Numerical simulation of detonation of an explosive atmosphere of liquefied petroleum gas in a confined space

The detonation of an explosive atmosphere from liquefied petroleum gas disseminated in air in a confined space is studied using numerical modeling with software product ANSYS AUTODYN.

Simultaneous Removal of H_2S and Organosulfur Compounds from Liquefied Petroleum Gas Using Formulated Solvents: Solubility Parameter Investigation and Industrial Test

The performance of four formulated solvents(labeled as UDS-I, UDS-II, UDS-III, and UDS-IV) for removing methyl mercaptan from liquefied petroleum gas was predicted based on a two-dimensional solubility parameter theory. The calculation results show that UDS-IV has the closest solubility parameter to that of methyl mercaptan as compared with other tested solvents, indicating the strongest affinity and the highest solubility for methyl mercaptan. The industrial tests at a plant for desulfurization of LPG produced from the delayed coker have shown that the UDS solvents have the excellent performance for removal of organosulfur compounds(mainly methyl mercaptan). Although the sulfur loading dramatically increases, the total sulfur content of LPG treated with UDS-IV can be reduced by about 50% in comparison with N-methyl diethanolamine. In addition, UDS-IV has superior regeneration performance and selectivity for sulfur compounds over hydrocarbons. The industrial test and the solubility parameter calculation results are in good agreement with each other.

A power plant for integrated waste energy recovery from liquid air energy storage and liquefied natural gas

Liquefied natural gas(LNG)is regarded as one of the cleanest fossil fuel and has experienced significant developments in recent years.The liquefaction process of natural gas is energy-intensive,while the regasification of LNG gives out a huge amount of waste energy since plenty of high grade cold energy(-160℃)from LNG is released to sea water directly in most cases,and also sometimes LNG is burned for regasification.On the other hand,liquid air energy storage(LAES)is an emerging energy storage technology for applications such as peak load shifting of power grids,which generates 30%-40%of compression heat(-200℃).Such heat could lead to energy waste if not recovered and used.The recovery of the compression heat is technically feasible but requires additional capital investment,which may not always be economically attractive.Therefore,we propose a power plant for recovering the waste cryogenic energy from LNG regasification and compression heat from the LAES.The challenge for such a power plant is the wide working temperature range between the low-temperature exergy source(-160℃)and heat source(-200℃).Nitrogen and argon are proposed as the working fluids to address the challenge.Thermodynamic analyses are carried out and the results show that the power plant could achieve a thermal efficiency of 27%and 19%and an exergy efficiency of 40%and 28%for nitrogen and argon,respectively.Here,with the nitrogen as working fluid undergoes a complete Brayton Cycle,while the argon based power plant goes through a combined Brayton and Rankine Cycle.Besides,the economic analysis shows that the payback period of this proposed system is only 2.2 years,utilizing the excess heat from a 5 MW/40 MWh LAES system.The findings suggest that the waste energy based power plant could be co-located with the LNG terminal and LAES plant,providing additional power output and reducing energy waste.

Effect of Tourmaline Modified with La-Doped Nano-CeO_2 on Consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Tourmaline was modified with cerous nitrate and lanthanum nitrate by coprecipitation method. Through characterization by differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it was found that the tourmaline modified with La-doped nano-CeOhad a better far infrared emitting property than the tourmaline modified with CeO2, which depended on La enhancing the redox properties of CeO, leaded to much more oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ in the tourmaline. Based on the results of the water boiling test, it was found that the tourmaline modified with La-doped nano-CeOcould decrease the consumption of liquefied petroleum gas, which resulted from the tourmaline modified with La-doped nano-CeOdecreasing the molecular clusters volume of liquefied petroleum gas and combustion-supporting air.

One-step solvothermal synthesis of indium oxide as liquefied petroleum gas sensor

A liquefied petroleum gas （LPG） sensor with high selectivity, sensitivity and low power consumption has been developed based on indium oxide with very low resistance. Nanocrystalline In203 gas sensing materials were directly synthesized through a one-step controllable solvothermal process at 210 ℃ for 24 h, using InCI3.4H2O as the starting material, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide （CTAB） as additive and ethanol as the solvent. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results showed that indium oxide takes on uniform cubic shape with range size of 10~30 nm and fine dispersivity. Gas sensitivity was measured in a mixing static gas. The results indicated that 3.0 V is the best working voltage of the sensor to LPG. Sensitivity is 12.6. The response-time and recovery-time are 3 s and 10 s respectively. Power consumption is only around 200 mW.

Temperature distribution and control in liquefied petroleum gas fluidized beds

Temperature distribution and control have been investigated in a liquefiedpetroleum gas (LPG) fluidized bed with hollow corundum spheres (A1_2O_3) of 0.867-1.212 mm indiameter at moderately high temperatures (800-1100℃). Experiments were carried out for the airconsumption coefficient α in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 and the fluidization number N in the range of1.3 to 3.0. Particle properties, initial bed height, α and N all affect temperature distribution inthe bed. Bed temperature can be adjusted about 200℃ by combined the adjusting of α and N.

Alternative System of Industrial Paint Applied to Spherical Mount for Liquefied Petroleum Gas

The present article reports the application of zinc ethyl silicate paint and the use of internal and external paint schemes on carbon steel spheres for the storage of liquefied petroleum gas. The new paint scheme eliminates the steps of blasting in the field and minimizes the collection of waste generated and the environmental impact, reducing the service time onsite and therefore providing a productivity gain and better health and cleanliness at work. The results were obtained through test runs and qualified in bodies-of-proof made with the same characteristics as the sphere, that is, using the same material (carbon steel), thickness, and mechanical formation and subject to the same conditions of design and implementation process. The paint scheme was approved, qualified, and committed to the supplier’s warranty with the paint manufacturer and assembler of the storage spheres for liquefied petroleum gas.

Socio-Economic Implication of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Project in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Notably, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project is the pioneer Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Nigeria, aimed at both the diversification of the petroleum industry and utilization of the vastly flared natural gas resources of the nation. However, large scale energy projects have been known to generate both positive and/or negative impacts. Environmental Management Plans (EMP) have often been the compendium of information on approved mitigations, which normally include activities that could maximize the benefits of the host communities, and it’s not unusual for the Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CDCSR) department of such an organization to be saddled with these contributions. But the activities of Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s CSR department have often been the source of criticism, as well as aspiration for improvement by host communities and other stake holders. This article thus aims to present a comprehensive compendium of NLNG’s CDCSR activities, up to the year 2010, and also highlight the level of satisfaction of the immediate and distant host communities against the level of performance of other donors in the area. Also the arrays of negative socio-economic consequences of the Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s activities were identified based on community perception. The results generally showed that comparatively, NLNG project has made more innovative positive socio-economic and health contributions to its areas of operation than the three tiers of government and other donors (including SPDC and Mobil Producing Nigeria). Surprisingly, agitations against Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s activities have not overshadowed its community development provisions, which have been of major assistance in several communities. There is however a dire need to review several aspects of Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s CDCSR activities, especially in the fulfilment of documented promises, as well as in project conception and community participation, for better completed projects acceptance by indigenous host communities. Conflict management strategies also need to be improved, while the dissatisfaction over benefits in New Finima needs to be urgently addressed.

Explosion Hazard Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transportation

This paper presents a quantitative risk analysis of liquefied petroleum gas(LPG)transportation.An accident that happened on June 13,2020,on the highway near Wenling,China is studied as a case.In this accident,LPG carried by a tank truck on the highway leaked and caused a large explosion,which led to 20 deaths.Different methods are combined to calculate the consequence of the accident.Multi-energy model and rupture of vessel model are employed to calculate the overpressure;the simulation result of the multi-energy model is closer to the damage caused by the accident.The safety distances in accidents of LPG transport storage tanks of different capacities are calculated in this study;the results show that the damage of explosion will increase with the filling degree of the tank.Even though the filling degree is 90%(value required by law),the 99%fatality rate range will reach 42 m,which is higher than regulated distance between road and building.The social risk of the tank truck has also been calculated and the results show that the risk is not acceptable.The calculating method used in this study could evaluate the risk of LPG tanker more accurately,which may contribute to the establishment of transportation regulation so that losses from similar accidents in the future could be reduced.

Research on the navigational risk of liquefied natural gas carriers in an inland river based on entropy:A cloud evaluation model

Due to the flammability and explosive nature of liquefied natural gas(LNG),an extremely strict process is followed for the transporta-tion of LNG carriers in China.Particularly,no LNG carriers are operating in inland rivers within the country.Therefore,to ensure the future navigation safety of LNG carriers entering the Yangtze River,the risk sources of LNG carriers’navigation safety must be identi-fied and evaluated.Based on the Delphi and expert experience method,this paper analyses and discusses the navigation risk factors of LNG carriers in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River from four aspects(human,ship,environment and management),identifies 12 risk indicators affecting the navigation of LNG carriers and establishes a risk evaluation index system.Further,an entropy weight fuzzy model is utilized to reduce the influence of subjective judgement on the index weight as well as to conduct a segmented and overall evaluation of LNG navigation risks in the Baimaosha Channel.Finally,the cloud model is applied to validate the consistent feasibility of the entropy weight fuzzy model.The research results indicate that the method provides effective technical support for further study on the navigation security of LNG carriers in inland rivers.

Experimental Investigation of Fuel Quality and Contaminant Materials from Liquefied Petroleum Fuel

In this study, the quality characteristics and residue analysis in circulated LPG fuel were investigated experimentally in Korea. Quality characteristics in circulated LPG fuel were examined with samples of LPG in the supply chain (refinery, petrochemical, and imported LPG), transport, gas stations, and vehicles. The experimental results showed that quality of all circulated LPG was well within the quality standard guideline of LPG in Korea. Especially, it has shown average 13 wt ppm in sulfur content over the full circulated LPG. The residue samples in LPG fuel were extracted on 2 L scale with acetonitrile and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The components of residues in LPG were composed of 62 organic chemicals with C3 ~ C28 and the main ingredients of residue were plasticizers ((di-octyl phalate (DOP), di-octyl adiphate (DOA) etc.), lubricant oil and amine compounds. It was also showed that mass of residue in vehicles was increasing compared with supply (refinery, petrochemical, and imported LPG). It was presumed that this residue had been originated from automotive LPG fuel, vehicle components, and lubricant oil in infrastructure.

大型LNG船用惰气发生器系统特点及其应用

为提高液化天然气(Liquefied Natural Gas,LNG)船与惰气发生器系统的匹配度,基于惰气制取流程,对不同类型惰气发生器的应用范围进行归纳,对大型LNG船用惰气发生器的系统特点、要求和布置准则进行分析,并对不同厂商惰气发生器的结构形式和性能特点进行对比。研究表明:惰气发生器的油耗、整机功率、排量等参数为大型LNG船选型的首要依据。研究成果可为大型LNG船用惰气发生器的选型与应用提供一定参考。

Selective conversion of syngas to propane over ZnCrO_x-SSZ-39 OX-ZEO catalysts

Oxide-Zeolite(OX-ZEO) bifunctional catalyst design concept has been exemplified in several processes to direct conversion syngas to value-added chemicals and fuels such as mixed light olefins, ethylene, aromatics and gasoline.Herein we demonstrate that the product can be steered toward liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) with a selectivity up to 89% in hydrocarbons especially propane selectivity reaching 80% at CO conversion of 63% using ZnCrOx-H-SSZ-39 catalyst.Interestingly, the quantity of the acid sites of SSZ-39 does not influence obviously the hydrocarbon distribution but the strength is crucial for selective formation of propane.This finding provides an alternative route of LPG synthesis from a variety of carbon resources via syngas.

Effect of Ca promoter on LPG synthesis from syngas over hybrid catalyst

Direct synthesis of liquefied petroleum gas （LPG） from syngas was carried out over hybrid catalyst consisting of methanol synthesis catalyst and modified Y zeolite with Pd and Ca by different methods. The decrease of CO conversion was mostly attributable to the sintering of Cu in methanol synthesis catalyst. On the other hand, coke deposition on Y zeolite was the reason for the decrease of LPG selectivity. The introduction of Ca decreased the strong acid sites of Y zeolite, suppressed coke formation, and thus improved the stability of hybrid catalyst.

The Future of Gas to Liquids as a Gas Monetisation Option

The paper introduces gas to liquids (GTL) as a monetising option from a technology, marketing and project perspective. GTL is complementary to LNG and pipelines. At the same time, using natural gas as a source for fuels in the form of GTL helps countries around the world to diversify their energy supplies. Furthermore, gas-based products are inherently cleaner than oil products. Shell's proprietary GTL technology or SMDS (Shell Middle Distillates Synthesis), is discussed in some detail. The paper also covers the challenges for successful implementation of GTL projects and why Shell is well positioned to take a lead in the industry on the basis of its long standing and broad experience in GTL research, plant operations, marketing and excellent track record in mega projects in the last thirty years. Shell's commitment to GTL is best demonstrated by the recent signing of a Heads of Agreement with Qatar Petroleum for the construction of the world's largest GTL plant. A key success factor is Shell's experience with marketing quantities of high quality GTL products from its 12,500 barrels per day plant at Bintulu, Malaysia since 1993. Further marketing opportunities will arise when new GTL capacity comes on-stream in the middle east when more quantities will become available to bulk users. Amongst the most interesting market will be automotive transportation, where clean GTL fuels can be positioned as an 'alternative fuel beyond oil' providing energy security to host countries. Shell is actively engaging with a number of regulators, automotive companies and governments worldwide including China, to demonstrate the performance of GTL and its cost effectiveness in reducing local emissions. An added benefit is that GTL can use existing infrastructure and requires no investment. Finally, the paper briefly discusses the coal to liquids (CTL) process as an alternative route to produce high quality GTL products and the key issues relating to the process.

Norwegian oil and gas storage in rock caverns-Technology based on experience from hydropower development

Underground storage in rock caverns is widely used in Norway for many different petroleum products,such as crude oil,fuel,propane and butane.Basically,the caverns for such storages are unlined,i.e.containment is ensured without using any steel lining or membrane.The main basis for the storage technology originates from the extensive hydropower development in Norway.As part of this activity,about 4500 km of tunnels and shafts have been excavated,and around 200 large powerhouse caverns have been constructed.The hydropower tunnels are mainly unlined,with hydrostatic water pressure on unlined rock of up to 1000 m.Some of the projects also include air cushion chambers with volumes of up to 1×10^(5)m^(3)and air pressure up to 7.7 MPa.Many lessons which are valuable also for underground oil and gas storage have been learnt from these projects.For a storage project to become successful,systematic,well planned design and ground investigation procedures are crucial.The main steps of the design procedure are first to define the optimum location of the project,and then to optimize orientation,shape/geometry and dimensions of caverns and tunnels.As part of the procedure,ground investigations have to be carried out at several steps integrated with the progress of design.The investigation and design procedures,and the great significance of these for the project to become successful will be discussed.Case examples of oil and gas storage in unlined rock caverns are given,illustrating the relevancy of experience from high-pressure hydropower projects for planning and design of unlined caverns for oil and gas storage.

GTL or LNG:Which is the best way to monetize "stranded" natural gas?

A large portion of world＇s natural gas reserves are ＂stranded＂ resources, the drive to monetize these resources leads to the development of gas-to-liquids （GTL） and liquefied natural gas （LNG） technologies. LNG has the advantage of having been developed for the past 40 years and having an excellent safety record. GTL on the other hand is another option with substantial benefits, but its development stage and commercial viability are far behind LNG. This paper presents a techno-economic comparison of GTL with LNG, including technical development, plant efficiency, market potential for the products, and capital cost for the infrastructure. The aim is to give an overall view on both LNG and GTL and provide a perspective on the profitability of these two technologies.

Temperature Effects on Gas Sensing Properties of Electrodeposited Chlorine Doped and Undoped n-Type Cuprous Oxide Thin Films

As one of the most widely used domestic fuels, the detection of possible leakages of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas from production plants, from cylinders during their storage, transport and usage is of utmost importance. This article discusses a study of the response of undoped and chlorine doped electrodeposited n-type Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) films to of LP gas. Undoped n-type Cu2O films were fabricated in an electrolyte bath containing a solution of sodium acetate and cupric acetate whereas n-type chlorine doped Cu2O thin films were prepared by adding a 0.02 M cuprous chloride (CuCl2) into an electrolyte solution containing lactic acid, cupric sulfate and sodium hydroxide. The n-type conductivity of the deposited films was determined using spectral response measurements. The structural and morphological properties of the fabricated films were monitored using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Due to doping, the overall conductivity of the chlorine doped n-type Cu2O films increased by several orders of magnitude. The temperature dependent gas responses of both the undoped and chlorine doped n-type Cu2O thin films to the LP gas was monitored by measuring the electrical resistance (R), and using the contact probe method at a constant gas flow rate of 0.005 ml/s. Upon exposure to gases, both doped and undoped films showed a good response to the gas by increasing/decreasing the electrical resistance by ΔR. The undoped n-type Cu2O thin films showed a negative response (ΔR 2O thin films initially showed a positive response (ΔR > 0) to the LP gas which then reversed its sign to give a negative response which peaked at 52°C. The positive response shown by the chlorine doped Cu2O films vanished completely at 42°C.

Technical and Economic Aspects and Experience from 6 Years of Operating the Technology Using the Waste Heat from the Exhaust Gases of Heat Sources and 3 Years of Operating a Heating Plant in an Autonomous, Island Regime

This article is focused on technical and economic evaluation of more than 6-years experiences of operating the Waste Heat Recovery technology—the manner and system of flue gas processing generated in the combustion process in heat & power plants, cogeneration units, etc., which burn the gaseous fuel, primarily natural gas, or methane, biogas, geothermal gas, or other gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen. The solution proposes a more effective and non-traditional use of gaseous fuel for heating, the flue gases of which are processed in order to extract additional utilisable heat, with potential elimination of CO2 from them. Deploying of the heating plant in an island regime (OFF-GRID) enables definition of the benefits brought by the 3 years of operational experience and presents visions for the future offering the possibility to utilise the support energy services at the municipal as well as regional level.