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LNG Tech 101: Overview of Cooling, Storage and Fleet Fueling

LNG Tech 101: Overview of Cooling, Storage and Fleet Fueling. Your Speaker: Dave Dixon, PE Director of Engineering NorthStar Inc. Your Host: Amy Little Marketing & Training Coordinator IMW Industries. About IMW.

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LNG Tech 101: Overview of Cooling, Storage and Fleet Fueling

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  1. LNG Tech 101: Overview of Cooling, Storage and Fleet Fueling Your Speaker: Dave Dixon, PE Director of Engineering NorthStar Inc. Your Host: Amy Little Marketing & Training Coordinator IMW Industries

  2. About IMW IMW has been manufacturing industrial machinery since 1912, and has evolved to be a leading manufacturer of natural gas compression systems, serving all major markets Globally. Equipment is currently operating mid-east to North of the Arctic Circle. Quality Products, Leader in CNG Compression & LNG Fueling Solutions Provide full range of LNG solutions from NorthStar LNG A variety of configurations for all applications

  3. A Clean Energy Company IMW operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE). Clean Energy is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America and a global leader in the expanding natural gas vehicle market. Clean Energy has operations in CNG and LNG vehicle fueling, construction and operation of CNG and LNG fueling stations, biomethane production, and compressor technology.

  4. Continuing Education Credit 1 hr Technical Informal More CPD Info or Board Room Attendance: Name Job title Company Email Email to: webinars@imw.ca

  5. Join the Discussion!

  6. Your Speaker David Dixon, PE Director of Engineering, NorthStar Inc. Mr. Dixon has 13 years of experience in the LNG vehicle industry with NorthStar, Inc. of Evanston, WY, now part of Clean Energy Fuels. Dave has been responsible for the engineering on over 100 LNG vehicle fueling facilities for municipal bus and waste hauling industries, and public LNG fueling stations. Dave holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from St. Cloud State University.

  7. LNG Tech 101

  8. Introduction • David Dixon, P.E., Director of Engineering, NorthStar, Inc. • 13 years with NorthStar, all focused on building LNG fueling stations. • Also designed and built many LCNG stations. • Previous experience: 5 years at Minnesota Valley Engineering, which later became Chart Industries, designing cryogenic storage tanks and equipment. • Career focus: Design of LNG fueling facilities, less experienced with truck engines and vehicle fuel systems.

  9. NorthStar History • Delivering turnkey LNG solutions since 1994. • Started as a family-owned business. • Our 20 years of experience gives us a great advantage with our knowledge of LNG fuel and LNG stations. • Built over 30 turnkey LNG and LNCG fueling facilities. • Acquired by Clean Energy Fuels Dec. 2010. • Manufactured equipment for over 100 LNG and LCNG facilities for Clean Energy Fuels since the acquisition.

  10. Clean Energy Fuels History • Started as Pickens Fuel Corporation by T. Boone Pickens and Andrew J. Littlefair, Clean Energy President and CEO in 1997, and now the largest natural gas fueling provider in the US. • Clean Energy is committed to delivering the benefits of natural gas fuel to fleet operators across America. • Provides natural gas vehicle infrastructure and fuel: • LNG and CNG fueling stations. • LNG and CNG fuel sales. • Assistance with grant funding, vehicle leasing, and financial incentives. • Vehicle Facility Modifications to allow vehicle maintenance.

  11. Agenda: • Basics of LNG • LNG Fueling Station Technology • LNG Vehicle Fueling • CNG Vehicle Fueling • Other LNG Applications

  12. Basics of LNG - What is LNG 1 • LNG is natural gas that has been refrigerated to -260 Deg. F. • Liquefaction reduces the volume by 600:1. • Density of LNG is approximately 3.5 lb/gal at 0 psi, roughly half the density of diesel fuel. • LNG is stored at the liquefaction plant in multi-million gallon storage tanks (typically). The liquefier might be a dedicated facility for LNG vehicles (Clean Energy two, Boron, CA and Willis, TX) or might be peak shavers which sell excess LNG into the LNG vehicle market. • LNG is predominately methane (typically >98%) with trace amounts of ethane, propane, etc.

  13. Basics of LNG - What is LNG 2 • LNG is colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. • When vaporized and mixed with air LNG is flammable. • Cold methane vapor is denser than air and can settle in enclosed areas, while warm methane vapor is lighter than air and disperses. • LNG can also be made from landfill gas, therefore is a renewable, more carbon-neutral fuel.

  14. Basics of LNG - LNG Hazards • Methane is flammable in air in concentrations of 5% to 15%. • Below 5% the mixture is too lean to burn. • Above 15% the mixture to rich to burn. • Potential for frostbite and freezing due to low temperatures. • Eyes especially vulnerable to sprayed or splashed LNG. • Potential for asphyxiation due to displacement of oxygen, especially in enclosed areas.

  15. Basics of LNG - LNG Safety and Hazard Prevention • Recommended Personnel Protective Equipment: • Cryogenic Gloves • Face shield • Closed shoes or boots • Long sleeve shirt and long pants recommended. • Hazard Prevention: • Follow recommended operating and maintenance procedures. • Use Personnel Protective Equipment • If there is a leak, avoid direct contact. • Don’t handle cold hoses and piping without proposer gloves. • Keep ignition sources away for tank and piping. No smoking. • Perform vehicle maintenance in proper area.

  16. Basics of LNG - First Aid • First Aid: • Treat methane burns as other types of burns – cool affected area, bandage if necessary, and seek medical assistance. • Treat frostbite by warming slowly (do not run) and seek medical assistance. • Treat asphyxia by providing fresh air, rescue breathing if necessary, and seek medical assistance. • Seek medical assistance for eye injury caused by LNG.

  17. LNG Station Technology • Main Components of an LNG Station: • LNG Storage Tank • LNG Dispense Pump • LNG Dispenser • LNG Offload System • Safety System • PLC Control System

  18. LNG Station Technology – LNG Storage Tank • Most Clean Energy stations have single 18,000 gallon storage tank, 175 psi working pressure • Clean Energy stations have provision to add second tank. • Considerations • Daily amount dispensed • Spill containment size • Set back to property line • Desired on-site days of storage • Vertical vs. horizontal

  19. LNG Station Technology – LNG Dispensing Pump • ACD TC-34 most commonly used dispense pump. • Installed in ASME sump adjacent to tank. • Designed for 40 LNG gpm flow rate per dispenser, one or two dispensers. • Second pump commonly in place for redundancy. • Pump speed varied by control system to optimize filling.

  20. LNG Station Technology – LNG Dispensers • Newest dispensers have integral card reader and receipt printer (Gilbarco frame and electronics with NorthStar LNG piping). • Weights and Measures design type approval. • Unit of measure is DGE, 6.06 lb/DGE. • Vehicle venting, when necessary, can be through fill nozzle for Westport HPDI or separate vent hose for other types. • Designed for automatic operation.

  21. LNG Station Technology – LNG Offload System • NorthStar has been using same type of pump as dispense pump. • Allows faster cooldown, easy priming, and commonality of parts. • Other types of pumps available. • Offload connection located on back of station to allow dispensing while offloading is occurring. • Typical pumping time is 70 minutes, approx. 1-1/2 hours start to finish.

  22. LNG Station Technology – Safety System • Emergency Shut Down System, manual reset only • Fire Detectors • Methane Detectors • Emergency Stop Buttons • Emergency Shutdown Valves • Remove electrical power from all LNG equipment • Spill containment wall sized for entire tank contents • Auto dialer or fire alarm control panel • Dispenser flow limits

  23. LNG Station Technology – PLC Control System • Integrated PLC control system to minimize operator input. • PLC monitors and operates LNG tanks, LNG pumps, and dispensers. • CE stations include web server for remote access through VPN. • PLC programmed to automatically recover from many faults. • Some conditions may require technician assistance, such as sensor failure. Auto dialer calls out to technician. • PLC contains adjustable operating parameters, normally only adjusted at commissioning, or to optimize operation. • PLC also performs data collection that can be used for optimization or alarm analysis.

  24. LNG Station Technology – Considerations • Fuel at existing public station, or build private station? • Public stations: • Maintenance and operations handled by station owner • Are stations on common routes or near fleet yard? • Private back lot stations: • Maintenance and operation by fleet owner, or contracted out. • Capital cost, or is grant funding available? • Start with small mobile fueler? • Sizing station for initial plus future expansion. • Is space available at fleet yard?

  25. LNG Station Technology – Sizing • Select number of dispensers based on number of vehicles to be fueled per day • 2 LNG dispensers minimum recommended for redundancy • Rule of thumb 50 vehicles per dispenser per day, but every situation is different. • Select number of dispense pumps based on number of dispensers • 1 pump can feed 2 dispensers. • Consider second pump for redundancy • Size storage tank for throughput • One 10,000 gallon delivery every 3 or 4 days or so is comfortable; consider larger tanks or multiple tanks if throughput is higher than a delivery every 2 days. • General recommendation: Do not over-size tanks or dispensers; adds cost and adds heat load on station

  26. LNG Vehicle Fueling

  27. LNG Vehicle Fueling - Basics • Heavy-duty vehicles • >50 DGE/truck/day • Pipeline gas cooled to -260 F • Store 2x (energy)/volume as CNG • Produced at LNG plants & delivered toLNG station & stored in cryogenic trailers • Dispensed at 15+ DGE/minute

  28. LNG Vehicle Fueling - OEM Trucks Available

  29. LNG Vehicle Fueling - LNG Fuel Tanks

  30. LNG Vehicle Fueling – High Pressure/Low Pressure Engine Systems • Westport HPDI • HPDI now out of production, but included an onboard high pressure pump. • Uses colder, low pressure LNG than spark ignited system. • For Saturated Systems for Spark Ignited Engines: • Spark ignited engines traditionally need low pressure at engine 50 to 80 psi is typical. • LNG warmed in station to provide suitable pressure • Recently Chart Industries and Westport have introduced pumping and pressure building systems (Chart Charger and IcePak).

  31. LNG Vehicle Fueling - Infrastructure

  32. LNG – Advantages and Considerations Advantages Considerations Cryogenic tanks Special handling when fueling (PPE) Pressure and temperature management of fuel to engine Potential boil off (use it or lose it) if vehicles are parked for extended period (typically 7 to 10 hold time, depending on tank design and liquid level) Building modifications for indoor maintenance Fueling station availability • Fuel costs less than diesel • Lower GHG emissions than diesel • LNG composition is 97% CH4 • No diesel fuel or exhaust after-treatment to manage (SI engines) • Diesel-like fueling • Greater fuel density/volume • Greater range than CNG, per volume • Substantially lower weight of storage • Less expensive tanks vs. CNG equivalent

  33. LNG Vehicle Fueling – Clean Energy

  34. LNG Vehicle Fueling – Clean Energy

  35. CNG Vehicle Fueling

  36. CNG Vehicle Fueling - Common CNG Applications • Taxis • Light duty vehicles (pickup trucks, cars, vans) • Buses • Refuse trucks • Over-the-road tractor trailers

  37. CNG Vehicle Fueling - CNG Basics • Light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles • Heavy > than 50 DGE/Day • NG delivered by pipeline to fueling station • Dried, compressed & stored at 4,500 psi and dispensed at 3,600 psi • Dispensed at 3-11 gge/minute • Stored in several cylinders onboard the vehicle

  38. CNG Vehicle Fueling - LCNG • Many CE stations have LCNG fueling (Liquid LNG to CNG) • Can be used to provide CNG fueling where natural gas pipeline is not available. • Much lower electrical consumption than CNG compressors of same throughput (approx. 1:10) • LCNG composition typically more consistent and higher methane than pipeline gas. • LCNG typically more expensive to produce due to cost of trucked-in LNG.

  39. CNG Vehicle Fueling - Stations

  40. CNG Fuel Tanks

  41. CNG Vehicle Fueling– Advantages and Considerations Advantages Considerations Fuel storage tanks Heat of compression (loss of storage capacity on fast-fill) Weigh more than LNG Potential impact to payloads and revenue Range limitations More expensive than LNG Takes 2x to 5x longer to fill than LNG Cost of compression Energy and maintenance with a compression station LDC inconsistencies in NG composition (Methane # <75) • Greater infrastructure than LNG • Light and medium duty especially • Simple fuel systems • Easy to fuel like gasoline • No diesel fuel or after-treatment to manage (SI engines) • Gas/Vapor instead of cryogenic • No fuel loss if parked for an extended period of time

  42. CNG Vehicle Fueling - Station Availability • CNG stations more widespread than LNG stations. • Clean Energy owns and operates 400+ CNG stations and 120+ LNG stations, most public access but others private. • Either LNG or CNG stations can also be constructed on backlots for private dedicated fleet fueling. • Grant availability also a consideration to defray capital expense.

  43. Other LNG Applications

  44. Other LNG Applications • LNG Rail Locomotives • Initial trials underway with several rail carriers • Locomotives may be retrofitted with dual fuel diesel/LNG system • New locomotives may be dedicated LNG. • LNG carried in 20,000 gallon or larger tender car with on-board pumps • Regulatory environment evolving for other-the-rail operation.

  45. Other LNG Applications • Off Highway High Horsepower, such as Mining • Initial trials underway with heavy-haul mining trucks. • Likely to be retrofitted with dual-fuel diesel/LNG systems. • Less onerous regulatory requirements than rail.

  46. Other LNG Applications • Marine • Initial US projects underway for LNG powered shipping. • More commonly used in Europe already. • Requires additional infrastructure development in US for further implementation (dedicated liquefiers, for example).

  47. Other LNG Applications • Power Generation • LNG can be used as replacement for propane or oil in many applications • Goal is reduced fuel costs, balanced against infrastructure cost to switch to LNG. • Stranded islands with no local energy source investigating LNG. • Storage and Vaporization • Can be used as temporary replacement for pipeline natural gas. • Replacement for propane for heat (eg asphalt plants).

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