Know LNG

LNG is natural gas which is converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport. LNG occupies about 1/600th of the volume of natural gas. Natural Gas is cooled to sub-zero temperature at which point it condenses into liquid state called LNG. LNG’s extremely low temperature makes it a cryogenic liquid.

The properties of LNG

LNG is an odourless, colourless, non-toxic, non-corrosive substance. It is predominantly composed of methane and is a natural gas that becomes a liquid when cooled to approximately -160°C. As a liquid, it is 600 times denser than natural gas, therefore liquefying natural gas makes it much easier to transport as it takes up far less volume.

• Boiling Point: -162 °C
• Density: 420 Kg/ m3 to 470 Kg/ m3 (LNG is less than half the density of water; therefore, as a liquid, LNG will float if spilled on water)
• Flammability: 5 %-to-15% (Natural Gas is flammable, LNG is not; The LFL for methane is 5% and the UFL is 15% both by volume in air)
• Auto-Ignition Temp: 599 °C (Diesel Oil: 260 – 371 °C; Gasoline: 226 – 471 °C)

LNG Composition

LNG is primely Methane Gas. It is a mixture of methane (CH4: 86 –to- 99 %), ethane, propane, and butane with small amounts of heavier hydrocarbons and some impurities, notably nitrogen and complex sulphur compounds and water, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide which may exist in the feed gas but are removed before liquefaction.

LNG Conversion Table

Tonnes LNGM³ LNGNM³ gasft³ gasmmBtuboe