Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage Tank

LNG storage tanks are specialized products for storing liquefied petroleum gas, classified as special equipment and third-category pressure vessels. They are made of 06Ni9DR material, undergo non-destructive testing, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, on-site inspection by the Technical Supervision Bureau, and are issued with pressure vessel inspection certificates. The manufacturing process also includes external rust removal and painting. The storage tanks undergo strict quality assessment for the material, appearance dimensions, and weld quality of the pressure components, operational quality, installation quality, internal equipment, and safety accessories.

Routine physical and chemical tests for the material of the drum, such as mechanical properties and chemical composition.

The welding joints, seams, tank end caps, and the mutual geometric positions of all pressure elements are rigorously inspected through X-ray non-destructive testing and magnetic particle inspection. Tests are conducted for the product's sealing, pressure resistance, and all technical indicators that could affect the safe operation of the product.

Common structures for LNG tanks include: vertical LNG tanks, horizontal LNG tanks, vertical mother-child tanks, and atmospheric storage tanks.

Vertical LNG Storage Tank

Volume options include 50 cubic, 100 cubic, 150 cubic, and 200 cubic.

Horizontal LNG Storage Tank

Volume options: 50 cubic, 100 cubic.

Vertical mother and daughter tanks

A mother tank consists of multiple sub-tanks connected in parallel to meet large storage capacity requirements, with several sub-tanks assembled side by side within a large outer tank. The number of sub-tanks ranges from 3 to 7, generally not exceeding 12. The volume of a single sub-tank should not be too large, typically between 100 to 150 cubic meters, with the maximum reaching 250 cubic meters. Common sizes include 1000 cubic meters, 1750 cubic meters, and 2000 cubic meters.

Atmospheric Storage Tank:

We offer medium to large-sized atmospheric LNG storage tanks and extra-large atmospheric LNG storage tanks.

2. Cautionary Notes

1. Cylinders must be stored in well-ventilated areas and kept at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from any fire or heat source. Absolutely no cylinder should be heated with fire, boiled in water, or exposed to direct sunlight. Regular checks of cylinder valves and pipeline joints for air tightness are required to ensure no leaks. Leaks can be detected using soap water, but under no circumstances should an open flame be used for leak testing.

2. When igniting, always light the primer first, followed by opening the gas; do not reverse the sequence. Always have someone supervising during use and do not leave the area to prevent boiling water from overflowing and extinguishing the flame, which could cause the gas to escape and lead to an explosion. After using the gas cylinder, ensure the valve is tightly closed to prevent any gas leakage.

3. The liquefied gas in the cylinder should not be completely exhausted; a certain residual pressure should be maintained. The residual pressure should generally be greater than 49.03 kPa (i.e., 0.5 kg/cm², gauge pressure) to prevent air from entering the cylinder. After the liquefied petroleum gas is used up, the remaining residue in the cylinder is also a flammable substance and should not be poured out arbitrarily to prevent fires caused by the flow and evaporation of the residue.

4. LPG cylinders are pressurized containers that require proper maintenance and regular inspections. Prevent the cylinders from falling or being struck during handling and use. Do not use metal tools to敲击 open the valve, and protect them from direct sunlight and prolonged exposure to rain. Cylinders should generally be inspected every 2 years.

5. Although the explosive range of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is not very wide, its lower limit is small, making it easy to ignite and explode upon leakage. Moreover, since LPG is heavier than air, it tends to flow downward in the air, accumulating in low-lying areas and posing a hidden danger of gas explosion. Therefore, in areas where gas leakage is prone, relying solely on window ventilation is insufficient; attention must also be given to the lower ventilation.

6. When a liquefied gas leak is detected indoors, windows and doors should be opened immediately for ventilation, allowing the gas to disperse in the direction away from any open flame. No fire is allowed in the vicinity. The area can only be used after the fault is resolved and the distinctive odor has dissipated. Waste liquid on the ground should be covered with sand and soil before being cleared to a safe location. In case of a gas cylinder fire, shut off the valve immediately, move it to an open area outdoors, and extinguish the fire using dry powder extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers, or by covering it with a wet sack.

7. Educate children not to tamper with gas cylinders carelessly, and users must be aware of the safety knowledge for using gas cylinders.

The Rise of LNG Community Gasification in China

If the 1980s to 1990s were the era of China's LPG community gasification, then the first 10 to 20 years of the 21st century will be the era of China's LNG community gasification. The origin of China's LPG community gasification is in Shenzhen, Guangdong, and the origin of China's LNG community gasification should be in Zibo, Shandong. The gas source for Guangdong's LPG community gasification mainly relies on overseas imports, while the gas source for Shandong's LNG community gasification currently depends on the LNG production plant in Puyang, Henan. In the future, there will be more gas sources available.

Yangzhai LNG Gasification Station, Zibo City, Shandong Province

This project is the first in China to design a gasification station for unloading, storage, and gasification of liquefied natural gas. The liquefied natural gas is transported from the Zhongyuan Oilfield to the Zibo Gasification Station via low-temperature tankers.

The Zibo project commenced design in June 1999 and was completed in January 2000. Zibo Gas Company started construction in January 2000, completed the construction in October 2000, and began trial operations with LNG. It commenced supplying LNG on December 2, 2001, becoming the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) gasification station in China and the largest in Asia. The natural gas is supplied exclusively to industrial users, with a designed capacity of 120,000 Nm3/d.

Qingdao Jinjialing LNG Community Gasification Station

The Jiajingling project commenced design in June 2000 and was completed in January 2001; the Qingdao Gas Company began construction in January 2001, and the facility was completed and successfully started trial operations in February 2002. It stands as the first civil liquefied natural gas gasification station in China, with a design capacity of 20,000 Nm3/day.

Guangdong Longchuan LNG Residential Gasification Station Project

The Longchuan LNG gasification station boasts a short design and construction period, with the entire process from design to completion taking less than a year. The grand opening ceremony was held on May 23rd this year. The design capacity is 10,000 Nm3/day.

Although Longchuan's LNG currently comes from Puyang, Henan, the operator's gaze is fixed on Shenzhen. Once Shenzhen's LNG receiving station is completed, Longchuan will be the受益者.

The Longchuan LNG Gasification Plant project is a management general contracting project managed by Qingdao Chemical Engineering Design Institute.

In China, currently under construction and about to be operational are LNG gasification stations in Shangqiu, Henan; Jiangyan and Shuyang, Jiangsu; Fangzi, Shandong; Suzhou, Zhejiang; Miyun, Beijing; and Bengbu, Anhui. Under planning are cities such as Yuyao, Zhejiang; Jiujiang, Jiangxi; Weifang, Shandong; Pingdu, Qingzhou; and Xiamen, Fujian. It is said that after completing the construction of the LNG gasification station in Longchuan, Guangdong, Shanghai Datang Energy Co., Ltd. plans to invest in building LNG community gasification stations in cities like Yangjiang, Huiedong, and Shanwei in Guangdong.

It appears that the recent LNG residential gasification boom in Shandong, China, far exceeds the earlier LPG residential gasification surge in Guangdong. It's even faster than Japan's development pace in the 1970s. Whether in terms of construction scale, speed, organizational form, or the extent of public concern and influence, it surpasses the Guangdong LPG residential gasification by leaps and bounds.

Section II: The global natural gas conversion project is inevitably approaching.

With the advancement of the times, the development of the economy, and the demands for environmental protection, the drawbacks of coal-to-gas production are increasingly being fully exposed. Advanced countries have successively phased out coal-to-gas production in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Oil-to-gas production also has numerous insurmountable flaws. LPG will become a transitional energy source as the future depletion of oil becomes apparent. The global shift to natural gas, replacing all other energy sources, will become an inevitable revolution in the development of gas energy.

Schedule of Natural Gas Conversion in Some Countries

Country

During the transition to natural gas (year)

Gas Source

USA

1945-1958

Pipeline natural gas predominant

Former Soviet Union

1948-1960

Pipeline natural gas predominant

United Kingdom

1964-1977

Initially utilize LNG, later transition to pipeline natural gas primarily.

France

1962-1982

LNG combined with pipeline natural gas

Germany

1960-1970

Pipeline natural gas as the main source, with a small amount of LNG

Australia

1976-1986

Pipeline Natural Gas

Japan

1969-1998

All LNG Supply

　　天然气的利用途径可采取管道输送和液化后用船运输、公路槽车和铁路槽车运输多种途径来实现。长输管道输送受到铺设管道需要穿过崇山峻岭、农田村庄以及征用村镇土地赔偿费用等限制，超过一定长距离，从经济角度来考虑是很不合算的。而将天然气液化后用大船（13.5万立方米）通过海上运输，送至城市边沿建设的LNG接收基地是非常经济合算的事。LNG在美国、欧洲、日本早就得到广泛的应用，而日本是世界上使用LNG最成功的国家，年用量达到了5000万吨，占世界LNG贸易量8000万吨的62.5%。亚洲的日本、韩国和台湾地区LNG消费数量，占了世界总消费量的四分之三还多。

The launch of the 3 million tons LNG project in Guangdong, China, the establishment of the 2 million tons LNG project in Fujian, along with the commissioning of the Indian LNG project, and the completion of the Dongding LNG receiving base in Taiwan, will lead to a significant increase in Asia's LNG consumption.

Section 3: The Development of the Global LNG Industry

The main component of natural gas is methane, a permanent gas that cannot be liquefied by compression at room temperature; it only becomes liquid at very low temperatures (-162 degrees). Since the 1920s, the rapid development of cryogenic industrial technology has made it possible to liquefy large quantities of natural gas.

In 1910, the United States began industrial-scale liquefaction of natural gas. In 1917, Cabot was granted the first U.S. patent related to the liquefaction, storage, and transportation of natural gas. The same year, the world's first liquefied methane plant was built in West Virginia, U.S., for methane liquefaction production.

In 1937, Egerton from the UK proposed using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to regulate peak loads in urban gas supply. This involved liquefying and storing natural gas to meet peak demand during winter and for emergency supply. The Shanghai Pudong LNG production plant, constructed with assistance from the French Sofirigas Engineering Company and commissioned at the end of 1999, has a daily design capacity of 120,000 cubic meters and is China's first natural gas backup/peak-shaving station using LNG technology.

1955, Constock International Methane Corporation of the United States, dedicated to the planning and design of cross-sea transportation for liquefied natural gas.

In 1957, British Gas decided to enter into a contract with Comstock Company to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supplement the insufficient city gas supply. They established the world's first LNG receiving terminal on the Isle of Canvey in the UK for the storage of the imported LNG.

In 1959, the U.S. Constock International Methane Company built the world's first liquefied natural gas carrier, the "Methane Pioneer," which transported 2,200 tons of LNG from Charles Lake, Louisiana, USA, to the Canvey Island receiving facility in the UK from January 28 to February 20 of the following year, marking the birth of the global LNG industry.

In 1960, Shell UK acquired a 40% stake in the company. The "Methane Pioneer" tanker was launched in 1964 for the LNG transport business from Algeria to the UK, rapidly propelling the global LNG commercial trade.

The burgeoning LNG residential gasification trend in China is poised to significantly boost the country's LNG industry and the rapid development of the global LNG industry, as domestic LNG liquefaction plants continue to emerge and coastal import receiving bases increase.

Low-temperature storage tank performance:

Low-temperature tanks, also known as liquid nitrogen tanks, low-temperature storage tanks, also known as liquid argon tanks, or liquid oxygen tanks, are vertical or horizontal double-layer vacuum insulated storage vessels. The inner lining is made of Austenitic stainless steel S30408. The outer shell material varies by region, following national regulations and is typically Q235-B or 345R. The inner and outer shells are filled with insulating material, vermiculite, and then vacuumed. The product has been inspected on-site by the National Technical Supervision Administration and issued with a pressure vessel supervision and inspection certificate. Available sizes range from 5 to 100 cubic meters, with working pressure at 0.8/1.6 MPa. Nitrogen is a major raw material in the nitrogen fertilizer industry. In the metallurgical industry, nitrogen is primarily used as a protective gas, such as in steel rolling, galvanizing, chrome plating, heat treatment, and continuous casting. Additionally, injecting nitrogen into blast furnaces can improve the quality of iron. It is widely used in the electronics, chemical, petroleum, and glass industries.

Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Tank

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tanks are specialized products designed for storing liquefied petroleum gas, classified as special equipment and third-class pressure vessels. They are made from 06Ni9DR material, undergo ultrasonic testing, hydrostatic and pneumatic tests, and are inspected on-site by the Technical Supervision Bureau, with a pressure vessel inspection certificate issued. The manufacturing process includes external rust removal and painting. The LNG storage tanks are subject to stringent quality assessments for the material of the pressure components, appearance dimensions, weld quality, operational quality, installation quality, internal equipment, and safety accessories.

Routine physical and chemical tests for drum materials, such as mechanical properties and chemical composition.

The welding joints, welds, tank end caps, and the mutual geometric positions of all pressure elements are rigorously inspected through X-ray non-destructive testing and magnetic particle testing. Tests are conducted on the product's密封性, pressure resistance, and all technical indicators that could affect the safe operation of the product.

Common structures of LNG tanks include: vertical LNG tanks, horizontal LNG tanks, vertical mother-child tanks, and atmospheric storage tanks.