Cold Energy Utilization in LNG Regasification System Using Organic Rankine Cycle and Trilateral Flash Cycle

Abstract

"Cold energy" refers to a potential to generate power by utilizing the exergy of cryogenic systems, like Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), using it as the cold side of a thermodynamic cycle, while the hot side can be even on the ambient temperature. For this purpose, the cryogenic Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is one type of promising solution with comprehensive benefits to generate electricity. The performance of this cycle depends on the applied working fluid. This paper focuses on the applicability of some natural working fluids and analyzes their performance upon cold energy utilization in the LNG regasification system. An alternative method, the cryogenic Trilateral Flash Cycle (TFC), is also presented here. The selection of working fluid is a multi-step process; the first step uses thermodynamic criteria, while the second one is addressing environmental and safety issues. It will be shown that in LNG regasification systems, single cryogenic ORC performs higher net output power and net efficiency compared to single cryogenic TFC. Propane as working fluid in the single cryogenic ORC generates the highest net output power and net efficiency. It is demonstrated, that concerning 26 novel LNG terminals, a net power output around 320 MW could be recovered from the cold energy by installing a simple cycle, namely a single-step cryogenic ORC unit using propane as working fluid.