Nitrogen in LNG tank interlayer
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Does injecting compressed air into the interlayer of the LNG storage tank’s main tank have any impact?
It has a significant impact; the interlayer is generally filled with nitrogen to enhance the insulation effect.
I know this! It has been snowing and roads are blocked these days. Unluckily, the level gauge of the liquid nitrogen tank broke down, and by the time it was noticed, the liquid nitrogen had run out. Since liquid nitrogen couldn’t be delivered, there was a concern that air might enter due to loss of pressure in the insulation layer; therefore, compressed air was considered as a temporary solution. The dew point should be around minus ten degrees Celsius!
Another consideration for using nitrogen is that in the event of a leak in the inner tank, it can prevent air from entering, thereby reducing the risk of explosion; nitrogen is the best choice for this purpose
“Afraid that air will leak in due to a loss of pressure in the interlayer, so wanting to fill it with compressed air temporarily – what a contradiction!
The HSE department can’t agree either; there’s a risk of explosion, so safety must come first.
If I remember correctly, the cooling temperature for LNG is around -152°C, and it is achieved through the use of a concentrated coolant for cooling. For storage tanks, both vacuum insulation and nitrogen can be used; since LNG is present inside, it itself helps to maintain a low temperature