[SD_Scott]

This article claims many pipline leaks from LNG. Appearently the liquifaction process changes the gas composition and ruins the seals in the pipeline. Ah shucks. http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/7/emw260790.htm

[FoxV]

ah shucks is right.

LNG is one of the reasons the EIA is (officialy) not worried about oil depletion.

Can anyone find a link to the original report

[Cyrus]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'L')NG is one of the reasons the EIA is (officialy) not worried about oil depletion.

[I_Like_Plants]

Yep it takes a lot of energy to compress the gas to make LNG, and the gas is "not happy" being that compressed, it does weird things to seals etc. Hydrogen's even worse, in the form proposed to be used for the "hydrogen economy", it eats through seals and leaks like crazy. It's corrosive, gets through the tiniest leaks because the molecules are so small, and is a real nightmare to deal with. And, the energy stored in it is so small compared to gas and diesel, that instead of say one visit a day by a gas tanker truck to the local gas station, you'd have something like 10 visits a day by the hydrogen truck.

Time to get on our bikes!

[pea-jay]

Here is the Washington Post article that started the discussion.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02372.html

The LNG Report conducted on behalf of the local utility (distribution) cites the supplied LNG as the source of the problems

Apparently the problems revolve around the heavier hydrocarbons. In LNG, those hydrocarbons, like propane are removed.

Here is the link:
http://www.washingtongas.com/library/ge ... ia_kit.cfm

[baldwincng]

To make LNG you cool natural gas to minus 161 deg C. It is stored at very low pressure in insulated tanks.

When it reaches its market, the gas is pumped to high pressure(eg 75 bar), easy to do as its a liquid. The gas is then warmed up (can use sea water to do this) and it gthe oes into the gas grids, its then no different than any other gas. The idea that natural gas from LNG leaks more is nonsense!

Total energy cost of liquefaction, transport, re-gasification, is about 12%

[pea-jay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('baldwincng', '
')The idea that natural gas from LNG leaks more is nonsense!

[baldwincng]

Natural gas is 90% methane, the CH4 molecule, made 100 or more million years ago. Whether it comes to the consumer by pipeline or ship, its the same CH4 molecule.

The idea that some CH4 molecules leak more than others is utter nonsense. If there seem to be more leaks, there are a number of reasons:

1. Operation of network will have changed to accommodate the LNG supply, maybe there are higher pressures (= more leaks given gas mains are often >50 years old and made of iron with leaky joints)
2. The natural gas from LNG has odorant added to it to give it its smell. May be that a bit more has been added than the normal odorant (methane has no smell). Adding more odorant will cause more leaks to be reported.
3. Consumers may be more on the look out for leaks as a result of shock horror LNG publicity.

The pipeline system will not be actually leaking more, that is complete and utter nonsense!!

[Antimatter]

Aren't the heavier hydrocarbons usually removed from domestic gas anyway? Ethane for chem. feedstock and propane/butane for bottled gas/LPG fuel? The NIMBY/BANANA brigade will run and fly with this.