LNG has been delivering gas for years and is experiencing a strong boom as the conflict with Russia leads to greater energy diversification in western industrialised countries. Liquefied petroleum gas will play a key role as a new bearer of hope – and fittings will play a leading role.
Text & images by Messe Dusseldorf
A new era began in February 2022. “Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine is, above all, a humanitarian disaster, but it has also triggered a major energy supply and security crisis,” said Keisuke Sadamori, Director for Energy Markets and Security at the International Energy Agency (IEA). The fear of a gas shortage is spreading in industrialised countries, and LNG is supposed to alleviate it.
New LNG records are foreseeable
According to ICIS LNG edge, Global LNG Hub, European imports of liquefied natural gas reached a record monthly level of at least 8.1 million tonnes as early as January 2022. There are a total of 37 LNG terminals in Europe, 26 of which are in the EU. Throughout Europe, there is a regasification capacity of around 243.6 billion cubic metres per year. After the war in Ukraine started, another 20 LNG projects were pushed forward – new records in LNG imports are foreseeable. Two import terminals for liquefied natural gas are planned for Germany, for instance. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, they could cover up to 20 percent of the annual gas consumption in Germany. The terminals and corresponding production facilities will contribute to the security of supply – but require high investments, which also flow into crucial components such as fittings and drives.
High requirements for fittings
Herose, for example, has long focused on the emerging LNG sector – and, according to the company’s findings, it is gaining in importance. However, liquefied petroleum gas fittings must meet stringent requirements in order for companies to be successful. “Transport vehicles for cryogenic liquefied natural gas are exposed to the greatest loads due to frequent filling, transport and unloading at the destination,” explains Herose. In addition, service life and work performance as well as safety and reliability, are central to LNG storage. Powerful fittings are also required for refuelling with LNG. Emerson also has an eye on the LNG market. The company provides automation and control solutions for gas production, liquefaction plants, transport, regasification terminals and pipelines and wants to “contribute to more energy efficiency, reduced emissions, a higher production and use of renewable energies and cleaner fuels”, emphasises Emerson Automation Solutions. The company develops automated valves for cryogenic use. From a technical point of view, production and transport operations generally require precise controls of pressure and temperature, high system reliability, and systems that minimise process variability and losses. “Emerson is helping LNG producers achieve more efficient operations through the application of digitalisation, advanced process control strategies, and plant performance solutions,” the company explains.
Explosion protection and certification
The fittings of the müller co-ax ag are used, for example, in ship propulsion and in the reliquefaction on LNG tankers. The conditions with LNG are challenging. This is because the natural gas becomes liquid at a temperature of approx. -162°C. In addition, high safety requirements are imposed – when the LNG evaporates, an explosive gas is produced. “Our valves meet the explosion protection guidelines and are ATEX certified,” the company explains.
LNG would also be more readily available as an alternative fuel for shipping, lorries and rail. Ultimately, this pathway is “a transitional technology, but also an enabler, for example, for the application of synthetic LNG,” says Herose. This is because a termi-nal can also be used as a transfer point or storage location for synthetic natural gas, such as power-to-gas.
“The existing infrastructure could store and distribute significant amounts of wind energy via the natural gas detour. A fossil energy source becomes climate-neutral”, the company says. Carbon in methane would be extracted from the environment during the synthesis of hydrogen. “No more CO2 is released into the atmosphere from fossil reservoirs. Natural gas lines and storage tanks are already there, no new high-voltage lines are necessary.”
Investment offensive pays off
Essential for LNG systems are safety valves, which, for example, are produced by LESER. The company emphasises the crucial importance of these valves since with LNG, natural gas is cooled to -162 degrees Celsius and liquefied. However, overpressures arise due to heating and need safeguarding.
“Across the entire supply chain, there are different requirements for overpressure safeguarding, which must be covered by suitable safety valve designs – for example, compact threaded valves or technologically challenging pilot-controlled safety valves,” explains LESER. It is necessary to address the needs and requirements of the individual process steps of the LNG industry and, if necessary, to further develop products.
Safety, control and shut-off valves in the valve industry are therefore urgently needed for the booming LNG sector. The European market is broadly based here – far from any dependency. And with its quality products, it is ready for the massive investment offensive in the energy sector, particularly in LNG plants. This is a development that will pay off for the valve companies.
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This Featured Story is an article from our Valve World Magazine October 2022 issue. To read other featured stories and many more articles, subscribe to our print magazine. Available in both print and digital formats. DIGITAL MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW FREE.
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