Exergetic analysis: innovative approach for improvement of LNG regasification process at FSRU

Abstract

Increase of natural gas production and supply causes drawback of onshore infrastructure and many environmental restrictions. The transportation of natural gas by carriers takes place in liquid form, so-called LNG, and its production up to 850 MJ per ton. The LNG consists of a material hardware, namely light hydrocarbons, and immaterial software, namely “cold energy”. The “cold energy” is usually wasted by Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) during LNG regasification process by dumping into seawater or the atmosphere. It was verified LNG cold energy utilization possibilities during regasification process in FSRU performing the analysis of LNG properties, thermodynamic energy balance, and exergy analysis. Offered exergetic LNG regasification process mapping with its structured approach is an innovative tool for technological processes optimization and redesign. The complex analyse was performed for different cases in order to identify impact of LNG composition and regasification parameters to quantity of released cold energy. It was determined that the potential of LNG cold energy could reach 25 MWh at FSRU, when it is working full time regime.