LNG · Marine
LNG Liquefaction Plant
The export plant that liquefies pipeline gas so it can be loaded on ships. Liquid natural gas takes about 600 times less space than the same gas.
What it does
Receives gas by pipeline, removes water and other components that would freeze, chills it to about −162 °C (−260 °F) and stores it in cryogenic tanks next to the loading berth. In Canada, LNG Canada at Kitimat, British Columbia, shipped its first cargo in 2025 and has a total capacity of 14 million tonnes per year.
Basics
| LNG temperature | About −162 °C (−260 °F) |
| Volume reduction | About 600 times |
| Main blocks | Gas treating, liquefaction, cryogenic storage, loading berth |
| Canadian example | LNG Canada, Kitimat BC, 14 Mt/year |
Common failures
- Feed gas not treated well enough, so water or heavy components freeze in the cold section
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Pressure drop rising across the cold section
- Likely cause
- Freezing of water or heavy components
- What to check
- Check the dehydration and heavy removal units before the cold box