TC / MTC turboexpander-compressor units for gas processing and LNG, up to 12 000 kW, up to 200 bar
TC and MTC are single-shaft turboexpander-compressor units rated 50 to 12 000 kW at pressures up to 200 bar for gas conditioning and LNG production. The TC version runs on oil bearings, the MTC on active magnetic bearings with no oil system.
- Type
- radial turboexpander with a centrifugal compressor on a common shaft (API 617)
- Version
- TC: oil bearings; MTC: active magnetic bearings (no oil system)
- Sizes
- TC120 … TC800 (expander wheel diameter, mm); MTC: 5 sizes
- Power
- 50 … 12 000 kW
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
TC and MTC turboexpander-compressor units are single-shaft machines in which the gas expansion energy in a radial turboexpander directly drives a centrifugal compressor. Near-isentropic expansion gives much deeper cooling than throttling in a Joule–Thomson valve, and the extracted power is used to recompress the gas. Typical oil and gas applications include gas conditioning (dew point control, condensate removal), recovery of ethane, NGL and LPG, LNG production, nitrogen rejection, helium recovery, and refrigeration cycles of ethylene and ammonia plants.
The expanders are radial, with 50 % reaction, so half of the expansion takes place in the rotating inlet guide vanes and half in the impeller. The guide vanes maintain the highest efficiency in the range of 30–120 % of rated flow. Open or closed wheels of aluminium, titanium or stainless steel with diameters from 70 to 900 mm give isentropic efficiency up to 92 %. The shaft is made from a single forging, the wheels are fixed with a Hirth coupling, and the machine always runs below the first critical speed. The compressor is a single-stage centrifugal unit to API 617 with a vaned, vaneless or low-solidity vaned diffuser. Shaft seals can be labyrinth, floating carbon ring, dry gas (single, double, tandem) or oil. The cartridge design allows the internal parts to be replaced without removing the casing.
TC is the oil bearing version (sizes TC120–TC800, oil system to API 614), produced since 1976, with more than 500 units in operation. MTC is the version on active magnetic bearings with no oil system, in five sizes. The manufacturer was the first to develop such a unit for hydrocarbons, and in 1990 four machines were supplied to the Sleipner A platform. Mercury compatibility and NACE versions are available.
The range covers flow up to 2.5 million Nm³/h (550 kg/s), pressure up to 200 bar, expander temperature from −270 to +200 °C and power from 50 to 12 000 kW. Machines are tested to API 617 and ASME PTC 10 on the company's own test stands in France. The manufacturer supplies control panels, anti-surge control and dynamic simulation. Every machine undergoes factory mechanical and cryogenic tests, and service covers supervision of installation and commissioning, a 24-hour support line, service contracts, repair and personnel training. According to the manufacturer, more than 2000 turboexpanders are in operation in more than 100 countries, including about 200 MTC units.
Technical specifications
| Type | radial turboexpander with a centrifugal compressor on a common shaft (API 617) |
|---|---|
| Version | TC: oil bearings; MTC: active magnetic bearings (no oil system) |
| Sizes | TC120 … TC800 (expander wheel diameter, mm); MTC: 5 sizes |
| Power | 50 … 12 000 kW |
| Flow | up to 2.5 million Nm³/h (550 kg/s) |
| Pressure | up to 200 bar |
| Expander temperature | −270 … +200 °C |
| Efficiency | isentropic up to 92 % |
| Regulation | rotating inlet guide vanes, 30–120 % of rated flow |
| Seals | labyrinth, floating carbon rings, dry gas, oil |
| Experience | TC since 1976, >500 units; MTC: ~200 units; in total >2000 turboexpanders in >100 countries |
Request a price and lead time
TC / MTC turboexpander-compressor units for gas processing and LNG, up to 12 000 kW, up to 200 bar. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What power and pressure do the TC and MTC units have?
Power is from 50 to 12 000 kW, pressure up to 200 bar and flow up to 2.5 million Nm³/h (550 kg/s). Expander temperature is from −270 to +200 °C.
How do the TC and MTC versions differ?
TC runs on oil bearings with an oil system to API 614, MTC on active magnetic bearings with no oil system. The TC sizes are TC120–TC800, and five sizes are provided for MTC.
What efficiency and regulation range does the expander have?
Isentropic efficiency reaches 92 %. The guide vanes maintain the highest efficiency in the range of 30–120 % of rated flow.
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