Hydraulic Turbo Expander Generator Set For Pressure Energy Recovery

Hydraulic Turbo Expander Generator Set For Pressure Energy Recovery

Hydraulic turbo-expander generator set

The Hydraulic Turbo-Expander Generator Set developed by SMDERI is applicable for hydrocarbon processing, air separation, LNG processing and other plants. Taking advantage of the pressure difference of the liquid working medium, it drives the turbo-expander to recover the pressure energy, and the refrigerating effect of the turbo-expander can reduce the power consumption of circulation as well. The application of turbo-expander can improve the overall energy efficiency of such processes as internal compression, air separation, and natural gas liquefaction by 3~6% and achieve substantial energy saving benefits. 

Compared with the natural gas or steam turbo-expander generator set, this type provides more adaptablity in the working medium options: liquid air, liquid methanol and LNG all can be used. 

*  Work principle

The high pressure liquid working medium entering the volute will evenly distribute the working medium to the nozzle ring along the flow channels inside the volute. After the nozzle, the working medium obtains acceleration and converts the pressure energy into kinetic energy and then it flows to the impeller radially. When the impeller performs external work, the pressure energy and kinetic energy are converted into the kinetic energy of rotor to drive it to run at high speed.

With work effect produced by almost isentropic expansion process of high pressure liquid in the turbine, the hydraulic turbo-expander converts the energy contained in the HP steam into mechanical energy and delivers it through the main shaft so as to fulfill the residual pressure recovery.

* Components