Will the returning water with its higher temperature, make a difference to Howe sound. After it’s used for cooling the gas? And what are the estimated temperature changes?

Updated – January 2017

In October 2016 Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council voted to select air cooling as the cooling technique Woodfibre LNG Limited will use to cool its LNG facility. Find out more: https://www.woodfibrelng.ca/squamish-nation-announces-decision-on-woodfibre-lng-plant-cooling-technology/.

 

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your questions about our proposed cooling technology.

During the early design phase of our project, we considered several different cooling technologies to remove the heat created during the liquefaction process.  We chose seawater cooling because it is efficient, and produces less noise and visual effects than air cooling.

The seawater will be returned to Howe Sound through a diffuser system.  The system is designed so that within 10 metres of the diffuser, the water temperature will be less than 1°C different than the surrounding water in Howe Sound. The total volume of water with a temperature between 1°C and 10°C above the surrounding water is expected to be less than 125 cubic metres (approximately 1/20th the volume of an Olympic-size pool). This volume will not increase over time.

It’s also important to know that through our recent Environmental Assessment Agreement with Squamish Nation, Squamish Nation has a direct say on our cooling technology.

Woodfibre LNG will fund additional independent studies on seawater and alternate cooling technologies. If seawater cooling is selected, Woodfibre LNG will conduct additional studies to quantify effects to marine life in Howe Sound; and, implement mitigation measures or offsetting opportunities to achieve a no net long-term residual effect.

If you would like to learn more about the Environmental Assessment Agreement with Squamish Nation, click here.

For more information on seawater cooling, click here.