LNG Vaporizer Duty Calculator

Size vaporizers with clear, auditable heat duty. Compare ideal, required, and margin-adjusted loads instantly here. Download CSV and PDF summaries for project submittals fast.

Calculator
Enter temperatures in °C and properties in kJ-based units.
Used to compute kW from kJ/kg.
Converted internally to kg/s.
Saved into exports for documentation.
Use a value consistent with operating pressure.
Accounts for losses and non-ideal transfer.
Applied after the efficiency correction.
Uncheck latent heat only for special checks.
Reset
Example Data Table
Case Flow Tin (°C) Tsat (°C) Tout (°C) Cp(liq) Latent Cp(gas) Eff Margin Design duty (kW)
Typical sizing check 1000 kg/h -160 -130 5 3.5 510 2.3 95% 10% ~ 607

Numbers are illustrative; use project-specific properties and operating pressure.

Formula Used
Specific duty model
q = CpL·max(0,Tsat−Tin) + Hvap + CpG·max(0,Tout−Tsat)
Hvap is included only if selected.
Ideal duty
Qideal (kW) = ṁ (kg/s) · q (kJ/kg)
kJ/s equals kW by definition.
Required and design duty
Qreq = Qideal / (Eff/100)
Qdesign = Qreq · (1 + Margin/100)
Use consistent property sources and document assumptions in Notes for traceability.
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the LNG mass flow and select its unit.
  2. Provide inlet, saturation, and outlet temperatures in °C.
  3. Enter Cp values and latent heat consistent with composition.
  4. Set efficiency and design margin per your project basis.
  5. Calculate, review flags, then export CSV or PDF.

Duty as a foundation for vaporizer selection

Vaporizer duty is the heat rate needed to warm LNG, change phase, and deliver the required outlet temperature. This calculator reports ideal duty in kW from mass flow and specific energy, then applies efficiency and margin to reach a design duty. For construction packages, this supports equipment sizing, utility loads, and basis-of-design notes. Consistent units and an auditable trail reduce review cycles.

Inputs that drive duty the most

Mass flow sets scale; doubling flow doubles duty. Temperature spans set sensible loads: max(0, Tsat − Tin) for liquid warm-up and max(0, Tout − Tsat) for superheat. Latent heat often dominates, so excluding it can understate duty. Cp values should match composition and temperature range because small Cp shifts accumulate at high throughput. Record the pressure basis that influences Tsat.

How the model converts energy into kW

The model uses q = CpL·ΔTliq + Hvap + CpG·ΔTgas to produce kJ/kg. It then multiplies by ṁ in kg/s to obtain kW because kJ/s equals kW. Flow units such as kg/h, t/h, and lb/h are converted internally to kg/s. This is practical for early sizing when enthalpy tables are not fixed. For final design, confirm properties against a database.

Adjusting for losses and design conservatism

Efficiency captures heat-transfer losses, fouling allowance, approach limits, and non-ideal operation. Required duty equals ideal duty divided by (Eff/100). A margin is then applied for variability, startup transients, and procurement conservatism. Example: 95% efficiency and 10% margin increases ideal duty by about 15.8%. Keeping margin separate from efficiency makes the basis easier to review.

Using results in construction documentation

Use design duty in kW and MW on data sheets, load summaries, and interfaces with heat sources such as seawater, glycol, steam, or electric heaters. Cross-check that Tout aligns with downstream fuel gas requirements and that Tsat reflects operating pressure. Export CSV or PDF to capture inputs, assumptions, and flags. If warnings appear, confirm temperatures, units, and whether latent heat should be included.

FAQs

1) What does “design duty” represent?

Design duty is the required heat rate after applying efficiency losses and a margin. It is the value typically carried into specifications, utilities, and vendor sizing to provide conservative capacity.

2) Which flow unit should I use?

Use the unit you have available and select it in the list. The calculator converts kg/h, kg/s, t/h, or lb/h into kg/s internally so the duty calculation remains consistent.

3) Why is latent heat included by default?

Most LNG duty is spent on phase change. Excluding latent heat can significantly understate duty and lead to undersized equipment. Only disable it for special sensitivity checks with clear documentation.

4) How should I choose Tsat?

Pick a saturation temperature consistent with your operating pressure and LNG composition basis. If pressure is not finalized, use a conservative Tsat and update the calculation when the pressure basis is set.

5) Can I model no superheat to the outlet?

Yes. Uncheck the superheat option to set the gas sensible term to zero. This is useful when the outlet is near saturation or when downstream heating is handled elsewhere.

6) What should I do if I see warnings?

Recheck temperatures, units, and whether any values drive ΔT terms to zero. Confirm that Cp and latent values match your property source. If the control case is unusual, document assumptions in Notes and rerun.

Engineering note: This is a sizing aid, not a final design. Confirm properties, pressure effects, and heat-transfer limits with vendor data and project standards.

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