LNG Fact Sheet PDF
LNG Fact Sheet PDF
LNG Fact Sheet PDF
WHAT IS IT? When natural gas is cooled to a temperature of approximately -260F at atmospheric pressure it condenses to a liquid called liquefied natural gas (LNG). One volume of this liquid takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas at a stove burner tip. LNG weighs less than one-half that of water, actually about 45% as much. LNG is odorless, colorless, non-corrosive, and non-toxic. When vaporized it burns only in concentrations of 5% to 15% when mixed with air. Neither LNG, nor its vapor, can explode in an unconfined environment. COMPOSITION Natural gas is composed primarily of methane (typically, at least 90%), but may also contain ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbons. Small quantities of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds, and water may also be found in "pipeline" natural gas. The liquefaction process removes the oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds, and water. The process can also be designed to purify the LNG to almost 100% methane. HOW IS IT STORED? LNG tanks are always of double-wall construction with extremely efficient insulation between the walls. Large tanks are low aspect ratio (height to width) and cylindrical in design with a domed roof. Storage pressures in these tanks are very low, less than 5 psig. Smaller quantities, 70,000 gallons and less, are stored in horizontal or vertical, vacuum-jacketed, pressure vessels. These tanks may be at pressures any where from less than 5 psig to over 250 psig. LNG must be maintained cold (at least below -117F) to remain a liquid, independent of pressure. HOW IS IT KEPT COLD? The insulation, as efficient as it is, will not keep the temperature of LNG cold by itself. LNG is stored as a "boiling cryogen," that is, it is a
very cold liquid at its boiling point for the pressure it is being stored. Stored LNG is analogous to boiling water, only 470 colder. The temperature of boiling water (212F) does not change, even with increased heat, as it is cooled by evaporation (steam generation). In much the same way, LNG will stay at near constant temperature if kept at constant pressure. This phenomenon is called "autorefrigeration". As long as the steam (LNG vapor boil off) is allowed to leave the tea kettle (tank), the temperature will remain constant. If the vapor is not drawn off, then the pressure and temperature inside the vessel will rise. However, even at 100 psig, the LNG temperature will still be only about -200F. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY SERIOUS LNG ACCIDENTS? First, one must remember that LNG is a form of energy and must be respected as such. Today LNG is transported and stored as safely as any other liquid fuel. Before the storage of cryogenic liquids was fully understood, however, there was a serious incident involving LNG in Cleveland, Ohio in 1944. This incident virtually stopped all development of the LNG industry for 20 years. The race to the Moon led to a much better understanding of cryogenics and cryogenic storage with the expanded use of liquid hydrogen (-423F) and liquid oxygen (-296F). LNG technology grew from NASA's advancement. In addition to Cleveland, there have two other U.S. incidents sometimes attributed to LNG. A construction accident on Staten Island in 1973 has been cited by some parties as an "LNG accident" because the construction crew was working inside an (empty, warm) LNG tank. In another case, the failure of an electrical seal on an LNG pump in 1979 permitted gas (not LNG) to enter an enclosed building. A spark of indeterminate origin caused the building to exploded. As a result of this incident, the electrical code has been revised for the design of electrical seals used with all flammable fluids under pressure. WHAT IS CNG? Compressed natural gas (CNG) is natural gas pressurized and stored in welding bottle-like tanks at pressures up to 3,600 psig. Typically, it is same composition of the local "pipeline" gas, with some of the
water removed. CNG and LNG are both delivered to the engines as low pressure vapor (ounces to 300 psig). CNG is often misrepresented as the only form natural gas can be used as vehicle fuel. LNG can be used to make CNG. This process requires much less capital intensive equipment and about 15% of the operating and maintenance costs. WHAT IS LPG? Liquid petroleum gas (LPG, and sometimes called propane) is often confused with LNG and vice versa. They are not the same and the differences are significant. LPG is composed primarily of propane (upwards to 95%) and smaller quantities of butane. LPG can be stored as a liquid in tanks by applying pressure alone. LPG is the "bottled gas" often found under BBQ grills. LPG has been used as fuel in light duty vehicles for many years. Many petrol stations in Europe have LPG pumps as well.
Typical Components of Industry Gas Streams Names Inert Gas Acid Gas LNG Natural Gas LPG Natural Gasoline NGL Condensate (Stabilized) Components CO2 H2S N2 C1 C2 C3 iC4 nC4 iC5 nC5 C6 C7+ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Definitions of Words and Terms Used in the Gas Processing Industry Cricondenbar The highest pressure at which liquid and vapor phases can exist at equilibrium in a multicomponent system. Cricondentherm GPM The highest temperature at which liquid and vapor phases can exist at equilibrium in a multicomponent system. Preferably Gal/Mcf (gallons per thousand cubic feet): This term refers to the content in natural gas of components which are recoverable or recovered as liquid products. An abbreviation for one thousand cubic feet of gas. An abbreviation for one million cubic feet of gas. The vapor pressure of a material measured by the Reid Method and apparatus as detailed in ASTM Test Procedure D-323. A number proportional to the heat input to a burner at constant pressure. In British practice, it is the gross heating value of a gas divided by the square root of its gravity. Widely used in Europe, together with a measured or calculated flame speed, to determine interchangeability of fuel gases.
Heating Value (Heat of The amount of heat obtained by the complete combustion of a unit Combustion) quantity of material. The gross, or higher, heating value is the amount of heat obtained when the water produced in the combustion is condensed. The net, or lower, heating value is the amount of heat obtained when the water produced in the combustion is not condensed.
Gas Properties and Pre-Treating for LNG Boiling Temp Components MW (oF) (oC) Nitrogen 28.013 -195.80 -320.44 CO2 44.010 -78.50 -109.30 H2S 34.080 -85.55 -121.99 Methane 16.043 -161.49 -258.68 Ethane 30.070 -88.63 -127.53 Propane 44.097 -42.07 -43.73 i-Butane 58.124 -11.73 10.89 n-Butane 58.124 -0.50 31.10 Neo-Pentane 72.151 9.50 49.11 i-Pentane 72.151 27.85 82.13 n-Pentane 72.151 36.07 96.93 n-Hexane 86.178 68.74 155.73 Mcyclopentan 84.162 71.81 161.26 Benzene 78.115 80.10 176.18 Cyclohexane 84.162 80.74 177.33 Mcyclohexane 98.190 100.93 213.68 Toluene 92.141 110.63 231.13 E-Benzene 106.169 136.19 277.13 p-Xylene 106.169 138.85 281.93 m-Xylene 106.169 139.10 282.39 o-Xylene 106.169 144.41 291.94 n-C7 100.206 98.43 209.17 n-C8 114.233 125.67 258.20 n-C9 128.260 150.79 303.42 H2O Mercury
Freezing Temp (oC) (oF) -209.90 -345.82 -56.60 -69.88 -60.35 -76.63 -182.48 -296.46 -183.27 -297.89 -187.69 -305.84 -159.60 -255.28 -138.35 -217.03 -16.55 2.21 -159.90 -255.82 -129.72 -201.50 -95.35 -139.63 -142.46 -224.42 5.53 41.96 6.55 43.80 -126.59 -195.87 -94.91 -138.84 -94.98 -138.96 13.26 55.87 -47.87 -54.17 -25.18 -13.33 -90.61 -131.10 -56.80 -70.23 -53.52 -64.33
Note: 1. Limited by product specifications for particular projects Note: 2. Depends on overall composition