JP2018520318A - Regasification terminal and method of operating such a regasification terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes: a) obtaining a LNG regas stream (10) from one or more LNG storage tanks (1); and b) sending a regas stream (10) via a regasification unit (20). C) receiving a pressurized LNG feed stream (40), d) producing a cooling stream (11) comprising at least a portion of the regas stream (10), and e) a feed stream (40). ), And cooling the supply stream (40) in contact with the cooling stream (11) to supply a pressurized LNG supply stream (40) at a second pressure to the treated supply containing LNG. It relates to a method of operating a regasification terminal comprising processing into a stream (43) and f) sending a treated feed stream (43) to at least one of the LNG storage tanks (1).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a regasification terminal and a method of operating a regasification terminal.

  Natural gas is a useful fuel source. However, it is often manufactured at a relatively long distance from the market. In such cases, it may be desirable to liquefy natural gas in the LNG plant at or near the source of the natural gas stream. In the LNG form, natural gas occupies a smaller volume and can therefore be stored and transported over longer distances than the gas form.

  The LNG is transported by a suitable LNG carrier to a regasification terminal (also referred to as a regasification terminal or import terminal) where it is revaporized before being supplied to the gas grid. At the regasification terminal, the cold entities in LNG are typically transported to the surroundings via cooling air or cooling water.

  Heat can be applied to the LNG to re-evaporate the LNG. Prior to applying heat, the LNG is often pressurized to meet the requirements of the gas grid. Typically, the gas grid is at a pressure higher than 60 bar, such as 80 bar. The re-vaporized natural gas product can then be appropriately sold to customers via the gas grid.

  Regasification terminals and methods for regasifying LNG are known in the art, for example, US 2010/0000233, which describes an apparatus and method for heating a liquefied stream. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0242969, International Publication No. 20080128626, International Publication No. 2013186271, International Publication No. 2013186277, and International Publication No. 2013186275. These documents are particularly concerned with heat exchangers for transferring heat from the surroundings to a liquefied flow by circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit from a first heat transfer region to a second heat transfer region. Focused.

  LNG can be manufactured, transported and stored at different pressures and associated temperatures. It is understood that the exact pressure and temperature (boiling point) combination at which natural gas liquefies depends on the exact composition of natural gas.

  Atmospheric LNG is produced at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure and thus at a temperature close to −162 ° C. Atmospheric LNG requires relatively high cooling effort, but LNG can be transported and stored under atmospheric pressure, minimizing the safety risk of storage tanks used for transportation and storage and It has the advantage that costs can be reduced.

  Pressurized LNG (also referred to as cold compressed LNG (ccLNG)) is produced at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure and equal to the boiling point of natural gas, the exact value of which depends on the composition of the natural gas. The pressure of the pressurized LNG can be higher than 2 bar or at least higher than 5 bar. For example, pressurized LNG can be produced at a temperature of about −115 ° C. and a pressure of 15-17 bar. Pressurized LNG has the advantage that it requires little cooling effort and can be manufactured with low energy consumption.

  EP 244,056 describes a method for producing pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) and its production system.

  However, transportation and storage of pressurized LNG requires additional safety measures, and the storage tank (pressurized vessel) is relatively expensive to manufacture because the tank must be reinforced to withstand high pressures and Have difficulty. Canadian Patent No. 2550469 provides an example of a fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessel for holding pressurized and liquefied natural gas.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0000233 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0242969 International Publication No. 20080128686 Pamphlet International Publication No. 2013186271 Pamphlet International Publication No. 2013186277 pamphlet International Publication No. 2013186275 Pamphlet European Patent No. 2442056 Canadian Patent No. 2550469 Specification

  The aim is to provide improved integration of pressurized LNG with regasification terminals and reduce at least some of the safety risks associated with the pressurized LNG value chain.

The present invention
a) obtaining a regas stream of LNG from one or more LNG storage tanks at a first pressure;
b) operating a regasification terminal comprising sending a regas stream through a regasification unit to obtain a regasification natural gas stream;
c) receiving a supply flow of pressurized LNG at a second pressure higher than the first pressure;
d) generating a cooling stream comprising at least a portion of the regas stream;
e) a supply flow of pressurized LNG at a second pressure,
e1) expanding the feed stream; and
e2) processing into a treated feed stream containing LNG by cooling the feed stream in contact with the cooling stream;
f) sending the treated feed stream to at least one of the LNG storage tanks.

  The cooling stream can comprise a complete regas stream or a part thereof, ie a substream thereof.

  e1) and e2) can be performed in any suitable order, including simultaneously. e1) and / or e2) may also be performed in one or more stages, and the different stages may be performed in any suitable order. For example, the feed stream can be expanded, cooled in contact with the cooling stream, and then further expanded.

  e1) preferably includes expansion-cooling, whereby a temperature drop is obtained, for example, by expanding the feed stream by passing it through a throttle valve or an expander. Expansion-cooling can be done in single or multiple JT valves or expanders.

  The cooling according to e2) can be performed in one or more (parallel / series) heat exchangers.

  Inflating reduces the pressure from the second pressure to a lower pressure, typically to the first pressure or higher than the first pressure, and treats one of the LNG storage tanks. Providing sufficient overpressure to transport the spent stream. Thus, the treated feed stream of LNG typically has a pressure that is (substantially) equal to the first pressure.

  Preferably, the pressurized LNG meets the (atmospheric) LNG specification with respect to composition.

  Preferably, the pressurized LNG feed stream comprises less than 250 ppm CO2, more preferably less than 150 ppm CO2, even more preferably less than 50 ppm CO2 (ppm = parts per million).

According to a further aspect,
In the regasification terminal for regasifying LNG,
One or more LNG storage tanks at a first pressure;
A regasification unit comprising an inlet in fluid communication with one or more LNG storage tanks for receiving a LNG regas stream and an outlet for discharging a regasified natural gas stream;
An expansion device and heat for processing a supply stream into a treated stream comprising a pressurized LNG inlet for receiving a supply stream of pressurized LNG at a second pressure higher than the first pressure An exchange unit, the processing unit has an outlet in fluid communication with one or more LNG storage tanks, the heat exchange unit has an inlet for receiving a cooling stream to cool the feed stream, and the cooling is a regas stream A regasification terminal is provided comprising a processing unit including at least a portion.

  The invention is further described below using the following examples and with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment. FIG. 2 schematically shows an alternative embodiment. FIG. 3 schematically shows an alternative embodiment.

  In these figures, the same reference signs are used to refer to the same or similar parts. Furthermore, a single reference number is used to identify the conduit or line and the flow carried by that line.

  A method and regas received at an atmospheric regasification terminal designed and constructed to store LNG such that a supply stream of pressurized LNG from a pressurized LNG carrier is regasified at or near atmospheric pressure It is proposed here to provide an integrated terminal.

In the regasification terminal for regasifying LNG,
One or more LNG storage tanks (1) at a first pressure;
A regasification unit (20) comprising an inlet in fluid communication with one or more LNG storage tanks for receiving the LNG regas stream (10) and an outlet for discharging the regasified natural gas stream (30). )When,
A processing unit (5) comprising a pressurized LNG inlet (6) for receiving a pressurized LNG feed stream (40) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, wherein the feed stream (40) is treated. An outlet (7) comprising an expansion device (41) and a heat exchange unit (50) for processing into a finished stream (43), wherein the processing unit (5) is in fluid communication with one or more LNG storage tanks (1) A processing unit, wherein the heat exchange unit (50) comprises an inlet for receiving a cooling stream (11) for cooling the feed stream (40), the cooling comprising at least part of the regas stream (10) A regasification terminal comprising: 5).

  Low temperature energy released during regasification at the regasification terminal is not wasted and to cool the pressurized LNG to atmospheric LNG that can be stored in an LNG storage tank present at the atmospheric regasification terminal. Used at least in part. By effectively using the low temperature energy from the regasification process, a thermodynamically balanced process and a potentially high regasification rate can be obtained.

  The term pressurized LNG (or ccLNG) is used to refer to a liquid natural gas that is maintained at a high pressure, meaning a pressure higher than 2 bar, preferably higher than 10 bar, more preferably higher than 12 bar. Is done. According to an example, the pressurized LNG can be a pressure in the range of 15-17 bar. The temperature of the pressurized LNG is the boiling point for a given pressure that depends on the composition of the natural gas.

  The term atmospheric LNG is used to refer to liquid natural gas that is maintained near atmospheric pressure or ambient pressure, preferably slightly higher. The first pressure is typically in the range of 0.9-1.3 bar or 1.0-1.3 bar. The first pressure in the storage tank 1 may be in the range of 50-200 mbarg or 100-200 mbarg.

  As used in this document, the term bar is used to refer to absolute pressure, and the term barg is used to refer to a bar gauge (zero reference to atmospheric pressure).

  It is understood that the pressure of atmospheric LNG may increase when pumped.

  The pressurized LNG feed stream is converted to atmospheric LNG and then stored in an LNG storage tank. The LNG storage tank can be a storage tank suitable for storing atmospheric LNG and need not be designed to withstand higher pressures. Therefore, the regasification terminal can receive and process pressurized LNG without the need for a pressurized LNG storage tank.

  The LNG regas stream is removed from the LNG storage tank and sent to a regasification unit to produce natural gas at a pressure suitable to supply regasified natural gas to the gas grid.

  The pressurized LNG feed stream is an atmospheric LNG in an energy efficient manner by exchanging heat with the regas stream in the heat exchanger and expanding the pressurized LNG feed stream to atmospheric pressure. To achieve a cooling effect.

  For example, if there is no pressurized LNG supply flow, such as when the pressurized LNG carrier is not moored at the regasification terminal and is busy loading the pressurized LNG, the recycle of LNG from the LNG storage tank The gas stream can be regasified in any suitable regasification unit, for example as described in any of the following patent documents: WO2008012862, WO2013186271. Pamphlet, international publication 2013186277 pamphlet, and international publication 2013186275 pamphlet.

  When a pressurized LNG carrier is present and busy with shipping, the LNG regas stream from the storage tank or its side stream is passed through a heat exchanger that is heated in contact with the pressurized LNG feed stream. So that a warmed regas stream is obtained and sent to the regasification unit. The warmed regas stream can be fed to the regasification unit at an intermediate point since less heat is required to regasify the warmed stream.

  The pressurized LNG feed stream is fed to a heat exchanger, cooled in contact with the regas stream (a secondary stream), and expanded to atmospheric pressure to obtain a treated feed stream containing LNG. The treated feed stream may be sent directly to the (atmosphere) LNG storage tank, or a gas stream to obtain a liquid stream sent to the LNG storage tank and a gas stream sent to the LNG storage tank via the reliquefaction unit. It may be sent to a separator.

  Expansion can occur upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger.

  The proposed method and regasification terminal provides additional safety measures or enhanced hardware for handling and storing the pressurized LNG, besides piping to the point where the pressure of the pressurized LNG drops to the first pressure. The advantage is that no wear is required. The regasification terminal is suitable for receiving atmospheric LNG and can now receive pressurized LNG in an efficient and safe manner. Existing regasification terminals with atmospheric LNG storage tanks can be integrated with the pressurized LNG value chain with minimal additional equipment and plant design changes. Existing regasification terminals suitable for processing atmospheric LNG can be modified with minimal hardware investment to be suitable for receiving pressurized LNG.

  According to an embodiment, the first pressure is in the range of 0.9-1.2 bar, such as ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure, and the second pressure is higher than 2 bar, preferably higher than 5 bar. Higher, more preferably higher than 12 bar.

  The second pressure may be in the range of 15-17 bar, for example.

  The regas stream has a temperature equal to the boiling point of LNG at the first pressure.

  The pressurized LNG feed stream has a temperature equal to the boiling point of the pressurized LNG at the second pressure.

  Embodiments are described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a regasification terminal. The regasification terminal initially comprises a storage tank 1 containing LNG. A regas stream 10 is obtained by using a suitable pump 2. Accordingly, the regas stream 10 has a higher pressure than the first pressure.

  The LNG storage tank 1 is fluidly connected to the regasification unit 20 via a regas flow conduit. The regasification unit 20 is configured to receive the regas stream, generate and discharge a regasification natural gas stream 30, and send the regasification natural gas stream to a gas grid schematically indicated by reference numeral 31. Has been.

According to an embodiment, b)
b1) pressurizing the regas stream 10 to a third pressure to obtain a pressurized regas stream 13;
b2) Heat at least a portion of the pressurized regas stream 13 in contact with the ambient stream 22 in the regasification heat exchanger 21.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a compressor 12 having an inlet configured to receive a regas stream 10 and an outlet for discharging a pressurized regas stream 13. The outlet 13 of the compressor 12 is in fluid communication with the inlet of one (or more) regasification heat exchanger 21. The regasification heat exchanger includes a first regasification heat exchanger 21 and a second regasification heat exchanger 21 outlet so that the first and second flow paths can exchange heat. 1 flow path and a second flow path between the surrounding inlet and the surrounding outlet.

  The ambient flow may be a flow that includes ambient air or a flow that includes water, such as seawater.

  b1) is preferably performed before b2) because the heating in contact with the ambient flow can be performed more effectively at higher pressures.

  The third pressure is preferably equal to the required output pressure of the regasified natural gas stream 30, such as a gas grid pressure, for example 80 bar, typically higher than 60 bar.

  The outlet of the regasification heat exchanger 21 is in fluid communication with the gas grid 31.

  FIG. 1 further illustrates a transport ship 60 that includes one or more pressurized LNG storage tanks 61 configured to include pressurized LNG. The carrier 60 is not part of the regasification terminal.

The pressurized LNG feed stream comprises less than 250 ppm CO ₂ , more preferably less than 150 ppm CO ₂ , and even more preferably less than 50 ppm CO ₂ (ppm = parts per million).

  The regasification terminal comprises a processing unit 5 comprising a pressurized LNG inlet 6 for receiving a pressurized LNG feed stream 40 at a first pressure, ie a second pressure higher than that in the storage tank 1. .

  The regasification terminal is configured to receive a pressurized LNG feed stream 40 from the carrier ship 60 at a second pressure. The processing unit (5) comprises an expansion device (41) and a heat exchange unit (50) for processing the feed stream (40) into a processed stream (43).

  An expansion device 41 such as an expander (not shown) or a throttle valve (not shown) is configured to receive a supply flow of pressurized LNG via a pressurized supply line 40. The expander 41 has an inlet configured to receive a pressurized LNG supply stream at a second pressure, and the outlet is configured to discharge the expanded supply stream 42, and the inlet of the heat exchange unit 50. In fluid communication.

  The heat exchange unit 50 may comprise one or more (series / parallel) heat exchangers. The heat exchange unit 50 comprises an outlet for discharging a treated feed stream 43 having a pressure lower than the second pressure and having a temperature lower than that of the pressurized LNG feed stream 40. The outlet of the heat exchange unit 50 is in fluid communication with the LNG storage tank 1.

  In d), a cooling stream 11 comprising at least part of the regas stream 10 is obtained. The resulting cooling stream 11 preferably comprises at least a portion of the pressurized regas stream 13 as will be described in more detail below.

  The cooling stream 11 and the compressed LNG supply stream 40 or the expansion supply stream 42 can be heat exchanged in the heat exchange unit 50. Since the cooling stream 11 typically has a lower temperature than the pressurized LNG feed stream 40 or expansion supply stream 42, the cooling stream 11 is warmed and the pressurized LNG supply stream 40 or expansion supply stream 42. Is cooled.

  According to an embodiment, e2) comprises obtaining a warmed cooling stream 14 and sending the warmed cooling stream 14 to the regasification unit 20.

  A warmed cooling stream 14 is obtained at the outlet of the heat exchange unit 50.

  Since the warmed cooling stream 14 is warm relative to the (pressurized) regas stream, the warming duty of the regasification unit can be reduced while maintaining a similar power rate, or The output rate of the regasification unit can be increased by a similar heating duty.

  According to the embodiment, the heated cooling stream 14 is introduced into the regasification heat exchanger 21 at an intermediate position.

  Since the warmed cooling stream is relatively warm, it need not pass through the entire regasification heat exchanger. The regasification heat exchanger 21 comprises an inlet for a pressurized regas stream 13 ′, an outlet for a regasification natural gas stream 30, and an intermediate inlet 23 for receiving a warmed cooling stream 14. .

  According to the embodiment, the regasification heat exchanger 21 comprises two or more regasification sub heat exchangers arranged in series, and the intermediate inlet 23 is arranged between two adjacent sub heat exchangers. Is done.

  Alternatively, the regasification heat exchanger 21 comprises an inlet 23 ′ for the (pressurized) regas stream 10/13 and the heated cooling stream 14 is sent to the inlet of the regasification heat exchanger 21. . In such embodiments, the heating duty of the regasification heat exchanger 21 can be reduced, the throughput can be increased, or a combination of both.

  According to an embodiment, the cooling stream 11 comprises a regas stream 10, a substream of the regas stream 13 ″, in particular a substream of the pressurized regas stream (13) as obtained in b2), and a regas. It is produced by separation into the remainder of the stream 13 ′, in particular the remainder of the pressurized regas stream 13.

  A side stream 13 ″ can be obtained by separating a part of the (pressurized) regas stream 13. The portion or flow rate of the side stream 13 ″ depends on the flow rate of the pressurized LNG feed stream 40, the temperature and pressure of the pressurized LNG feed stream 40, and the efficiency of cooling the feed stream 40 relative to the cooling stream 11, among other factors. Can depend on. The side stream can be at least 10% of the regas stream 10, at least 25% of the regas stream, at least 50% or at least 75% of the regas stream. According to embodiments, the side stream is 95% or more of the regas stream, or even 100% of the regas stream. The method can comprise controlling the flow rate of the side stream 13 ″ in response to one or more of these factors.

  The side stream is preferably obtained between b1) and b2). If only part of the pressurized regas stream 10 is separated, the remainder of the pressurized regas stream 13 ′ is sent to the regasification heat exchanger 21.

  According to an embodiment, the method comprises g) recombining the heated cooling stream 14 with the remainder of the regas stream 13 ′, in particular with the remainder of the pressurized regas stream 13.

  According to the embodiment, g) is performed at an intermediate position in the regasification heat exchanger 21 in the regasification unit 20.

  Since the warmed regas stream is warmer than the regas stream obtained directly from the LNG storage tank, less effort is required to regasify this stream. Thus, the warmed regas stream can be introduced into the regasification unit at an intermediate position, such as in the middle of a heat exchanger that is heated in contact with the ambient stream.

  According to the embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 2, g) takes place at a position upstream of the regasification heat exchanger 21 in the regasification unit 20.

  The upstream position includes the inlet of the regasification heat exchanger 21.

  Alternatively, the regasification unit can be operated at a low capacity while maintaining the same power rate.

  The treated feed stream 43 can be sent directly to at least one of the LNG storage tanks 1 as shown in FIG. The term direct is used herein to indicate that no further substantial processing steps are performed during that time. This may be preferred when the treated feed stream does not contain a gas percentage or contains only a gas percentage below a predetermined threshold percentage.

FIG. 3 shows that f)
f1) separating the treated feed stream 43 into a liquid stream 45 and a gas stream 46 in a gas-liquid separator 44;
f2) sending a liquid stream 45 to at least one of the LNG storage tanks 1;
f3) showing an alternative embodiment comprising reliquefying the gas stream 46 in the reliquefaction unit 70 to obtain a reliquefaction stream 47 and sending the reliquefaction stream 47 to at least one of the LNG storage tanks 1. Yes.

  This embodiment may be advantageous when the treated feed stream 43 has a relatively low liquid fraction.

  The gas-liquid separator or gas vapor separator 47 can be any suitable separator such as a knockout vessel.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises:
Performing c) -f) when the supply flow 40 of pressurized LNG is available;
Interrupting c) -f) when the supply flow 40 of pressurized LNG is not available.

  c) -f) can be performed when supply of pressurized LNG at the second pressure is available and interrupted when supply of pressurized LNG at the second pressure is not available Can be done.

  A pressurized LNG feed stream 40 at a second pressure can be received from the carrier ship 60. c) -f) is only performed if a loaded carrier is present and connected to the regasification terminal. If the carrier is not connected and does not contain pressurized LNG at the second pressure, or if no carrier is present, c) -f) is interrupted and the regasification terminal is only a) -b) It works by running

  Therefore, according to the embodiment, c) -f) are arbitrary.

According to an embodiment, a)
c) setting the flow rate of the regas stream 10 to the first flow rate level when -f) is performed; and
c) setting the flow rate of the regas stream 10 to the second flow rate level when -f) is interrupted, wherein the first flow rate level is higher than the second flow rate level;
Controlling the flow rate of the regas stream 10.

  Accordingly, when a supply flow of pressurized LNG is received at the second pressure, the amount of LNG to be regasified can be increased because a portion of the heating duty is obtained from the pressurized LNG. .

According to an embodiment, b)
c) setting the heating duty of the regasification unit to the first level when -f) is performed; and
c) setting the heating duty of the regasification unit to a second level when -f) is interrupted, the second level being lower than the first level;
Controlling the heating duty of the regasification unit.

  The heating duty can be controlled, for example, by controlling the flow rate of the ambient flow 22 in the regasification heat exchanger 21.

  When a supply flow of pressurized LNG is received at the second pressure, the regasification unit can operate more efficiently and a portion of the heating duty is obtained from the pressurized LNG, so that the heating duty Can be lowered.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in many different ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

a) obtaining a regas stream (10) of LNG from one or more LNG storage tanks (1) at a first pressure in the range of 0.9-1.2 bar;
b) operating a regasification terminal comprising sending said regas stream (10) through a regasification unit (20) to obtain a regasification natural gas stream (30);
c) receiving a pressurized LNG feed stream (40) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure and higher than 2 bar;
d) generating a cooling stream (11) comprising at least a portion of said regas stream (10);
e) the feed stream (40) of pressurized LNG at the second pressure,
e1) expanding the feed stream (40); and
e2) processing into a treated supply stream (43) comprising LNG by cooling the supply stream (40) in contact with the cooling stream (11);
f) sending the treated feed stream (43) to at least one of the LNG storage tanks (1).   The method of claim 1, wherein the first pressure is in the range of 50-200 mbarg, and the second pressure is preferably greater than 5 bar, more preferably greater than 12 bar. b)
b1) pressurizing said regas stream (10) to a third pressure to obtain a pressurized regas stream (13);
b2) heating at least a portion of the pressurized regas stream (13) in contact with an ambient stream (22) of a regasification heat exchanger (21). the method of.   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein e2) comprises obtaining a warmed cooling stream (14) and sending the warmed cooling stream (14) to the regasification unit (20). 2. The method according to item 1.   The method according to claim 4, wherein the warmed cooling stream (14) is introduced into the regasification heat exchanger (21) at an intermediate position.   The cooling stream (11) is a substream of the regas stream (10) obtained in the substream (13 ″) of the regas stream, in particular the b2) of the pressurized regas stream (13). Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method is produced by separating into the remainder (13 ') of the regas stream, in particular the remainder of the pressurized regas stream (13). g) recombining the warmed cooling stream (14) with the remainder of the regas stream (13 '), in particular with the remainder of the pressurized regas stream (13). The method described in 1.   The method according to claim 7, wherein g) is performed at an intermediate position in a regasification heat exchanger (21) in the regasification unit (20).   The method according to claim 7, wherein g) is performed at a position upstream of the regasification heat exchanger (21) in the regasification unit (20). f)
f1) separating the treated feed stream into a liquid stream (45) and a gas stream (46) in a gas-liquid separator (44);
f2) sending the liquid stream (45) to at least one of the LNG storage tanks (1); and
f3) Re-liquefying the gas stream (46) in a re-liquefaction unit (70) to obtain a re-liquefaction stream (47), and transferring the re-liquefaction stream (47 to at least one of the LNG storage tanks (1). 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: Performing c) -f) when a pressurized LNG feed stream (40) is available; and
11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising interrupting c) -f) when a pressurized LNG feed stream (40) is not available. a)
c) setting the flow rate of the regas stream (10) to a first flow rate level when -f) is performed; and
c) setting the flow rate of the regas stream (10) to a second flow rate level when -f) is interrupted, wherein the first flow rate level is higher than the second flow rate level; 12. The method of claim 11, comprising controlling the flow rate of the regas stream (10). b)
c) setting the heating duty of the regasification unit to a first level when -f) is performed; and
c) setting the heating duty of the regasification unit to a second level when -f) is interrupted, wherein the second level is lower than the first level; ,
The method of claim 11, comprising controlling a heating duty of the regasification unit. In the regasification terminal for regasifying LNG,
One or more LNG storage tanks (1) at a first pressure in the range of 0.9-1.2 bar;
A regasification unit comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the one or more LNG storage tanks for receiving an LNG regas stream (10) and an outlet for discharging a regasified natural gas stream (30); 20)
A processing unit (5) comprising a pressurized LNG inlet (6) for receiving a pressurized LNG feed stream (40) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure and higher than 2 bar, comprising: An expansion device (41) and a heat exchange unit (50) for processing the feed stream (40) into a treated stream (43), said processing unit (5) comprising one or more LNG storage tanks (1) An outlet (7) in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit (50), wherein the heat exchange unit (50) comprises an inlet for receiving a cooling stream (11) to cool the supply stream (40), wherein the cooling is the regas stream. A regasification terminal comprising a processing unit (5) comprising at least a part of (10).

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