New reliquefaction system of Boil-Off-Gas by LNG cold energy

The Boil-Off-Gases(BOG) in the LNG production terminal are continuously generated during the unloading, storage and supply processes by the heat penetration. In order to use these gases as useful fuel, the reliquefaction process should be installed to put the reliquefied BOG in the main LNG supply line before the secondary pump in terminal. The current reliquefaction method of BOG in LNG terminal is the direct contact one between LNG and BOG in the absorption column. But the system has severe disadvantage, which is the 10 times of LNG circulation needed for unit mass of BOG reliquefaction. It causes, therefore, high power consumption of LNG circulation pump and excessive city-gas supply, even if short demand of NG is needed in the summer time. In this paper, the new reliquefaction system of BOG by using LNG cold energy with indirect contact in precooler was suggested and analysed. The result showed new indirect contact method of BOG reliquefaction system between LNG cold energy and BOG is much more effective than the current direct contact one because of only about 1.3 times of LNG circulation needed and higher energy saving by pump power reduction.

LNG냉열이용 BOG 재액화긍정 해석연구