LNG as an energy efficient eco-friendly cryogenic fuel

Abstract

The use of an old fuel in a new form has progressed at a rapid space for the last couple of years, due to its several advantages. The fuel in question is natural gas and, its new form, is liquefied natural gas designated as LNG. LNG transported in cryogenic vessels offers several advantages over pipe line transport of natural gas when the gas consuming areas are far away from the gas producing areas. Moreover, LNG as an automobile fuel has also a definite edge over other fuel. However, the LNG age in India is of very recent origin and, only in January, 2004, the first LNG cargo had reached an Indian port in the state of Gujarat. In this juncture, this paper presents an effective study on the characteristics of LNG, advantages and disadvantages of various natural gas liquefaction cycles, the present state of affairs of LNG in India, its import and CNG versus LNG as an automobile fuel, eco-friendliness of natural gas fuel etc. It also discusses the potential of natural gas generation from different sources, and the need for indigenous development of LNG technology for import substitution in the Indian context.