LNG regasification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for vaporizing low-temperature liquefied gases, such as natural gas, are not energetically favorable and expensive, as they fail to maximize the utilization of low-temperature cold for generating electric power with high efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and process that includes a conduit with a pump, heat engine, and waste heat utilization system, featuring a fluid circuit with multiple heat exchangers and an expansion engine, optimized for single-pressure operation, utilizing ambient heat and nitrogen as a fluid to achieve efficient vaporization and electric energy generation, with heat integration and preheating to prevent corrosion and optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ambient heat or chemical heat is used to vaporize LNG, then vaporization can be achieved, but energy efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the waste cold energy from LNG regasification (which would otherwise be lost to the environment) into a useful resource for driving the heat engine and generating electricity. The cold LNG stream is used to cool the working fluid in the heat exchanger, enabling the heat engine to operate and produce electrical power from what would normally be wasted thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the LNG regasification process with a heat engine cycle by integrating a heat exchanger that couples the cold LNG stream with the working fluid stream. This combination allows simultaneous vaporization of LNG and power generation, transforming two separate processes into a unified energy-efficient system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If cascaded ORCs are used to utilize low-temperature cold, then some energy recovery is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the heat exchange process into distinct functional components: a heat exchanger for coupling the LNG stream with the working fluid, a heat engine for power generation, and a waste heat utilization system. This modular segmentation allows for manageable system complexity while achieving effective energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat transfer device between the LNG and working fluid streams, a pre-cooler for the working fluid, and an integral part of the heat engine cycle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby simplifying the overall system.
3Productivity
If multiple heat exchangers and waste heat utilization systems are added, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid is pre-cooled in the heat exchanger using the cold LNG stream before entering the heat engine. This preliminary cooling action prepares the working fluid for efficient expansion and power generation, maximizing the energy extraction potential while integrating seamlessly with the LNG regasification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transfers energy between the cold LNG stream and the heat engine. By introducing this intermediate fluid, the system enables efficient thermal energy transfer and conversion without requiring direct contact between the LNG and the heat engine components, thereby simplifying the overall architecture.
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
The solution achieves high efficiency in electric power generation from low-temperature liquefied gases, with LNG-to-electricity conversion efficiencies of 61-64%, eliminating the need for water and potentially harmful media, and reducing costs by using existing components and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger which is installed in the conduit further in the flow direction of the low-temperature liquefied gas downstream of the pump
Implementation Method 2
In the second heat exchanger, the fluid is heated by means of ambient heat
Implementation Method 3
Heat is deftly moved within the fluid circuit by means of the third heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
In the expansion engine, for example a turbine, the fluid which has been heated in the waste heat utilization system can be expanded to provide work
Implementation Method 5
an expansion engine with coupled generator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for generating electrical energy and for vaporising a cryogenically liquefied gas, the device having a conduit for the cryogenically liquefied gas, a pump located in the conduit, a heat engine, and a waste-heat recovery system downstream of the heat engine, wherein a branch conduit branches off from the conduit and the branch conduit leads into the heat engine, and wherein the apparatus also has a fluid circuit with the following components arranged successively in the flow direction of the fluid: a first heat exchanger which is also connected in the flow direction of the cryogenically liquefied gas past the pump into the conduit; a compressor; a second heat exchanger; parallel to one another, a third heat exchanger with a first side, and the waste-heat recovery system; a depressurising machine having a coupled generator; and the third heat exchanger with a second side.