revolutionizing the lng supply chain with superior insulation solutions

LNG is the fastest growing hydrocarbon based fuel in the world. Over the next 5 years alone,
a total of $84B is expected to be spent building out LNG infrastructure (liquefaction and re-gasification terminals and transportation). Aspen Aerogels is participating in this build out with new solutions that will facilitate a more efficient flow of LNG from the wellhead to consumers around the world. We are working with leaders throughout the LNG supply chain to provide innovative thermal management solutions thereby significantly reducing operating and systems costs.

ASPEN AEROGELS IN LNG SYSTEMS MEAN:

Smaller outer pipes in pipe-in-pipe systems, reducing the need for steel thereby saving
money in materials and installation costs.
Better insulation performance of storage facilities than with other insulation systems,
reducing boil off gas, resulting in substantial OPEX savings.
Dramatically improved carrier ships which are able to carry between 5000 to 11500
additional cubic meters of LNG for a given hull size.

LNG SUPPLY CHAIN

Aspen Aerogels in Liquefaction Plants

Aspen Aerogels insulation solutions are extremely well positioned for the demanding thermal
management environments of LNG applications. Its thermal conductivity is unmatched when
combined with other system factors such as space efficiencies, overall material and installation
costs and installation ease.

LIQUEFACTION

SHIPPING

REGASIFICATION

Membrane LNG Carrier Ships

Regasification Plants

Thermal performance of Aspen Aerogels LNG Insulation

Aspen Aerogels produces a highly effective thermal insulation material compared to conventional insulation materials for cryogenic insulation applications. The data in Figure 1 show the expected cubic dependence of thermal conductivity with temperature; at absolute zero, all materials have a zero thermal conductivity and at high temperatures, infrared radiation contributions to overall thermal conductivity from hot surfaces increase as a function of temperature to the fourth power (T⁴). Submersion of the hydrophobic aerogel insulation in seawater for 6 weeks does not negatively impact thermal performance after drying off any residual water, showing how robust an aerogel solution can be in marine environments. Finally, the use of argon gas within the nanoporous aerogel insulation can significantly improve the thermal performance in cryogenic temperatures (note the red data points in Figure 1 showing lower TC values in argon for the same material as the dark blue points in nitrogen).

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Temperature dependent thermal conductivity
of Aspen Aerogels’ flexible aerogel blanket insulation for LNG applications with and without relevant environmental exposures.
Data was acquired in one atmosphere of nitrogen unless otherwise noted.

Fig.1