Hydrocarbon Applications
In 1958, Rotoflow founder Dr. Judson S. Swearingen initiated the program for creating the world’s first hydrocarbon turboexpander. Today, Rotoflow designs and manufactures specialized turboexpanders used in processes that remove heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas and transform gaseous natural gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Refining
Rotoflow offers leading-edge hydrocarbon technology to the petroleum refining industry. Our products and services are aimed at solving technical, commercial, and cost-related challenges.
Dew Point Control
Rotoflow turboexpanders provide exceptional hydrocarbon refrigeration. Accomplished by cooling gas through expansion and separation of water content, hydrocarbon dew point control is one of the industry’s simplest and most cost-effective gas treatment processes.
Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Recovery
Plants that specialize in removing hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane, pentane, etc.) from natural gas in order to provide methane to pipelines are called Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery plants. These plants use Rotoflow expander compressors to ensure zero emissions and eliminate vented seal gases.
Nitrogen Rejection Unit (NRU)
Rotoflow cryogenic separation technology is used in Nitrogen Rejection Units (NRUs), which remove nitrogen from natural gas (nitrogen is partially condensed). Rotoflow helps LNG plants optimize nitrogen recovery, increase profitability, and minimize emissions.
LNG Liquefaction
Rotoflow provides proven LNG (liquefied natural gas) liquefaction process equipment to facilities utilizing baseload LNG capacity applications. Rotoflow supplies main cryogenic heat exchangers for LNG plants around the globe.
LNG Peak Shaving
Rotoflow turboexpander technology, whether used with methane, nitrogen, or a combination of both, adds increased versatility to peak shaving processes used within LNG production and transport.
LNG Boil-Off Gas Reliquefication
When LNG carriers unload, gas volumes can be balanced and reliquefied using Rotoflow hydrocarbon turboexpanders. Rotoflow compressor-load expanders are used for reliquefication within plants where natural gas is used for power generation.
Ethylene
Rotoflow turboexpanders are used to produce cryogenic temperatures in facilities producing ethylene or ammonia. Rotoflow technology allows high levels of ethylene recovery and efficient cryogenic processes by ensuring extremely high turboexpander efficiency.
Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH)
One of the industry’s newest means of producing propylene, propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is an application that utilizes turboexpanders to create cryogenic temperatures low enough to convert propane into propylene and hydrogen. Rotoflow turboexpanders provide the isentropic efficiency needed for effective PDH.