SEPTEMBER
2014
LNGINDUSTRY
23
L
NG is playing an increasingly important role in modern energy
supply. Liquefaction of natural gas can save storage space and
costs during ocean transportation, making LNG the new hotspot
of the global energy market. China holds this in high regard, and is
building several LNG terminals in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Fujian, and
Ningbo. The latest, and by far the biggest terminal, has recently been
built in Tianjin.
LNG tanks are vital assets for LNG transmission networks, which
impose a huge influence on the safe operation of the entire terminal,
as well as the distribution networks. This article will introduce the
application of distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems on LNG
tanks, and demonstrate how this technology has become an innovative
method of leakage detection.
Object of detection
Both of the LNG tanks shown in Figure 1 are the newly built
LNG tanks in Tianjin, one of the largest cities in northern China.
With a strategic logistics seaport and an increasing demand for
energy, Tianjin municipal city decided to build the largest LNG
terminal in China to match its industrial and civil development.
Junjie Yu, Dino Simonits and Yuxing Jiang,
LIOS Technology GmbH, Germany, discuss the
application of DTS systems for leak detection on LNG
tanks in Tianjin, China.
