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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Your FAQs Answered

by | Educational, Energy

Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is one of the most versatile and dependable energy sources. While LNG is excellent for reliable power generation and energy flexibility, its greenhouse gas emissions are not so kind to global warming and climate change. 

Let’s look at how liquefied natural gas (sometimes written as “liquified natural gas”) shapes the modern gas market, and how technological advances could see liquid form gasses become a major new clean energy source. 

What Is Liquefied Natural Gas? 

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the liquid form of natural gas, predominantly methane, which is clear, colorless, and odorless. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that we use for heating, electricity generation, cooking, and more. 

Many homes and businesses connect to natural gas sources via pipelines. However, remote areas may not be on that grid, and often natural gas cannot be pumped to them directly. In its gaseous state, the volume of natural gas makes it too bulky to transport in trucks or ships, which is why it is usually transported through pipelines. LNG presents a huge advantage because its volume is lower than natural gas’ gaseous state, facilitating its transport over land or sea 

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Natural gas can be supercooled to -259 degrees Fahrenheit (-161 Celsius) to put it into a liquid state. To put that in perspective, the coldest temperature recorded on Earth is -135.8 degrees Fahrenheit (-94.7 Celsius) and absolute zero — so cold that even atoms can’t move — is -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit (-273.15 Celsius). 

At these freezing temperatures, LNG is 600 times smaller than room temperature natural gas, making transportation practical. It’s like reducing a beach ball to the size of a ping pong ball. 

How Is Liquefied Natural Gas Made? 

LNG production is called LNG liquefaction, which is supercooling natural gas into its liquid state. There are several steps to liquefying natural gas, involving scrubbers, filters, and heat exchangers at liquefaction plants. 

First, solids and waste are removed from the natural gas, followed by acidic gasses like hydrogen sulfide. The natural gas is then compressed and its water content removed — any impurities present would later freeze — before further compression and supercooling. Then, in its final liquid state, the LNG is pumped into refrigerated storage tanks. 

How Is Liquefied Natural Gas Transported? 

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LNG’s strength is its ability to be transported across the world and to remote areas that may not have gas pipelines but do have gas demands. People living in remote areas may have LNG-based heating systems, for example. 

The LNG industry requires a lot of infrastructure to work. LNG facilities include liquefaction plants, LNG tankers, refrigeration and storage tanks, export facilities, and import terminals. 

Natural gas is pumped through pipelines from its extraction source to liquefaction facilities for conversion to its liquid state. These LNG terminals are usually large and located at or near major ports. That’s so the refrigeration and storage tanks filled with liquid-form LNG can easily be loaded onto huge, specialized ocean-going tankers called LNG carriers. These enormous vessels and their distinctive domes transport LNG all around the world.  

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LNG storage tanks are made of cryogenic steel and store the liquefied natural gas at low pressure. The double-walled tanks act like giant thermoses to keep the LNG cool during transport. Heat absorbed by the tanks does convert small amounts of the LNG back to natural gas, but the LNG carriers efficiently use this gas supply for power during their trips. 

The LNG carriers sail to LNG terminals across the world, usually to regasification plants, where LNG is returned to its gaseous state. 

How Do We Convert LNG Back to Natural Gas? 

An LNG carrier offloads its storage tanks once it has arrived at its chosen regasification plant or LNG terminal. Most of these are onshore, but offshore floating storage units (FSUs) exist too. Here, the LNG can be returned to its gaseous form or transported in specialist LNG trucks, smaller ships, or rail to where it is needed. 

Regasification converts the LNG back to its gaseous state through heating, using seawater or air vaporizers to warm the storage tanks. 

Once more a natural gas, the fossil fuel is pumped from the regasification plant into natural gas pipelines to take it to power plants, industrial units, and heating systems. Some power plants and factories store LNG tanks on-site as a backup energy source. 

How Do Power Plants Use Liquefied Natural Gas? 

Power plants burn fossil fuels and use the heat to create steam to drive electricity-producing turbines. Electricity-generating power plants store LNG in tanks to help meet peak demand periods.  

On-site tanks hold LNG, which operators convert into natural gas when electricity use soars. The plants burn this stored extra gas to create more energy in a process called peak shaving. 

A reliable LNG supply is essential to help power plants cope with short-term demand spikes. 

Which Countries Produce the Most LNG? 

The LNG trade is a large and global industry that is earmarked to expand. Countries without sufficient gas supplies, or those far from resources, can now access natural gas-based energy systems, changing the gas market map. There are almost 200 LNG liquefaction facilities globally, with more LNG projects to come online in the next few years. 

In 2020, Australia became the largest exporter of LNG, leapfrogging Qatar, followed by the United States, then Russia. That same year, Japan was the largest importer of LNG, with China second, and India as the third-largest LNG importer. 

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The largest LNG-trade flow is the Asia-Pacific zone. However, the European Union is a big LNG market, too, securing a quarter of its supply from Norway. 

Energy independence for countries is a hot topic. The burgeoning LNG trade may exert a significant influence on future power markets as countries look to diversify or protect energy resources. 

How Much LNG Does the United States Import and Export? 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the U.S. exported record amounts of gas in 2021. LNG exports increased a whopping 50% between 2020 and 2021. 

The country exported LNG to more than 40 countries across five continents, with China and South Korea the top consumers. 

In 2020, 60% of U.S. LNG imports traveled through the Everett terminal near Boston, Massachusetts. New England relies on imported LNG because of its limited pipeline connections and distance from U.S. gas-producing states. Trinidad and Tobago supplied 95% of that year’s LNG imports, with the remaining 5% from Nigeria. 

Countries also import LNG when prices are low and export it once prices rise to earn profit through re-exportation. 

Is Liquefied Natural Gas Dangerous? 

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Liquefied natural gas is an energy-dense fuel with a good — but not perfect — safety record. There have been just six spills while unloading LNG from tankers since 1965 and two jetty collisions, according to the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL). Furthermore, some 350 tankers have racked up more than 135,000 voyages and 149 million miles (240 million kilometres) at sea without a significant incident or cargo loss. 

However, when a spill happens, the impact can be disastrous. LNG spillages on the ground or water evaporate quickly as the LNG returns to its natural size, some 600 times larger. These vast quantities of methane gas escaping could asphyxiate nearby workers. The gas can also catch fire if there is a nearby ignition, possibly causing explosions and other hazardous events. 

There are some infamous LNG-related accidents in history. The East Ohio Gas Company explosion in 1944 in Cleveland killed around 130 people. A tank containing LNG exploded, causing a ‘tidal wave of fire’ that ran through homes and businesses. 

In 2004, in Skikda, Algeria, a leak of liquefied natural gas led to an explosion, killing 27 people. 

So while accidents are rare with LNG, they happen and they can be fatal. LNG is a substance that requires expert handling and incredibly high safety standards. 

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Is Liquefied Natural Gas Toxic? 

In its liquid state, LNG may seem tame: it’s odorless, colorless, non-corrosive, and non-toxic, and it will not burn. However, in contained environments, LNG returning to its gaseous methane state is dangerous — remember that LNG will expand by 600 times in size once returned to natural gas. Methane is a very flammable gas, which is why it’s apt for use by power plants and heating systems. 

Methane is considered non-toxic but will result in asphyxiation if inhaled in large enough quantities as it deprives your body of oxygen. 

LNG is non-toxic, but direct contact with LNG in its supercooled form may cause frostbite. However, LNG’s most serious risk comes as it returns to flammable methane gas. 

High levels of methane exposure can also cause: 

  • Memory loss 
  • Nausea 
  • Headaches 
  • Vomiting 
  • Slurred speech 
  • Problems with visions 

Does Liquefied Natural Gas Provide Clean Energy? 

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Burning LNG creates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and global warming. 

Furthermore, LNG is a carbon-heavy fuel because of the energy required to condense, transport, and then regasify it. LNG actually has a higher carbon footprint than just burning natural gas. 

Methane, of which LNG is 70-90%, is also one of the worst greenhouse gasses. Over a 20-year timescale, methane is up to nine times more effective at trapping heat in the Earth’s environment than carbon dioxide. 

Natural gas and LNG are fossil fuels and cannot be considered clean energy. 

Is Liquefied Natural Gas Renewable? 

Liquefied natural gas is not a renewable energy source because it is a fossil fuel. There is a finite supply of natural gas, and therefore LNG, on Earth. One day, LNG will run out, and we won’t be able to use its stored energy, unlike renewables like solar, wind, and thermal energy. 

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Hydrogen is often touted as a possible cleaner gas to replace natural gas in power plants and pipelines. Green hydrogen has far fewer emissions and, if created via electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources like solar power, could be considered a source of clean energy. Hydrogen may become part of the LNG mix if storage and production efficiencies improve. However, green hydrogen replacing LNG is a long way from being commercially viable. 

What Types of Gasses Make Liquefied Natural Gasses? 

Liquefied natural gas is a mix of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon elements. LNG is predominantly methane gas (70-90%) as well the following: 

  • Ethane, butane, and propane account for up to 20% of LNG 
  • Carbon dioxide 
  • Hydrogen sulfide 
  • Water vapor and liquid 
  • Trace amounts of mercury 

What’s the Difference Between LNG and LPG? 

LNG is liquefied natural gas, whereas LPG is liquefied petroleum gas — two chemically different gasses. They are both hydrocarbons used in similar ways, e.g., for heating, cooking, and powering vehicles. 

LNG has a higher energy content and density and is made primarily of methane. It can be transported in tanks or through pipelines. 

LPG is mainly propane and butane, is heavier, and requires more air to combust. It is distributed in gas bottles rather than pipelines. 

Propane and butane canisters are commonly used for outdoor grills, connecting to furnaces, stoves, and even garden lamps. Methane, on the other hand, is used for gas-powered stoves, heating, and in many industrial functions.  

How Is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Produced? 

Liquefied petroleum gas is manufactured when oil and gas are refined. During the refinement process, propane and butane are taken or stripped from crude oil and natural gas. 

The propane-butane mix is then further split, separating the propane and butane so they can be bottled in their respective cylinders. The individual propane and butane gasses are then transportable for use. 

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Useful, Growing, But Harmful 

Liquefied natural gas — or as you might see it written, “liquified natural gas” — is the condensed liquid version of the natural gas many people use to heat their homes or that power plants utilize to generate electricity. LNG’s growth in popularity shows how technology can provide answers to problems if the desire exists. 

The natural gas industry found a way to transport its product in a manageable and affordable manner to otherwise overly-remote places. LNG has also allowed gas-producing nations to export their energy resources across the globe. 

However, exporting these reserves requires a lot of energy. LNG has a large carbon footprint, and increased use will undoubtedly accelerate global warming. Gas-produced electricity produces more carbon emissions than renewable energy sources like hydropower.  

Switching to renewable energy or green plans for your electricity is one way to do your part for the planet while not compromising on lifestyle and comfort. 

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