Liquefied Natural Gas: Value Chain Enhancements

Dear Colleagues,

Natural gas (NG) is a feasible choice in linking our energy gap to the next century of renewable energy. NG is familiar as a relatively clean fossil-based energy source. NG is usually transported to end consumers through gas transmission pipelines (GTP). However, because GTP is economically unsuitable for long distances, NG is often liquefied and transported through LNG carriers. The liquefaction of NG is energy-and-cost-intensive due to its cryogenic operation condition (−162 °C at 1 atm). The LNG supply chain is mainly comprised of four interconnected steps: exploration and production; processing and liquefaction; transportation; regasification and distribution.

According to the available literature, research on the LNG supply chain has mainly focused on NG treatment including its sweetening, NG hot energy utilization, NGL fractionation, LNG processes enhancement, LNG processes optimization, boil-off gas management, and LNG cold energy recovery. The key problems can be categorized as the design and selection of the NG liquefaction processes, NGLs fractionation energy consumption, boil-off gases (BOG) during storage and transportation, LNG cold energy recovery at the regasification step, and offshore/onshore process design challenges. Despite progress in this field over the last decades, the LNG value chain has not been enhanced due to the energy efficiency of liquefaction processes, boil-off gas (BOG) generating in LNG tanks, and the waste of LNG cold energy. Thus, it is vital to enhance the LNG value chain with the help of novel technologies and scientific research.

Authors are invited to submit original as well as review articles that will enhance the LNG value chain. This includes but is not limited to novel design and optimization of liquefaction processes, boil-off gas reliquefaction technologies, LNG cold energy utilization, LNG tank modeling, heat and mass transfer in LNG liquefaction and storage, and new and emerging technologies for LNG related areas.

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Qyyum
Prof. Dr. Moonyong Lee
Dr. Tianbiao He
Guest Editors

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