What is the primary function of a turboexpander in NGL recovery?

The primary function of a turboexpander in NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) recovery is to efficiently cool the natural gas stream to cryogenic temperatures, typically below -40°C, causing the heavier hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butanes, and pentanes-plus) to condense into a liquid phase. A turboexpander is a type of expander turbine used to extract energy from a high-pressure gas stream. In NGL recovery, the high-pressure natural gas stream is expanded through the turboexpander. As the gas expands, it does work by rotating the turbine, which is connected to a generator or compressor. This expansion process causes a significant drop in the gas temperature due to the Joule-Thomson effect (the temperature of a real gas decreases when it is expanded through a valve or turbine while kept insulated from its environment). The cooled gas then enters a separator where the condensed NGLs are separated from the remaining gas, primarily methane. The turboexpander offers a more efficient cooling method than Joule-Thomson valves alone because it recovers energy from the expanding gas, which can be used to power compressors or generate electricity, improving the overall energy efficiency of the NGL recovery process. This allows for greater NGL recovery and reduces operating costs.