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technology

A novel solution for LNG

bunkering and fuelling

A standardized, modularized, quick to peline gas purification and liquefaction plant,
the market solution to produce LNG as having a typical capacity of 250,000 TPA, re-
sponding to that particular market need.
an economical alternative to traditional This solution can be implemented in ports, where a
liquid fuels nearby natural gas pipeline is available, and would
be used as a small hub producing and distributing
LNG through a ship bunkering station and truck lo-
ading points. This would avoid significant maritime
infrastructures investments to accommodate large
Eric Zielinski, Upstream & LNG Product Mana- LNG carriers, with the associated severe permitting
ger, XSIGHT Division, Saipem constraints.
Tiziano De Paolis, LNG Technology Lead, This plant is pre-engineered and delivered in modu-
XSIGHT Division, Saipem les, minimizing the integration work to be done on
site, and thus the total project cost and duration.
Pipeline gas is normally already treated for tran-
he necessity to adopt strategies to sport, hence reducing the processing necessary
reduce the environmental impact prior to its liquefaction compared to a raw gas.
related to marine and road tran- The liquefaction is performed by a Saipem proprie-
sports makes it necessary to study tary technology, a compact solution involving no
alternatives to traditional liquid fuels. liquid refrigerant, flexible towards gas composition
T Replacement of fuel oil and die- variation and simple to operate. Different refrigerant
sel by LNG is a strategy widely encoura- compressor drivers and process selection strate-
ged by authorities and operators worldwide. gies are available to meet specific site requirements.
Off-grid users, such as communities and small in- All supporting utilities, such as air, nitro-
dustries located in remote areas, will also have their gen, water can be produced within the
share in the small-scale LNG distribution demand. plant or imported from nearby facilities.
LNG can be traditionally sourced from exi- The produced LNG is stored in vacuum insulated
sting import or export terminals, requiring mi- cryogenic bullets or alternatively in an atmospheric
nor modifications, namely truck loading facilities. tank, allowing to fuel several ships a day.
However, for many areas in the world not equip-
ped with such infrastructures, the question
of how to supply the LNG becomes crucial. Introduction
The need to adopt strategies for the reduction of
Liquefying pipeline natural gas is definitely an intere- the environmental impact related to marine and
sting strategy, but the capital expenditure associa- road transport, as well as the reduction of the fuel
ted to liquefaction facilities becomes quickly critical. running costs with phased replacement of fuel oil
Indeed, the large LNG trains developed pre- with LNG, make the growth of a “small scale LNG”
viously used the economy of scale to make approach crucial to support the evolution of the fuel
the investment in such projects profitable. market.
On the contrary, small scale LNG projects such
as those required for LNG local distribution must The demand for LNG in transport is indeed in ra-
follow a radically different path, where standardiza- pid growth, and involves diverse marine users,
tion, modularization, quick-to-the-market solutions such as ferries, cruise ships, container ships.
are of the essence. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has
Saipem recently developed a novel solution dedica- also decided to specify a global sulphur limit on
ted to the small-scale natural gas liquefaction market. fuels used by ships. The Annex VI of the Conven-
This solution consists in a pre-engineered pi- tion for the prevention of pollution from ships sets

Impiantistica Italiana - Gennaio-Febbraio 2020 27