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Basic
G Properties of LNG
I
Basic
I Properties of LNG
G
GIIGNLs Technical Study Group has overseen the development of this Information
Series of seven papers to provide factual information about Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
In French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian speaking countries, the abbreviation GNL is
used in place of LNG. This paper begins with a review of Basic LNG properties, which is
a pre-requisite for accurately assessing potential LNG safety hazards and risks. For more
information on these topics, additional references and weblinks are provided at the end of
this paper.
Introduction:
A basic knowledge of LNG must begin with an potential safety hazards and risks, having an accurate
examination of its chemical and physical properties. understanding is key.
Chemical and physical properties are fundamental to
A number of LNG companies have made commitments to
understanding LNG correctly. The very properties which
educate the general public about their product. For
make LNG a good source of energy can also make it
example, companies in Japan and South Korea have
hazardous if not adequately contained. These properties
gone to great lengths to share information about their
determine how LNG behaves, affect our predictions about
facilities with the local communities and to educate them
its behaviours, and influence how we assess and manage
about LNG. For example, Osaka Gas Company and
safety risks. Furthermore, to accurately understand and
Tokyo Gas Company have installed Gas Science
predict LNG behaviour, one must clearly distinguish its
Museums at each of their terminals; the first one opened
properties as a liquid from its properties as a gas or
in 1982. More than 50,000 children, among other visitors,
vapour.
tour the museums every year and are able to observe
The reader will note that discussions of the properties of table-top demonstrations of LNG properties and
LNG often contain ominous caveats like depending upon behaviours.
its exact composition because such specifics matter. It is
LNG is natural gas which has been converted to liquid
inexact and inappropriate to make universal
form for ease of storage or transport. LNG takes up about
generalisations about LNG. It is especially important to be th
1/600 of the volume of natural gas. Depending upon its
clear in thinking through how LNG would behave if
exact composition, natural gas becomes a liquid at
accidentally or intentionally released (e.g., from a terrorist
approximately -162C (-259F) at atmospheric pressure.
attack), because the outcome would be profoundly
influenced by the actual situation and site-specific LNGs extremely low temperature makes it a cryogenic
conditions. liquid. Generally, substances which are -100C (-48F or
less) are considered cryogenic and involve special
Misunderstanding LNG is not uncommon and is often
technologies for handling. In comparison, the coldest
caused by confusion, incomplete, or inaccurate
recorded natural temperatures on earth are -89.4C (-129
information about LNG properties. Since properties
F) at the height of winter in Antarctica and the coldest
determine behaviour and influence how we manage
reported temperature in a town was recorded in
1
Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
Oymayakon (Sakha Republic) during Siberian winter Table 1.Typical chemical composition of LNG (Source:
(-71.2C; -96.16 F). To remain a liquid, LNG must be Center for Energy Economics,
kept in containers which function like thermos bottles www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/lng)
they keep the cold in and the heat out. The cryogenic
temperature of LNG means it will freeze any tissue (plant Chemical
Chemical Low High
or animal) upon contact and can cause other materials to Formula
become brittle and lose their strength or functionality. This
is why the selection of materials used to contain LNG is so Methane CH4 87% 99%
important. Ethane C2H6 <1% 10%
LNG is odourless, colourless, non-corrosive, non-
flammable, and non-toxic. Natural gas in your home may Propane C2H8 >1% 5%
have been liquefied at some point but was converted into Butane C4H10 >1% >1%
its vapour form for your use. The reason the natural gas
you use in your home has a smell is because an odorising Nitrogen N2 0.1% 1%
substance is added to natural gas before it is sent into the
distribution grid. This odour enables gas leaks to be Other Various Trace Trace
detected more easily. Hydrocarbons
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Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
When cold LNG comes in contact with warmer air, water, lighter than air (buoyant). When specific gravity or relative
or the environment, it begins to boil at that interface density is significantly less than air, a gas will easily
because the surrounding temperatures are warmer than disperse in open or well-ventilated areas. On the other
Table 2. Typical composition of LPG in % by volume
(Source:http://www.environment.gov.au/settle
ments/transport/comparison/pub/2ch10.pdf)
Belgium 50 50
France 35 65
Ireland 100* 100*
Italy 25 75
Germany 90 10
UK 100* 100*
Denmark 50 50
Greece 20 80
Netherlands 50 50
Figure 1. LNG boiling at atmospheric pressure and
Spain 30 70 temperature (Source: OSAKA Gas Co. Ltd.)
Sweden 95 5
Fuel
FIRE
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Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
2. LNG, the liquid form of natural gas, is a fossil fuel, like
crude oil other hydrocarbon-based forms of energy
and products.
3. The boiling point of LNG is -162C; -259 F, which is
considered a cryogenic temperature. At this
temperature (somewhat depending upon its actual
composition), LNG evaporates to convert from a liquid
to a vapour.
4. Conversely, LNG becomes a liquid at these cryogenic
temperatures (-162C; -259 F) at atmospheric
th
pressure. As a liquid, it takes up about 1/600 the
volume of natural gas. Consequently, it is generally
transported and stored in a liquid state.
5. LNG is odourless, colourless, non-corrosive, non-
flammable and non-toxic.
6. While natural gas is flammable, LNG is not. The
flammability limits of methane are such that any small
leak of LNG vapour from a tank in a well-ventilated
area is likely to rapidly mix with air and quickly
dissipate. Large leaks and spills are essentially
precluded by a plethora of leak-detection systems and
similar safeguards (which are discussed in later
papers).
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Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
Raj, Phani K. 2006. Where in a LNG vapour cloud is the
References and Additional Resources flammable concentration relative to the visible
cloud boundary? NFPA Journal, May/June 2006.
California Energy Commission -
www.energy.ca.gov/lng/safety.html Raj, Phani K., and F.J. Katulak. 2007. What is the Truth
on the LNG Safety? Why does the Public
Center for LNG - www.lngfacts.org Perception on LNG Safety and What Can Industry
th
Foss, Michelle. 2003. LNG Safety and Security. Center Do? In: 15 International Conference &
for Energy Economics at the Bureau of Economic Exhibition on
Geology, The University of Texas at Austin Liquefied Natural Gas, 24-27 April 2007. Barcelona,
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/lng/docum Spain.
ents/CEE_LNG_Safety_and_Security.pdf
Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal
The International Group of Liquifeid Natual Gas Importers Operators (SIGTTO) website - www.sigtto.org
(GIIGNL) website - www.GIIGNL.org
Texas A&M. Texas Engineering Extension Service,
Information from Bureau Veritas (BV) report for GIIGNL, LNG Live Fire Training Workshop and Resources
2009 Protection International. Student Manual. 2005
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2008 Brayton Fire Training Field, College Station
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Texas, USA.
Handbook. http://www.altenergy.com/Technology/LPGPropert
ies.htm
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2008 edition.
Fire Protection Handbook. US DOE -
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/storage/in
dex.html
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Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
Multiple Safety Layers
Manage LNG Risk
The GIIGNL Technical Study Group has developed this 7-
Safeguard Systems, Separation Distances, paper series to provide public readers with factual information
Contingency Planning and Exercises about the LNG industrys multiple layers of safety, as illustrated
in the figure to the left.
Control Systems, Operational Integrity & Protocols,
Operator Knowledge, Training & Experience The GIIGNL Information Papers include:
No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG
Secondary Containment No. 2 The LNG Process Chain
For more information about these and other topics, or to obtain copies of this report series contact:
GIIGNL
8 rue de lHtel de Ville
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine (France)
Email: central-office@giignl.org
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Information Paper No. 1 Basic Properties of LNG