GE Oil & Gas will deploy its first LNG in a box system, a small-scale, plug-and-play, re-deployable liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling system.
The system will be delivered by LNG-firm Gasfin, a subsidiary of Air-LNG.
Gasfin signed a memorandum of understanding with GE to install five LNG in a box units serving “clusters” of LNG fueling stations. The first unit will be installed near the border of Italy and Slovenia, with the potential for an additional 25 units for expansion into Europe and the CIS countries, GE said.
“We are building a leadership position in the conversion of diesel, gasoline and LPG fuels to LNG in Europe, developing a competitive alternative to LNG terminal supply with portable, small-scale LNG fueling solutions for long-haul trucking and small remote energy centers,” said Davor Grcevich, Gasfin managing director. “As a quickly deployable, modular solution for LNG fueling, GE’s new technology offers a good match for our innovative LNG ‘fueling cluster’ concept that can reduce highway congestion, help ensure gas quality and open new opportunities for natural gas throughout Europe.”
The new system offers an LNG production range of 10,000 to 50,000 gals. a day.
According to GE, the technology enables deployment of an LNG fueling solution at a site in just two months. The plug-and-play solution minimizes engineering effort and civil requirements and lowers initial cost, scheduling, technical, permitting and financing risks with its factory-tested components and GE warranties. The modules also can be redeployed as needed, thus mitigating the risk of a fixed installation by eliminating stranded infrastructure costs.
“The trend toward natural gas fueling continues with our LNG in a box plug-and-play system,” said Ujjwal Kumar, general manager, Turbomachinery Unconventional Solutions product line for GE Oil & Gas. “This industrial-scaled technology can help accelerate the build-out of natural gas fueling infrastructure and can enable the conversion of diesel-powered vehicles to more cost-effective, cleaner natural gas.”
Each LNG in a box unit is fully equipped with a gas pre-treatment system, cold box assembly and boil off gas compressor as well as a GE’s turboexpander compressor, high-speed reciprocating compressor, electric motor, driver and control system. LNG in a box units for Gasfin will be manufactured in the United States and will be shipped to Gasfin’s LNG fueling sites in Europe.
