Liquid Natural Gas Rises

Alternative forms of fuel are becoming available throughout the world as research and development increase in the oil and gas industry

. One such energy source is that of natural gas. It is abundantly found, but storing and transporting it can be another story. One advancement is the ability to convert it into liquefied natural gas, or LNG, so it can be moved long distances.

LNG is essentially natural gas in its liquid form. By cooling natural gas to 260 degrees Fahrenheit or below it turns into a colorless liquid. As it is cooled below its boiling point, water, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and sulfur compounds are mostly removed. What is left is primarily methane, which isn't toxic or corrosive. One of the benefits to converting it into a liquid is that it is half the weight of water and will float on the surface of water.

The way it is transported to other countries is through double-hulled ships that have been fitted to contain the low temperature that ar needed to maintain liquefied natural gas. These carriers can be 1,000 feet long, and need a water depth of at least 40 feet when they are completely loaded. Millions of metric tons of LNG are transported every year in this way.

Once they have frozen the natural gas and have transported it to its location, it is usually placed in huge insulated tanks that are built for the cold temperatures of LNG. Sometimes these tanks are above ground and sometimes they are below. One common area for this gas storage is in depleted reservoirs in oil and gas fields. Many times salt caverns and aquifers can be used. One significant element of LNG is that because it is a cryogen it will exude boil-off gas that needs to be released in order for the pressure to remain normal in the tank. Many storage facilities use this boil-off gas as an extra source of fuel for the facility or the tanker that will transport it. When the gas is needed, it is warmed up and turned back into a gas so it can be consumed.

by: Christine Harrell

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