Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) is a blend of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Air that is a direct replacement source for Natural Gas. Working on the fundamentals of fuel interchangebility, the LPG-Air mix/blending is an invisible application of LPG not known to many.

Opportunities

The opportunities SNG, also known as Substitute Natural Gas, provide include:

  • Using it as an industrial back-up (during the Natural Gas shutdown/curtailments).
  • Using it a base fuel to serve area not under service of Natural Gas.
  • Using it to suppliment Natural Gas during peak demands known as peak shaving.

How is SNG made?

SNG is made by mixing the vapour LPG with air to a ratio of approximately 45% air and 55% LPG. Why mixing? Becasue LPG is a highly concentrated source of energy, with 2516 BTU’s per cubic foot gross heat content. This is too rich to be used as a substitute for natural gas without dilution. If the Natural Gas and SNG have an indentical Wobbe Index, they will produce equivalent energies and will combust in the same amount of air. Thus the mixer blends in just the right amount of air and LPG; producing a mix of specific gravity 1.31 (1480BTU/Cu.Ft) and Wobbe Index that will match that of the Natural Gas.

Potential Alternate Gas for Industries

In Pakistan, NG crisis are no different than energy crisis. Earlier we had NG shutdown hours/days only in winters, now we even have them in summers. With this happening it is easily predicted that in coming times or not thinking of far in the coming winters the NG shortage is set to get worst.

Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Dr Faiz Ullah Abbasi, has affirmed this while addressing a recent business gathering. He has said the at the problems regarding the supply of gas in the coming winter would become more serious as compared to the last year, as the demand and supply gap has started to widen.

On the other side the oil and gas sector has also fell victim to the recent floods. The Business Recorder article “Gas load shedding crisis to further worsen ” gives more details.

The gas load shedding crisis is going to further worsen on account of 375 MMCFD gas suspension from country’s largest Qadirpur gas field because of shutdown of compressors of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) due to flood. While addressing a press conference, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar claimed that country had enough stock of fuel oil to meet its requirements.

“All sectors excluding domestic consumers will face more gas load shedding due to suspension of gas supply from Qadirpur gas field in SNGPL system,” Qamar said adding that effort would be made to provide maximum gas supply to power sector to avert power shortage. Minister also ruled out that flood water had entered Qadirpur gas field.

“SNGPL would devise a new gas load shedding plan for all sectors excluding domestic consumers,” Minister maintained.

More: http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=1090459&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

Such a situation is very alarming for all industrial sectors which are dependent on the NG supply. The shutdown will greatly affect their production process, making it slow or even reducing their full production capacity.

As SNG can be used interchangeably with NG it makes a powerful tool to strategically manage winter Natural Gas shortage or NG load shedding. The industrial sector must seriously consider opting for SNG as their can be no other permanent alternative source/back-up to natural gas.

In Pakistan, SNG solution is being sold, installed and commissioned by Target Engineering Enterprise in partnership with Ransome Manufacturing, USA. You may visit their website for further details and contact information.