To the editor:
I’m writing regarding the story, “Energy bill gives feds final say on LNG sites,” by Craig Idlebrook…. The article states, “In order to ship natural gas efficiently, it is cooled and condensed to 1/600 of its original volume. At such pressure, it can be highly explosive.” In fact, the process that changes natural gas volume to 1/600 its original size (making it liquefied natural gas or LNG) utilizes no pressurization. LNG is contained, for all practical purposes, at atmospheric pressure. Thus, LNG on tankers and in storage “boils off.”
…So, there’s no pressurization to make LNG explosive, although it might explode for other reasons… While that is the case under most circumstances, there is reason to believe that unconfined LNG vapors can explode under some conditions…
The greatest danger regarding LNG tankers sailing near communities and assets is one of super-intense heat, should a catastrophic LNG spill occur. An intense fireball, perhaps one-and-one-half miles high, could occur, burning everything for a considerable distance…
Many thanks for your fine publication! I search it for LNG-related stories, and reference them on our website.
Robert Godfrey
Save Passamaquoddy Bay
Eastport