LNG is expected to play a major role in global natural gas trade. Implementing a heating value adjustment unit within regasification terminal allows importing of LNG from diverse sources around the world, thus increasing the energy security of the importing country. In this study, we focus on heavy hydrocarbons removal (HHR) as a strategy to reduce heating value of LNG to meet desired specifications. We have developed a superstructure for the HHR process, which is optimized using a particle swarm optimization algorithm to maximize profitability of the HHR process. The optimal process configuration not only meets heating value specification but also utilizes LNG’s cold energy to liquefy the methane-rich stream before pumping to send out pressure and produces ethane and LPG as co-products. Our technoeconomic analyses show that at the current prices of co-products, the HHR process configuration yields 7–10% profit depending on the heating value of the LNG feed.

中文翻译：

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通过回收重质烃降低LNG（液化天然气）的热值：基于模拟的优化的技术经济分析

液化天然气有望在全球天然气贸易中发挥重要作用。在再气化终端内安装一个热值调节单元可以从世界各地从各种来源进口液化天然气，从而提高了进口国的能源安全性。在这项研究中，我们专注于重烃去除（HHR）作为降低LNG热值以满足所需规格的策略。我们已经开发了HHR过程的上层结构，并使用粒子群优化算法对其进行了优化，以最大程度地提高HHR过程的收益。最佳工艺配置不仅符合热值规格，还利用LNG的冷能在抽送压力之前将富甲烷气液化，并产生乙烷和LPG作为副产品。