WO2014135702A2 - Lng transfer terminal and corresponding method - Google Patents

Lng transfer terminal and corresponding method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014135702A2
WO2014135702A2 PCT/EP2014/054509 EP2014054509W WO2014135702A2 WO 2014135702 A2 WO2014135702 A2 WO 2014135702A2 EP 2014054509 W EP2014054509 W EP 2014054509W WO 2014135702 A2 WO2014135702 A2 WO 2014135702A2
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Prior art keywords
lng
cooler
land tank
transfer terminal
land
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
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PCT/EP2014/054509
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French (fr)
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WO2014135702A3 (en
Inventor
Hartmut Walz
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Publication of WO2014135702A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014135702A3/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C6/00—Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0169—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL subcooled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F17C2265/033—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling
    • F17C2265/034—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling with condensing the gas phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
    • F17C2265/033—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling
    • F17C2265/035—Treating the boil-off by recovery with cooling with subcooling the liquid phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/061—Fluid distribution for supply of supplying vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0136—Terminals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the handling of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at LNG transfer terminals, in particular at LNG import/export terminals.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • LNG is transported in large tanker ships and then supplied to smaller local land tanks.
  • the temperature and pressure of the LNG in the ship has a significant impact on the formation of gas in the land tank.
  • the pressure of the LNG on the ship should be lower than the pressure of the land tank. This can be difficult to achieve because the maximum pressure in the land tank is limited to the design pressure of the land tank. To provide a high maximum land tank pressure can add significant design and construction costs.
  • boil-off gas compressor gas that forms during transfer to the land tank can be sent to a boil-off gas compressor.
  • these compressors have a limited capacity and any excess gas is normally flared.
  • the amount of boil-off gas generated in the land tank during import from the ship is normally much higher than the amount being generated during storage periods when no import is taking place.
  • an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems during liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • the present invention thus provides improvements for liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal; more specifically, the present invention overcomes the problems of boil-off gas generation during transfer of LNG from at least one LNG supply source, in particular from at least one ship, for example from at least one ship tanker or from at least one tanker ship, to at least one land tank, without the need for a large capacity compressor.
  • the LNG may preferably be provided from the land tank to at least one delivery vehicle, in particular to at least one truck tanker or to at least one tanker truck.
  • At least one LNG pre-cooler comprising the features of claim 8 is installed at the transfer terminal, in particular between the LNG supply source and the land tank, to reduce the temperature of the LNG transferred from the at least one LNG supply source to the at least one land tank, in particular to cool the LNG down to a temperature that no flash gas is produced in the land tank.
  • the pre-cooler operates to cool the LNG
  • the liquid nitrogen from the pre-cooler may preferably be heated to ambient condition before being released to the atmosphere.
  • the need for a spare or back-up compressor is eliminated. This is because, in the event the main compressor fails, the LNG from the land tank continues to be sub-cooled by the pre-cooler and the sub-cooled LNG exiting from the land tank can then preferably be recycled to the land tank by means of at least one recycle line, in particular through the pre-cooler, and the recycled LNG can preferably be sprayed into the vapor phase to condense any LNG vapor in the land tank. Therefore there is no need for a back-up compressor.
  • the LNG transfer terminal includes at least one pre-cooler to reduce the temperature of exported LNG from at least one LNG supply source, in particular from at least one tanker ship, to at least one land tank, thereby reducing the required compressor capacity and eliminating the need for a back-up compressor.
  • the present invention further enables the reduction or the elimination of flaring during liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • the present invention finally relates to the use of at least one pre-cooler as described above in an LNG transfer terminal as described above, said LNG transfer terminal working according to the method as described above.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic layout for an LNG transfer terminal according to the present invention, said LNG transfer terminal comprising a pre-cooler according to the present invention and/or working according to the method of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic layout for an LNG import/export terminal 100 according to the present invention, wherein a tanker ship or other large LNG supply source 10 transfers LNG to a land tank 20, through a pre-cooler 30.
  • the pre-cooler 30 can be installed at the LNG import/export terminal 100 between the LNG supply source 10 and the land tank 20.
  • the land tank 20 can provide LNG to smaller delivery vehicles 40, such as tanker trucks.
  • recycle line 50 which serves to recycle LNG exiting from the land tank 20, through the pre-cooler 30, to be sprayed back into the land tank 20. This recycle reduces the amount of boil-off gas that may form in the land tank 20, and eliminates the need for a back-up compressor as noted above.
  • LNG with the following composition is imported to a 30,000 m 3 atmosphere land tank.
  • the import rate is 1200 m 3 /h.
  • the vapor pressure in the ship tank is 1400 mbar(a) (-159°C).
  • the vapor pressure in the land tank is 1290 mbar(a). This would result in a gas flow rate from the land tank of approximately 10,000 kg/h.
  • Pre-cooling of the LNG to -160°C with liquid nitrogen reduces the vapor pressure by 200 mbar to 1200 mbar.
  • the gas flow from the land tank is reduced to 3216 kg/h. Therefore the required compressor capacity can be reduced to one third of what was required before pre-cooling.
  • the advantages of the present invention include prevention of methane flaring during transfer, in particular during import, of LNG from tanker ships to land tanks.
  • the present invention allows the reduction of compressor capacity at the transfer terminal and the elimination of the need for a back-up compressor.
  • the present invention allows for adjustments to be made at the transfer terminal so that alternative LNG sources at different temperatures can be used.
  • sub-cooling the LNG according to the present invention it is possible to suppress boil- off gas from the land tank, in the event transfer, in particular during export, from the LNG terminal is not possible. This is accomplished by sub-cooling the LNG boil-off gas from the land tank and recycling the sub-cooled LNG back to the land tank.
  • the LNG sub-cooling can be fully adjusted to provide different transfer temperatures, in particular export temperatures, according to the need of the different customers. It is anticipated that other embodiments and variations of the present invention will become readily apparent to the skilled artisan in the light of the foregoing description, and it is intended that such embodiments and variations likewise be included within the scope of the present invention as set out in the appended claims. List of reference numerals
  • LNG liquefied natural gas

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

In order to overcome the problems that liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at earlier LNG transfer terminals, in particular at earlier LNG import/export terminals, has experienced, the present invention proposes to reduce the temperature of LNG transferred from at least one LNG supply source (10) to at least one land tank (20).

Description

L N G T R A N S F E R T E R M I N A L A N D C O R R E S P O N D I N G M E T H O D
Technical field of the present invention
The present invention relates to the handling of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at LNG transfer terminals, in particular at LNG import/export terminals.
Background of the present invention
LNG is transported in large tanker ships and then supplied to smaller local land tanks. During the transfer of LNG from the ship to the land tank, the temperature and pressure of the LNG in the ship has a significant impact on the formation of gas in the land tank.
To avoid the undesirable formation of gas in the land tank, the pressure of the LNG on the ship should be lower than the pressure of the land tank. This can be difficult to achieve because the maximum pressure in the land tank is limited to the design pressure of the land tank. To provide a high maximum land tank pressure can add significant design and construction costs.
The generation of gas during transfer from the ship to the land tank is caused by three primary reasons. In particular, boil-off gas occurs from the land tank because of insulation losses. In addition gas already in the land tank is displaced by the LNG being imported to the land tank. Also, if the imported LNG is too warm, flash gas is generated.
To overcome the pressure differential issues that exist, gas that forms during transfer to the land tank can be sent to a boil-off gas compressor. However, these compressors have a limited capacity and any excess gas is normally flared. The amount of boil-off gas generated in the land tank during import from the ship is normally much higher than the amount being generated during storage periods when no import is taking place.
Therefore, installing a boil-off compressor that has a capacity needed during import is not economically feasible as such a large capacity is not needed during the times when import is not occurring, which constitutes the majority of operating time. Therefore, as noted, flaring of the excess boil-off gas during import has been common in the past.
However, many countries are now passing no-flaring requirements making the installation of large compressors a necessity, despite such compressors not being used during most of the operating time of the land tank. In addition, to meet requirements, a spare compressor may need to be installed to provide back up in the event of failure of the main compressor, adding still further cost and complexity.
There remains a need in the art for improvements to LNG storage tanks and LNG transfer terminals, in particular LNG import/export terminals.
Disclosure of the present invention: object, solution, advantages
Starting from the disadvantages and shortcomings as described above and taking the prior art as discussed into account, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems during liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal.
This object is accomplished by an LNG transfer terminal comprising the features of claim 1 , by a pre-cooler comprising the features of claim 8 as well as by a method comprising the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and expedient improvements of the present invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims.
The present invention thus provides improvements for liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal; more specifically, the present invention overcomes the problems of boil-off gas generation during transfer of LNG from at least one LNG supply source, in particular from at least one ship, for example from at least one ship tanker or from at least one tanker ship, to at least one land tank, without the need for a large capacity compressor. The LNG may preferably be provided from the land tank to at least one delivery vehicle, in particular to at least one truck tanker or to at least one tanker truck.
In particular, at least one LNG pre-cooler comprising the features of claim 8 is installed at the transfer terminal, in particular between the LNG supply source and the land tank, to reduce the temperature of the LNG transferred from the at least one LNG supply source to the at least one land tank, in particular to cool the LNG down to a temperature that no flash gas is produced in the land tank.
The pre-cooler operates to cool the LNG
- preferably to a temperature of about -160°C and/or
- preferably with liquid nitrogen.
This avoids the formation of flash gas in the land tank and can also be used to reduce the boil-off gas from the ship. This allows for the compressor capacity to be kept to a minimum. The liquid nitrogen from the pre-cooler may preferably be heated to ambient condition before being released to the atmosphere. The need for a spare or back-up compressor is eliminated. This is because, in the event the main compressor fails, the LNG from the land tank continues to be sub-cooled by the pre-cooler and the sub-cooled LNG exiting from the land tank can then preferably be recycled to the land tank by means of at least one recycle line, in particular through the pre-cooler, and the recycled LNG can preferably be sprayed into the vapor phase to condense any LNG vapor in the land tank. Therefore there is no need for a back-up compressor.
By using the pre-cooler of the present invention, it is also possible to utilize alternative LNG sources at the transfer terminal, in particular at the import/export terminal, said alternative LNG sources having higher supply temperatures.
To summarize, the LNG transfer terminal includes at least one pre-cooler to reduce the temperature of exported LNG from at least one LNG supply source, in particular from at least one tanker ship, to at least one land tank, thereby reducing the required compressor capacity and eliminating the need for a back-up compressor. The present invention further enables the reduction or the elimination of flaring during liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling at an LNG transfer terminal, in particular at an LNG import/export terminal.
The present invention finally relates to the use of at least one pre-cooler as described above in an LNG transfer terminal as described above, said LNG transfer terminal working according to the method as described above.
Brief description of the drawings
For a more complete understanding of the present inventive embodiment disclosures and as already discussed above, there are several options to embody as well as to improve the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. To this aim, the present invention is described in more detail below; in particular, reference may be made to the claims dependent on claim 1 and on claim 9; further improvements, features and advantages of the present invention are explained below in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments by way of non- limiting example and to the accompanying drawing taken at least partly in connection with the following description of the embodiments, of which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic layout for an LNG transfer terminal according to the present invention, said LNG transfer terminal comprising a pre-cooler according to the present invention and/or working according to the method of the present invention.
Detailed description of the drawings;
best way of embodying the present invention
Fig. 1 shows a schematic layout for an LNG import/export terminal 100 according to the present invention, wherein a tanker ship or other large LNG supply source 10 transfers LNG to a land tank 20, through a pre-cooler 30. The pre-cooler 30 can be installed at the LNG import/export terminal 100 between the LNG supply source 10 and the land tank 20. The land tank 20 can provide LNG to smaller delivery vehicles 40, such as tanker trucks.
Also shown is recycle line 50, which serves to recycle LNG exiting from the land tank 20, through the pre-cooler 30, to be sprayed back into the land tank 20. This recycle reduces the amount of boil-off gas that may form in the land tank 20, and eliminates the need for a back-up compressor as noted above.
An example showing the advantages of the present invention is provided: LNG with the following composition is imported to a 30,000 m3 atmosphere land tank.
Figure imgf000005_0001
The import rate is 1200 m3/h. The vapor pressure in the ship tank is 1400 mbar(a) (-159°C). The vapor pressure in the land tank is 1290 mbar(a). This would result in a gas flow rate from the land tank of approximately 10,000 kg/h.
Pre-cooling of the LNG to -160°C with liquid nitrogen reduces the vapor pressure by 200 mbar to 1200 mbar. The gas flow from the land tank is reduced to 3216 kg/h. Therefore the required compressor capacity can be reduced to one third of what was required before pre-cooling.
For the sub-cooling of the LNG 21.3 tons/h of liquid nitrogen is required. The nitrogen gas from the LNG pre-cooler has to be heated to ambient condition before it can be released to the atmosphere.
The advantages of the present invention include prevention of methane flaring during transfer, in particular during import, of LNG from tanker ships to land tanks.
In addition, the present invention allows the reduction of compressor capacity at the transfer terminal and the elimination of the need for a back-up compressor.
Moreover, the present invention allows for adjustments to be made at the transfer terminal so that alternative LNG sources at different temperatures can be used.
Further, by sub-cooling the LNG according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress boil- off gas from the land tank, in the event transfer, in particular during export, from the LNG terminal is not possible. This is accomplished by sub-cooling the LNG boil-off gas from the land tank and recycling the sub-cooled LNG back to the land tank.
Also, the LNG sub-cooling can be fully adjusted to provide different transfer temperatures, in particular export temperatures, according to the need of the different customers. It is anticipated that other embodiments and variations of the present invention will become readily apparent to the skilled artisan in the light of the foregoing description, and it is intended that such embodiments and variations likewise be included within the scope of the present invention as set out in the appended claims. List of reference numerals
100 liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer terminal, in particular LNG import/export terminal
10 LNG supply source, in particular LNG tanker ship
20 LNG land tank
30 LNG pre-cooler
40 LNG delivery vehicle, in particular LNG tanker truck
50 LNG recycle line

Claims

Claims
1 A liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer terminal (100) for transferring LNG from at least one LNG supply source (10) through at least one pre-cooler (30) to at least one land tank (20).
2. The LNG transfer terminal according to claim 1 wherein the LNG transfer terminal (100) is an LNG import/export terminal.
3. The LNG transfer terminal according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the LNG supply source (10) is a tanker ship.
4. The LNG transfer terminal according to at least one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the land tank (20) provides the LNG to at least one delivery vehicle (40).
5. The LNG transfer terminal according to claim 4 wherein the delivery vehicle (40) is a tanker truck.
6. The LNG transfer terminal according to at least one of claims 1 to 5 comprising at least one recycle line (50) for recycling LNG exiting from the land tank (20), through the pre- cooler (30), back into the land tank (20).
7. The LNG transfer terminal according to at least one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the pre- cooler (30) is arranged between the LNG supply source (10) and the land tank (20).
8. A pre-cooler (30) for reducing the temperature of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transferred from at least one LNG supply source (10) to at least one land tank (20).
9. A method of transferring liquefied natural gas (LNG) from at least one LNG supply source (10) through at least one pre-cooler (30) to at least one land tank (20).
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the LNG is pre-cooled to a temperature of about -160°C in the pre-cooler (30).
1 1. The method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the LNG is pre-cooled with liquid nitrogen in the pre-cooler (30).
12. The method according to claim 1 1 wherein the liquid nitrogen from the pre-cooler (30) is heated to ambient condition before being released to the atmosphere.
13. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 12 wherein LNG exiting from the land tank (20) is recycled (50) through the pre-cooler (30) back into the land tank (20).
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the LNG is sprayed into the vapor phase to condense any LNG vapor in the land tank (20).
15. Use of at least one pre-cooler (30) according to claim 8 in an LNG transfer terminal (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, said LNG transfer terminal (100) working according to the method according to at least one of claims 9 to 14.
PCT/EP2014/054509 2013-03-08 2014-03-08 Lng transfer terminal and corresponding method Ceased WO2014135702A2 (en)

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WO2022209850A1 (en) * 2021-03-29 2022-10-06 株式会社前川製作所 Suppression device and suppression method
JP2022152490A (en) * 2021-03-29 2022-10-12 株式会社前川製作所 Inhibition device and inhibition method

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