Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

General Objectives:

To provide a comprehensive technical and economical review of the Liquefied Natural Gas industry.

Specific Objectives:

At the end of training the trainees will be able:

• To review the structure of an LNG chain and look over the world map of LNG plants;
• To understand main LNG physical properties and specificities;
• To assess LNG facilities hazards and HSE issues, along with risk mitigation and prevention techniques;
• To grasp main liquefaction process’s operating principles, conditions and constraints;
• To glance at the technology of equipment used in the LNG industry;
• To grasp the essence of LNG markets and contracts.

CONTEÚDOS

CONTENTS:

Module I – The LNG world

• The LNG chain – Order of magnitude and trends – Location of main plants worldwide;
• Base load LNG plants – Peak shaving LNG plants – Small LNG plants for LNG fueled vehicles;
• Receiving terminals – Regasification techniques – Satellite regasification techniques.

Module II – LNG specific properties and associated hazards

• Physical properties: Liquid-Vapor equilibrium, density, ratio of vapor methane / LNG, heat of vaporization, heat of combustion;
• Safety aspects: Flash Point, Fire Point, Auto-ignition Point, Minimum Spark Energy, Flammability Limits, Deflagration, LNG Vaporization, Rapid Phase Transition (RPT), Radiation Levels, Stratification / Roll-over, Sloshing, LNG clouds ignition, Asphyxiation risks, Cryogenic liquids jets, Piping behavior.

Module III – LNG hazard prevention and mitigation measures

• LNG spillage control at Design stage and in Operation;
• LNG clouds control in operation;
• LNG fires control at Design stage and in Operation.

Module IV – Liquefaction and regasification processes

• Feed pre-treatment: sweetening, dehydration, NGL extraction, Hg and aromatics removal;
• Different liquefaction processes: Pure Component Refrigerants, Pure Component(s) and Mixed Refrigerant(s), Mixed Refrigerants;
• Peak Shaving simplified scheme;
• Regasification process.

Module V – LNG storage, loading / offloading and transport

• LNG tanks: Single or Double or Full Containment (self standing, membrane) – Hazards;
• Jetty head, Jetty trestle, harbor;
• LNG Carriers: common features, technology, cargo operations, safety systems.

Module VI – Technology of LNG specific equipment

• LNG cryogenic heat exchangers: Spiral Wound Heat Exchangers, Aluminum Brazed Heat Exchangers;
• Technology of the Cryogenic Compressors and their drivers (Gas Turbines);
• LNG Vaporizers: Open Rack Vaporizers (ORV), Submerged Combustion Vaporizers (SCV) – Safety and Environmental aspects;
• Submerged LNG pumps: in-tank retractable pumps, cargo pumps, HP canned send out pumps;
• Liquid cryogenic turbo-expanders, Cryogenic Valves;
• Cryogenic personnel protection items.

Module VII – LNG plant operation

• Day to day activities in an LNG plant – Experience of some plants.

Module VIII – LNG trends – Research and new developments

• LNG trends since 70´s – Equipment and concept development – Future.

Module IX – LNG economic aspects

• Gas markets: natural gas reserves and production, worldwide gas demands distribution, international natural gas trade;
• LNG contracts: specificities of LNG contracts, pricing, shipping contracts;
• LNG markets trends.