VALENCIA, Calif.—L.A. Turbine (LAT) March 27 announced the shipment of its first ARES Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) Turboexpander-Compressor to a new processing plant located in the Bakken Shale Play of North Dakota. The ARES AMB Turboexpander-Compressor is designed for a plant flow rate of 200 million standard cubic feet per day and will be used for NGL processing. Installation and commissioning are scheduled for third-quarter 2019.

Designed, engineered and built in the USA, the ARES AMB Turboexpander-Compressor features L.A. Turbine’s exclusive skid-mounted AMB control system and programmable logic control (PLC) panel, made possible with a partnership between L.A. Turbine and Waukesha Magnetic Bearings. Until now, AMB controllers had to be installed in a building away from the skid installation site.

The on-skid configuration gives equipment, procurement and construction (EPC) companies greater flexibility with the plant site layout, accelerates the design to delivery timeframe, and provides an industry-first AMB design technology at a price on par with standard oil bearing turboexpander units. The simplicity of design, ease of machine operation, and advanced magnetic bearing technology translates to operational and financial benefits for end users too.

Less time and labor are required for the installation and commissioning of the unit and AMB machines require minor ongoing maintenance. If an issue is reported, troubleshooting can begin immediately via the remote access capability of the controller.