PLOT LAYOUT AND DESIGN FOR

AIR RECIRCULATION IN LNG PLANTS

Issue Date: December 2009

Abstract—The disposition of waste heat in liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants has become increasingly
important as train sizes approach 5 million tons per annum (MTPA). A major contributor to this problem is the
large number of fin-fan, air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs) typically used to cool the gas to liquid phase.
Since ACHEs reject heat to the atmosphere, their effect on local ambient temperature and wind conditions
can contribute to loss of LNG production, particularly from the impact on the turbine drivers of refrigeration
compressors. To develop and optimize plant layouts that minimize the effects of air recirculation, Bechtel
uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. This paper discusses typical air recirculation issues and
mitigation measures and presents case studies.
Keywords—air flow, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), crosswind,
data comparison, heat exchanger, liquefied natural gas (LNG), mitigation, multi train, propane condenser,
self-recirculation, simulation methodology, skirts, stacks, temperature contamination, temperature rise,
validation, virtual reality, wind rose

INTRODUCTION Even with state-of-the-art equipment and

A s the typical train size in liquefied
natural gas (LNG) plants has grown from
2 million tons per annum (MTPA) in 1990 to
Philip Diwakar 4.5 MTPA today, the disposition of waste heat
pmdiwaka@bechtel.com has become increasingly important. And solving
this problem will only become more critical in
the future, with trains of more than 5 MTPA
Zhengcai Ye, PhD capacity being considered by several projects.
zye@bechtel.com Thus, facility design economics will be driven
not only by normal equipment and operating
costs, but also by the need to optimize design
Ramachandra margin with overall facility arrangement and
Tekumalla capacity requirements.
rptekuma@bechtel.com
thermally efficient designs employing combined
cycle power and process integration, a large
multi-train facility releases a significant amount
of heat. Figure 1 illustrates how this waste
heat can affect a facility’s ability to produce
at relative design capacities for all potential
ambient conditions.
The production rate at LNG plants can be very
sensitive to the inlet temperatures of compressor
turbine drivers and plant air-cooling equipment.
The inlet temperatures of this equipment depend
on the local wind conditions, terrain, and climate,

Plant Area vs. Capacity Heat Released vs. Capacity

David Messersmith
80,000 4,000
dmessers@bechtel.com 75,000 m2/MTPA Heat/MTPA
70,000 Power 3,500 Linear
(m2/MTPA) (Heat/MTPA)
65,000
MW

60,000 3,000
m2

Satish Gandhi, PhD 55,000

satish.l.gandhi@ 50,000 2,500
conocophillips.com 45,000
40,000 y = Cx0.8029 2,000 y = Ax + B
ConocoPhillips 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 z 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 z
R = 0.982 R = 0.9833
Company
MTPA MTPA

Figure 1. Impact of Plant Capacity on Plant Footprint and Heat Release

© 2009 Bechtel Corporation. All rights reserved. 1

 THE IMPACT OF AIR-COOLED
ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND TERMS HEAT EXCHANGERS
ACHE

CFD
air-cooled heat exchanger

computational fluid dynamics

LNG liquefied natural gas
MTPA million tons per annum
as well as the air recirculation caused by exhaust
CFD enables from plant equipment. To design a plant layout
air recirculation for optimal production, an engineer must have
impacts a good understanding of the phenomenon of
air recirculation within the facility. Bechtel
to be analyzed
uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for
for greenfield this purpose. CFD enables air recirculation
as well as impacts to be analyzed for greenfield as well as
brownfield sites. brownfield sites. Bechtel performs CFD analyses
at two scales: macro, to evaluate overall siting
requirements such as orientation and spacing,
and micro, to examine the air velocity profiles
around individual pieces of equipment. This
approach is useful in evaluating a site’s impact on
process performance and in developing design
margins for equipment.
To demonstrate how CFD is applied in
designing LNG plant layouts, this paper studies
the interaction of a multi-train LNG facility
with its environment. Validation of modeling
methodology is also described.
L NG plants typically use a large number
of fin-fan, air-cooled heat exchangers
(ACHEs) to cool natural gas to the liquid phase.
These ACHEs use large axial-flow fans to blow
air over finned tubes, thereby removing heat and
condensing the process gas.
Most manufacturers design and test an ACHE
based on a single-bay setup. The performance
guarantee of each condenser unit is based
on the availability of sufficient air at design
temperatures at its inlet face. The total number
of condenser units required for a given duty,
space considerations, and the equipment layout
plan govern the actual construction of bays in
the field. However, the performance of each bay
in a multiple-bay design may differ from that
of a single bay because of variations in air flow
distribution and hot air recirculation.
Since ACHEs reject heat to the atmosphere,
they can affect the local ambient temperature
and wind conditions. These effects can lead
to loss of LNG production, particularly from
their impact on the turbine drivers of the
refrigeration compressors used to maintain
stored LNG in the liquid phase. As train
size increases, the potential impact of ACHEs
on plant performance becomes even more
significant and further establishes the value of
performing CFD studies to evaluate ways of
mitigating the effects of air recirculation through
plant layout and other measures.

• Study the effects of

horizontal and vertical
skirts of varying length
and the addition of
longer stacks on hot air
recirculation patterns
• Add stacks and skirts to
individual components
Yes
Data Collection/
LNG Input Sheets Pre-Processg
Pre-Processing
• Terrain data • Generate grid Solution
• Wind roses • Mesh propane condenser, Post-Processing
• Merge all components Is the
air cooler, and compressor into one grid file • Obtain contour plots temperature
as individual components • Set appropriate and animation rise more than
(Separate components boundary conditions
• Drawing with dimensions sequences showing 2 °C above
reduce time requirements and run calculations for
(top and elevation air recirculation patterns ambient?
for geometry or individual wind directions
views needed) component modifications.)

No
• Obtain component • Present temperature contours, animation, and write-up
specifications, flow rates, • Develop prototype drawings and detailed design process, • Benchmark
fan curve characteristics, review validation plan based on analysis, and develop and validate,
and heat requirements prototype build control plan if data available
• Use lessons learned to reduce costs, risks, and environmental effects

Figure 2. CFD Analysis Work Process

2 Bechtel Technology Journal


Figure 3. Facility CFD Grid
TYPICAL CFD STUDY OF AIR RECIRCULATION
A process flow chart for an LNG air
recirculation study using CFD simulation
is provided in Figure 2. The chart depicts
how mitigation measures are included in the
evaluation process to reduce inlet air temperatures
to the compressors and air-cooling equipment.
VALIDATION OF CFD METHODOLOGY
A s in most simulation procedures, certain
assumptions and simplifications are
inherent in CFD models. While CFD has been
used extensively in air recirculation studies,
a question may be raised as to the validity of
the models. The accuracy of CFD predictions
may also be questioned. With answers to these
questions, projects can better understand the
design envelope of an analysis and design the
equipment accordingly. Comparing the results
obtained from CFD with measurements taken in
the field is instrumental in assessing both model
validity and prediction accuracy. The following
example illustrates this validation process.
Measurements
In one case study at a three-train LNG plant
whose CFD grid is shown in Figure 3, a plan
was developed to statistically analyze the air-
December 2009 • Volume 2, Number 1
Comparing the
results obtained
from CFD with
measurements
taken in the field
is instrumental
in assessing
both model
validity and
prediction
accuracy.
cooling equipment inlet temperature rises and
determine their variation with wind direction,
wind speed, and ambient temperature. Wind
and ambient temperature data and air-cooling
equipment inlet temperatures were to be recorded
every 15 minutes for 6 months. To collect the inlet
temperature data, 25 sensors were installed on
the ethylene and propane condenser racks. The
condensers were located 12 to 18 m (39 to 59 ft)
above ground. The sensors were mounted about
1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 ft) below the tube bundles.
Because of a wind vane problem at the site,
wind measurements were only obtained for a
10-day period.
Using the data obtained, a plot of the air-cooling
equipment inlet temperature rises at this plant
versus wind direction, wind speed, and ambient
temperature is shown in Figure 4. Because of the
scattered nature of the measurement data, no
definite trend can be identified.
Data Comparison for East Wind Direction
The 10-day wind data was filtered for the east
wind direction (270 degrees ±10 degrees). The
wind speed and ambient temperature were also
filtered so that there was less than 10% variation
in wind speed and less than 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) varia-
tion in ambient temperature. Twelve measurement
conditions from the 10-day measurements fit
3
 The CFD results were compared with two
instantaneous temperature measurements.
T2-214747 – P22
Figure 5 shows the results of this comparison.
12 The discrepancies between the CFD model
10 results and the temperature measurements for
8 the east wind direction are shown to be within
6 1 °C (1.8 °F) in 12 out of 16 locations. The two
largest differences occur at locations E11 and

DT(C) – T2 Propane
4
2 P11. At location E11, the two cooling water pipes
0
that circulate water from the compressors to the
nearby vessel and air-cooling equipment may
–2
have contributed the higher local temperature
–4
The discrepancies rise measurements.
–6
between the
–8
CFD model results –10 CATEGORIZING AIR RECIRCULATION
and the 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 CONTAMINATION

W
temperature Ambient Temperature, °C
hen a large amount of heat generating
measurements equipment is located in a limited plot
are shown space, interactions among that equipment are
Figure 4. Measured Air-Cooling Equipment Inlet
Temperature Rise (Measured Inlet Temperature unavoidable. Many types of equipment at an
to be within
Minus Ambient Temperature) Versus Wind Direction, LNG plant involve air intake and exhaust. When
1 ºC (1.8 ºF). Wind Speed, and Ambient Temperature the pieces of equipment are close together, a
limited amount of fresh air is available and some
pieces may start to draw in exhaust air from
these criteria. The corresponding wind speeds other pieces or themselves. Such contamination
and ambient temperatures were averaged, and results in loss of cooling surface area and/or
the results (east wind, 1.9 m/sec [6.2 ft/sec]; higher inlet temperature above the ambient. The
ambient temperature, 25.2 °C [77.4 °F]) were used temperature contamination can be classified
as inputs to the CFD model. The air-cooling into two categories:
equipment inlet temperature data for these
• Contamination from self-recirculation
wind conditions was then used for comparison
with the CFD model results. • Contamination from other exhausts

9
8 Within 2 Sigma
7 CFD
All Measured Data
Temperature Rise, °C

6
5
4
3
2
1
0
–1
E11 E12 P11 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 P17 E31 E32 P31 P32 P33 P34 P35 P36

Measurement Locations

Light blue bars = all measurement points

Navy blue bars = range within which 69% of measurements fall
12 data points for each measurement location
Wind speed: 1.9 m/sec (6.2 ft/sec) ±0.2 m/sec (±0.7 ft/sec)
Ambient temperature: 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) ±0.5 °C (±0.9 °F)

Figure 5. Comparison of CFD Results with Inlet Temperature Measurements for East Wind Direction

4 Bechtel Technology Journal

 Wind Direction
Self-Recirculating Zone Propane Condenser

Based on
Temperature, °C
simulations,
the LNG plant
28.5 29.5 30.9 31.5 32.5+ may be reoriented
or mitigation
measures studied
Figure 6. Temperature Profile Underneath Double-Bank Propane Condensers
to minimize
self-recirculation
Temperature Contamination from narrow plume and causing more lift with less
during crosswinds.
Self-Recirculation possibility of recirculation back into the inlet.
Because of site layout or wind conditions, While the same amount of fan throughput is
exhaust air can sometimes recirculate to the predicted in both cases, the horizontal skirt
inlets of the same unit. To illustrate this activity, results in a lower inlet recirculation temperature
a CFD model was constructed based on the into the air-cooling equipment. In the crosswind
use of a double bank of air-cooled propane case, the vertical skirt offers larger resistance to
condenser units. Different wind speeds and airflow, accelerating flow below the first one or
directions were tested, and the effects on the two rows of fans. As seen in the vector plot, the
propane condensers were studied. downward pull of the airflow upstream of the
vertical skirt renders the first row of fans nearly
Figure 6 shows the temperature profile just
dysfunctional. Moreover, since the crosswind
underneath the propane condensers’ fans. The
simulations predicted that when wind direction
is perpendicular to the length of the propane
condensers (crosswind), the largest heated zone
is created (Figure 7), resulting in the greatest
self-recirculation. But when the wind blows along
the length of the propane condensers, much less
self-recirculation occurs because the edge facing
the wind is shorter. However, under strong
wind conditions, the turbulence created from Z
the corners can swirl back into the inlets of the X Y
propane condensers, as shown in Figure 7. Based
on these simulations, the plant can be reoriented
or mitigation measures studied to minimize the
self-recirculation during crosswinds.

Self-recirculation may be offset by using

horizontal or vertical plates bolted to the sides
of the propane condenser units. As shown in
Figure 8, the vertical skirt causes downward Z
flow outside the skirt, resulting in a wider
X Y
exhaust plume. The horizontal skirt offsets this
flow away from the air-cooling equipment by
a distance as wide as the skirt, resulting in a Figure 7. Stream Lines Showing Self-Recirculation in
Crosswind and Parallel Wind

December 2009 • Volume 2, Number 1 5

 Vertical skirt offers
larger obstruction area, 115.7
35.0
15.7
causing intense pull-down 7.9
7.9
30.5
of flow near the skirt. 0.0
0.0
26.0

5.7
35.0
15.7
7.9
7.9
30.5
0.0
0.0
26.0

Z Z
Y X Y X

Horizontal skirt
pushes pull-down further
upstream, preventing
recirculation.
35.0
35.0
30.5
30.5
35.0
26.0
26.0
26.0
30.5
26.0
26.0
Z Z
Y X Y X

Horizontal Vertical

Figure 8. 10-Foot Horizontal Versus Vertical Skirt in a Crosswind

approaches the air-cooling equipment from one performance gradually improves as the
side, the entire airflow has to enter the coolers skirt width is increased to 4.5 m (15 ft).
from that side, resulting in higher average and Increase in flow and decrease in inlet
peak velocity below the skirts. temperature are also apparent as skirt
width increases. However, structural
What, then, should be the size of the skirt?
stability, flutter, and fatigue limit skirts
Figure 9 shows a comparison of 1.5, 3, and
to a maximum of about 3 m (10 ft).
4.5 m (5, 10, and 15 ft, respectively) horizontal
skirts in the crosswind case. As can be seen
in the figure, the widest skirt (4.5 m [15 ft]) Temperature Contamination from
results in the least amount of recirculation Other Exhausts
due to the downward flow being pushed When multiple large pieces of heat-
away from the air-cooling equipment, thus releasing equipment (such as ACHEs) are
preventing it from recirculating back into located within a limited plot area,
the inlet. The first rows of fans appear temperature contamination from these various
to be severely affected when exhausting sources is also possible in addition to
flow for the 1.5 m (5 ft) skirt case. The fan self-recirculation. Downstream equipment

35.0 35.0 35.0

30.5 30.5 30.5
26.0 26.0 26.0
1.5 m Skirt

3 m Skirt
4.5 m Skirt

Z Z Z
Y X Y X Y X

Figure 9. Comparison of Various Size Skirts in a Crosswind

6 Bechtel Technology Journal

can draw heated exhaust from upstream
equipment—a more common scenario
in multi-train LNG plants and
harder to remedy once a plant
is built. Unlike self-recirculation,
there is no typical worst-case
scenario associated with this type
of contamination.

For a multi-train LNG plant simulation,

the CFD model shows the airflow
path and the temperature increase.
In Figure 10, the flow pattern shows
how some exhaust air is drawn into
the downstream equipment.
Terrain and wind rose (wind speed and
direction), apart from neighboring equipment
and plants, also have a significant effect on
air-cooling equipment air intake. If the plant is
located in a valley, downwash from neighboring
hills causes an abrupt temperature rise in some
units, as shown in Figure 11.
Mitigation solutions to avoid cross-contamination
among equipment or trains include the use
of skirts and the use of fan hoods. Fan hoods
help by ensuring that equipment exhausts are
released at higher elevations. This approach is
effective when horizontal wind speeds are closer
to moderate than strong.
Mitigation
Figure 10. CFD Simulation—Exhaust Air from One Equipment Item solutions to avoid
Recirculating to Another’s Inlet
cross-contamination
among equipment
Another mitigation approach may include
adjusting the height of various equipment items, or trains
within reason. Such an approach may work include the use
for propane condensers, for example. However, of skirts and
when one piece of equipment is tightly connected
fan hoods.
to another, as in the case of refrigeration system
intercoolers, altering heights without incurring
significant costs from piping changes may not
prove feasible.
The optimal mitigation solution is one that does
not require significant mechanical alterations.
Depending on the plot constraints, local terrain,
and wind conditions, a proper plot orientation

Wind Directions 10.0

from Wind Rose 9.5
9.0
8.5
8.0
Train 1 7.5
7.0
Train 2 6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.0
Buildings
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5 Velocity Vectors Colored
Z Z by Magnitude of Velocity,
Y 1.0
X 0.5 Y X Scaled from 0–10 m/s
0.0

50.0
Compressor Building 48.5
with Turbine Stack 47.0
45.5
44.0
42.5
41.0
39.5
Air Coolers 38.0
36.5
35.0
33.5
30.5
Double Bank 29.0
27.5 Temperature
Propane Condensers 26.0
Z 24.5 Z Contours Cut Slice
Y 23.0 Y Through All Units,
X 21.5 X Scaled from 2–50 °C
20.0

Figure 11. SWW Wind Direction at 4.2 m/sec (13.7 ft/sec) – Stream Lines from All Units Colored by Temperature,
Scaled from 20–35 °C (68–95 °F)

December 2009 • Volume 2, Number 1 7

 may minimize the impact of air recirculation
under extreme conditions. A simple starting
point, where feasible, is to consider orienting
the plot so the propane condensers are axial
to the prevailing wind direction at high-
temperature conditions. However, it should be
noted that this is only a starting point that is by
no means absolute.
CONCLUSIONS
CFD can be
a fast and
W ith multi-train LNG plants becoming more
common, the impacts from the surrounding
environment are a vital consideration for
economic way production. Large vessels, towers, and buildings
to analyze can block air feeding into air-cooled equipment.
Turbulence generated behind these structures
the fluid dynamics
can also create local recirculation zones. If air-
around plants. cooling equipment is located within these zones,
the equipment can be starved for fresh air. CFD
can be a faster, cheaper way to analyze the fluid
dynamics around plants. Using CFD in the
design phase can help to minimize recirculation
problems. In a simulation, the relationships
among, and orientations of, open spaces and
buildings can be evaluated and different kinds
of weather conditions can be assessed. Different
mitigation measures can also be examined, such
as changing the orientation of the plant or
relocating some of the equipment. Although
no complete solutions exist for these problems,
analyzing different scenarios can minimize the
effects of recirculation on LNG production.
In the authors’ experience, recirculation
effects can be minimized by using hoods or
horizontal or vertical skirts. The fluid dynamics
of the plume emanating from the air-cooling
equipment change significantly with the type
of skirt (vertical/horizontal) and wind direction
(parallel/crosswind). A horizontal skirt is a
more aerodynamic design that helps air flow
into the air-cooling equipment while reducing
air recirculation and improving air-cooling
equipment performance under all wind speeds
and directions. However, as skirt width is
increased beyond 10 feet, the return on improved
performance diminishes while the cost increases.
CFD can provide valuable insights to the plant
designers or engineers and enable informed
decisions to be made about these and similar
design factors.
As a mitigation tool, CFD enables various
parameters to be changed in the virtual space
so the most effective solution can be found.
Computing technology continues to advance,
and increasingly complex problems can be
8 Bechtel Technology Journal
solved in ever shorter amounts of time using
CFD simulations. Manipulating the design of
a virtual plant is much less expensive than
making changes in a real facility. And with
CFD, results are usually available in less time
than from testing using a physical model.
Considering the combined value of its cost
and timing benefits, CFD is certain to play an
increasingly important role in the design and
construction of large LNG plants. „
REFERENCES
[1] A. Avidan, D. Messersmith, and B. Martinez,
“LNG Liquefaction Technologies Move
Towards Greater Efficiencies, Lower Emissions,”
Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 100, Issue 33, August 19,
2002, access via http://www.ogj.com/index/
current-issue/oil-gas-journal/volume-100/
issue-33.html.
ADDITIONAL READING
Additional information sources used to develop
this paper include:
• J. Berkoe, “Fluid Dynamics Visualization Solves
LNG Plant Recirculation Problem,” Oil & Gas
Journal, Vol. 97, Issue 13, March 29, 1999
(access via http://www.ogj.com/index/current-
issue/oil-gas-journal/volume-97/issue-13.html).
• W.K. Yee, D. Lin, V. Mehrotra, and P. Diwakar,
“Predicting Environmental Impacts on Multi-
Train LNG Facility Using Computation Fluid
Dynamics (CFD),” AIChE Spring National
Meeting, Atlanta, GA, April 10–14, 2005,
access via http://www.aiche.org/
Publications/pubcat/0816909849.aspx.
• D. Lin, W.K. Yee, P. Diwakar, and V. Mehrotra,
“Validation of the Air Recirculation CFD
Simulations on a Multi-Train LNG Plant,”
AIChE Spring National Meeting,
New Orleans, LA, April 25–29, 2004, access via
http://www.aiche.org/Publications/pubcat/
listings/2004springmeetingcd.aspx.
BIOGRAPHIES
Philip Diwakar is a senior
eng i neer i ng specia l ist
for Bechtel Systems &
Infrastructure, Inc.’s, Advanced
Simulation and Analysis
Group. He employs state-of-
the-art technology to resolve
a wide range of complex
engineering problems on large-
scale projects. Philip has more
than 15 years of experience in CFD and finite element
analysis for structural mechanics. His more recent
experience includes work on projects involving fluid-
solid interaction and explosion dynamics.
During his 8-year tenure with Bechtel, Philip has
received two full technical grants. One was used
to determine the effects of blast pressure on structures
at LNG plants, with a view toward an advanced
technology for designing less costly, safer, and more
blast-resistant buildings. The other grant was used
to study fluid-structure interaction in building
structures and vessels. Philip has also received
four Bechtel Outstanding Technical Paper awards,
as well as two awards for his exhibit on the
applications of fluid-solid interaction technology
at the 2006 Engineering Leadership Conference in
Frederick, Maryland.
Before joining Bechtel, Philip was a project engineer
with Caterpillar, Inc., where he was part of a Six Sigma
team. He applied his CFD expertise to determine the
best approach for solving issues involving the cooling
of Caterpillar heavy machinery.
Philip holds an MTech in Aerospace Engineering
from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengalaru; a
BTech in Aeronautics from the Madras Institute
of Technology, India; and a BS in Mathematics
from Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland. He
is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer
and is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
Zhengcai Ye, PhD, is a CFD
engineering specialist with
more than 15 years of research
and industrial experience
in chemical engineering and
related areas. Much of his
work has focused on CFD
modeling of chemical reactors
and industrial furnaces, and
chemical process modeling.
He is currently engaged in air recirculation
modeling of LNG plants and CFD modeling of
chemical equipment.
Before joining Bechtel, Zhengcai was a senior
project engineer for IGCC projects at Mitsubishi
Power Systems Americas, Inc., and a chemical and
software engineer at Shanghai Baosteel Group
Corporation, China.
Zhengcai contributed a book chapter, “Mathematical
Modeling and Design of Ultraviolet Light Process
for Liquid Foods and Beverages,” in Mathematical
Modeling of Food Processing (Taylor & Francis, 2009)
and has authored more than 20 journal papers. He
is a senior member of the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
Zhengcai holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering
from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta;
an MS in Chemical Engineering from Florida State
University, Tallahassee; and an MS in Inorganic
Materials from East China University of Science &
Technology, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
Ramachandra Tekumalla
is chief engineer for OG&C’s
Advanced Simulation Group,
located in Houston, Texas. He
leads a group of 10 experts in
Bechtel’s Houston and New
Delhi offices in developing
advanced applications for
various simulation techno-
logies, such as APC, CFD,
FEA, OTS, dynamic simulation, and virtual reality.
December 2009 • Volume 2, Number 1
Ram has more than 11 years of experience in
applying these technologies, as well as in real-time
optimization, to ensure the successful completion of
projects worldwide.
Prior to joining Bechtel, Ram was an applications
engineer with the Global Solutions Group at Invensys
Process Systems, where he developed applications
for refineries and power plants, including real-time
control, performance monitoring, and optimization.
Ram holds an MS from the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BE from the Birla
Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, India,
both in Chemical Engineering.
David Messersmith is deputy
manager of Bechtel’s LNG
and Gas Center of Excellence,
responsible for LNG Technol-
ogy Group and Services, for
the Oil, Gas & Chemicals
Global Business Unit, located
in Houston, Texas. He has held
various lead roles on LNG
projects for 15 of the past
18 years, including work on the Atlantic LNG project
conceptual design through startup as well as many
other LNG studies, FEED studies, and projects.
Dave’s experience includes various LNG and ethylene
assignments during his 18 years with Bechtel
and, previously, his 10 years with M.W. Kellogg, Inc.
Dave holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.
Satish Gandhi, PhD, is
LNG Product Development
Center (PDC) director and
manages the center for
the ConocoPhillips-Bechtel
Corporation LNG Collaboration.
He is responsible for establish-
ing the work direction for the
PDC to implement strategies
and priorities set by the LNG
Collaboration Advisory Group.
Satish has more than 35 years of experience in
technical computing and process design, as well
as troubleshooting of process plants in general and
LNG plants in particular. He was previously process
director in the Process Technology & Engineering
Department at Fluor Daniel with responsibilities for
using state-of-the-art simulation software for the
process design of gas processing, CNG, LNG, and
refinery facilities. Satish also was manager of the
dynamic simulation group at M.W. Kellogg, Ltd.,
responsible for technology development and
management and implementation of dynamic
simulation projects in support of LNG and other
process engineering disciplines.
Satish received a PhD from the University of
Houston, Texas; an MS from the Indian Institute of
Technology, Kanpur; and a BS from Laxminarayan
Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India, all in
Chemical Engineering.
9
10 Bechtel Technology Journal