Power generation systems using the cold energy of LNG have been introduced at some LNG receiving terminals in accordance with the increase of LNG consumption as a substitute for oil in Japan.
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., has been engaged in intensive research and experiments for the power generation system to recover the cold energy of LNG effectively, jointly with Chiyoda Chemical Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. This system is called MFR (Multi-component Fluid Rankine) Cycle using a mixture of light hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10) as working fluid. The principle applied for this cycle is categorized as Rankine Cycle utilizing sea water as the heat source and LNG as the heat sink. The high recovery rate of exergy from LNG cold energy is the feature of the MFR Cycle.
A pilot plant of the MFR Cycle was constructed at Negishi Works of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. with vaporizing capacity of 5t/H of LNG in August, 1980. The experiment was completed in April, 1981 with maximum electricity of 130kW.
On the basis of the experiment, a commercial plant has been investigated with vaporizing capacity of 100t/H of LNG and maximum electricity of 4, 000kW.
In this paper, results of the research and development for the MFR Cycle are reported such as the analysis of the pilot plant experiment and the basic conception for the commercial plant.
