(72a) An Old Technology and a New Application in Processing Rich Lng to Meet Pipeline Gas Specification at Lng Receiving Terminals

Most existing LNG baseload plants produce LNG with higher Heating Value, i.e. higher contents of C2 and heaviers, than is suitable to serve the North American market. As the LNG buyers have multiple LNG specifications, there are many benefits for reducing C2 and heavier components at the LNG Receiving Terminals.

A process scheme had been developed by FWUSA (US patent 7,278,281) to reduce C2 and heaviers from the sendout LNG by using LNG cold at LNG receiving terminals while minimizing or eliminating gas compression. The extracted C2 and heaviers, after consumed in the terminal, may have potential markets.

In the North America, however, the extracted C2 and heavies are often difficult to sale or handle economically in most regions.

By processing a minimum amount of LNG, extracting the C2 and heavier components and then by pre-reforming the extracted C2 and heavier components, a lower calorific Substitute Natural Gas is produced and can be re-injected into the LNG terminal sendout gas to control its heating value.

Yang, CC, Kaplan, Al, and Huang, Zupeng, ?Method and Apparatus for Reducing C2 and C3 at LNG Receiving Terminals,? Patent 7,278,281

Yang, CC, Kaplan, Al, and Huang, Zupeng, ?Cost Effective Design Reduces C2 and C3 at LNG Receiving Terminals,? Oil & Gas Journal, May 26, 2003.

Yang, CC, and Geoffrey Bethamley, ?Maximising the Value of Surplus Ethane and Cost Effective Design to Handle Rich LNG,? 15th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG 15), April 23 - 27, 2007, Barcelona, Spain.