Not many years ago, cryogenics – the production and behavior of materials at very low temperatures – was likely to be understood by a group of people with specialized knowledge in fields like aerospace.

In the cryogenic environment, often it’s confronting challenges in the field – literally – that lead to new answers and new solutions.

As a recent example illustrates, one of Dixon’s customers was experiencing problems while using bunkering connections during the transfer of liquefied natural gas. Technical specialists from Dixon were called to the scene to witness the next bunkering operation and assess the situation.

The Dixon Innovation Center in Chestertown, MD is one of the few places in the world where research on products and systems for cryogenic service is happening. A specially designed cryogenic workstation at the Center allows for R&D testing and repair in environments that replicate those encountered “real-life” in the field. The workstation uses liquid nitrogen to test product designs – a substance that is even colder than liquefied natural gas.

 The US Chemical Safety Board released a case study that examines a mixture of incompatible materials at the MGPI Processing Plant. The mixture resulted in a chemical release that traveled into the community containing chlorine and other compounds. 

An excerpt from the CSB findings: 

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is becoming an increasingly attractive energy option. It is rapidly gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly fuel choice with its clean-burning qualities. While much of the historical and current focus is on LNG fuel usage in the maritime industry, interest in LNG extends to other forms of transportation as well. 

Over the past decade, several companies have established themselves as international experts in the design and functionality of the various components that make up LNG transport systems:

• Dry cryogenic couplings: Dixon and MannTek
• Cryogenic breakaway couplings (standard and cable type): Dixon and MannTek
• Powered emergency release couplings (PERCs): Dixon and MannTek
• LNG transfer hose (composite material): Gutteling
• LNG transfer hose (stainless steel): Hose Master
• LNG transfer hose assemblies: Dixon and MannTek

To the casual observer, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is sometimes thought of as a dangerous substance and its transport fraught with danger. But that per­ception doesn’t match at all with the reality.

It is true that as a cryogenic material, LNG is a liquid and its vapors are flammable. As such, there are some potential safety risks associated with LNG. That being stated, LNG can be produced, transported and re-vaporized as safely – and in most cases more safely – than other liquid energy fuels. It has the best safety record of all common fuel types – particularly when compared to refineries and other petrochemical segments.

With more ships venturing to different parts of the world, the pollution caused by them is rising, leading to global con­cerns. While land-based emissions have been gradually lessening, air pollution from ships has continued to rise.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a cryogenic natural gas, cooled to its liquid state of minus 162 degrees Celsius (minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit). In converting natural gas to LNG, the volume is reduced by about 600 times, allowing it to be stored and transported effectively.

The transfer and bunkering of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) involves ships, tanker trucks and onshore facilities.