LT Compressor Condensate loading to the Road Tankers through Buffer Tank.

OBJECTIVE:

To reduce the power cost of terminal by diverting LT condensate to road tankers through Buffer
Tank during ship free holding duty operations.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

We used to run our LT / HT refrigeration compressors to maintain the Storage Tank pressure
continuously. During Ship time we used to run HT compressors and during ship free days we used to run
LT compressors. The compressors will take vapor from main tank, compress it, condense the vapor to
liquid and then send back to tank as cooled liquid. While flashing the liquid in to the tank there will be
generation of vapors called Flash Gas. We can avoid the generation of this Flash by diverting the
condensate to road tankers. This condensate diversion will help to minimize the load on compressors
and thereby save cost on power.

During ship discharge operation, we are doing this condensate diversion to road tankers to reduce load
on compressors. Since there is a cost advantage we proposed to carry out this operation during holding
duty operation also. As all three bays are engaged for tanker loading we can’t do condensate loading
during tanker loading operation. Hence earlier we proposed condensate loading during no tanker
loading period.

Now we propose to carry out modifications in the process pipe lines, so that we can do condensate
collection and loading of tankers without affecting tanker loading operation.

This proposed change will help to reduce power cost by Rs.15 L / annum. (Approx)
Proposed process modifications:

We have 5 MT capacity Buffer tank. We are using this tank to unload any excess quantity loaded to road
tankers. For example if we loaded say 50 kg excess, we can unload the excess quantity to this tank. From
this tank the liquid gets vaporized and will go to main storage tank as vapor. Now we propose to use this
buffer tank for condensate collection and then transfer this condensate to road tankers intermittently.
Collection of 3 to 4 MT condensate will take minimum of 4 hrs. This condensate can be transferred to
road tankers without affecting tanker loading operations.

We have alternate small 0.20 MT capacity vessel (T 108) to take care of excess quantity loaded to road
tankers.

This condensate diversion will help to stop LT compressors additionally by 5 hrs. / day. Hence power
cost saving would be around 1.25 L /month (15.0 L / annum)

Total cost of the project inclusive of instrumentations, additional pipelines fabrication works would be
around Rs. 4.5 lakhs. Payback period will be less than 4 months.

Approval request for detailed project report:

Based on the management approval we will prepare a detailed project report along with HAZOP study,
MOC, Project Cost workings, Flow diagram etc.