INTEGRATING AMBIENT AIR VAPORIZATION TECHNOLOGY WITH WASTE HEAT RECOVERY-A FRESH APPROACH TO LNG VAPORIZATION

摘要

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is an important component in meeting the future energy needs of the United States and other industrialized countries. The ability to locate (produce), process, liquefy, transport, and re-gasify stranded natural gas is vital to maintaining a stable long-term natural gas supply necessary for sustained economic growth. One of the key components in this supply chain is the vaporization of the LNG at the import terminal. Traditional LNG vaporization technology in the United States has historically focused primarily on Submerged Combustion Vaporization (SCV) and, in some parts of the world, Open Rack Vaporization (ORVs). While these technologies are proven, significant operating costs and high environmental emissions and effluents are making these methods less attractive in sensitive coastal areas. Recent Black & Veatch project experiences have resulted in numerous opportunities to evaluate different vaporization technologies on an individual basis. As a result of these opportunities, Black & Veatch has developed an innovative approach to LNG vaporization, integrating waste heat recovery with Cryoquip's ambient air vaporization technology, which offers high thermal efficiency, significant reduction in emissions and effluents, lower operating costs, greater simplicity, and better reliability than other available, more conventional processes. This paper outlines a novel approach incorporating Cryoquip's ambient air vaporization technology with B&V's integrated waste heat recovery to vaporize LNG at an import terminal. A comparison is made between the new technology and more conventional methods, with emphasis on process economics, emissions/ effluents, and layout. Some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the design and implementation of these systems are explored in this paper.