Long Island Point - gas liquids processing

Gas liquids (ethane, propane, butane) occur naturally in oil and gas production fields. Gas liquids produced in Bass Strait are pumped to Long Island Point via a pipeline from Longford.

At Long Island Point the raw gas liquids are separated into their three components, ethane, propane and butane.

The separation is performed using equipment, vessels and processes known collectively as "fractionation trains".

Long Island Point has three fractionation trains which work independently.

Fractionation operates rather like a gigantic, highly sophisticated, steam kettle. The gas liquids are heated and cooled at varying temperatures to remove the individual components by distillation.

First comes the "de-ethaniser" to remove the lightest fraction, ethane. The heavier fractions, the "bottoms" then go to the "de-propaniser" tower to separate the propane and butane.

After fractionation the gases are turned to liquid by cooling and applying pressure.

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG - propane and butane) is around 270 times smaller than its gaseous form. Therefore liquid is the most efficient way of storing and transferring large amounts prior to it being used in its gaseous form.

Long Island Point has seven refrigerated storage tanks and nineteen pressure storage tanks where the liquid propane and butane are stored after fractionation and prior to being distributed by truck, pipeline or ship.

Ethane is sent via a pipeline to two customers in Melbourne's western suburbs.

which gas is which?

Ethane is used in the manufacture of detergents and plastics, such as polythene and polystyrene, which in turn are used to manufacture food wraps, bottles, bags, polystyrene foam, etc. Ethane is sent via pipeline from Long Island Point to a number of chemical businesses operating in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Propane is most commonly used for household heating and cooking. Propane is the gas that is available in gas bottles and used for camping and barbecues. Propane is also used for industrial purposes such as metal cutting and welding and refrigeration.

Butane is mixed with propane to become the commercial Auto LPG gas which is used in cars. Butane is also used as a propellant in many aerosol containers.

Did you know?
LPG has very little natural odour. The typical smell normally associated with gas is actually caused by the chemical "mercaptan". Mercaptan is added as a safety mechanism prior to distribution. Its distinctive and unpleasant odour allows people to identify the presence of what would otherwise be a odourless gas.