Introduction
LNG is Liquefied Natural Gas (methane) that has been cooled to an extremely cold temperature (-260° F/ -163° C). At standard atmospheric conditions, methane is a vapor, not to be confused with gasoline, which is a liquid. Generally, LNG is measured in metric tons when it is a liquid and in cubic feet when it is in its gaseous state. Why make LNG?
LNG provides a means of moving gas long distances when pipeline transport is not feasible. Natural gas is turned into a liquid using a refrigeration process in a liquefaction plant. Liquefying natural gas reduces its volume by a factor of 610. The reduction in volume makes the gas possible to transport and store. Where does it come from?
Indonesia, Algeria, Malaysia, Qatar, Nigeria, Oman, Australia and Trinidad are currently the leading exporters of LNG. Russia and Iran also have great potential as LNG exporters. How is LNG shipped?
Specially designed ships are used to transport LNG to receiving terminals. They have double hulls and are constructed of specialized materials that are capable of safely storing LNG at temperatures of -260° F/ -163° C. A LNG ship has either membrane or spherical tanks. Where do ships unload LNG?
Ships unload LNG at specially designed onshore or offshore terminals. The LNG is pumped from the ship to the terminal, and converted back to gas at the terminal. The terminal is connected to natural gas pipelines that transport the gas to the end users. On a smaller scale, LNG is also be produced by liquefying gas from a pipeline, storing it, and then regasifying it for pipeline distribution to customers when demand is high, such as on cold winter days. These small regasification plants are often called “peakshaving plants.” Alternatively, the LNG may be transported in special trucks to small facilities where it is stored and regasified as needed. Such facilities are called “satellite plants.” The United States has about 100 LNG satellite and peakshaving plants throughout the country. Is LNG explosive?
In its liquid state, LNG is not explosive. When LNG is heated and becomes a gas, the gas is not explosive if it is unconfined. Natural gas is only flammable within a narrow range of concentrations in the air (5% to 15%). Less air does not contain enough oxygen to sustain a flame, while more air dilutes the gas too much for it to ignite. How is public safety addressed?
As a part of safety engineering, all LNG facilities are designed to prevent fires and contain the LNG in the event of a spill. In the United States, these facilities must conform to standards set by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), State utility commissions, port authorities, and other local agencies. Source: FERC and EIA For more information about LNG, also visit:
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