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Development of fluid dynamics simulations for LNG storage tanks to enhance safety, operational flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Author(s) : MAEDA M., SHIRAKAWA Y.

Summary

Spot trading in liquefied natural gas (LNG) is continuing to increase relative to traditional long-term LNG trading. LNG purchased on the spot market has a wide variety of densities depending on where the LNG comes from. When LNG is added to a storage tank already containing LNG of a different density, there is a risk of stratification. This can occasionally result in rollover accompanied by the sudden release of large amounts of boil-off gas, which causes a rapid rise in tank-pressure and can sometimes damage the tank. This paper reports on studies of procedures for filling tanks with different density LNG. Computational fluid dynamics simulation was used for the studies, which aim to improve safety and reduce LNG storage costs. The results produced by the numerical model developed agree well with measured data. A case study on the filling of a small tank indicates that the initial density difference, the initial LNG depth and the filling rate affect the final density difference, the density difference at the end of the filling that is directly related to stratification.

Details

  • Original title: Development of fluid dynamics simulations for LNG storage tanks to enhance safety, operational flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Record ID : 2008-1144
  • Languages: English
  • Source: LNG 15. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference and Exhibition of Liquefied Natural Gas.
  • Publication date: 2007/04/24

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