High efficient seawater freezing desalination technology by utilizing cold energy of LNG

Abstract

Generally, liquid natural gas (LNG) needs to be regasfied by the heat from seawater in order to be supplied to users. In this process, LNG releases a huge mass of cold energy into cooling seawater, which causes economic inefficiency and environmental problems. This paper presents a new idea that is direct contact seawater freezing desalination by utilizing cold energy from LNG. In this new process, the refrigerant named HFE-7100 is used as second medium to exchange the heat between LNG and seawater. A lab scale experimental system is constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of the process. The performance of the ice generator is evaluated at different operating parameters. Some key parameters are discussed for further development of this technology. According to experimental results, the direct contact ice generation shoud be an effective way to combine seawater desalination and cold energy utilization of LNG.

Keywords:

• Liquid natural gas (LNG)
• Direct contact seawater freezing desalination
• Refrigerant
• Ice generator
• Operating parameter
• Cold energy utilization

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from Tianjin Research Program of Application Foundation and Advanced Technology (13JCQNJC08500).