Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Liquefied natural gas or LNG is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport. Liquefied natural gas takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state. It is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. Hazards include flammability, freezing and asphyxia.
In a typical LNG process, the gas is first extracted and transported to a processing plant where it is purified by removing any condensates such as water, oil, mud, as well as other gases such as CO2 and H2S. An LNG process train will also typically be designed to remove trace amounts of mercury from the gas stream to prevent mercury amalgamising with aluminium in the cryogenic heat exchangers. The gas is then cooled down in stages until it is liquefied. LNG is finally stored in storage tanks and can be loaded and shipped.
The liquefaction process involves removal of certain components, such as dust, acid gases, helium, water, and
heavy hydrocarbons, which could cause difficulty downstream. The natural gas is then condensed into a liquid
at close to atmospheric pressure (maximum transport pressure set at around 25 kPa/3.6 psi) by cooling it to
approximately −162 °C (−260 °F).
LNG achieves a higher reduction in volume than compressed natural gas (CNG) so that the energy density of LNG is 2.4 times heavier than that of CNG or 60% of that of diesel fuel. This makes LNG cost efficient to transport over long distances where pipelines do not exist. Specially designed cryogenic sea vessels (LNG carriers) or cryogenic road tankers are used for its transport.
LNG is principally used for transporting natural gas to markets, where it is regasified and distributed as pipeline natural gas. It can be used in natural gas vehicles, although it is more common to design vehicles to use compressed natural gas. Its relatively high cost of production and the need to store it in expensive cryogenic tanks have hindered widespread commercial use.
The commercial development of LNG is a pull style supply chain, which means that Global Resource
Management Group must first confirm sales to our Buyers first and then we are able to sign long-term 20–25 year
contracts with strict terms and structures for gas pricing.
For all enquiries related to LNG Products, please send an email to us using this form.