Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is regularly viewed as to a great degree unsafe and lethal with cargo ships called as floating bombs. Be that as it may, is it true that this is discernment precise? The verifiable the truth is that LNG has the best wellbeing record of all regular fuel sorts and is totally non-harmful. Obviously common gas vapors are combustible and present security perils that must be overseen, yet these risks are considerably not exactly for gas, diesel and other fluid energizes.
But, as indicated by an expert with respect to LNG tankers and wellbeing, they are a portion of the most up to date and most secure ships on the water today. Let us have a look at some of the views of Michael Hightower with respect to the security of LNG delivery. He is an expert working in Sandia Laboratories Energy Systems and Analysis Department, and he arrives at a few conclusions.
Highlights of Michael Hightower’s views:
- LNG Spills: As far as a ship hitting another ship and having a spill, there has not been one since the 1970s. Their safety record is impeccable, extremely good. It is the best of any of the large transportation and shipping materials.
- Hazard Distances: If bringing a ship into an area that is more than a mile away, you are pretty safe; Half mile to a mile, there needs to be some provisions. A hazard distance in that case may be as much as 2 to 2.5 miles from the ship. It may be less if it hits an ignition source and burns off.
- Public Safety Hazard: A spill with a small fire could be a scenario impacting public safety. A spill, big or small, could disperse as a vapor cloud and then move in a direction depending on the wind. If there is an ignition source, it could burn.
- Speed Limit Hazard: Speed limit is one way to minimize the severity of an accident. In this case, the U.S. Coast Guard assesses these hazards and determines critical areas and waterway suitability. He also, opines speed limit is one way to minimize the severity of the accident.
- Transfer Hazard: It takes about 15 hours to fill an LNG ship. The liquid is transferred very fast using multiple hoses. Accidents while LNG is being transferred to the ship at the site of LNG storage tanks happen in small amounts, spill may be around 4,000 to 5,000 gallons. In case if it happens, and if there is no ignition source, the LNG will evaporate and disperse. In some cases, if there is a spark, there can be a short duration fire about 10 to 20 feet in diameter.
Selection of locations of transits should be judicious so that it does not affect people. In case no location is found out, one has to ensure the reduction of severity of the spill. To best it should not happen.
He concludes that “LNG hazards are different than crude oil, propane, etc. and they burn differently,” he also added “LNG has to be looked at separately. Most of the shipping has risk management on it. LNG is just another one that is hazardous.”
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Image: Steve Campbell
Source: The Monitor
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