Technology Helps Optimize Productivity

CASE 1 CRYOGENIC TECHNOLOGY HELPS OPTIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY  

New Mexico s San Juan Gas Plant is one of the United States newest and largest natural gas liquids recovery plant. Commissioned in November 1986, its levels of productivity are high by industry standards. Located near Bloomfield, New Mexico, just south of tlie Colorado border, the plant is jointly owned by Conoco Inc. (then a subsidiary of the DuPont Company) and Tenneco Inc., both of Houston. It is operated by Conoco and is named after its location in the San Juan basin, an area of oil, gas, and coal production. 

The San Juan plant can process up to 500 MMcfd of gas, and extract 40,000 bbl of EPBC liquids. EPBC liquids include ethane (E), propane (P), butanes (B), and condensate (natural gasoline) products 

Source for case histories is Atlas Copco Corporation, unless otherwise stated. 

Ethane is used by petrochemical plants to make ethylene, a primary building block for many plastic products. Butane and condensate are used by refineries producing automotive fuel. For production of NGL s (natural gas liquids), die plant s recovery rate of 98% of ediane and 100% of all odier liquid products contained in natural gas, is among die best in die world. 

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The preparation and properties of a novel, commercially viable Li-ion battery based on a gel electrolyte has recently been disclosed by Bellcore (USA) [124]. The technology has, to date, been licensed to six companies and full commercial production is imminent. The polymer membrane is a copolymer based on PVdF copolymerized with hexafluoropropylene (HFP). HFP helps to decrease the crystallinity of the PVdF component, enhancing its ability to absorb liquid. Optimizing the liquid absorption ability, mechanical strength, and processability requires optimized amorphous/crystalline-phase distribution. The PVdF-HFP membrane can absorb plasticizer up to 200 percent of its original volume, especially when a pore former (fumed silica) is added. The liquid electrolyte is typically a solution of LiPF6 in 2 1 ethylene carbonate dimethyl car-... 

Food additives (like color additives) can be added at various processing stages, but the additions are commonly made at the latest production stage before final marketing to ensure optimal functionality of the additive in the product as sold. Residues of additives used at earlier production stages may be present still in the final formulation. However, if they do not have further functions at that stage, they are considered process aids (to help preparation but without technological effects in the finished product) and are not indicated on labels. Some additives also decompose over time so that the levels present at the end of shelf life may be quite low. Several techniques and information sources can be used to assess contamination levels of chemicals ... 

Although wind technology is the most commercially developed of the renewable technologies, it still faces many barriers to deployment as a hydrogen production system. There is a need to develop optimized wind-to-hydrogen systems. Partnerships with industry are essential in identifying the R D needed to help advance these systems to the next level. 

With the Life Cycle Assessment method developed from the late 1980s of the twentieth century, it has become possible to assess the overall envirOTunental impacts caused by products or product systems. With the help of LCA, parts, components, complete products as well as technologies and processes of any t)q)e, material, purpose and in any industry can be investigated and possibilities for an ecological optimization can be identified. 

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