Liquefied natural gas: renewed interest and problems

Abstract

Gaseous methane is a predominant component in natural gas. When its temperature and pressure are at 163oC below the freezing point of water and atmospheric pressure respectively, it becomes liquid phase and its volume is approximately reduced to 1/600th of the gas volume. The liquid phase of natural gas is called liquefied natural gas (LNG). Shipping (bullet tanks) is needed to transport the LNG to other countries (buyers) where pipeline construction is exceptional and the cost to construct the pipeline is so expensive. Both exporter and importer must have a completed receiving LNG terminal. The LNG chain operation demands advanced technology from the stage of liquefaction plant till the regasification process.