Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
6209874
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Liquefied natural gas tanker truck-to-tank transfer for on-road transportation
Author(s)
Sharafian, A; Blomerus, P; Merida, W
Year
2019
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Applied Thermal Engineering
ISSN:
1359-4311
Volume
162
Page Numbers
114313
DOI
10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114313
Web of Science Id
WOS:000488423600085
URL
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431119326250
Exit
Abstract
Fugitive methane emissions from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain have revealed uncertainty in the overall greenhouse gas emissions reduction associated with the use of LNG in heavy-duty vehicles and marine shipping. Methane is the main constituent of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. Recent measurements have shown that the LNG offloading process had the largest contribution to methane emissions in the refueling portion of the supply chain. However, there are limited studies analyzing the LNG offloading process for small-scale applications. This study investigates six methods used to offload LNG from a tanker truck to an LNG refueling station and their contribution to methane emissions. A verified thermodynamic model is created by comparing numerical results with the experimental data collected from an LNG offloading process in a refueling station. The modeling results show that the LNG transfer by using a pressure buildup unit causes methane emissions as high as 104 g/kg LNG. In contrast, LNG transfer by using a pump and controlled pressure buildup unit provides the lowest risk of methane venting. Also, the results of parametric study indicate that rigid foam insulation can be considered as an economical alternative to vacuum jacketed pipes in LNG refueling stations.
Keywords
Liquefied natural gas; Tank-to-tank transfer; Methane emissions; Refueling station
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity