Natural Gas Cavern Storage Using LNG Cooling for Capacity Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for natural gas storage in salt caverns and aquifers face increased compression costs and reduced capacity due to elevated pressure and temperature conditions, which limit the storage capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adding liquefied natural gas (LNG) to gaseous natural gas in storage caverns, using a cryogenic high-pressure reciprocating pump to control the flow and achieve a temperature reduction, thereby increasing storage capacity and reducing pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gaseous natural gas is added by compression to meet peak demand, then the storage capacity is maintained, but the compression costs increase and cavern capacity is reduced due to elevated pressure and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the natural gas by introducing it in a liquefied state at cryogenic temperatures instead of compressing it as a gas. This parameter change from gaseous to liquid phase allows storage without compression, directly resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and compression costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by storing natural gas in liquid form at cryogenic temperatures and allowing it to vaporize when needed. This phase change approach eliminates the need for compression while maintaining storage capacity, addressing both the cost and capacity issues simultaneously
2Quantity of substance
If gaseous natural gas is stored at high pressure and temperature, then the storage density is increased, but the cavern capacity is reduced and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameters from high pressure and temperature to cryogenic temperatures at atmospheric or low pressure. This parameter transformation achieves high storage density through liquefaction while preserving cavern capacity by eliminating the need for high-pressure containment infrastructure
3Productivity
If compression is used to add natural gas to the cavern, then the gas is stored efficiently, but the cavern temperature and pressure increase reducing future capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition by introducing natural gas in liquid form at cryogenic temperatures. When the liquid LNG is injected into the cavern, it vaporizes and mixes with the stored gas, providing a cooling effect that lowers cavern temperature. This approach maintains storage efficiency while preventing temperature rise, directly resolving the contradiction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances storage capacity and reduces compression costs by allowing self-pressurization and more efficient gas extraction, while lowering the temperature and pressure within the cavern.
Implementation Method 1
The addition of liquefied natural gas serves to reduce the temperature and associated pressure of gaseous natural gas in the natural gas storage cavern
Implementation Method 2
adding liquefied natural gas to gaseous natural gas in the natural gas storage caverns. The addition of liquefied natural gas serves to reduce the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method of increasing the storage capacity of a natural gas storage cavern involves the step of adding liquefied natural gas to gaseous natural gas in the natural gas storage cavern. The addition of liquefied natural gas serves to reduce the temperature and associated pressure of gaseous natural gas in the natural gas storage cavern, thereby increasing the capacity of the natural gas storage cavern.