LNG Industry - April 2020

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z Checking for loose contacts and torque marks.
z Cleaning the main circuit and control circuit.
The difficulty of maintenance tasks depends on: the ease
of access to the interior of the VFD; the number of parts and
connections; and the intrinsic quality carefully built-in during
the design stage.
To repair a VFD expeditiously, with minimal downtime, it
is necessary to maintain an inventory of critical spare parts.
However, not all parts can be repaired onsite, such as a power
module, which is assembled in modules for quick changeover.
In order to minimise the potential for lengthy disruption, it is
recommended that a spare power module be stored onsite, in
order to enable swift restoration of production.
Conclusion
Electrically driven compressors are the future of LNG
facilities. Over time, wind and solar energy generation should
reduce the cost of electricity to the extent that it falls below
the cost of fossil fuel-based electricity generation.8 Weighing
this projection alongside the fact that the initial cost, added
to the cost of ownership, of an electric motor-VFD system
is substantially less than the cost associated with a gas
turbine, establishes a compelling case in favour of the use
of electric motor-VFD systems.4 Furthermore, the pressing
necessity to comply with environmental regulations is a
significant incentive to drive demand for all-electric gas
compression in LNG facilities.2 Nevertheless, it remains
necessary to employ due diligence when selecting an electric
motor-VFD system for an LNG facility. The selection of a
reliably configured electric motor-VFD system is crucial
to ensuring that the greatest technological and economic
benefits are reaped.
References
1. Gastech 2019 post-show report, p. 21, https://www.
report.pdf, (Accessed: 6 January 2020).
2. ‘Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
for Nitrogen Dioxide’, United States Environmental
Protection Agency,
files/2018-04/documents/no2_naaqs.final_action.fact_
sheet_4.6.18.pdf, (Accessed: 23 January 2020).
3. HOSODA, H., MAMUN, M. A., and YOSHINO, T., ‘Trends in
MW-rated VSI technology and reliability for adjustable
speed drives’, 2010 Twenty-Fifth Annual IEEE Applied
Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), (2010),
pp. 1261 – 1265.
4. BLAIKLOCK, P., VERMA, M., BONDY, S., ‘When should an
electric adjustable speed drive be used instead of a gas or
steam turbine’, TMEIC, (8 February 2013).
5. ‘Grassroots LNG Plant Increased Availability and Optimized
Project Cost with Vortex Technology’, Emerson, https://
grassroots-lng-plant-increased-availability-optimized-
project-cost-vortex-technology-rosemount-en-89230.pdf,
(Accessed: 23 January 2020).
6. BORROR, C. M., ‘The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook –
third edition’, ASQ Quality Press, (2008).
7. ‘TMdrive®-XL75 Product Application Guide’, TMEIC, https://
Brochure_Ltr_LowRes.pdf, (Accessed: 11 February 2020).
8. SMITH, J. C., and CLARK, C., ‘The future’s energy mix, the
journey to integration’, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine,
vol. 17, no. 6, (November – December 2019), pp. 16 – 23.
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