Optimal Operation Method for Multiple ORVs for LNG Stations

By analyzing the actual operation data of ORV, it is found that increasing the number of ORVs in operation can reduce the seawater heat required by ORVs. However, due to the constraints of ORVs, the lowest overall seawater heat does not necessarily lead to a reduction in the total seawater flow rate, and sometimes increases the power consumption of the seawater pumping station. This paper presents a new optimal operation method for multiple ORV vaporizers for LNG stations. The minimum seawater heat and seawater flow rate that meet the ORV operation constraints are given. The required seawater heat is first inferred using the LNG flow rate, and then the quantum optimization method is used to allocate the number of ORVs in operation and the load of each ORV. Then, according to the ORV constraints, the minimum seawater flow rate is obtained. The results of this study can also be applied to the operation optimization of multiple IFVs.