Yunpeng Zhao

59449846500

Publications - 1

Investigation of the cascade utilization of LNG cold energy using total site heat integration method

Publication Name: Thermal Science and Engineering Progress

Publication Date: 2025-11-01

Volume: 67

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) undergoes regasification before delivery to end users, releasing a large amount of cold energy that is significant for efficient utilization. Therefore, based on the principle of “temperature counterpart, cascade utilization”, this study integrates Pinch Analysis with Total Site Heat Integration (TSHI) to propose two new types of integrated systems for LNG cold energy cascade utilization. The first system, designed for rich-gas LNG, comprises light hydrocarbon separation, cryogenic comminution of rubber, electricity generation by organic rankine cycle, and heat management of data center by direct cooling (LHS-CCR-ORC-DC). The second system, designed for lean gas LNG, replaces the LHS unit with an air separation process (ASP) while retaining CCR, ORC, and DC. Through the synergistic optimization of the Grand Composite Curve (GCC) and total site composite curve (TSCC), the proposed system realizes the cascade and efficient utilization of the LNG cold energy in the whole temperature range (−160 °C to 10 °C). Thermodynamic analysis shows that the energy utilization efficiency of the LHS-CCR-ORC-DC and ASP-CCR-ORC-DC systems is improved by 50.06 % and 40.93 %, respectively, compared with the single cold energy utilization mode. Economic evaluation indicates net present values of 1.81 × 108 $ and 2.32 × 108 $ for the two systems, with levelized costs of energy of 0.062 $/kWh and 0.055 $/kWh, respectively. By replacing fossil‐fuel power generation and compression‐based refrigeration, the integrated systems achieve annual CO2 reductions of 261.84 kt and 238.20 kt, respectively. This study provides theoretical basis and technical support for the efficient utilization of LNG cold energy and for the synergistic optimization of its cascade utilization in industrial parks.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsep.2025.104209