User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox
In its liquid state, LNG is neither flammable or explosive.[1][2] For LNG to burn, it must first vaporize, then mix with air in the proper proportions (the flammable range is 5 to 15 volume percent[3]), and then be ignited.
When an LNG is released into the atmosphere because of a leak, spill or any other cause (on land or at sea), it immediately begins to vaporize by absorbing heat from the ground or the sea water. At the usual ambient air temperature of about 15 to 40 °C, natural gas is much lighter than air. However, the natural gas vapor formed when LNG vaporizes is very cold (i.e., −160 °C) and therefore much denser than the ambient air. The vapor begins mixing with air and water moisture in the air is condensed to form a visible vapor cloud. . As the cloud is initially formed, it contains too much natural gas to be flammable. The cloud will linger near ground level until further heat is absorbed and the natural gas rises and mixes with more air. As that occurs, the concentration of natural gas within the cloud begins to decrease.. At some point, the natural gas concentration in the cloud will decrease to the point where the gas is in the flammable range and becomes ignitable. If an ignition sources is present at that point, only the part of the cloud which is within the flammable range will burn. The vapor cloud will not explode unless it is confined. Any part of the cloud that enters a building or becomes confined in a congested area will become explosive if encounters an ignition source.[4][5]
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedCalifEnergyCommission - ↑ Frequently Asked Questions: LNG] From the website of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- ↑ Note: If there is less than 5 volume % or more than 15 volume % of natural gas vapor in the air, the gas will not burn.
- ↑ John M. Woodward and Robin Pitblado (2010). LNG Risk Based Safety: Modeling and Consequence Analysis. John Wiley and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. ISBN 0-470-31764-7.
- ↑ Report On Issues Regarding The Existing New York Liquefied Natural Gas Moratorium 1998, from the website of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The report concluded that safety concerns associated with LNG terminal facilities were adequately addressed by existing Federal, State and local statutes and regulations. For those reasons, the study recommended: that the New York State Legislature discontinue the existing moratorium.