Jeff Weber

The primary applications of the Frick 355U in midstream operations include:
1. Natural Gas Processing & NGL Recovery
The most prominent use for a refrigeration compressor in midstream is Chilled Water or Brine/Glycol loop systems and Direct Propane Refrigeration.
• Hydrocarbon Dew Point Control: To meet pipeline specifications, natural gas must be cooled to drop out heavy hydrocarbons (C3+). The Frick 355U provides the massive cooling duty required to chill the gas stream.
• Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Extraction: In processing plants, the unit drives refrigeration loops (often using propane or ammonia) to achieve the ultra-low temperatures necessary to condense and separate valuable liquids like ethane, propane, and butane from the gas stream.
2. Vapor Recovery Units (VRU)
Midstream tank farms and gathering hubs often use the Frick 355U in Vapor Recovery Systems. It captures low-pressure BTU-rich vapors escaping from crude oil storage tanks, flash vessels, or truck loading racks. The compressor bumps these vapors up to pipeline pressure so they can be processed instead of flared.
3. Wellhead Gas Gathering & Field Boosting
When built with appropriate metallurgy (such as cast steel housings like ASTM A352 Grade LCB), the Frick 355U crosses over from pure refrigeration into direct gas compression. It handles wellhead compression and gas gathering, drawing low-pressure gas out of field networks and compressing it for transport to a central processing facility.
Core Features that Benefit Midstream Operators:
• Variable Volume Ratio (Vi Control): Midstream operations often experience fluctuating pressures. The 355U features an adjustable VOLUMIZER volume ratio (from 2.2 to 5.0). This aligns internal discharge pressure with changing pipeline pressures, eliminating under- or over-compression and significantly reducing energy costs.
• Stepless Capacity Control: Equipped with a hydraulically actuated slide valve, the 355U allows infinite turndown or step-less unloading from 100% down to approximately 20% of full load. This matches the erratic gas flow rates standard in midstream gathering networks.
• No-Pump Reliability: It utilizes anti-friction bearings that rely heavily on system differential pressure for lubrication. This design often eliminates the need for an external mechanical oil pump, eliminating a common point of mechanical failure in remote field locations.
Core Features
• Variable Volume Ratio (Vi Control): Midstream operations often experience fluctuating pressures. The 355U features an adjustable VOLUMIZER volume ratio (from 2.2 to 5.0). This aligns internal discharge pressure with changing pipeline pressures, eliminating under- or over-compression and significantly reducing energy costs.
• Stepless Capacity Control: Equipped with a hydraulically actuated slide valve, the 355U allows infinite turndown or step-less unloading from 100% down to approximately 20% of full load. This matches the erratic gas flow rates standard in midstream gathering networks.
• No-Pump Reliability: It utilizes anti-friction bearings that rely heavily on system differential pressure for lubrication. This design often eliminates the need for an external mechanical oil pump, eliminating a common point of mechanical failure in remote field locations.
Core Features
• Variable Volume Ratio (Vi Control): Midstream operations often experience fluctuating pressures. The 355U features an adjustable VOLUMIZER volume ratio (from 2.2 to 5.0). This aligns internal discharge pressure with changing pipeline pressures, eliminating under- or over-compression and significantly reducing energy costs.
• Stepless Capacity Control: Equipped with a hydraulically actuated slide valve, the 355U allows infinite turndown or step-less unloading from 100% down to approximately 20% of full load. This matches the erratic gas flow rates standard in midstream gathering networks.
• No-Pump Reliability: It utilizes anti-friction bearings that rely heavily on system differential pressure for lubrication. This design often eliminates the need for an external mechanical oil pump, eliminating a common point of mechanical failure in remote field locations.

If this Frick 355U refrigeration compressor might be suitable for your midstream operations contact Jeff Weber for details on an inspection and possible purchase.

Contact Jeff for more details, to inspect, and or discuss pricing.
jeff@jeffweber.net
land line 302-231-1880
USA mobile-wahts ap 937-789-5906