Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage Tank
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tanks are specialized products for storing liquefied petroleum gas, classified as special equipment and type III pressure vessels. They are made of 06Ni9DR material and undergo ultrasonic testing, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, as well as on-site inspection by the Technical Supervision Bureau, resulting in a pressure vessel inspection certificate. The manufacturing process includes external rust removal and painting. The LNG storage tanks are subject to strict quality assessments of the material of pressure components, appearance dimensions, weld quality, operational quality, installation quality, internal fittings, and safety accessories.
Routine physical and chemical tests of the drum material, such as mechanical properties and chemical composition.
The welding joints, welds, tank heads, and the mutual geometric positions of all pressure components are rigorously inspected through X-ray non-destructive testing and magnetic particle inspection. Tests are conducted for the product's sealability, 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 pressure tanks.
Vertical LNG Storage Tank
Volume options include 50 cubic, 100 cubic, 150 cubic, and 200 cubic.
Horizontal LNG Storage Tank
Volume options include 50 cubic and 100 cubic.
Vertical mother-child tank
A mother tank refers to an inner tank composed of multiple sub-tanks connected in parallel to meet large storage capacity requirements. These sub-tanks are assembled side by side within a large outer tank. The number of sub-tanks typically ranges from 3 to 7, usually not exceeding 12. The volume of individual sub-tanks should not be overly large, generally 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 large and medium-sized atmospheric LNG storage tanks, as well as extra-large atmospheric LNG storage tanks.
2. Cautionary Notes
1. Cylinders must be stored in well-ventilated areas, maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters from any ignition or heat source. Absolutely no fire should be used to heat, scald, or expose them to direct sunlight. Regularly inspect the cylinder valves and pipeline joints for gas tightness to ensure no leakage. Leaks can be checked using soap water, and it is strictly prohibited to test for leaks with an open flame.
2. When lighting, ignite the primer first, followed by opening the gas; do not reverse the order. There should be someone watching over it during use, do not leave it unattended to prevent boiling water from overflowing and extinguishing the flame, which could cause the liquefied gas to escape and lead to an explosion. After using the gas cylinder, make sure to close the valve tightly to prevent gas leakage.
3. Do not completely exhaust the liquefied gas in the cylinder; a certain residual pressure must 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 inside the cylinder is also a flammable substance and should not be poured out arbitrarily to avoid fires caused by the residue's flow and evaporation.
4. LPG cylinders are pressurized containers that require proper maintenance and regular inspections. During handling and use, prevent the cylinder from falling or being struck. Do not use metal tools to敲击 open the valve. Protect from direct sunlight and prolonged exposure to rain. The cylinders are typically 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. Additionally, since LPG is heavier than air, it tends to flow downwards in the air, accumulating in low-lying areas and posing a hidden danger of gas explosion. Therefore, in areas prone to gas leakage, relying solely on window ventilation is insufficient; attention must also be given to lower-level ventilation.
6. When a liquefied gas leak is detected indoors, windows and doors should be opened immediately for ventilation, allowing the gas to disperse away from any open flames. No fire is allowed in the vicinity. Use the gas only after the fault is rectified and the distinctive odor has dissipated. Any leaked liquid on the ground should be covered with sand and removed 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, carbon dioxide 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 LPG residential gasification in China, then the first 10 to 20 years of the 21st century will be the era of LNG residential gasification in China. The origin of China's LPG residential gasification is in Shenzhen, Guangdong, and the origin of China's LNG residential gasification should be in Zibo, Shandong. The main gas source for Guangdong's LPG residential gasification relies on overseas imports, while the current main gas source for Shandong's LNG residential gasification is from the LNG production plant in Puyang, Henan, with more gas sources to come.
Yangzhai LNG Community 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 was designed from June 1999 and completed in January 2000; the Zibo Gas Company began construction in January 2000, completed it in October 2000, and commenced trial operations using LNG. It started supplying LNG on December 2, 2001, making it 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/day.
Qingdao Jinjialing LNG Residential Gasification Station
The Jiajialing project commenced design in June 2000 and was completed in January 2001. Qingdao Gas Company began construction in January 2001, and the facility was completed and successfully tested in February 2002, making it the first domestic civil liquefied natural gas gasification station, with a design capacity of 20,000 Nm3/day.
Guangdong Longchuan LNG Community Gasification Plant Project
The Longchuan LNG gasification station has a short design and construction cycle, with the entire process from design to completion taking less than a year. The opening ceremony was held on May 23rd of this year. Its design capacity is 10,000 Nm3/day.
Although Longchuan Station's LNG currently comes from Puyang, Henan, the operator's gaze is set on Shenzhen. Once the Shenzhen LNG receiving station is completed, Longchuan will be the受益er.
The Longchuan LNG Gasification Plant project is a management general contracting project under the Qingdao Chemical Engineering Design Institute.
In China, currently under construction and set to be operational are LNG liquefaction stations in Shangqiu, Henan; Jiangyan and Shuyang, Jiangsu; Fangzi, Shandong; Suzhou, Zhejiang; Miyun, Beijing; and Bengbu, Anhui. Planned and in the design phase 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 liquefaction station in Longchuan, Guangdong, Shanghai Tongda Energy Co., Ltd. plans to invest in and build LNG community liquefaction stations in cities like Yangjiang, Huide, and Shanwei in Guangdong.
It seems that the recent surge in LNG community gasification in Shandong, China, far exceeds the LPG community gasification that occurred in Guangdong, China at the time. It's even faster than Japan's development pace in the 1970s. Whether it's the scale of construction, the speed of construction, the organizational form of construction, or the extent of public concern and influence, it is unparalleled compared to Guangdong's LPG community gasification.
Section 2: The global natural gas conversion project is inevitably on its way.
As times progress and the economic development of society along with environmental protection demands increase, the drawbacks of coal-to-gas processes are increasingly being fully exposed. Advanced nations have already phased out coal-to-gas production in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Oil-to-gas processes also have numerous insurmountable flaws. LPG will become a transitional energy source as oil reserves dwindle in the future. The global shift to natural gas, replacing all other energy sources, will become an inevitable development in the revolution of gas energy.
Partial Natural Gas Conversion Schedule for Certain Countries
Country
Achieve natural gas conversion (year)
Gas Source
United States
1945-1958
Pipeline natural gas predominant
Former Soviet Union
1948-1960
Pipeline natural gas predominant
United Kingdom
1964-1977
Initially using LNG, later predominantly switching to pipeline natural gas.
France
1962-1982
LNG and pipeline natural gas integration
Germany
1960-1970
Pipeline natural gas predominant, 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 construction of the 2 million tons LNG project in Fujian, along with the progress 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 primary component of natural gas is methane, a permanent gas that cannot be liquefied by compression at room temperature; it only turns into a liquid at extremely low temperatures (-162 degrees). Since the 1920s, with the rapid development of cryogenic industrial technology, it has become possible to liquefy large quantities of natural gas.
In 1910, the United States began industrial-scale natural gas liquefaction. In 1917, Cabot was granted the first U.S. patent related to natural gas liquefaction, storage, and transportation. The same year, the world's first liquefied methane plant was established in West Virginia, USA, 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 situations. The Shanghai Pudong LNG production plant, constructed with assistance from France's 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, Comstock International Methane Company, U.S.A., 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 to supplement the insufficient city gas supply. They established the world's first liquefied natural gas receiving terminal on the island of Canvey in the United Kingdom, designed for storing the imported LNG.
In 1959, Comstock International Methane Corporation, based in the United States, constructed the world's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the "Methane Pioneer." Between January 28 and February 20 of the following year, the vessel transported 2,200 tons of LNG from Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA, to the Canning Island receiving facility in the UK, marking the birth of the world's LNG industry.
In 1960, Shell UK purchased 40% of the company's shares. The "Methane Pioneer" tanker was commissioned for the LNG transport business from Algeria to the UK in 1964, rapidly spurring the growth of the global LNG trade.
The surging trend of LNG community gasification in China is set to greatly propel the inception of China's LNG industry and the rapid development of the global LNG industry, as domestic LNG liquefaction plants continue to emerge and coastal import LNG receiving bases expand.
Huzhou Boiler Factory Co., Ltd.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tanks consist of the tank body, instruments, pipelines, valves, etc. These tanks are designed with two liquid inlet methods: upper and lower. Users can choose the appropriate method according to their specific circumstances.
The inner tank of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tank is equipped with a safety system device featuring dual safety valves. Under normal operating conditions, one set is in operation and the other in standby. If the safety valve in operation trips, the manual pressure relief valve is immediately opened to depressurize below the tank's operating pressure. Simultaneously, the safety device is swiftly switched to the standby system via the manual handle, effectively ensuring the tank's safety. This safety system device consists of safety valves, explosion-proof devices, vent valves, and three-way ball valves, not only reducing pipeline welding but also having excellent fire and static electricity prevention structures. Additionally, the safety relief openings on the housing are fully guaranteed to ensure the entire equipment's safety and reliability. Low-temperature pipelines are集中引出 for ease of operation and control, and the outlet is designed with Duralumin pipe structure to accommodate low-temperature requirements and reduce stress on pipelines due to thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring the tank's safety. The vacuum valve features triple "O" ring seals, effectively ensuring the reliability of the sandwich seal, and is made of full stainless steel with a compact size. The top of the LNG storage tank is designed with a suspended structure for easy transportation, lifting, and installation. The unique manhole design ensures the cleanliness of the interior when the inner container is sealed. Vacuum isolation valves and combined vacuum gauges are used on the LNG storage tank for easy measurement of the sandwich vacuum and maintenance, extending the tank's service life and improving its quality. The LNG storage tank is equipped with a level gauge and pressure gauge for local display of liquid level and pressure. The sandwich insulation material is high-quality domestic pearl sand, with the following performance parameters:
Serial Number Indicator Name Unit Indicator
Loose Bulk Density: 50-60 Kg/m3
2 Grain size mm 0.1-0.2, not less than 80%
Thermal Conductivity (at atmospheric pressure, temperature 310-77K) < 0.026 W/m·K·s
Moisture Content (Weight) % < 0.1
5 Non-inflated Rate % ≤ 1
6 Temperature ℃ -200℃ to 600℃
7 pH Level: 6.5～7.5
Section 3: Inspection, Testing, and Acceptance
The inner cylinder material must be inspected and deemed合格 before it can be put into use.
2. All welds are inspected according to the GB150.1-150.4-2011 standards and drawings. Upon passing inspection, A and B class welds undergo 100% X-ray inspection, C and D class welds are subjected to 100% penetrant testing, and a test report is issued.
3. After the cylinder assembly is complete, inspect the geometric dimensions, pipe end orientations, and shape deviations in accordance with the GB150.1-150.4-2011 standards and drawings.
4. After passing the inspection, conduct a pneumatic test and issue a pressure test report. Once the pneumatic test is approved, proceed with evacuation. After achieving the required vacuum level, conduct a helium leak test.
5. After the sandwich leak test passes, fill with pearl sand and then evacuate the air. Seal the vacuum after achieving the vacuum degree as required by GB/T18442-2011 standard.
IV. Technical Information
1. After the contract is signed, the seller shall provide the following technical data to the buyer:
⑴ Each set of product quality certificates for the equipment (provided with the equipment)
Including: Material Certificate for Main Pressure Components, Bill of Materials, Structural Dimensions Inspection Report, Inspection Plan, Product Compliance Certificate, Pressure Vessel Product Data Sheet, Welding Records, Non-Destructive Testing Report, Pressure Test Report, Supervision and Inspection Certificate for Special Equipment Manufacturing (Local Inspection Authority), Product Label Copy
⑵ As-built drawings, 1 set each (provided with the equipment)
③ One set of strength calculation documents (supplied with the equipment)
Operation manual, 1 copy each (provided with the equipment)
⑸ 1 equipment process diagram and 1 basic reference diagram to be provided within 7 days of contract signing
1 set of product conformity certificate, 1 set of instrument calibration report (provided with the equipment)
