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Next-generation LNG regasification: Natural draft ambient air vaporizer with buoyancy-driven convection for enhanced performance and reduced cost/footprint

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Xiaoxiao
  • Zhang, Qian
  • Que, Yi
  • Li, Qibin
  • Liu, Chao
  • Feng, Junjie

Abstract

Liquefied natural gas, a crucial transition fuel, demands efficient and low-carbon regasification. Conventional ambient air vaporizers face critical limitations, including low air-side heat transfer coefficients (<10 W m−2 K−1) and large footprints, due to reliance on natural convection. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a novel Natural Draft-Integrated Ambient Air Vaporizer (NDAAV). Inspired by natural draft dry cooling towers, the NDAAV reconfigures air-side heat transfer to buoyancy-driven forced convection via a hyperbolic tower structure that harnesses stack effects. Comprehensive 1-D and 3-D modeling validates the concept, demonstrating a 485% enhancement in the air-side convective heat transfer coefficient (55.78 W m−2 K−1) and a 477% increase in the overall heat transfer coefficient under dry design conditions. Sensitivity analysis confirms robust off-design performance during ambient and LNG parameter fluctuations. Furthermore, while frost formation under high humidity can degrade performance by impeding the buoyancy-driven flow, the NDAAV maintains a significant thermal advantage over conventional AAVs across most operating scenarios. Multi-objective optimization identifies an optimal tower aspect ratio of 1.33, enabling simultaneous footprint reduction (64–70%) and capital cost savings (35–38%) across capacities of 100,000–500,000 Nm3 h−1. This combustion-free, water-independent technology demonstrates the conceptual viability of a scalable, low-carbon pathway for distributed LNG regasification.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Xiaoxiao & Zhang, Qian & Que, Yi & Li, Qibin & Liu, Chao & Feng, Junjie, 2026. "Next-generation LNG regasification: Natural draft ambient air vaporizer with buoyancy-driven convection for enhanced performance and reduced cost/footprint," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:347:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226005177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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