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LNG Production and Storage Facilities
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state at about -162°C (-260°F) for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. LNG is composed primarily of methane, along with small amounts of other hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane.
- Composition: Mainly methane (CH₄) with some ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), and nitrogen (N₂).
- Physical Properties: Colorless, odorless, non-corrosive, and non-toxic. In its liquid state, LNG occupies about 1/600th of the volume of natural gas in its gaseous state, making it much more efficient to transport over long distances.
- Production: Natural gas is extracted, purified, and then cooled to create LNG. This process involves removing impurities and cooling the gas to transform it into a liquid.
- Storage and Transportation: Stored in specialized cryogenic tanks and transported using LNG carriers, which are ships designed to maintain the low temperatures needed to keep the gas in its liquid state.
- Cryogenic Storage Tanks Design: Our cryogenic tanks are specially designed to store LNG at temperatures as low as -162°C (-260°F). These tanks are typically double-walled, featuring an inner shell made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum to handle the extreme cold, and an outer shell constructed from concrete or carbon steel for added strength.
- Types of Tanks:
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- Single Containment: Comprising a primary container to hold the LNG and an outer barrier to protect against spills.
- Double Containment: Includes an additional layer of protection with a secondary barrier that can contain the LNG if the inner tank fails.
- Full Containment: Combines features of both single and double containment systems, ensuring the highest safety levels.
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- Insulation Systems:
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- Vacuum Insulation: Utilizes a vacuum layer between the tank walls to minimize heat transfer and reduce boil-off gas (BOG) losses.
- Perlite and Foam Glass: High-performance insulating materials are used to maintain LNG at low temperatures, enhancing storage efficiency.
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- Boil-Off Gas (BOG) Management:
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- BOG Re-condensers: Capture and re-liquefy any vaporized LNG to prevent gas loss and maintain storage efficiency.
- BOG Compressors: Compress excess gas for re-use or re-injection into the LNG system, optimizing resource utilization.
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- Safety and Monitoring Systems:
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- Pressure Relief Valves: Automatically release pressure build-up to prevent over-pressurization.
- Gas Detection Systems: Continuously monitor for any gas leaks and trigger alarms if abnormalities are detected.
- Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD): Rapidly shut down operations in case of an emergency, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.
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