NGL Extraction Process Designed to Cut Emissions, Cost

Calgary-based Gas Liquids Engineering Ltd. (GLE) has designed a natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction process that could require less energy and lower operating costs. 

GLE is touting the split absorber reflux (SABR) process, which extracts propane and ethane from natural gas.

“In many cases, SABR can recover propane and ethane with lower energy use, and better turndown than the historically used deep-cut technologies,” said Operations Vice President Stuart MacKenzie.

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Deep-cut extraction plants use turboexpanders to cool natural gas and draw out NGLs. The SABR process, however, uses propane refrigeration, shell/tube heat exchangers and distillation to extract NGLs. 

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