SNG – Synthetic Natural Gas
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.
The oppurtunities SNG, also known as Substitute Natural Gas, provides 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.
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. Which 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.
This interchangeable use of SNG and NG makes it a powerful tool to startegically manage Natural Gas shortage. In the coming posts we will discuss the details of this strategy and technical aspects of SNG.
