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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
is natural gas (predominantly Methane, with some
mixture of Ethane). It has been cooled down to
liquid form for ease and safety of
non-pressurized storage or transport. It is
odorless, colorless, nonˇVtoxic and
nonˇVcorrosive. Hazards include flammability
after vaporization into a gaseous state,
freezing and asphyxia. The liquefaction process
involves removal of certain components, such as
dust, acid gases, Helium, water, and heavy
hydrocarbons, which could cause difficulty
downstream. The natural gas is then condensed
into a liquid at close to atmospheric pressure
by cooling it to approximately −162 ˘XC (−260
˘XF); maximum transport pressure is set at around
25 kPa (4 psi).
Natural gas is mainly converted to LNG for
transport over the seas. It is where laying
pipelines is not feasible technically and
economically. LNG achieves a higher reduction in
volume than compressed natural gas (CNG) so that
the (volumetric) energy density of LNG is 2.4
times greater than that of CNG (at 250 bar) or
60 percent that of diesel fuel. This makes LNG
cost efficient in marine transport over long
distances. However, CNG carrier ships can be
used economically up to medium distances in
marine transport. Specially designed cryogenic
sea vessels (LNG carriers) or cryogenic road
tankers are used for LNG transport.
LNG is principally used for transporting natural
gas to markets, where it is regasified and
distributed as pipeline natural gas. It can be
used in natural gas vehicle, although it is more
common to design vehicles to use CNG. LNGˇ¦s
relatively high cost of production and the need
to store it in expensive cryogenic tanks have
hindered widespread commercial use. Despite
these drawbacks, on energy basis LNG production
is expected to hit 10% of the global crude
production by 2020. The heating value depends on
the source of gas that is used and the process
that is used to liquefy the gas. The range of
heating value can span +/- 10 to 15 percent. A
typical value of the higher heating value of LNG
is approximately 50 MJ/kg or 21,500 BTU/lb..
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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) SPECIFICATION
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1 |
Gross
Heating Value (Volume Based) |
Minimum |
1050
Btu / SCF |
Minimum |
1170
Btu / SCF |
2 |
Hydrocarbon
Composition and Nitrogen
Content
Within The Following Range |
Methane |
85.00
mol% Min |
Butanes
and Heavier |
2.0
mol% max |
Pentanes
and Heavier |
0.10
mol% max |
Nitrogen |
1.00
mol% min |
3 |
Impurities
With The Dollowing Range |
Hydrogen
Sulphide |
48.
Mg / Nm3 Max |
Total
Silphur |
28.0
Mg / Nm3 Max |
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Solides
and Other Impurities |
None
as such quantities as shall interfere
with receipt and tansportation og LNG,
or
the
use of LNG as natural Gas. |
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