A STUDY ON THE DOMESTIC USE OF PIPED LPG IN HOMES IN NIGERIA: CASE STUDY OF IVY HOMES ESTATE, ABUJA.

ABSTRACT

This project presents the conceptual design of an LPG distribution pipeline network for an estate in Nigeria using the IVY homes Estate as a case study. The problem statement was the aggressive consumption of cooking gas, without gas pipeline networks infrastructures to homes but reliant on cylinders. Also, this project hopes to eliminate the use of biofuels for cooking by  making this new development available to Nigerian homes thus reducing the cost of a cylinder and making it more affordable for the lower class of the society. The methodology includes the determination of the gas demand from the average monthly gas consumption in each of the households, diameter of the pipelines, gas velocity, gas mass flow rate, pipe and hydraulic modelling using ASPEN HYSYS, and the pressure drop analysis of the modelled pipeline network. Also, an economic analysis using Cost Benefit Analysis, is performed on the proposed project to ascertain its financial feasibility.

The results obtained from the modelling indicated that the reticulation pipe had 32mm nominal diameter while the service pipes have 10mm. The total length of the 32mm diameter reticulation pipelines was 1408.7 m, while the total length of the 10 mm diameter service pipelines was 223 m respectively. The quantities of fittings required for the pipeline network layout were determined for the estate. The gas velocity of in the pipeline sections were found to be 0.79m/s in the reticulation and 8.07m/s in the service The mass flow rates of the LPG in the pipeline sections were found to be 0.31kg/s and total pressure drop of 17 kPa in the reticulation pipelines. This indicates the design does not require a pump and the gas would flow using natural drive. Therefore, the design can be adopted for the estate. However, from the economic analysis performed to obtain the NPV, IRR and Payback Period, the project is deemed too capital intensive and not financially viable.

CHAPTER 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Nigeria has Africa’s largest gas reserves, with a population of over 160 million people. Before 1999, gas exploration in Nigeria was limited, and up to 70% of the gas was flared. Despite the government and oil companies’ sustained efforts to reduce gas flaring, a recent study revealed that Nigeria remains one of the top gas flaring countries [1] . Recognizing the significant financial loss and environmental damage caused by associated gas flaring, the Nigerian government passed the Associated Gas Re-injection Act and the Associated Gas Re-injection (Amendment) Act in 2004, requiring all oil-producing companies in the country to submit detailed plans for gas utilization. To reduce pollution and monetize its gas reserves, the government wants to achieve zero flaring by 2008. Unfortunately, this goal has not been achieved [2] .

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is extracted from deep underground reservoirs. It can occur naturally and be produced on its own (non-associated gas) or brought to the surface with crude oil (associated gas). The major component of natural gas is methane (CH₄) in a non-associated gas reservoir; other impurities include Propane (C₂H₆), Butane (C₄H₁₀), and trace amounts of Pentane (C₅H₁₂). Natural gas is without a doubt the cleanest fossil fuel on the planet, and it is widely used for industrial and domestic purposes in developed countries.

The general name for commercial propane and commercial butane is LPG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Commercial propane consists primarily of hydrocarbons that contain three atoms of carbon, mostly propane (C₃H₈). Commercial butane primarily consists of 4 carbon hydrocarbons (mainly n- and iso-butanes). Butanes (C₄H₁₀).

LPG is an odourless, colourless gas with high flammability. It is non-toxic, but it can have an anaesthetic effect if inhaled in large quantities over a long period. The composition determines its physical properties. LPG has a typical specific calorific value of 46.1 MJ/kg. Relative density varies between 0.50-0.52 for propane and 0.56-0.59 for butane. Liquefied petroleum gases are quite safe in comparison with other fuels. LPG, as marketed in most countries rarely, consists of pure propane or butane. It is mostly made up of liquefiable saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons with a boiling range of C₃ to C₄.

Nigerian homes surveyed, and it was found that the majority preferred firewood for cooking based on the cost and safety concerns. Not only is this alternative cooking fuel archaic, but it also poses significant health risks for consumers. In Nigeria, LPG consumers are mainly dependent on the gas cylinder to use in their kitchens. These LPG cylinders have proven over time to be a safety hazard and, as such, must be replaced by newer and safer technology.

LPG in the household worldwide is growing because of its large and widespread population base, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Rising gas imports and increased demand for cleaner fuels are expected to soon boost global gas consumption, primarily from large emerging economies such as India and China [3] . Another important factor driving LPG consumption is the negative environmental impact of biomass and kerosene use. According to studies, black carbon from firewood, which is mostly “soot,” is the second most important contributor to global climate change. It is formed when wood and fuels like diesel and kerosene are burned. [4]

Despite these improvements in LPG consumption over time, the annual consumption capacity is still about 15% of total LPG production. As a result, despite being rich in natural gas and a leading exporter of LPG in Africa, the country has one of the lowest per capita LPG consumption rates in Africa (South Africa, 5.5kg, and Morocco, 44kg), with 1.8kg per capita consumption compared to the West African average of 3.5kg [5] . This low consumption rate can be attributed to reports that over 80% of Nigerians cook with biomass fuels. Fuelwood and charcoal have long been recognized as important sources of energy for cooking and heating, particularly among rural populations [6] . Kerosene, on the other hand, is primarily used in urban areas. The preference for biomass fuel firewood and kerosene among Nigeria’s poor is due to a several factors, including:

x Affordability x Accessibility x The importance of awareness and safety cannot be overstated.

 

If these factors can be eliminated, a large portion of the country’s non-users can be converted to LPG users. Other factors influencing demand for LPG include cultural beliefs, price, insufficient infrastructure, and logistical challenges.

1.2 Research Problem

To get gas into their kitchens, Nigerians primarily rely on LPG cylinders. These LPG cylinders are typically refilled at skid-mounted LPG plants or delivered directly to the customer’s home. The problem with these gas distribution methods is that customers are frequently left without a gas supply if the cylinder runs out when suppliers are closed. In developed countries, such problems are not heard of. People who live in a posh planned residential area like the Ivy Homes should have a continuous gas supply without purchasing a gas cylinder. Besides, the continued use of gas cylinders with no maintenance or checks on them, which is the practice in Nigeria, creates a ticking bomb in the home. The gas cylinder has caused the majority of domestic gas explosions due to the fact that gas is compressed in the cylinder. The risk of accidents is often high, resulting in casualties and fire. It is best to install gas pipes as utilities during construction to avoid this risk. It is also not aesthetically pleasing to see cylinders around a home. With new residential areas shunning the use of cylinders, it reduces the price of cylinders, therefore, making it more affordable to the lower class of the society, thereby reducing the pollutions and hazards of the firewood and kerosene stoves.

1.3 Motivation

Nigeria’s history and capacity for oil and gas is vast. With projected known reserves of 203.16 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, it has the largest natural gas in Africa. [7]

1.4 Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study is to clearly show, from a techno-economic stand point, the possibility of piping LPG from a centralized storage tank at Ivy Homes to the various apartments and houses in the estate.

The objectives of this study are:

1. To do a technical analysis on the viability of the proposed project showing the requirements needed.
2. To perform process modelling and hydraulic simulation on the proposed project using a commercial modeling software called ASPEN HYSYS.

To do a perform an economic analysis on the proposed project to determine the financial viability of the proposed project.

A STUDY ON THE DOMESTIC USE OF PIPED LPG IN HOMES IN NIGERIA: CASE STUDY OF IVY HOMES ESTATE, ABUJA.

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