The potential of cold energy extraction from a power plant regasification terminal for cold storage application

Abstract

Cold storage is a chamber used for food preservation. The food is stored inside the cold storage at a specific temperature and relative humidity to slow down the deterioration process caused by pathogenic organisms. The type of food stored requires specific thermal conditions e.g 0-5 °C with RH of 80-90% for vegetables, 4-5 °C for milk processing, and -25 to -45 °C for quick freezing of fish. Cold energy from the LNG regasification process is a promising option for cold storage application. Normally, prior to supply to industrial users e.g power plants, the LNG is regasified by dissipating its cold energy to another working fluid of vapourizer e.g seawater in the Open Rack Vapourizer (ORV) or ambient air in the Ambient Air Vapourizer (AAV). Recovering this cold energy to cool the cold storage can significantly reduce the energy consumption in the cooling process. Simultaneously, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to investigate the potential of wasted LNG cold energy in a power plant’s regasification terminal, located in Aceh, as a source of energy to cool cold storage. The cooling load of cold storage under four different capacity namely 5, 10, 15, and 20 tons of fish is calculated and compared with the potential cold energy available. This study then concludes the cold storage capacity that meets the available LNG cold energy.