University of Calgary researchers focused on nanotechnology say they have developed a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way to create liquefied natural gas.

The Split Flow Integrated LNG process uses specialized materials and chemistry to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from the natural gas stream without having to cool and then warm the gas, as is done now in the leading LNG process, say its developers, associate professor Nassar Nashaat and student Arash Ostovar of the Schulich School of Engineering.

The result is that capital costs are reduced because less equipment is needed, while operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions are lowered because less energy, water and chemicals are consumed.

The duo are seeking an industrial partner to use the technology on a pilot basis to prove its benefits.

B次元官网网址淲e have plenty of natural gas resources here in Alberta and existing facilities where our technology can be integrated,B次元官网网址� said Nassar, estimating there are 50 potential locations.

B次元官网网址淭he idea is that anybody who is producing natural gas can now produce LNG.B次元官网网址�

Proponents tout LNG as a transition fuel which can replace coal or diesel as a more environmentally friendly way to generate electricity and power vehicles. Natural gas volumes are reduced by about 600 times when converted to LNG.

But environmentalists have charged that building B.C.B次元官网网址檚 many proposed LNG projects B次元官网网址� including the led by Shell Canada which is now under construction B次元官网网址� will make it impossible for the province to meet its GHG emission reduction targets.

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Travis Balaski, vice-president of Calgary-based Ferus Natural Gas Fuels, said he was impressed after seeing a presentation on the new LNG technology but is concerned about its actual operating costs.

B次元官网网址淭his technology is obviously quite attractive to a company like us but itB次元官网网址檚 got to be proven before we would ever be in a position to deploy it,B次元官网网址� he said.

Ferus is planning a $40-million expansion to triple the output from its LNG plant near Grande Prairie in northern Alberta.

The developers are hoping to find a partner to build a project that produces about 500,000 pounds of LNG per year, enough to power a 250-megawatt electrical generation plant.

The LNG Canada project is designed with capacity for 14 million pounds of LNG per year.

Dan Healing, The Canadian Press

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