Valves affect safety and efficiency
Emerson is also aware of the challenges created by LNG. Natural gas must be constantly brought to low temperature for transport in liquid state, and many safety factors have to be implemented in many areas. “As global demand grows, complexity and risk increase, while speed and reliability become more important than ever,” the company explains. The selection process for valve technology can be a major influence on system safety, efficiency, reliability and therefore cost-effectiveness. Emerson has therefore developed specific solutions for the LNG sector.
Emerson has, for example, developed automated valves for cryogenic use “which can provide safe, leak-free shut-off during demanding unloading operations, including isolation, flow control and emergency shut-off”. The company develops valves which protect the compressor from damaging excess pressure incidents. A desuperheater in turn enables accurate gas temperature control under cryogenic conditions. In order to prevent any excess pressure damage to the LNG tanks, as well as to reduce the loss of natural gas and maintenance costs, Emerson has suitable safety valves available in its portfolio. The use of digitalisation also supports processes in the LNG sector: An Emerson-designed digital valve regulator enables more precise control.
LNG supports the achievement of climate targets
But LNG is more than just a gap filler and is not only able to secure the energy supply. Rather more, liquefied natural gas contributes to the achievement of climate goals to a certain extent by releasing significantly less greenhouse gases when burning gas when compared to other fossil fuels. The possibilities of this energy source are not yet fully developed. For example, Bio-LNG, which is produced synthetically via power-to-gas processes from renewable energies, water and CO₂, is considered to be almost CO₂-neutral. Another option is the liquefaction of biomethane to Bio-LNG. It is therefore foreseeable that these developments will also provide an impetus for the development of suitable technologies.
Ecological transformation for shipping
LNG also enables shipping to undergo the much-needed ecological transformation. Because propulsion with liquefied natural gas is much more climate-friendly than with diesel. Herose has already pioneered and supplied valves for the world's first cruise ship which is now powered entirely by LNG for AIDAnova. The valves are equipped with a fire-safe approval and can be operated manually or pneumatically. In addition, there are valves which can regulate the required amount of gas via actuators.
But here, too, the following applies: Fossil LNG can only be a transitional solution, albeit a significant one, which can be made increasingly climate-neutral with the help of blends of Bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. “This means that LNG will always remain an important fuel for climate-neutral shipping even in ten years' time, but with a significantly reduced greenhouse gas intensity,” emphasises the Maritime Platform e.V.