Study of gelled LNG
摘要
This research included (1) further characterization of gelled LNG (GELNG) rheological properties, (2) assessment of the relative leakage of GELNG vs LNG through a perforated wall, (3) relative spread and vaporization rates of unconfined spills on water, and (4) relative spread and vaporization rates of unconfined spills on land. Shear stress vs strain rate was determined for a range of gelant concentrations. The shear diagram was extended to cover shear rates in the range of 13 to 14,800 inverse seconds, expanding previous results at both low and high shear rates. Leakage tests of GELNG through a known geometry perforation were conducted along with comparative testing with LNG. Rapid cessation of flow through the perforated plate was observed for all tested concentrations of GELNG and at all driving pressures. This cessation of leakage was observed for both moist ambient air and dry helium isothermal environments. LNG showed no flow cessation tendencies under any of the test conditions. Land spills were found to give inconclusive results due to difficulties in measuring transient weight changes during the spill. Water spills were conducted in such a way that spread areas could be photographically recorded. Gelation increases total vaporization time significantly in water spills.