What is LNG? Why do we use it?
LNG or liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been converted into a liquid phase. This change aims to make the transportation and logistics process more efficient. The use of natural gas as an energy source is a choice that is not without reason, natural gas was chosen as an energy source because of its low emission level, making it more environmentally friendly.
The change in the phase of natural gas from its original form (gas) to liquid is carried out with the aim of facilitating the flow of logistics transfers. In theory, the volume ratio of natural gas to the liquid and gas phases is 1:600 each. Of course, this phase change can make natural gas transportation more efficient because it can contain a lot of natural gas at one time. Changing the phase of natural gas to liquid can be done by lowering the temperature of the natural gas until it reaches its liquid point, namely -160 degrees Celsius.
The use of natural gas is believed to be a good transitional energy source because natural gas is an environmentally friendly energy source. Natural gas as an energy source produces lower carbon emissions compared to coal and oil. Not only that, the combustion that occurs with natural gas is more perfect when compared to the quality of combustion with coal which has been dominantly used. This is because the natural gas content is dominated by methane (CH4) and does not contain many other pollutants such as sulfur and others.
LNG Regasification
When natural gas is distributed to clients, the natural gas cannot be used directly by the client because generally natural gas is still in liquid form (LNG). For this reason, a process to change the natural gas phase back to its original form, namely gas, is the regasification process.
LNG regasification involves the process of changing natural gas that has been converted into liquid form (LNG) back into gaseous form so that it can be used. This process includes heating the LNG to return it to the gas phase and controlling the boiler off gas (BOG) that may be present in the LNG. A regasification terminal is a facility equipped with the infrastructure to carry out this process.
The main role of regasification in the LNG supply chain is as an entry point for natural gas into the gas distribution system. After the regasification process, natural gas can be distributed via pipeline networks to consumers or industry. Regasification also enables the transportation of natural gas via LNG tankers and facilitates the distribution of natural gas to areas that are difficult to reach via pipeline.
Regasification Process Scheme
LLNG is heated to be converted back into natural gas. This process involves heating the LNG using heat exchange or other heating methods. The regasification process can run on offshore or onshore platforms, both have the same process flow, namely reheating liquefied natural gas.