Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Sigma Thermal provides thermal fluid heating solutions to optimize liquefied natural gas (LNG) utilization and prevent the negative impact of Joule-Thomson cooling. Playing an essential role in various petroleum-related applications, Sigma Thermal provides thermal fluid heaters and systems designed to meet the performance, safety, and quality demands of the LNG Industry.
What is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)?
Liquefied natural gas refers to natural gas that has been cooled. This process transforms the gas into a liquid, decreasing the original volume of the gas. Because of this dramatic reduction, LNG can be safely and effectively transported on specially designed vessels.
The earth has very large amounts of natural gas; however, most of it is in areas far from where the gas is required. The LNG industry is responsible for converting natural gas into LNG through a process called liquefaction. During the liquefaction process, the volume of natural gas is decreased by about 600 times its original state. By cooling the gas to about -260 °F, it condensates and becomes liquid, making it safer to store and transport across oceans and over large distances when natural gas pipelines are not available.
Once transported, LNG must be returned to its gaseous state through a process called regasification. After the LNG has been converted back into natural gas, it can be dispersed through pipelines for use in residential and commercial applications such as heating, power generation, cooking, and more.
What is Regasification and How Does It Work?
Regasification refers to the process of heating LNG to convert it back to its gaseous state. Typically, regasification takes place at LNG terminals using onshore regasification technology; however, floating regasification solutions are growing in popularity too. Regasification can be performed utilizing various methods:
- Heat exchangers. At regasification terminals, heat exchangers can work with ocean water as a heating medium to raise the temperature of natural gas to convert it from a liquid to a gaseous state.
- Air vaporizers. Regasification can also be achieved using air vaporizers. During this process, large fans push air through heat exchangers in order to vaporize the LNG.
- Underwater burners. When there is a high demand, regasification can be sped up using underwater burners that run on natural gas.
The vaporizing process occurs at high pressures utilizing a series of heat exchanges to gradually heat the LNG to temperatures above 0 °C. Depending on environmental factors, thermal fluid heating systems can use either hot water, hot oil, or glycol-water to heat the gas to the required temperature.
With today’s concerns around the environment and high energy prices, waste heat recovery and closed-loop recirculation systems play a key role in conservation endeavors for this and other gas production processes. At Sigma Thermal, our expert engineers are highly knowledgeable about liquid-gas vaporization solutions and can help you determine the best option for your application.
Contact Sigma Thermal For All Your LNG Regasification and Thermal Heating System Needs
The LNG industry requires quality liquid-gas vaporization solutions to aid in the regasification process. At Sigma Thermal, we offer thermal fluid heating systems, process heaters, and more to support the LNG industry. Based on your particular needs, our team of experts can work with you to deliver the ideal LNG solution.
To learn more about how our regasification and thermal heating systems can benefit your LNG application, contact us or request a quote
