2006 Spring Meeting & 2nd Global Congress on Process Safety

(138e) How Big Is the Area Required for LNG Base Load Plant and Their Design Considerations

Author

J. C. Kuo - Presenter, Chevron Energy Technology Company


The purpose of this paper is to outline the general requirements for developing the layout of the LNG base load plant. Secondly, the papers correlates the area required from some of the existing LNG plants around the world, and lastly, provides an equation for a quick estimate of the plot size required.

The objectives of the LNG plant layout are to: (1)Ensure the plant is safe and easy to construct, operate, maintain and meet the necessary insurance codes (2) Provide adequate separation between major facilities, LNG tanks and between parallel process trains so that a loss at one facility would not cause physical damage and loss of production to the others. (3)Ensure adequate spill containment. (4)Permit safe evacuation of people inside the plant and those living close to the fence-line during a hazardous event. (5)Meet thermal radiation levels and flammability contours from gas or LNG pool fires. (6) Limit blast loads in the event of ignition of flammable clouds to acceptable levels.