Letters

LNG Alternative

To the editor:

The following is an environmentally friendly way of warming LNG.

This same information has been sent to ConocoPhillips and Gov. Riley. I’ve received thank you letters from both, but I have not heard of any thought being put into this suggestion.

Concerns about exploding gas would have to be addressed in some other fashion. I cannot make it to the town meetings. Please bring this to more people’s attention.

Traditional closed-loop LNG heating systems burn natural gas to warm LNG for entry into pipelines. The proposed open-loop system pumps seawater around the LNG to warm it, returning chilled water to the Gulf of Mexico at the end of the process.

I’d like to know if the companies involved in designing systems to heat LNG have discussed the possibility of a mutual union with power generating plants like Hog Bayou. According to Calpine (owners of Mobile’s power plant), “Hog Bayou can deliver thermal energy to potential manufacturing plants…”(1) Kiewit Industrial Corp., who designed and constructed Hog Bayou, confirms this by saying, “The hot exhaust … can range from 1,100 to 1,200 degrees … is capable of producing 900,000 lb./hr. of high pressure steam rated for 1,450 psig at 950 degrees, as well as intermediate and low pressure steam.”(2)

We have here a win/win proposition. The LNG companies have to warm the gas and the power plant has to dispose of heat. Such an alliance would keep the processes “green” by limiting the thermal impact of both processes and would be virtually cost free once the piping loop is installed.

Frank Murphy

Mobile, AL

Student, University of South Alabama

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