Theoretical analysis of LNG regasifier supplementing gas turbine cycle

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is transported by the sea-ships with relatively low pressure (0.13–0.14 MPa) and very low temperature (about 100 K) in cryo-containers. Liquid phase, and the low temperature of the medium is connected with its high exergy. LNG receives this exergy during the liquefaction and is related with energy consumption in this process. When the LNG is evaporated in atmospheric regasifiers (what takes place in many on-shore terminals as well as in local regasifier stations) the cryogenic exergy is totally lost. fortunately, there are a lot of installations dedicated for exergy recovery during LNG regasification. These are mainly used for the production of electricity, but there are also rare examples of utilization of the LNG cryogenic exergy for other tasks, for example it is utilized in the fruit lyophilization process. In the paper installations based on the Brayton cycle gas turbine are investigated, in the form of systems with inlet air cooling, liquid phase injection, exhaust gas based LNG evaporation and mirror gas turbine systems. The mirror gas turbine system are found most exegetically effective, while the exhaust gas heated systems the most practical in terms of own LNG consumption.