Improved liquefied natural gas transport and delivery
The 'New generation natural gas ship interfaces' (NG2SHIPI/F) project was developed to improve the efficiency of LNG transportation from countries that export LNG to those that receive it. The researchers to date have developed an improved LNG cargo pump and electrical motor to increase unloading capacity that demonstrated excellent correlation with simulation results during testing. In addition, they have designed a powerful and low-cost variable speed system to be integrated with the pump to optimise unloading. The team has also selected a closed argon air separation unit (ASU) for enhanced insulation to improve piping thermal performance. The system has been manufactured and tested in loading arms with encouraging results. Furthermore, the researchers have created a novel power interface system to use diesel electric that would enable a ship to have power in cases of engine maintenance, provide power and hot water to regasification terminals while at anchor and provide the opportunity to sell electricity. Preliminary studies support the tremendous potential of the system. In summary, the NG2SHIPI/F project team has to date reached many of the project’s technical objectives. Completion of the project has the potential to provide solutions that enhance the position of European shipyards and terminals. Specifically, the technologies promise to significantly decrease operational costs for shipyards and LNG carrier operators and to increase the capacity of terminals while simultaneously decreasing emissions related to transfer operations. In addition, terminals could soon have access to a very economical co-generation source thanks to the planned power interface system.