LPG Gas Farm Process
Simulation
Defining phase conditions and energy duties across multiple seasonal scenarios
for the Qiddiya development to ensure safe system operation.
Project Overview
The engagement focused on the comprehensive steady-state simulation of an LPG Gas Farm. The primary objective was to clearly define the flows, pressures, temperatures, and energy duties across the storage bullets, transfer pumps, vaporizers, and PRMS.
Our engineering team developed a rigorous model to validate system performance across three development stages, specifically testing the system against various seasonal compositions and extreme minimum/peak demand scenarios.
Tools Used
Aspen HYSYS V14
Process Simulation
Peng-Robinson EOS
Thermodynamic Package
HMB Analysis
Data Extraction & Validation
4-Phase Simulation Methodology
A structured multi-scenario approach to ensure reliable operation under every possible peak and minimum demand limit.
Intake
Reviewing system PFDs, P&IDs, and establishing demand flows from Stage-1 to the Ultimate Phase.
Model
Building steady-state models in Aspen HYSYS for the bullets, transfer pumps, vaporizers, and PRMS.
Simulate
Executing 20 unique operating cases across summer, winter, off-season, and peak demand scenarios.
Deliver
Generating complete Heat & Mass Balance (HMB), equipment duties, and fluid properties reports.
Scope of Work
Our deliverables encompass the complete steady-state process conditions required to enable correct equipment sizing and safe system operation.
Project Compliance
100% HMB ACCURACY
HMB Validation
Generated complete Heat & Mass Balance tables for all 20 simulated cases.
Vaporizer Duties
Heating requirements determined for safe operation during winter extremes.
Pump Hydraulics
Accurate determination of required flow rates and safe discharge pressures.
PRMS Conditions
Validation of precise inlet and outlet specifications for the metering station.
Phase Verification
Preventing liquid dropout or unintended condensation across key process nodes.
Fluid Properties
Extraction of density, viscosity, molecular weight, and Cp/Cv parameters.
Engineering Challenges & Solutions
Extreme Seasonal Variations
The facility must be capable of handling various LPG compositions (ranging from 100% Propane to a 50/50 mix) alongside extreme ambient temperature fluctuations across summer and winter seasons.
Engineering Solution
We developed 20 distinct steady-state simulation scenarios to thoroughly validate that vaporizers and PRMS possessed adequate turndown capabilities and peak capacities for all conditions.
Liquid Dropout Prevention
Accurately predicting phase transitions was critical to preventing dangerous liquid dropout in the vapor distribution network during rapid demand spikes (consuming 3x daily demand in 8 hours).
Engineering Solution
Utilized the rigorous Peng-Robinson Equation of State (EOS) within Aspen HYSYS to validate that phase conditions remained securely in the safe vapor region post-PRMS.
Have a Similar Project?
Let our engineering experts help you validate your process designs and simulation models for safety and performance.