1160:1997
Installations and
equipment for liquefied
natural gas
General characteristics
of liquefied natural gas
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 1160 3
BSI 11-1998 i
BS EN 1160:1997
National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee GSE/38 and is
the English language version of EN 1160:1996 Installations and equipment for
liquefied natural gas General characteristics of liquefied natural gas, published
by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
EN 1160 was produced as a result of international discussions in which the
United Kingdom took an active part.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 13 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii BSI 11-1998
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1160
NORME EUROPENNE
EUROPISCHE NORM June 1996
Descriptors: Gas installation, liquefied natural gas, characteristics, physical properties, construction materials, safety, accident
prevention, toxicity, fire protection
English version
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1996-04-20. CEN members
are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsbility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.
CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comit Europen de Normalisation
Europisches Komitee fr Normung
Foreword Contents
This European Standard has been prepared by Page
Technical Committee CEN/TC 282, Installations Foreword 2
and equipment for LNG, of which the secretariat is
1 Scope 3
held by AFNOR.
2 Normative references 3
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an 3 Definition 3
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by 4 Abbreviations 3
December 1996, and conflicting national standards 5 General characteristics of LNG 3
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 1996.
5.1 Introduction 3
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the natural standards organizations of 5.2 Properties of LNG 3
the following countries are bound to implement this 5.3 Evaporation of LNG 4
European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, 5.4 Spillage of LNG 5
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, 5.5 Ignition 5
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the 5.6 Containment 5
United Kingdom. 5.7 Other physical phenomena 6
6 Materials of construction 7
6.1 Materials used in the LNG industry 7
6.2 Thermal stresses 8
7 Health and safety 8
7.1 Exposure to cold 8
7.2 Exposure to gas 8
7.3 Fire precautions and protection 9
7.4 Odour 9
Annex A (informative) Bibliography 10
Annex B (informative) Materials that
can be used in contact with LNG 12
Table 1 Examples of LNG 4
Table 2 Rate of evaporation 5
Table 3 Main materials used in direct
contact and general use 7
Table 4 Main materials not in direct
contact under normal operations with LNG 7
Table B.1 Stainless steels at ambient
and low temperatures for sheets/plates
and strips 12
Table B.2 Stainless steels at ambient
and low temperature for nuts and bolts 12
Table B.3 Stainless steels at ambient
and low temperature for bars 12
Table B.4 Stainless steels at ambient and
low temperatures for steel forgings 13
Table B.5 Ferronickel and nickel alloys 13
Table B.6 Aluminium alloys 13
2 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
prEN 1473, Installation and equipment for liquefied
be found in reference books (see annex A) and
natural gas Design of on-shore installation.
thermodynamic calculation codes.
3 Definition For the purpose of this standard, LNG shall have a
methane content of more than 75 % and a nitrogen
For the purposes of this standard, the following content of less than 5 %.
definition applies:
Although the major constituent of LNG is methane,
liquefied natural gas it should not be assumed that LNG is pure methane
a colourless fluid in the liquid state composed for the purpose of estimating its behaviour.
predominantly of methane and which may contain When analysing the composition of LNG special
minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or care should be taken to obtain representative
other components normally found in natural gas samples not causing false analysis results due to
distillation effects. The most common method is to
4 Abbreviations analyse a small stream of continuously evaporated
For the purposes of this standard, the following product using a specific device that is designed to
abbreviations apply: provide a representative gas sample of liquid
without fractionation. Another method is to take a
LNG liquefied natural gas;
sample from the outlet of the main product
RPT rapid phase transition; vaporizers. This sample can then be analysed by
BLEVE boiling liquid expanding vapour normal gas chromatographic methods, such as those
explosion; described in ISO 6568 or ISO 6974.
SEP surface emissive power. 5.2.2 Density
The density of LNG depends on the composition and
5 General characteristics of LNG usually ranges from 430 kg/m3 to 470 kg/m3, but in
5.1 Introduction some cases can be as high as 520 kg/m3. Density is
It is recommended that all personnel concerned also a function of the liquid temperature with a
with the handling of LNG should be familiar with gradient of about 1,35 kgm3C1. Density can be
both the characteristics of the liquid and the gas measured directly but is generally calculated from
produced. composition determined by gas chromatographic
analysis. The method as defined in ISO 6578 is
recommended.
NOTE Method generally known as Klosek McKinley method.
BSI 11-1998 3
EN 1160:1996
composition of the liquid and gas products of
methane and traces of ethane. The nitrogen content flashing multicomponent fluids such as LNG are
of the boil-off gas can be about 20 times that in the complex. Validated thermodynamic or plant
LNG. simulation packages for use on computers
incorporating an appropriate database should be
used for such flash calculations.
Table 1 Examples of LNG
Properties at bubblepoint at normal pressure LNG LNG LNG
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Molar content (%)
N2 0,5 1,79 0,36
CH4 97,5 93,9 87,20
C2H6 1,8 3,26 8,61
C3H8 0,2 0,69 2,74
i C4H10 0,12 0,42
n C4H10 0,15 0,65
C5H12 0,09 0,02
Molecular weight (kg/kmol) 16,41 17,07 18,52
Bubble point temperature (C) 162,6 165,3 161,3
Density (kg/m3) 431,6 448,8 468,7
Volume of gas measured at 0 C and
101 325 Pa/volume of liquid (m3/m3) 590 590 568
Volume of gas measured at 0 C and
101 325 Pa/mass of liquid (m3/103 kg) 1 367 1 314 1 211
4 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
Light colloidal concrete 65 measured values of the incident radiative flux and a
defined flame area. The SEP depends on pool size,
Small quantities of liquid can be converted into smoke emission and methods of measurement. With
large volumes of gas when spillage occurs. One increased sooting the SEP decreases. Annex A
volume of liquid will produce approximately 600 contains a list of references which may be used to
volumes of gas at ambient conditions (see Table 1). ascertain the SEP for a given circumstance.
When spillage occurs on water the convection in the 5.5.2 Development and consequences of
water is so intense that the rate of evaporation pressure waves
related to the area remains constant. The size of the
LNG spillage will extend until the evaporating In a free cloud natural gas burns at low velocities
amount of gas equals the amount of liquid gas resulting in low overpressures of less
produced by the leak. than 5 103 Pa within the cloud. Higher pressures
can occur in areas of high congestion or confinement
5.4.2 Expansion and dispersion of gas clouds such as densely installed equipment or buildings.
Initially, the gas produced by evaporation is at 5.6 Containment
nearly the same temperature as the LNG and is
more dense than ambient air. Such gas will at first Natural gas cannot be liquefied by applying
flow in a layer along the ground until it warms by pressure at ambient temperature. In fact it has to be
absorbing heat from the atmosphere. When the reduced in temperature below about 80 C before
temperature has risen to about 113 C for pure it liquefies at any pressure. This means that any
methane or about 80 C for LNG (depending on its quantity of LNG that is contained, for example
composition), it is less dense than ambient air. between two valves or in a vessel with no vent, and
However, the gas air mixture will only rise when its is then allowed to warm up will increase in pressure
temperature has increased so that the whole until failure of the containment system occurs.
mixture is less dense than ambient air. Plant and equipment shall therefore be designed
with adequately sized vents and/or relief valves.
Spillage, expansion and dispersion of vapour clouds
are complex subjects and are usually predicted by
computer models. Such predictions should only be
undertaken by a body competent in the subject.
BSI 11-1998 5
EN 1160:1996
pressure relief valves to lift. For example, liquids can be brought into intimate
An early hypothesis was that when the density of contact by mechanical impact and this has been
the top layer exceeded that of the lower layer an known to initiate RPTs in experiments with LNG or
inversion would occur, hence the name rollover. liquid nitrogen on water.
More recent research shows that this is not the case Various research programmes are in progress to
and that, as described above, it is rapid mixing that gain a better understanding of RPTs, to quantify the
occurs. severity of the phenomena and to ascertain whether
Potential rollover incidents are usually preceded by prevention measures are warranted.
a period during which the boil-off gas production 5.7.3 BLEVE
rate is significantly lower than normal. Boil-off
rates should therefore be closely monitored to Any liquid at or near its boiling point and above a
ensure that the liquid is not storing heat. If this is certain pressure will extremely rapidly vaporize if
suspected, attempts should be made to circulate suddenly released due to failure of the pressure
liquid to promote mixing. system. This violent expansion process has been
known to propel whole sections of failed vessels
Rollover can be prevented by good stock several hundred metres. This is known as a boiling
management. LNG from different sources and liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE).
having different compositions should preferably be
stored in separate tanks. If this is not practical, good A BLEVE is highly unlikely to occur on an LNG
mixing should be ensured during tank filling. installation because either the LNG is stored in a
vessel which will fail at a low pressure (see A.5) and
A high nitrogen content in peak shaving LNG can where the rate of vapour evolution is small, or it is
also cause a rollover soon after the cessation of tank stored and transferred in insulated pressure vessels
filling. and pipes which are inherently protected from fire
Experience shows that this type of rollover can best damage.
be prevented by keeping the nitrogen content of
LNG below 1% and by closely monitoring the boil-off
rate.
6 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
Table 4 Main materials not in direct contact under normal operations with LNG
Materials General use
Low alloyed stainless steel Ball bearings
Concrete (prestressed reinforced) Tanks
Colloid concrete Retention dykes
Wood (balsa, plywood, cork) Thermal insulation
Elastomer Mastic, glue
Glass wool Thermal insulation
Rock wool Thermal insulation
Exfoliated mica Thermal insulation
Polyvinylchloride Thermal insulation
Polystyrene Thermal insulation
Polyurethane Thermal insulation
Polyisocyanurate Thermal insulation
Sand Retention dykes
Calcium silicate Thermal insulation
Silica (glass)
Foamed glass Thermal insulation, Retention dykes
Perlite Thermal insulation
BSI 11-1998 7
EN 1160:1996
6.1.3 Other information Unprotected parts of the body should not be allowed
Since copper, brass and aluminium have low to touch uninsulated pipes or vessels containing
melting points and could fail in an ignited LNG LNG. The extremely cold metal can adhere and the
spill, stainless steel and 9 % nickel steel tend to be flesh can be torn when attempts are made to
used. Aluminium is often used for heat exchangers. withdraw from it.
Liquefaction plant tube and plate exchangers are 7.1.2 Frostbite
protected by a steel chamber called a cold box. Severe or prolonged exposure to cold vapours and
Aluminium can also be used for inner tank gases can cause frostbite. Local pain usually gives
suspended roofs. warning of freezing but sometimes no pain is
Equipment specifically designed for liquid oxygen or experienced.
liquid nitrogen is normally also suitable for LNG.
7.1.3 Effect of cold on the lungs
Equipment designed for normal operation on LNG
Prolonged breathing of extremely cold atmospheres
at higher pressure and temperature should also be
can damage the lungs. Short exposure can produce
designed to take account of the drop in temperature
breathing discomfort.
of the fluid in the event of depressurization.
7.1.4 Hypothermia
6.2 Thermal stresses
The danger from hypothermia can be present at
Most cryogenic equipment used in LNG facilities
temperatures up to 10 C. Persons apparently
will undergo fast cooling from ambient temperature
suffering from the effects of hypothermia should be
down to LNG temperature.
removed from the cold area and rapidly rewarmed
Temperature gradients occur during these cooling in a warm bath with the temperature between 40 C
down operations producing thermal stresses which and 42 C. Dry heat shall not be used for warming.
are transient, cyclical and maximal along the walls
directly in contact with LNG. 7.1.5 Recommended protective clothing
These stresses increase with the thickness of the When handling LNG the eyes should be protected
materials, and when this thickness exceeds with an appropriate face shield or safety goggles if
approximately 10 mm they can become significant. exposure to LNG is reasonably foreseeable.
For especially critical points, transition or shock Leather gloves should always be worn when
stresses can be calculated using an approved handling anything that is, or could have been, in
method and tested for brittle fracture. contact with the cold liquid or gas. Gloves should be
a loose fit so that they can be readily removed
7 Health and safety should liquid splash in or on them. Even when using
gloves, equipment should only be held for a short
The following recommendations are given in order time.
to provide guidance to persons involved in operating
Tight fitting overalls or similar type of clothing
LNG plant and are not intended to supersede
should be worn, preferably without pockets or
national legal requirements.
turn-ups, and trousers should be worn outside boots
7.1 Exposure to cold or shoes. Clothing which has been contaminated
The low temperatures associated with LNG can with cold liquid or vapour should be ventilated
result in a variety of effects on exposed parts of the before the wearer goes into a confined space or near
body. If a person is not suitably protected against an ignition source.
low ambient temperatures, the persons reactions Operating personnel should be aware that
and capabilities can be adversely affected. protective clothing only gives a measure of
7.1.1 Handling, cold contact burns protection against occasional splashes of LNG and
contact with LNG should be avoided.
Contact with LNG can produce a blistering effect on
the skin similar to a burn. The gas issuing from 7.2 Exposure to gas
LNG is also extremely cold and can produce burns. 7.2.1 Toxicity
Delicate tissues, such as those of the eyes, can be
LNG and natural gas are not toxic.
damaged by exposure to this cold gas even though it
would be too brief to affect the skin of the face and
hands.
8 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
BSI 11-1998 9
EN 1160:1996
Annex A (informative)
Bibliography
A.1 General
(1) Safety tools for LNG risk evaluation: cloud (2) Methodology of Gaz de France concerning
dispersion and radiation, D. NDELKA, B. WEISS, matters of LNG terminals, D. NDELKA, A. GOY
B. BAUER (Gaz de France), IGU H12-91, Berlin (Gaz de France), Paper 1, Session III, LNG 10,
(July 1991). Kuala Lumpur (May 1992).
(3) Grundlagen sicherheitstechnischer Erfordernisse
im Umgang mit Flssigerdgas (LNG), K.A.
HOPFER, gwf Gas-Erdgas 130 (1989), S 27-32.
A.3 RPT
(1) Contribution to the study of the behaviour of LNG (3) Propagation of vapor explosion in a stratified
spilled onto the sea, A. SALVADORI, geometry. Experiments with liquid nitrogen and
J.C. LEDIRAISON, D. NDELKA, (Gaz de France), water, J.D. SAINSON, M. GABILLARD, T.
Session III, LNG 7, Djakarta (May 1983). WILLIAMS (Gaz de France, Gas Research
(2) Rapid phase transitions of cryogenic liquids Institute), CSNI Fuel Coolant Interaction
boiling on water surface, J.D. SAINSON, C. Santa Barbara (Jan. 1993).
BARADEL, M. ROULEAU, J. LEBLOND (Gaz de
France, ESPCI, ENS), Paper 9, Session II,
Eurotherm Louvain (May 1990).
A.4 Rollover
(1) LNG stratification and rollover, J.A. SARSTEN, (2) Tests on LNG behaviour in large scale tank at
Pipeline and Gas Journal, vol. 199, p. 37 (Sep. 1972). Fos-sur-Mer terminal, F. BELLUS, Y.
RVEILLARD, C. BONNAURE, L. CHEVALIER
(Gaz de France), Paper 9, Session III, LNG 5 (May
1977).
10 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
(3) Management of LNG storage tanks. (4) LNG tank filling: Operational procedures to
Stratification, mixing and ageing of LNG, O. prevent stratification, M. BAUDINO (SNAM),
MARCEL, Paper H5, 16th World Gas Conference, Munich
A. GIRARD-LAOT, P. LANGRY (Gaz de France), (1985).
Paper 4, Session III, LNG 10, Kuala Lumpur (May
1992).
A.5 BLEVE
(1) LNG and explosions of BLEVE type, L.
MONTENEGRO FORMIGUERA (Catalana de Gas
y Electricidad), Gas National Conference XIII,
Madrid (May 1987).
A.8 Standards
EN 485-2, Aluminium and aluminium alloys prEN 755-2, Aluminium and aluminium alloys
Sheet, strip and plate Part 2: Mechanical Extruded rod/bar, tube and profile Part 2:
properties. Mechanical properties.
EN 515, Aluminium and aluminium alloys prEN 10222-6, Steel forgings for pressure purposes
Wrought products Temper designations. Part 6: Austenitic, martensitic and austenitic-
EN 573-3, Aluminium and aluminium alloys ferritic stainless steels.
Chemical composition and form of wrought products ISO 6208, Nickel and nickel alloy plate, sheet and
Part 3: Chemical composition. strip.
EN 10028-4, Flat products made of steels for ISO 6568, Natural gas Simple analysis by gas
pressure purposes Part 4: Nickel alloy steels with chromatography.
specified low temperature properties. ISO 6578, Refrigerated hydrocarbon liquids
EN 10045-1, Metallic materials Charpy impact Static measurement Calculation procedure.
test Part 1: Test method. ISO 6974, Natural gas Determination of hydrogen,
EN 10088-1, Stainless steels Part 1: List of inert gases and hydrocarbons up to C8
stainless steels. Gas chromatographic method.
EN 10088-2, Stainless steels Part 2: Technical ISO 8310, Refrigerated light hydrocarbon fluids
delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for Measurement of temperature in tanks containing
general purposes. liquefied gases Resistance thermometers and
EN 10088-3, Stainless steels Part 3: Technical thermocouples.
delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, ISO 9722, Nickel and nickel alloys Composition
rods and sections for general purposes. and form of wrought products.
EN 26501, Ferronickel Specification and delivery ISO 9723, Nickel and nickel alloy bars.
requirements (ISO 6501:1988).
prEN 754-2, Aluminium and aluminium alloys
Cold drawn rod/bar and tube Part 2: Mechanical
properties.
BSI 11-1998 11
EN 1160:1996
Annex B (informative)
Materials that can be used in contact with LNG
This annex gives the grades of the main materials that can be used in contact with LNG.
The references of the European or international standards (or drafts) which give the chemical composition
or mechanical properties of the materials are indicated in Table B.1 to Table B.6
Table B.1 gives the values of the impact energy KV (J) at 196 C.
Table B.1 Stainless steels at ambient and low temperatures for sheets/plates and strips
Steel grade designation a
KV (J)
Name Number ( 196 C)
long tr
X2CrNi18-9 1.4307 70
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4404 90 70
X2CrNiMo17-12-3 1.4432 90 70
X2CrNiMo18-14-3 1.4435 90 70
X5CrNi18-10 1.4301 90 70
X6CrNiTi18-10 1.4541 90 70
X6CrNiMoNb17-12-2 1.4580 90 70
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4401 90 70
X3CrNiMo17-13-3 1.4436 90 70
X2CrNiMo18-15-4 1.4438 90 70
X2CrNiN18-10 1.4311 90 70
X2CrNiMoN17-13-3 1.4429 90 70
X2CrNiMoN18-12-4 1.4434 90 70
X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 1.4439 90 70
X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 1.4539 90 70
a The values of impact energy at 196 C are those of a French standard because the European Standard of stainless steels for
pressure purposes is not available yet.
NOTE Chemical composition: see EN 10088-1. Mechanical properties: see EN 10088-2.
Table B.2 Stainless steels at ambient and Table B.3 Stainless steels at ambient and
low temperature for nuts and bolts low temperature for bars
Steel grade designation Steel grade designation
Name Number
X5CrNi18-10
X2CrNi18-9 1.4307
X4CrNi18-12
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4404
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 X2CrNiMo17-12-3 1.4432
X3CrNiMo 17-13-3 X2CrNiMo18-14-3 1.4435
NOTE See EN 10088-2 for mechanical properties. X5CrNi18-10 1.4301
X6CrNiTi18-10 1.4541
X6CrNiMoNb17-12-2 1.4580
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4401
X3CrNiMo17-13-3 1.4436
X2CrNiMo18-15-4 1.4438
X8CrNiS18-9 1.4305
X2CrNiN18-10 1.4311
X2CrNiMoN17-13-3 1.4429
X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 1.4439
X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 1.4539
NOTE See EN 10088-3 for mechanical properties.
See EN 10088-1 for chemical properties.
12 BSI 11-1998
EN 1160:1996
BSI 11-1998 13
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