In the world of maritime energy efficiency, a recent study has caught the eye of industry professionals, promising to shake up the way we think about LNG plant processes. Eky Novianarenti, a researcher from the Sustainable Energy Engineering Technology Study Program at Politeknik Perkapalan Negeri Surabaya in Indonesia, has published a paper that could significantly impact the maritime sector. The study, titled “Recommendation of Heat Exchanger as Refrigerant Cooler through Mass Balance Calculation in LNG Plant Process,” was published in the journal ‘Invotek: Jurnal Inovasi Vokasional dan Teknologi’, which translates to ‘Invotek: Journal of Vocational Innovation and Technology’.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, Novianarenti’s research focuses on the liquefaction unit, a critical process in LNG plants that transforms gas into a liquid state for easier transportation. The catch? Heat transfer in this process isn’t always optimal, and that’s where Novianarenti’s work comes in. By calculating mass and energy balances, she’s identified a heat exchanger design that could maximize energy efficiency in LNG plants.
“The purpose of this unit is to facilitate the transportation process with the help of refrigerants,” Novianarenti explains. “The disadvantage of this unit is that the heat transfer is less than optimal. In addition, this study can also maximize the storage system because it can reduce the specific volume of gas up to 1/600 times.”
The recommended heat exchanger design is a type 2-4 heat exchanger made of carbon steel, with an area of 1023.35 square meters and an Rd value of 0.001-hour ft2 °F / Btu. Novianarenti concludes that this design is safe and recommended for use.
But what does this mean for the maritime sector? Well, improved energy efficiency in LNG plants could lead to significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact. As the global demand for LNG continues to grow, so too does the need for more efficient and sustainable processes. Novianarenti’s research could provide a valuable tool in meeting these demands.
Moreover, the study highlights the potential for various options to increase the efficiency of the liquefaction cycle. This opens up opportunities for further research and innovation in the field, which could lead to even greater improvements in energy efficiency and cost savings.
In the competitive world of maritime energy, every little bit helps. Novianarenti’s research is a step in the right direction, offering a practical solution to a common problem. As the industry continues to evolve, so too must our approach to energy efficiency. And with studies like this one, we’re well on our way.