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LNG maps – aiding the energy distribution sector.
By David Yuri
Liquefied natural gas or LNG is natural gas that has been processed to remove either valuable components (helium) or certain impurities (water, heavy hydrocarbons) and then condensed into a liquid at almost atmospheric pressure by cooling it to approximately –163 degrees Celsius.
LNG is transported by specially designed cryogenic sea vessels and road tankers. It offers an energy density comparable to petrol and diesel fuels and produces less pollution. The most important thing needed for its production and transportation is an LNG plant consisting of one or more trains. Other facilities are load-out terminals for loading the LNG onto vehicles, LNG vessels for transportation and a receiving terminal at the destination for discharge and regasification, where the LNG is reheated and turned into gas.
Regasification terminals are usually connected to a storage and pipeline distribution network to distribute natural gas to distribution companies and power plants.
In order to further aid the LNG transport and production, LNG maps were created. A LNG map is an effective, strategic tool made by combining graphic design and GIS, and also cartographic modeling. Their purpose is to be informative, accurate and revealing.
A geographic information system (GIS) is a system for representing actual features such as LNG sites along with certain required aspects. Using this technology, technically and geographically accurate LNG maps are created.
GIS is able to function as its best capacity with the help of special instruments, called geodatabases. These represent the latest data format available for GIS software. The most important thing is the scale at which the data was digitized as the quality of geodatabases depends on it.
Maps have traditionally been used to explore the earth and to exploit its resourcex. GIS technology, as an expansion of cartographic science, has enhanced the efficiency and analytic power of traditional mapping. It helps specialists to understand better the wide range of datasets available and in consequence take better decisions.
GIS is extremely complex and allos one to 'toy' with a lot of features. By analyzing large geodatabases experts determine the best areas for developing a new LNG terminal and come up with demonstrative LNG maps. These LNG maps also take into consideration the terrain's topography, river crossings, types of soils, urban density and vegetation. They also identify environmental sensitive areas where construction might face certain difficulties. All these aspects are vital to creating a clarifying LNG map. GIS technology and the availability of digital data on regional and global scales enables such analyses.
There are two types of geodatabases availabe for creating a LNG map, vectors and rasters. Rasters mainly represent aerial photography, meaning taking photographs from the air. Today it is used in cartography, land-use planning and environmental studies. Aerial photos are often processed by a geographic information system and are crucial in the process of creating a good LNG map. Vectors use geometries and can also be used to represent continuosly varying phenomena.
Graphic design is another significant technique implemened in the making of a LNG map. With the expansion of the Internet, graphic design took a whole new look in the form of multimedia design. The creative process of a LNG map is now initiated and developed with the help of computers and the results are amazing.
In recent years, more and more companies including Gas Transmission Northwest, Northern Border Pipeline, Dominion Transmission realized that LNG treatment and transportation might be a good investment. They adopted new technologies, constructed more LNG plants and LNG started to become a competitive way of energy distribution. This is why they hired specialists to use their mapping and graphic skills in order to help their project's, especially when it came to concept development and feasibility studies.
About the Author
LNG maps are our specialty, among other wonderful creations. Come to us and let us build you a unique LNG map, presenting accurate information. Use our abilities in order to make your project
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/10753/1.html
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