LNG Information Paper No.

M
G
I anaging LNG Risks – Containment
I
GIIGNL’s Technical Study Group has overseen the development of this Information Series
of 7 papers to provide factual information about Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), or GNL in
French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian speaking countries. This paper describes the tanks
used to store LNG, which should be viewed as the primary means for safely containing
LNG and preventing the exposure of LNG’s extremely cold temperatures and flammable
vapours to facility workers or the public. Secondary containment, i.e., ways in which the
tank contents will be captured on site in the unlikely event of a leak or spill, is also
discussed. For more information on these topics, additional references and weblinks are
provided at the end of this paper.

Introduction of LNG storage tanks are above-ground. Japan has

constructed some tanks below ground to save expensive
A primary safety requirement for the industry is to contain land, and there are some floating storage tanks at
LNG. LNG is stored in large tanks at liquefaction facilities offshore receiving terminals. This paper focuses on
and import terminals. At an import terminal, LNG is stored onshore storage tanks.
until it is turned back into natural gas through
regasification and then sent out to consumers in pipelines. Storage Tanks
A typical LNG import terminal has 2 to 4 LNG storage
tanks (although a small number have over 10 tanks). LNG
The tanks in which LNG is stored are the means for
can also be imported and stored at an offshore receiving
primary containment. Safe and secure containment is in
terminal.
part a function of the codes and standards which
LNG tanks have more than one means of containment. contribute to the operational integrity layer of protection
The first layer of containment is provided by the tank (described in Information Paper No. 4); these codes and
which holds the LNG. All LNG storage tanks are standards define suitable engineering designs and specify
constructed with thermal insulation to prevent heat appropriate materials for constructing storage tanks and
transfer, reduce evaporation, and protect the structure other equipment at LNG facilities. Several types of tanks
from cryogenic temperatures which could damage the are used to store LNG in the world today. In some places
structural integrity of the tank. Secondary containment is a reinforced concrete tank surrounds the inner tank.
provided either by the use of dikes, berms and Types of onshore LNG storage tanks include:
impoundment dams around storage tanks, or by building a
 Single containment tank,
second tank around the primary storage tank to contain
the LNG in the unlikely event of a failure in the primary  Double containment tank,
tank.
 Full containment tank,
The decision to use a particular design is influenced by
 Membrane tank, and
available space and local requirements. The vast majority
 In-ground tank.

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Information Paper No. 5 - Containment
 Single Containment Tank concrete tank supports the hydrostatic load (weight of the
liquid) which is transferred through the membrane and
A single containment tank is composed of an inner insulation (in other words, the membrane is not self-
cylindrical container made of 9% nickel steel which is self- supporting). The membrane is able to shrink and expand
supporting (Figure 1; next page). This inner tank is with changing temperatures.
surrounded by an outer tank made of carbon steel which
holds an insulation material (usually an expanded mineral These tanks were constructed primarily in France and
material called perlite) in the annular space. The carbon Korea in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
steel outer tank is not capable of containing cryogenic
materials; thus the inner tank provides the only In-ground Tanks
containment for the cryogenic liquid. However, single
containment tanks are always surrounded by a dyke (bund In-ground LNG tanks are obviously less visible in their
or containment basin) external to the tank, either of which surroundings (Figure 5; page 5). They are mainly used in
provides at least 100% secondary containment in the Japan and some other Asian countries. They were
event of a complete failure of the inner tank. This type developed by Tokyo Gas Engineering (TGE) in the early
has an excellent history of reliability and represents the 1970’s based on earlier designs in the UK, the US and
majority of tanks in the world but does require a relatively Algeria and subsequently used by other Japanese
large area of land. companies. As of 2005, there were 61 in-ground storage
tanks in Japan. The record for the largest LNG tank in the
Double Containment Tank world was first set by an in-ground (200,000 m 3) although
several above-ground tanks have recently been built with
The double containment tank is similar to a single a similar capacity.
containment tank, but instead of a containment dike there These tanks are more expensive and take longer to build
is an outer wall usually made of post-stressed concrete than an above-ground tank – about 4 to 5 years compared
(Figure 2; next page). Therefore if the inner tank fails, the to 3 years for a tank built above ground. The terminals
secondary container is capable of containing all of the with in-ground tanks are designed to harmonise with the
cryogenic liquid. surroundings and ensure safety at every stage of the
The outer concrete wall increases the cost of the tank, but lifecycle. These tanks do not need to be surrounded by a
less space is required because there is no need for a dyke or bund wall, so the separation distance from
containment dyke. Should the inner tank fail, the liquid will adjacent land is less than that of other types of tanks.
be contained and vapours will escape through the annular This is especially important for countries such as Japan,
gap, which is the space between the two tanks or the Korea, and Taiwan. In 45 years, there have not been
tanks and the concrete wall. any incidents concerning LNG tanks which have had any
impact beyond the terminal boundary.
Full Containment Tank
Leak and Spill Capture
A full containment tank is a double containment tank in
which the annular gap between the outer and inner tanks LNG terminals are designed to detect any vapour leaks,
is sealed (Figure 3; page 4). The majority of LNG storage as well as to detect and capture liquid leaks. LNG
tanks built in the last 10 years worldwide have been containment is a system which consists of the primary
designed as full containment tanks. containment in the tank plus secondary containment, e.g.,
the impoundment around the tank to capture and keep in
In this tank, the secondary container is liquid- and vapour- place any leakage of LNG. Storage tanks also incorporate
tight in normal operations. In case of leakage of the the following measures to prevent leaks or detect leaks
primary barrier, the secondary container remains LNG- immediately at the source:
tight. The secondary container wall is generally made of
pre-stressed concrete and the roof is usually reinforced  Tank construction of special materials and
concrete, although under EN 1473 metal roofs may be equipment with systems designed to safely
allowed. insulate and store LNG at temperatures of -162°C
(-259 °F);
Membrane Tank  Cool down temperature sensors on the tank wall
and base;
The membrane type of storage tank is a post-stressed  Leak detection temperature sensors located in the
concrete tank with a layer of internal load-bearing annular space to signal a low temperature alarm;
insulation covered by a thin stainless-steel corrugated
membrane (Figure 4; page 4). In this design, the  LNG tank gauging systems to provide remote
readings and high/low level alarms;

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Information Paper No. 5 - Containment
 Level temperature density gauge to detect rollover
potential;
Figure 1. Single containment tank (Source: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

Key
1 suspended deck (insulated) 6 loose- fill insulation
2 post-stressed concrete secondary container 7 roof if required
3 elevated slab 8 primary container
4 base insulation
5 outer shell (not able to contain liquid)

Figure 2. Double containment tank (Source: EN 1473)

Figure 3. Full containment tank (Source: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

Key
1 suspended deck (insulated) 4 base insulation
2 post-stressed concrete secondary 5 loose fill insulation
container 6 reinforced concrete roof
3 elevated concrete raft 7 primary container membrane
Figure 4. Membrane tank (Source: EN 1473)
Figure 5. In-ground storage tank (Source: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

 Pressure controllers and relief valves.

 Passive fire protection, e.g., fireproofing, fire spill. The size of impoundment areas must be able to
resistant barriers and coatings; and capture a volume which exceeds that of the storage tank.
Dikes are designed to contain 100-110% of the tank
 Various codes and standards for maintenance
volume and to be high enough so the trajectory of a leak
and inspection of equipment in LNG service.
at the upper liquid level in the tank can not overshoot the
edge of the dike. Impoundment areas often have concrete
or earthen liners and employ some method for extracting
Many of these safety measures in tank design and rain and deluge water.
construction were implemented to prevent a re-occurrence
of the incident at a peak-shaving facility in Cleveland, In the unlikely event of a leak of any kind, all LNG facilities
Ohio, US in 1944, 20 years before LNG became a have many types of equipment to detect a release, and
significant industry. Post-incident analysis clearly initiate immediate notification and control of the leak or
demonstrated that the size of the design of the capture spill. Standard detection and initial response equipment in
basin was inadequate. Since then, codes and standards various areas of an import terminal include:
have been developed to require a second layer of
 Cryogenic liquid detection;
protection around the primary containment (of single-
containment tanks). Single-containment tanks now must  Gas or vapour detection;
be designed to prevent the spread of an LNG spill.
 Smoke detectors;
Dykes, berms, and dam impoundments surround each
single-containment storage tank to capture the LNG in  Flame detectors;
case of a
 Safety alarms;
  Emergency shutdown valves on piping to stop the Next, in Information Paper No. 6: Industry Safeguard
flow of LNG and limit the quantity of LNG Systems, we will review leak prevention and detection
released; and systems, emergency plans and emergency preparedness
 Secondary containment designed to mitigate the in greater detail. This paper will touch upon again the
consequence(s) of release. profound importance of safety considerations in every
facet of the LNG industry. As graphically reflected in the
“Multiple Safety Layers” figure on the last page, these
Vapour and liquid detection equipment is used to detect, layers assure LNG safety, and are firmly based on a
set off alarms and monitor flammable vapours. Most foundation of solid Industry Standards, Regulatory
devices have remote monitoring screens, e.g., in a control Compliance and Codes. These safety layers include
room, and provide a safe and secure way to monitor the several key components of the industry’s Risk
situation and manage the overall facility. Continuous Management framework, including Primary and
improvements are made in detection systems and there Secondary Containment, Control Systems which promote
are vendors who specialise in systems just for LNG. Operational Integrity; Protocols, Operator Knowledge and
LNG facilities develop and maintain emergency response Experience (which are reinforced by comprehensive and
plans for the unlikely event of any leak. These plans ongoing training). A protective umbrella of Safeguard
identify potential credible incident scenarios and then Systems, Separation Distances, and Contingency
develop specific actions to control and mitigate the Planning, and Exercises further enhances the safe
consequences of these incidents. management of LNG.

Key Points and Conclusions References and Additional Resources

In closing, the reader should remember the key points of British Standards Institution (BSI) BS 7777: 1993 Parts 1:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/hid/land/comah/level3/5C39A0F.
this information paper: htm
1. In an industry in which safety considerations are Bureau Veritas, 2009
paramount, as underscored by the degree to which
related codes, equipment, regulations, procedures Center for LNG - www.lngfacts.org
and systems permeate all of our efforts, containment Foss, Michelle Michot. October 2003. LNG Safety and
is the primary requirement for LNG safety. Security. Available from:
2. LNG facilities and terminals have more than one http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/lng/docum
means of containment. Beyond the first layer (the ents/CEE_LNG_Safety_and_Security.pdf
specifically-designed and constructed tanks), various Foss, Michelle Michot. Introduction to LNG. Updated
methodologies (including berms, dykes, January 2007. Center for Energy Economics.
impoundment dams and secondary tanks) are used Available from:
to provide another layer of protection. http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/lng/docum
ents/CEE_INTRODUCTION_TO_LNG_FINAL.pdf
3. Various kinds of tanks are used around the world,
including Single Containment Tanks, Double GIIGNL - The International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas
Containment Tanks, Full Containment Tanks, Importers website - www.GIIGNL.org
Membrane Tanks and In-ground Tanks.
Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal
4. Liquid and gas/vapour leak detection and response Operators (SIGTTO) website - www.sigtto.org
systems incorporate a wide array of relevant devices
Tokyo Gas inground tanks. http://www.tokyo-
and technologies, including alarms, emergency plans gas.co.jp/lngtech/ug-tank/index.html
and shutdown valves, fireproofing/fire-resistant
barriers and coatings, flame detectors, gauging World Bank Group International Finance Corporation.
devices, pressure controllers, relief valves, smoke Guidelines for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
detectors and temperature sensors. Facilities.
http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/sustainability.nsf/Attachm
5. Most devices have remote monitoring screens, e.g., entsByTitle/gui_EHSGuidelines2007_LNG/$FILE/
in a control room, to provide a safe and secure way Final+-+LNG.pdf
to monitor the situation and manage the overall
facility.
 Multiple Safety Layers
Manage LNG Risk
The GIIGNL Technical Study Group has developed this 7-
Safeguard Systems, Separation Distances, Contingency Planning and Exercises paper series to provide public readers with factual information
about the LNG industry’s multiple layers of safety, as
illustrated in the figure to the left.
Control Systems, Operational Integrity & Protocols, Operator Knowledge, Training & Experience
Secondary Containment Primary Containment
The GIIGNL Study Papers include:
 No. 1 – Basic Properties of LNG
 No. 2 – The LNG Process Chain
 No. 3 – LNG Ships
 No. 4 – Managing LNG Risks – Operational
Integrity, Regulations, Codes, and Industry
Liquefied Natural Gas Organisations
(LNG)
 No. 5 – Managing LNG Risks – Containment
 No. 6 – Managing LNG Risks – Industry Safeguard
Systems
Industry Standards, Regulatory Compliance & Codes
 No. 7 – Questions and Answers (Q&A’s)

For more information about these and other topics, or to obtain copies of this report series contact:

GIIGNL
8 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine (France)

Telephone: +33 (0)1 56 65 51 60

Email: [email protected]

Web address: http://www.giignl.org

Information Paper No. 5 - Containment

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Information Paper No. 5 - Containment

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