1. Small scale LNG distribution LNG distribution is the logistics setup of natural gas in a liquid condensed form to reach remote areas without piped gas and other viable alternatives. This could include isolated industrial users such as steel mills, chemical plants or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants as well as for local pipelines after being regasified and for vehicle filling stations. Small scale LNG distribution can be done over land and sea. Either trucks or railways can do land distribution where the LNG can be carried in an ISO container or in a fixed tank attached to the truck or railcar.
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Opportunities for SSLNG
1. Small scale LNG distribution Except for some good examples such as United States, Norway, Japan, Spain and Portugal there is an undeveloped infrastructure for small scale LNG distribution in most countries. However many markets seem to be developing towards breaking bulk of large LNG shipments into smaller distributable parcels at large import terminal.
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Opportunities for SSLNG
1. Small scale LNG distribution
Small scale LNG map. Courtesy Gas LNG Europe (GLE)
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1. Small scale LNG distribution
Small scale LNG map. Courtesy Gas LNG Europe (GLE)
The transport of LNG by road is much dependent on the capability of 5 the LNG terminal to fill truck tankers. 5
Opportunities for SSLNG
2. SS LNG Distribution by road In Spain, LNG has been transported by road since the early 1970s. In Japan the first steps where made also in the 1970s. In China, the transport of LNG by road is very well developed, and some important amount of LNG is transported; for example, a virtual pipeline of approximately 1000 km from Western China to the East Coast is created over the road on trucks. LNG is transported by road mainly to industrial customers that are not served on a gas grid. Some other cases exit for small gas networks, truck to ship for bunkering and peak shaving facilities. 6 6
Opportunities for SSLNG
2. SS LNG Distribution by road
LNG trailer with 56 m3 capacity, courtesy of dourogs
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Opportunities for SSLNG
2. SS LNG Distribution by road The availability of truck loading facilities on the LNG terminal is a crucial constraint on the viability of LNG road transport. Truck loading facilities are present in some European LNG import terminals, but many others are planning the construction. Road tankers, as any other LNG tank, produce boil-of-gas (BOG) which is the return of the natural gas back to its original form of a gaseous state that introduces greater pressure and stability risk to the tank. BOG must have to be considered and engineered when dimensioning the tank for the truck. The maximum pressure should be adjusted to the distance covered to allow for BOG. 8 8
Opportunities for SSLNG
3. SS LNG satellite plants Satellite plant technology is derived from air gases industry. Considering the necessary adaptions, satellite plants are very similar to the gasification plants on liquid air gases used for several decades on industry, hospitals and others. There are mainly two types of satellite stations: for industry and local grids, and for stand-up peak shaving. The two different engineering projects highlight the different need for regular gasification or peak gasification processes.
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Opportunities for SSLNG
3. SS LNG satellite plants
Satellite plant with regasification unit for local gas grid, courtesy of sonorgs 10 10
Opportunities for SSLNG
4. SS LNG Distribution Chain
SS LNG Distribution Chain, courtesy of Indox
The distribution chain is very simple: Truck tanker is filled with LNG on the terminal truck loading facility. Cryogenic pump is normally used. Truck drives from the terminal to the satellite plant. Pressures from 1 to 4 bar are commonly used. 11 11
Opportunities for SSLNG
4. SS LNG Distribution Chain
SS LNG Distribution Chain, courtesy of Indox
The distribution chain is very simple: LNG in the truck is pumped to the satellite plant cryogenic tank. Differences on pressure or unloading pump are both used. Pressures on the satellite plant from 4 to 20 bar are common. Besides one or several LNG tanks satellite plant have several other equipment to produce and regulate the gas delivered. 12 12
Opportunities for SSLNG
4. SS LNG Distribution Chain Satellite cryogenic tank size is very variable; there are tanks from 2 to 2000 LNG m3. One or more tanks can be used. Attached to the tank there is a small vaporizer that is used to build the pressure inside the tank, if it is necessary. Pneumatic and electric valves are normally used. Vaporizers on air to air, or air to water are used to gasify the LNG. ISO containers can also be moved by road. This option must be validated where a special need is present. Due to its own weight ISO containers have limitations on road transport.
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Opportunities for SSLNG
4. SS LNG Distribution Chain The cost of LNG truck transport is mostly dependent on the tanker used and distance covered. In most of the cases a 40-ton total weight is reached with a 56 m3 LNG tanker. For a standard 56 m3 LNG tank, the cost per km is presented in the graphic where the distance from the terminal to the satellite is considered.
Road transport cost by distance covered
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Opportunities for SSLNG
4. SS LNG Distribution Chain For example in Spain during 2012 there has been record-breaking loading of trucks with a total of 45,293 tanks, 80 % were loaded on ENAGAS terminals.
Volume of LNG loaded to trucks in Spain. Courtesy of Enagas.
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Opportunities for SSLNG
5. SS LNG retail In Portugal dourogs is using the LNG retail for LPG substitution in areas where gas grid is not present. The project consists of several intermediate satellite plants that receive LNG from Sines or Mugardos (Spain) LNG terminals, and where small truck tankers are filled with LNG.
Intermediate satellite plant, courtesy of goldenergy
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Opportunities for SSLNG
5. SS LNG retail Small tankers retail LNG to several micro satellite plants, ranging from 2 to 30 m3 of LNG.
Small LNG truck tanker, courtesy of goldenergy
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Opportunities for SSLNG
5. SS LNG retail To calculate the investment and operation cost one must consider the truck tanker that comes from the terminal, the intermediary satellite plant, the small truck tanker and the small satellite on the client.
Investment (CAPEX) and operation (OPEX) specific cost
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Opportunities for SSLNG
6. Conclusions Considering the opportunity value of the energy, there are good chances to obtain economic feasibility. When transported by road, LNG can reach almost any place in the planet. This availability can support a more efficient fuel switching. LNG can substitute fuels that are harmful to the environment.