Virtual Pipeline System

Abstract

After LNG vessel arrives at receiving port, the cargo will unload to the storage tank first. When natural gas delivery is requested, it will transport through the pipeline network to customers’ sites. Prior pumping in the pipeline, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) will go through vaporization process to re-gasify LNG into gaseous form. The popular LNG vaporizer systems include ambient air vaporizer, open rack vaporizer (using sea water), submerged combustion vaporizer and intermediate fluid vaporizer. The regasification process will occupy spaces and external energy will be used, more or less. The SOFC – Solid Oxide Fuel Cell takes hydrocarbon fuel as feedstock, such as natural gas (methane), and goes through a series of chemical process (not burning), then generates electricity with high conversion efficiency plus some high quality heat. Using the heat for LNG re-gasification and forming a close-loop energy supply system become very attractive in terms of compactness, economy and easy to operate. Especially for those remote communities, rural areas and remote islands, the energy access is usually not available. The combination of SOFC and re-gasification module will perfect the downstream operation in natural gas value chain.