Property inaccuracies influence low temperature designs

Accuracy in predicting the physical properties of process components is extremely important in low-temperature hydrocarbon processing, explains West Germany's Linde AG. Such physical properties as vapor-liquid equilibrium K-values and enthalpies control the product purity as well as the production rate of the plant, as illustrated for a plant using closed multicomponent refrigeration for natural gas liquefaction. The influence of enthalpy or K-value design inaccuracies can frequently be minimized by changes in the recycle composition.