• No Turboexpander
• 99% Propane Recovery
• Optional 99% Ethane Recovery
• Low Energy / Reduced GHG’s
• High Turndown

The Split ABsorber Reflux (SABR) family of processes are the latest advancement in deep-cut natural gas processing to recover Natural Gas Liquids (NGL’s). SABR was developed and licensed by Gas Liquids Engineering. SABR combines ultra-deep propane (C3) or ethane (C2) extraction with high energy efficiency, and high turndown capability. For propane recovery, SABR can achieve significantly lower energy usage than turboexpander based processes, due to operating at a higher pressure with reduced recompression  requirements. SABR can also maintain very high recovery rates even when turned down to low flowrates, with an attainable turndown of 90%. SABR is generally a two-tower process, that does not rely on turboexpansion, and achieves high recovery using only propane refrigeration and shell and tube heat exchangers for cooling. The process has a range of potential applications, including large scale facilities, where energy consumption is a primary concern, and small scale facilities, where the implementation of a turboexpander to achieve high liquids recovery may be impractical. Moderately deep recovery of propane or ethane can also be obtained with SABR using no refrigeration at all, enabling liquids recovery with reduced equipment requirements, where high pressure natural gas is available.

A number of modified versions of SABR have been developed to suit a variety of applications including:

• Reduced energy consumption and GHG emissions
• Improved recovery on large and small scale gas processing facilities
• High propane or ethane extraction from rich, lean, or high CO₂ gas streams
• Retrofits for increased recovery
• Small scale deep-cuts
• Straddle / City gate applications
• Multi-train applications to maintain high recovery despite variable flowrates

GLE is a full service EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) company with over 35 years of gas processing experience.

Please contact an application specialist at SABR@gasliquids.com to discuss how SABR can maximize your natural gas liquids revenue.