Study on converting flare gas into usable energy at the SKIKDA gas refinery

This study investigates innovative technologies aimed at converting flare gas into valuable energy resources, with a specific focus on reducing flare gas emissions at the Skikda gas refinery. Various technologies and approaches are explored, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies, all of which demonstrate potential for minimizing gas flaring in areas lacking traditional infrastructure. Of these methods, electricity generation through gas turbines stands out as the most commercially viable and economically attractive option. Using Aspen HYSYS, a steady-state process simulation software, the study conducts a detailed analysis of both the turboexpander process for Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery and electricity generation. The findings reveal that converting flare gas into electricity by utilizing associated gas as fuel for turbines not only significantly reduces harmful emissions but also provides a substantial economic benefit. The most effective configuration identified is a system with two turbines operating in series, which, when utilizing 0.0889 m of interior diameter flare gas, yields the highest annual profit with a moderate capital investment. The results highlight the potential for sustainable energy production, emphasizing the feasibility of converting flare gas into electricity while addressing environmental concerns at gas refineries.