KROHNE offers quality-measurement software system for real-time LNG transfer

KROHNE, a manufacturer and supplier of solutions in industrial process instrumentation, offers the LNG-Quality Release System (L-QRS), a quality-measurement software system for real-time product release of liquid natural gas (LNG) loading. L-QRS offers a vast improvement in real-time LNG transfer. Unlike existing methods that rely on dynamic measurement using flowmeters along with lab analysis of a representative LNG sample, the L-QRS system measures LNG quality directly during loading. After loading has been completed, the system immediately generates a certificate of quality and bill of lading, thus avoiding costly disputes once the vessel has departed. Fully automated information flows also eliminate human data processing errors. The L-QRS can typically pay for itself by simply avoiding one or two LNG-quality disputes.

Released to the oil and gas market at the end of 2020, L-QRS uses online measurements and certified statistical calculations, including quality and outlier calculations. Samples go directly into a gas chromatograph while the ship is being loaded. Providing the instant availability of the certificate of quality avoids costly sample handling, laboratory testing and retrospective corrections of the bill of lading and quality certificates. KROHNE supports the L-QRS from nearly 100 countries, including several offices in the U.S.

The L-QRS combines analyzer management and data acquisition (AMADAS) functionality, using control charting techniques and statistical process control to determine the performance, availability and maintainability of the process analyzers — and other critical instruments — to ensure the best results and availability. It is certified by NMi, an independent, internationally accredited metrology institute, and compliant with ISO 8943, GPA 2172, ASTM 4784, and GIIGNL.

The L-QRS software is configured to work with existing infrastructure, instrumentation and analyzers, such as gas chromatographs.