: Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Recovery Training Course

Introduction

Natural gas, as it emerges from the wellhead, is rarely pure methane. It often contains a valuable mixture of heavier hydrocarbons, collectively known as Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), including ethane, propane, butanes, and natural gasoline. These NGLs are critical feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, used to produce plastics, synthetic rubbers, and other essential materials, and also serve as important fuels (LPG). The efficient recovery of NGLs from raw natural gas is a key economic driver for gas processing plants, requiring specialized cryogenic and absorption technologies to separate these valuable components.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip participants with a comprehensive and practical understanding of Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery processes. From exploring the fundamental principles of phase behavior and separation techniques to mastering various NGL recovery technologies, fractionation methods, and operational optimization, you will gain the expertise to manage these vital gas processing operations effectively. This empowers you to maximize NGL yields, enhance product quality, improve energy efficiency, and strategically contribute to the profitability and sustainable utilization of natural gas resources.

Target Audience

  • Process Engineers and Chemical Engineers in Gas Processing Plants.
  • Operations Managers and Supervisors of NGL Recovery Units.
  • Gas Plant Operators and Technicians.
  • Commercial and Business Development Professionals in Natural Gas/NGLs.
  • Project Engineers involved in Gas Plant Development.
  • Reservoir Engineers and Production Engineers (for gas composition).
  • Technical Staff from Gas Processing Technology Vendors.
  • Academics and Students in Chemical Engineering/Gas Processing.

Duration: 10 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the composition of natural gas and the importance of NGLs.
  • Grasp the fundamental principles of hydrocarbon phase behavior relevant to NGL recovery.
  • Analyze various NGL recovery technologies (e.g., refrigeration, turbo-expander, absorption).
  • Comprehend the processes involved in NGL fractionation and product treating.
  • Evaluate the design considerations and operational parameters for NGL recovery units.
  • Develop practical skills in troubleshooting common NGL recovery plant problems.
  • Navigate the economics of NGL recovery and market dynamics.
  • Formulate robust strategies for optimizing NGL yields and enhancing plant profitability.

Course Content

  1. Introduction to Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs)
  • Definition and composition of NGLs: ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, natural gasoline (C5+).
  • Economic value and uses of NGLs (petrochemical feedstocks, LPG, gasoline blending).
  • Overview of the natural gas value chain from wellhead to market.
  • Importance of NGL recovery in gas processing.
  • Global NGL supply and demand trends.
  1. Natural Gas Properties and Phase Behavior
  • Phase diagrams for pure components and mixtures.
  • Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) concepts.
  • Dew point and bubble point curves.
  • Critical properties and retrograde condensation.
  • Impact of pressure, temperature, and composition on NGL recovery.
  1. Natural Gas Pre-Treatment for NGL Recovery
  • Necessity of pre-treatment to prevent freezing and corrosion.
  • Acid gas removal (H2S, CO2) using amine treating.
  • Water removal (dehydration) using glycols or molecular sieves.
  • Mercury removal.
  • Slug catching for liquid handling.
  1. Refrigeration-Based NGL Recovery
  • Principles of refrigeration cycles: mechanical refrigeration.
  • Joule-Thomson (J-T) expansion for chilling.
  • Propane refrigeration systems.
  • Propane pre-cooled mixed refrigerant systems.
  • Design and operation of refrigeration units for NGL recovery.
  1. Turbo-Expander NGL Recovery
  • Principles of turbo-expander technology: adiabatic expansion for cooling.
  • Advantages of turbo-expanders for deep NGL recovery.
  • Components of a turbo-expander plant: expander, compressor, heat exchangers.
  • Design considerations and operational parameters.
  • Maximizing ethane recovery using turbo-expanders.
  1. Lean Oil Absorption for NGL Recovery
  • Principles of absorption: selective dissolution of NGLs in a lean oil.
  • Components of an absorption plant: absorber, stripper, reboiler, condenser.
  • Lean oil selection and circulation rate.
  • Advantages and limitations of absorption for NGL recovery.
  • Comparison with cryogenic methods.
  1. NGL Fractionation
  • Principles of distillation for separating NGL components.
  • Demethanizer: separating methane from NGLs.
  • Deethanizer: separating ethane from propane and heavier.
  • Depropanizer: separating propane from butanes and natural gasoline.
  • Debutanizer: separating butanes from natural gasoline.
  • Design and operation of fractionation columns.
  1. NGL Product Treating and Storage
  • Treating processes for NGLs: mercaptan removal, drying.
  • NGL product specifications and quality control.
  • Storage of NGLs: pressurized spheres, refrigerated tanks, underground caverns.
  • Safety considerations for NGL storage.
  • Transportation of NGLs: pipelines, rail, truck, marine.
  1. NGL Recovery Plant Optimization and Troubleshooting
  • Optimizing NGL recovery based on market demand and economics.
  • Energy efficiency in NGL plants: heat integration, process optimization.
  • Troubleshooting common operational problems (e.g., off-spec products, column flooding, compressor issues).
  • Debottlenecking NGL recovery facilities.
  • Process simulation tools for NGL recovery.
  1. Future Trends and Advanced Concepts in NGL Recovery
  • Modular NGL plants and remote operations.
  • Advanced membranes for NGL separation.
  • Digitalization and AI in NGL plant optimization and predictive maintenance.
  • Integration of NGL recovery with LNG production.
  • Role of NGLs in the evolving petrochemical landscape and energy transition.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

 unlocking Value: Natural Gas Liquids (ngl) Recovery Training Course in Gabon
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