May. 26, 2025
Refueling LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is a little different from refueling at a diesel filling station. Safety is paramount when refueling LNG. By making drivers aware of safe LNG refueling and by paying attention to quick and effective troubleshooting, together we can prevent downtime of our filling stations. In this way, we ensure that our network operates as optimally as possible.
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Marcel Ernes, Manager Operations at Rolande, is responsible for the ins and outs of our filling stations. ‘Correctly using the resources at the station ensures that refuelling goes smoothly and efficiently for drivers and that they’re back on the road quickly. In most cases, the problems we encounter – and of which sometimes lead to glitches – can be prevented. One simple example is when a fill-up doesn’t go smoothly on account of the pressure in the truck tank being too high (higher than >10bar). The driver can easily remedy this by connecting the vapour return line and reducing the pressure in their tank.’
Another factor is the LNG temperature and the connection of the nozzle to the tank. Marcel: ‘LNG is dispensed from a storage tank with an internal temperature of -150 degrees. Accordingly, you can imagine that it takes some time to cool down, especially if refueling hasn’t taken place recently. In addition, it is essential that the dispenser nozzle is cleaned well and properly connected to the truck tank. If the connection isn’t right, leakage may occur. We sometimes see drivers treating the nozzle roughly. This rough treatment can cause damage that prevents the system from fully connecting during subsequent refueling with malfunction a potential outcome. Although the system may look easy on the surface, there are all kinds of valves just beneath it which also experience the same cooling and heating. Malfunctions can also cause increased wear and tear on certain components. Fortunately, we have most parts available from stock, but prevention is, of course, better than cure.’
Haste makes waste. The same is true for LNG refueling. Marcel sometimes sees drivers in too much of a hurry to fill up and urges them to take their time. ‘There is an air gun to clean the nozzle at all dispensers. Condensation can form as a result of the system cooling down and heating up again with each refueling. If you don’t use the air gun to spray off this condensation before you start refueling, ice will form and you won’t be able to get the nozzle off as easily. At each dispenser, you will find a watering can and hot water tap which you can use to thaw frozen nozzles and easily disconnect them.’
Finally, you have driver personal safety. The temperature of LNG can cause the dispenser and truck tank lines to become extremely cold. ‘Wearing the right PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) prevents burns and frostbite. Unfortunately, we are still seeing too many drivers wearing shorts or short sleeves, especially in summer. While this is the employers’ responsibility, we actively address this issue with drivers and aim to make them aware of the importance of proper PPE.’
Despite the fact that Rolande’s filling stations are unmanned, we are quick to act in the event of malfunctions. Marcel: ‘Our refueling instructions are clear, so 24/7 manpower isn’t required at our stations. This saves costs, especially for the customer. Nevertheless, we find it extremely important to be available and accessible to our customers at all times. If a problem does occur at a station, it can be solved in two ways. In case of complex breakdowns, a service technician will go out to fix the malfunction on site. Nowadays, we can also remotely fix a large proportion of malfunctions through the intercom. We have access to live Closed Circuit TV and are able to resolve a great deal of issues behind the scenes. In both situations, we are committed to fixing malfunctions as quickly as possible and to ensuring that at least one of the two dispensers remains operational. We get there as soon as possible if there is only one dispenser at a station. At all costs, we want to avoid drivers arriving at a station and not being able to refuel.’
As the cleanest fossil energy on earth, liquefied natural gas is becoming one of the fastest-growing energy industries in the world. Let me tell you about the safety knowledge of the use of liquefied natural gas.
Pipeline transportation and liquefied transportation.
Used for air separation; production of liquefied carbon dioxide and dry ice, cold storage, low-temperature crushing and pulverization; a cold storage device.
Some materials designed for low temperatures become harder as the temperature decreases. The tensile strength and bending strength of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and polytetrafluoroethylene plastics at low temperatures are higher than those at room temperature.
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The purpose of liquefying natural gas into LNG is to facilitate the storage and transportation of natural gas.
LNG must be vaporized before ignition. In an unrestricted environment, neither LNG nor LNG vapor will explode.
The combustion products of LNG are mainly CO2 and water vapor, as well as very small amounts of CO, SO2, and nitrogen oxides.
After vaporization, LNG is colorless and odorless, so odorization makes it easier to attract users’ attention after gas leakage.
The characteristics of LNG fire are: fast flame propagation speed; large mass combustion rate (the combustion rates on the ground and the water are 0.106kg/m2s and 0.258kg/m2s respectively, about twice that of gasoline); high flame temperature and strong radiant heat; easy to form large-scale fire; with re-ignition and re-explosion; difficult to extinguish.
It is easy to generate static sparks when striking with ferrous metal, which can easily cause fire if there is a certain concentration of flammable gas in the environment.
The three main causes of LNG leakage are unsafe behavior of people, quality defects or failures of equipment and facilities, and adverse effects of other factors.
(1) Turn off the gas source. If the gas source cannot be turned off, let the LNG burn on its own.
(2) Use dry powder fire extinguishers, CO2 fire extinguishers, and high-multiplicity foam fire extinguishers to put out the fire. However, do not pour water directly on the leaking natural gas, because doing so will increase the vaporization rate and increase the burning intensity and burning range of the flame.
The above is the safety knowledge about LNG. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will discuss it together.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website LNG Dispensers.
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