"These failures initiated the start of a system reengineering and software calibration project. The Orbital Engine Corp, a Western Australian based engineering and fuel system calibration expert was engaged to carry out this work. The final calibration, engineering changes and operational tests were completed during May 2007. "
1-May 2009 The Mitchell LNG Story What is Liquefied Natural Gas
Liquefied natural gas is simply methane gas which has been cooled to minus 160 degrees Celsius. The process of cooling methane to the point at which it becomes a liquid and collapses the gas at a ratio of 600:1 or put another way 1 cubic meter of LNG returned to its gaseous state would produce 600 cubic meters of gas. This ratio makes it useful as a fuel for mobile equipment as it enables relatively high energy content per litre of liquid. To compare this to diesel in heat energy terms; 1.8 litres of LNG is equal to 1 litre of diesel.
Some other points of interest when comparing LNG to diesel is that LNG is non toxic, non carcinogenic and does not contaminate ground water, it has a simpler molecular structure and therefore burns cleaner. How does a dual fuel system work
The liquefied natural gas is heated to change its state from a liquid to a gas. The gas is then metered into the engines air induction system via a set of gas injectors. This gas air mixture is combined with diesel at a ratio of approximately 75% natural gas and 25% diesel to form the air fuel mixture, which is burnt to create the energy required to run the engine.
Why LNG
Mitchell\'s operating activities emits in excess of 90,000 tonnes of green house gases per year and approximately one quarter of our costs are associated with the purchase of energy in the form of diesel fuel to operate our haulage fleet. Substituting these energy needs with an alternative fuel such as LNG provides benefits in terms of cost and green house gas emission reductions.
The History
Mitchell Corp first entered into an LNG trail utilising a dual fuel system in conjunction with Wesfarmers LNG during January 2005. This arrangement was primarily established to evaluate two 500 horse power Caterpillar C15 dual fuel systems. These were the first 15 litre LNG powered prime movers in Australia.
These prototype systems were evaluated at 100 tonne GVM on the Kewdale crude oil project with limited testing at 137 tonne GVM hauling diesel into the Midwest. The results of these trials were highly successful demonstrating significant benefits over operating conventional diesel powered prime movers.
The success of the initial trial lead to the purchase of an additional 12 dual fuel C15 powered Freightliner Argossy prime movers which were to be operated between Kwinana and Dongara on the ROC Oil project. These systems were commissioned during March 2006. It was soon after the initial start up of the ROC oil project that the LNG project sustained a major setback as several of the dual fuel engines failed.
These failures initiated the start of a system reengineering and software calibration project. The Orbital Engine Corp, a Western Australian based engineering and fuel system calibration expert was engaged to carry out this work. The final calibration, engineering changes and operational tests were completed during May 2007.
It was soon after this that the next stage of the project began with a plan to convert an additional 70 Clean Air Power dual fuel prime movers units by April 2008 to coincide with the completion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant Wesfarmers were constructing at its Kwinana operation. This plant, designed to produce 160 tonnes of LNG per day was a first for the southern part of WA. The only other significant plants are located at the Burrup peninsular and primarily dedicated to export LNG to Japan.
Where are we today
Mitchell Corp currently has 94 dual fuel clean air power systems and 5 LNG dedicated Westport systems in its fleet based at Kalgoorlie, Kewdale, Geraldton and Cue.
The program continues to be developed in conjunction with Wesfarmers LNG with the view to integrate the LNG fleet into our North West operations. This will see re-fullers located at Mt Magnet Capricorn and Port Hedland.
Keep an eye out for next seasons edition to learn the difference between the Westport and Clean Air Power LNG systems currently being utilized throughout our operations.
http://www.mitchellcorp.com.au/news?id=17
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