Design LNG Facilities to Minimize Risks from Cryogenic Exposure

The cryogenic nature of LNG facilities pose the risk of exposure of personnel, structural steel, and equipment to potentially injurious low temperatures. The probability of cryogenic exposure due to loss of containment of LNG is inherently greater than the probability of fire exposure due to loss of containment because of the many precautions taken to eliminate ignition sources in LNG facilities. This paper contrasts the hazards of cryogenic and fire exposure to personnel and facilities using examples of consequence modeling of pool and jet releases. Practical measures to eliminate or mitigate risk from cryogenic and fire exposure will be presented.