Abstract: An apparatus and process for processing of a fluid (e.g. hydrogen) for liquefaction can permit a reduction in power consumption and also an improvement in operational efficiency in flexibility. Embodiments can be configured to account for large variations in feed to be provided for liquefaction and also permit operational cost reductions associated with liquefaction processing so the overall power consumption and operational cost for liquefaction can be greatly reduced while also providing improved operational flexibility. For instance, embodiments can be configured to feed a fluid to multiple liquefiers of a train of liquefiers based on a pre-selected set of feed routing criteria for improving power consumption and providing greater operational flexibility for liquefaction operations.

Abstract: Controlling a capacity of the compression system in response to the variable incoming gas feed by: i) selectively varying a capacity of a first subset of one or more of the compressor trains by continuously varying the capacity of one or more cylinders of the one or more reciprocating compressor stages of the one or more compressor trains of the first subset between a maximum capacity and a minimum capacity; and/or ii) selectively varying a capacity of a second subset of one or more of the compressor trains by fully loading or fully unloading one or more cylinders of the one or more reciprocating compressor stages of the compressor trains of the second subset, wherein the first and second subsets are mutually exclusive.

Abstract: An industrial gas production plant operable to produce a feedstock gas at a variable production rate for supply to the downstream process; and a gas storage resource operable to store produced feedstock gas, the method comprising: determining the pressure of feedstock gas in a supply feed line to the downstream process; selectively controlling, using a control system, a flow of feedstock gas from the supply feed line to the gas storage resource or from the gas storage resource to the supply feed line in response to the determined pressure in order to regulate the pressure of the feedstock gas in the supply feed line to the downstream process at a predetermined set point pressure; and selectively controlling, using a control system, a flow rate of feedstock gas in the supply feed line to the downstream process in dependence upon at least one operational parameter of the gas storage resource.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for processing of a fluid (e.g. hydrogen) for liquefaction can permit a reduction in power consumption and also an improvement in operational efficiency in flexibility. Embodiments can be configured to account for large variations in feed to be provided for liquefaction and also permit operational cost reductions associated with liquefaction processing so the overall power consumption and operational cost for liquefaction can be greatly reduced while also providing improved operational flexibility. For instance, embodiments can be configured to feed a fluid to multiple liquefiers of a train of liquefiers based on a pre-selected set of feed routing criteria for improving power consumption and providing greater operational flexibility for liquefaction operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for pre-liquefaction processing of a fluid (e.g. hydrogen) can permit a reduction in capital costs and also an improvement in operational efficiency in flexibility. Embodiments can be configured to account for large variations in feed to be provided for liquefaction and also permit capital cost reductions associated with pre-liquefaction processing so the overall capital cost for liquefaction can be greatly reduced while also providing improved operational flexibility. For instance, embodiments can be configured to utilize one or more common pre-liquefaction processing elements to treat a fluid for pre-cooling of a fluid to a pre-selected liquefaction feed temperature.

Abstract: A method of managing power in a power microgrid, the method comprising: generating, by the facility controller, time-dependent predicted power demand data representative of at least a predicted power demand of the industrial gas production facility for a predetermined time period; utilizing, by the power controller, the predicted power demand data to generate control set point values for controlling a generated power output of the one or more renewable power sources and for controlling a flow of electrical power to or from the energy storage resources, the control set point values being selected to adjust the available power as a function of time for the predetermined time period to correspond to the demanded power for the predetermined time period; and sending one or more control signals comprising the control set point values to the one or more renewable power sources and to the one or more energy storage resources.

Abstract: Energy efficiency and/or operational stability of a multistage compression system comprising a plurality (N) of centrifugal compressors that is compressing a gas feed having a variable flow rate is improved by adjusting reversibly the load on each compressor in response to changes in the flow rate of the gas feed using a main recycle system to enable operation of the centrifugal compressors at turndown capacity during periods when the flow rate is below total turndown capacity for all of the compressors, and if necessary, using the local recycle systems in order to avoid activation of anti-surge control, and switching one or more centrifugal compressors into low power mode or shutdown mode as required.

Abstract: An industrial gas production plant operable to produce a feedstock gas at a variable production rate for supply to the downstream process; and a gas storage resource operable to store produced feedstock gas, the method comprising: determining the pressure of feedstock gas in a supply feed line to the downstream process; selectively controlling, using a control system, a flow of feedstock gas from the supply feed line to the gas storage resource or from the gas storage resource to the supply feed line in response to the determined pressure in order to regulate the pressure of the feedstock gas in the supply feed line to the downstream process at a predetermined set point pressure; and selectively controlling, using a control system, a flow rate of feedstock gas in the supply feed line to the downstream process in dependence upon at least one operational parameter of the gas storage resource.

Abstract: Controlling a capacity of the compression system in response to the variable incoming gas feed by: i) selectively varying a capacity of a first subset of one or more of the compressor trains by continuously varying the capacity of one or more cylinders of the one or more reciprocating compressor stages of the one or more compressor trains of the first subset between a maximum capacity and a minimum capacity; and/or ii) selectively varying a capacity of a second subset of one or more of the compressor trains by fully loading or fully unloading one or more cylinders of the one or more reciprocating compressor stages of the compressor trains of the second subset, wherein the first and second subsets are mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A method of controlling an industrial gas production facility comprising: receiving time-dependent power data receiving time-dependent operational characteristic data; defining one or more power constraints for the operational parameters of the power network; defining one or more process constraints for the operational parameters of each industrial gas plant; generating, based on the power data, the operational characteristic data, the one or more power constraints and the one or more process constraints, control set point values for the one or more industrial gas plants to achieve a pre-determined production parameter for the industrial gas production facility; and sending the control set point values to a control system to control the one or more industrial gas plants by adjusting one or more control set points of the industrial gas plants to achieve the pre-determined production parameter for the industrial gas production facility.

Abstract: A method of controlling an industrial gas production facility comprising: receiving time-dependent power data receiving time-dependent operational characteristic data; defining one or more power constraints for the operational parameters of the power network; defining one or more process constraints for the operational parameters of each industrial gas plant; generating, based on the power data, the operational characteristic data, the one or more power constraints and the one or more process constraints, control set point values for the one or more industrial gas plants to achieve a pre-determined production parameter for the industrial gas production facility; and sending the control set point values to a control system to control the one or more industrial gas plants by adjusting one or more control set points of the industrial gas plants to achieve the pre-determined production parameter for the industrial gas production facility.

Abstract: Energy efficiency and/or operational stability of a multistage compression system comprising a plurality (N) of centrifugal compressors that is compressing a gas feed having a variable flow rate is improved by adjusting reversibly the load on each compressor in response to changes in the flow rate of the gas feed using a main recycle system to enable operation of the centrifugal compressors at turndown capacity during periods when the flow rate is below total turndown capacity for all of the compressors, and if necessary, using the local recycle systems in order to avoid activation of anti-surge control, and switching one or more centrifugal compressors into low power mode or shutdown mode as required.

Abstract: A process and system for controlling a cryogenic air separation unit during rapid changes in production. During operation of an air separation unit, demands for oxygen will vary and the pressure of the feed air will fluctuate. The changes in oxygen demand and feed air pressure translate into a ramping, either up or down, of the distillation system pressure in the air separation unit. Because the product streams have tight purity requirements, the ramping system pressure (which could adversely affect product purity) is compensated for. This compensation is by way of a net transfer of refrigeration, in the form of liquid nitrogen, into and out of the distillation system. This transfer of refrigeration is implemented using a storage vessel of liquid nitrogen connected to the reflux path of the distillation system. Liquid nitrogen via the reflux path is removed and stored or added to the distillation system to decrease or increase the refrigeration, respectively.