LNG spill
Encyclopedia
A liquefied natural gas
(LNG) spill can happen during an accident or an intentional act such as terrorism
. LNG is normally stored and transported in liquid form at a temperature of approximately -161 degrees Celsius. If this supercooled
liquid is released from a storage facility, pipeline, or LNG transport ship it begins to warm. As LNG warms above its storage temperature the liquid begins to vaporize. The resulting gas produced by this warming is typically methane
, which is the major component (with some ethane
) of natural gas
. If a spill occurs and the vapor does not ignite, it would build to higher concentrations. At higher concentrations, the vaporized methane will cause an asphyxiation hazard to anyone exposed. If a spill or leak followed by a vaporization event were to occur in a marine environment, the water can facilitate the vaporization process and increase vapor concentration. According to the 2004 Sandia
report this is of special concern to ship and pilot-boat crews, emergency response personnel, or others who are exposed.
During a spill, LNG vapor concentrations will reach a level where explosion and fire are a likely outcome. As the methane concentration reaches the right level in proximity to an ignition source, an explosion will occur.
Liquefied natural gas
Liquefied natural gas or LNG is natural gas that has been converted temporarily to liquid form for ease of storage or transport....
(LNG) spill can happen during an accident or an intentional act such as terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
. LNG is normally stored and transported in liquid form at a temperature of approximately -161 degrees Celsius. If this supercooled
Supercooling
Supercooling, also known as undercooling, is the process of lowering the temperature of a liquid or a gas below its freezing point without it becoming a solid....
liquid is released from a storage facility, pipeline, or LNG transport ship it begins to warm. As LNG warms above its storage temperature the liquid begins to vaporize. The resulting gas produced by this warming is typically methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
, which is the major component (with some ethane
Ethane
Ethane is a chemical compound with chemical formula C2H6. It is the only two-carbon alkane that is an aliphatic hydrocarbon. At standard temperature and pressure, ethane is a colorless, odorless gas....
) of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
. If a spill occurs and the vapor does not ignite, it would build to higher concentrations. At higher concentrations, the vaporized methane will cause an asphyxiation hazard to anyone exposed. If a spill or leak followed by a vaporization event were to occur in a marine environment, the water can facilitate the vaporization process and increase vapor concentration. According to the 2004 Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories
The Sandia National Laboratories, managed and operated by the Sandia Corporation , are two major United States Department of Energy research and development national laboratories....
report this is of special concern to ship and pilot-boat crews, emergency response personnel, or others who are exposed.
During a spill, LNG vapor concentrations will reach a level where explosion and fire are a likely outcome. As the methane concentration reaches the right level in proximity to an ignition source, an explosion will occur.