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An efficient pulse tube cryocooler for boil-off gas reliquefaction in liquid natural gas tanks

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  • Hu, J.Y.
  • Chen, S.
  • Zhu, J.
  • Zhang, L.M.
  • Luo, E.C.
  • Dai, W.
  • Li, H.B.

Abstract

Small liquid natural gas (LNG) distribution stations require compact, highly efficient cryocoolers to reliquefy boil-off gas in the LNG tank. This paper describes a pulse tube cryocooler measuring 420mm×690mm×780mm and weighing 180kg. With low input electric power, the relative Carnot efficiency exceeded 20%. Increasing the power to 10kW, the cryocooler produced approximately 1.2kW of cooling at 120K. Approximately 295 normal cubic meters of boil-off natural gas per day can be condensed. If heat transfer in the main heat exchanger is improved, cooling power and efficiency could be further improved. This development offers an efficient, compact, and reliable configuration for energy saving in LNG distribution stations.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, J.Y. & Chen, S. & Zhu, J. & Zhang, L.M. & Luo, E.C. & Dai, W. & Li, H.B., 2016. "An efficient pulse tube cryocooler for boil-off gas reliquefaction in liquid natural gas tanks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1012-1018.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:164:y:2016:i:c:p:1012-1018
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.03.096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Querol, E. & Gonzalez-Regueral, B. & García-Torrent, J. & García-Martínez, M.J., 2010. "Boil off gas (BOG) management in Spanish liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(11), pages 3384-3392, November.
    2. Hu, J.Y. & Luo, E.C. & Zhang, L.M. & Wang, X.T. & Dai, W., 2013. "A double-acting thermoacoustic cryocooler for high temperature superconducting electric power grids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1166-1170.
    3. Shin, Younggy & Lee, Yoon Pyo, 2009. "Design of a boil-off natural gas reliquefaction control system for LNG carriers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 37-44, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hu, J.Y. & Luo, E.C. & Zhang, L.M. & Chen, Y.Y. & Wu, Z.H. & Gao, B., 2018. "Analysis of a displacer-coupled multi-stage thermoacoustic-Stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 507-514.
    3. Li, Xiaowei & Liu, Bin & Yu, Guoyao & Dai, Wei & Hu, Jianying & Luo, Ercang & Li, Haibing, 2017. "Experimental validation and numeric optimization of a resonance tube-coupled duplex Stirling cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 604-612.
    4. Cao, Qiang, 2018. "Attainability of the Carnot efficiency with real gases in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 705-712.
    5. Xu, Jingyuan & Yu, Guoyao & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2017. "Theoretical analysis of two coupling modes of a 300-Hz three-stage thermoacoustically driven cryocooler system at liquid nitrogen temperature range," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 2134-2141.
    6. Wang, Cheng & Ju, Yonglin & Fu, Yunzhun, 2021. "Comparative life cycle cost analysis of low pressure fuel gas supply systems for LNG fueled ships," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    7. Cao, Qiang & Sun, Zheng & Li, Zimu & Luan, Mingkai & Tang, Xiao & Li, Peng & Jiang, Zhenhua & Wei, Li, 2019. "Reduction of real gas losses with a DC flow in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 139-146.

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