EP1490625B1 - Method and apparatus for the regasification of lng onboard a carrier - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for the regasification of lng onboard a carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1490625B1
EP1490625B1 EP02719390A EP02719390A EP1490625B1 EP 1490625 B1 EP1490625 B1 EP 1490625B1 EP 02719390 A EP02719390 A EP 02719390A EP 02719390 A EP02719390 A EP 02719390A EP 1490625 B1 EP1490625 B1 EP 1490625B1
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Prior art keywords
heat
lng
lng carrier
source
primary
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1490625A1 (en
EP1490625A4 (en
Inventor
Alan B. Nierenberg
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Excelerate Energy LP
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Excelerate Energy LP
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F17C9/02—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/035—High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0316—Water heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0316—Water heating
    • F17C2227/0318—Water heating using seawater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0323—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid in a closed loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/033—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0332—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating by burning a combustible
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F17C2227/0393—Localisation of heat exchange separate using a vaporiser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F17C2227/0395—Localisation of heat exchange separate using a submerged heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/05—Regasification
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0123—Terminals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0126—Buoys

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the transportation and regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • Natural gas typically is transported from the location where it is produced to the location where it is consumed by a pipeline. However, large quantities of natural gas may be produced in a country in which production by far exceeds demand. Without an effective way to transport the natural gas to a location where there is a commercial demand, the gas may be burned as it is produced, which is wasteful.
  • Liquefaction of the natural gas facilitates storage and transportation of the natural gas.
  • Liquefied natural gas takes up only about 1/600 of the volume that the same amount of natural gas does in its gaseous state.
  • LNG is produced by cooling natural gas below its boiling point (-161.7° C at ambient pressures). LNG may be stored in cryogenic containers either at or slightly above atmospheric pressure. By raising the temperature of the LNG, it may be converted back to its gaseous form.
  • Natural gas produced in remote locations such as Amsterdam, Borneo, or Indonesia, may be liquefied and shipped overseas in this manner to Europe, Japan, or the United States.
  • the natural gas is gathered through one or more pipelines to a land-based liquefaction facility.
  • the LNG is then loaded onto a tanker equipped with cryogenic compartments (such a tanker may be referred to as an LNG carrier or "LNGC”) by pumping it through a relatively short pipeline.
  • LNGC LNG carrier
  • the LNG is offloaded by cryogenic pump to a land-based regasification facility, where it may be stored in a liquid state or regasified.
  • the temperature is raised until it exceeds the LNG boiling point, causing the LNG to return to a gaseous state.
  • the resulting natural gas then may be distributed through a pipeline system to various locations where it is consumed.
  • regasification of the LNG take place offshore.
  • a regasification facility may be constructed on a fixed platform located offshore, or on a floating barge or other vessel that is moored offshore.
  • the LNGC may be either docked or moored next to the offshore regasification platform or vessel, so that LNG may then be offloaded by conventional means for either storage or regasification.
  • the natural gas may be transferred to an onshore pipeline distribution system.
  • regasification take place onboard the LNGC.
  • This has certain advantages, in that the regasification facility travels with the LNGC. This can make it easier to accommodate natural gas demands that are more seasonal or otherwise vary from location to location. Because the regasification facility travels with the LNGC, it is not necessary to provide a separate LNG storage and regasification facility, either onshore or offshore, at each location at which LNG may be delivered. Instead, the LNGC fitted with regasification facilities may be moored offshore and connected to a pipeline distribution system through a connection located on an offshore buoy or platform.
  • the source of the heat used to regasify the LNG may be transferred by use of an intermediate fluid that has been heated by a boiler located on the LNGC.
  • the heated fluid may then be passed through a heat exchanger that is in contact with the LNG.
  • the heat source be seawater in the vicinity of the LNGC.
  • the temperature of the seawater is higher than the boiling point of the LNG and the minimum pipeline distribution temperature, it may be pumped through a heat exchanger to warm and regasify the LNG.
  • the seawater is chilled as a result of the heat transfer between the two fluids. Care must be taken to avoid cooling the seawater below its freezing point. This requires that the flow rates of the LNG being warmed and the seawater being used to warm the LNG be carefully controlled. Proper balancing of the flow rates is affected by the ambient temperature of the seawater, as well as the desired rate of gasification of the LNG.
  • Ambient temperature of the seawater can be affected by the location where the LNGC is to be moored, the time of year when delivery occurs, the depth of the water, and even the manner in which the chilled seawater from warming the LNG is discharged.
  • the manner in which the chilled seawater is discharged may be affected by environmental considerations, e. g., trying to avoid an undesirable environmental impact such as ambient water temperature depression in the vicinity of the chilled seawater discharge.
  • Environmental concerns can affect the rate at which the LNG may be heated, and, therefore, the volume of LNG that can be gasified in a given period of time with regasification equipment on board the LNGC.
  • EP 1478875 to Nierenberg describes transportation and regasification of liquefied natural gas.
  • the present invention relates to an LNGC that has a regasification system that includes an onboard vaporizer for vaporizing the LNG, a primary source of heat, and one or more secondary sources of heat to the LNG and vaporizer, an intermediate fluid circulating between the primary and secondary sources of heat, and flexible piping connecting the primary source of heat to the LNGC.
  • keel coolers have been used in the past to provide a source of cooling for marine equipment, such as propulsion engine coolers and air conditioning.
  • the keel cooler 2 is a submerged heat exchanger that typically is located on or near the bottom of the ship's hull 1, and uses ocean water as a "heat sink” for the heat generated by onboard equipment (such as marine air conditioning units 3) that requires cooling capacity.
  • onboard equipment such as marine air conditioning units 3
  • the keel cooler 2 operates by either using one or more pods (not shown) that are either built into the lower part of the hull 1 or attached to the exterior of the hull 1 as a heat exchanger that cools an intermediate fluid (such as fresh water or a glycol) that is circulated by pump 1 through the pod. This intermediate fluid is then pumped to one or more locations on the ship to absorb excess heat.
  • a heat exchanger that cools an intermediate fluid (such as fresh water or a glycol) that is circulated by pump 1 through the pod.
  • This intermediate fluid is then pumped to one or more locations on the ship to absorb excess heat.
  • Such keel coolers are available commercially from manufacturers such as R.W. Fernstrum & Co. (Menominee, MI) and Duramax Marine LLC (Hiram, OH).
  • one or more primary sources of heat which are preferably submerged heat exchangers 21, are employed - not to provide cooling capacity, but instead to provide heating capacity for the closed loop circulating fluid, which in turn is used to regasify the LNG.
  • two heat exchangers 21 are used, each of which is about 6.1 metersby 6.1 metersby 12.2 meters, and collectively meet the heating needs of the LNGC.
  • Each of these heat exchangers 21 has the capacity of about 100 conventional keel coolers.
  • the heat exchangers 21 are connected to the LNGC by suitable piping 66, which may be flexible or rigid. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the heat exchangers 21 are preferably stored on deck when not in use (see FIG.
  • the heat exchangers 21 are lowered by mechanical equipment 64, such as, but not limited to, a winch system or elevator system, which equipment is well known to those skilled in the art (see FIG. 4B ). After lowering the heat exchangers 21 into the water, rigid attachment of the heat exchangers 21 to the ship is preferred where there is concern that the heat exchangers 21 might bump against the ship.
  • mechanical equipment 64 such as, but not limited to, a winch system or elevator system, which equipment is well known to those skilled in the art (see FIG. 4B ).
  • the heat exchangers 21 are permanently submerged installations at the offshore discharge terminal.
  • the submerged heat exchanger system 21 may be mounted to the buoy 68 that is used to moor the LNGC. Either of these alternative heat exchanger 21 configurations ( FIG. 4B , 5 ) is connected to the LNGC so as to allow the intermediate fluid to be circulated through the submerged heat exchangers 21,
  • an LNGC turret recess 78 mates with the buoy 68, permitting the LNGC to rotate around the buoy 68.
  • the heat exchangers 21 are connected by lines 74 to the ship hull 1, and thereby fluidly connected to the vaporizer 23 and to any secondary sources of heat 26.
  • a gas pipe riser 72 connects the LNGC and a pipeline distribution system for offloading the regasified LNG.
  • one or more submerged heat exchanger units 21 are located at any suitable location below the waterline of the hull 1, and are mounted directly within the hull 1 of the LNGC.
  • the heat exchangers 21 may be partially, rather than fully, submerged.
  • An intermediate fluid such as glycol, propane or fresh water, is circulated by a pump 22 through the vaporizer 23 and the submerged heat exchangers 21.
  • Other intermediate fluids having suitable characteristics, such as acceptable heat capacity and boiling points, also may be used and are commonly known in the industry.
  • LNG is passed into the vaporizer 23 through line 24 where it is regasified and exits through line 25.
  • the submerged heat exchangers 21 enable heat transfer from the surrounding seawater to the circulated intermediate fluid without the intake or pumping of seawater into the LNGC. as mentioned above.
  • the size and surface area of the heat exchangers 21 may vary widely, depending upon the volume of LNG cargo being regasified for delivery and the temperature ranges of the water in which the LNGC makes delivery of natural gas.
  • the temperature differential between the two is about 7.8°C.
  • the heat exchangers 21 will require a larger surface area to accommodate the heat transfer needs of the present invention, as compared to the typical keel coolers described above, which were designed for the rejection of a few million BTUs per hour.
  • two submerged heat exchangers 21, collectively designed to absorb approximately 62 million BTUs per hour and having approximately 41.9 m 2 of surface area are used.
  • These heat exchangers 21 are about 20 feet by 20 feet by 40 feet and preferably contain bundles of tubes that are exposed to permit water to pass over them, while intermediate fluid circulates inside the tubes.
  • This quantity of surface area may be arranged in a variety of configurations, however, including, in the preferred embodiment, multiple tube bundles arranged similarly to those in conventional keel coolers 2.
  • the heat exchanger 21 of the present invention may also be a shell and tube heat exchanger, a bent-tube fixed-tube-sheet exchanger, spiral tube exchanger, plate-type exchanger. or other heat exchangers commonly known by those skilled in the art that meet the temperature, volumetric and heat absorption requirements for the LNG to be regasified.
  • the vaporizer 23 preferably is a shell and tube vaporizer, and such a vaporizer 23 is schematically depicted in FIG. 2 .
  • This type of vaporizer 23 is well known to the industry, and is similar to several dozen water heated shell and tube vaporizers in service at land-based regasification facilities.
  • Other types of vaporizers that may be used include, but are not limited to, intermediate fluid vaporizers and submerged combustion vaporizers.
  • the vaporizer 23 is preferably made of a proprietary AL-6XN super-austenitic stainless steel (ASTM A-240, B688, UNS N08367) for wetted surfaces in contact with seawater and type 316L stainless steel for all other surfaces of the vaporizer 23.
  • ASTM A-240, B688, UNS N08367 AL-6XN super-austenitic stainless steel
  • type 316L stainless steel type 316L stainless steel
  • a shell and tube vaporizer 23 is used that produces about 100 million standard cubic feet per day ("mmscf/d") (2.83 mmSm 3 /d) of LNG with a molecular weight of about 16.9.
  • mmscf/d standard cubic feet per day
  • the vaporizer 23 will require a heated water flow of about 2,000 cubic meters per hour.
  • the resulting heat transfer of approximately 62 million BTUs per hour is preferably achieved using a single tube bundle of about 12.2 meter long tubes, preferably about 1.9 cm in diameter.
  • Special design features are incorporated in the vaporizer 23 to assure uniform distribution of LNG in the tubes, to accommodate the differential thermal contraction between the tubes and the shell, to preclude freezing of the heating water medium, and to accommodate the added loads from shipboard accelerations.
  • parallel installation of 100 mmscf/d capacity vaporizers 23 are arranged to achieve the total required output capacity for the regasification vessel.
  • Suppliers of these types of vaporizers 23 in the U. S. include Chicago Power and Process, inc. and Manning and Lewis, Inc.
  • the circulating pumps 22 for the intermediate fluid are conventional single stage centrifugal pumps 22 driven by synchronous speed electrical motors.
  • Single stage centrifugal pumps 22 are frequently used for water/fluid pumping in maritime and industrial applications, and are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the capacity of the circulating pumps 22 is selected based upon the quantity of vaporizers 23 installed and the degree of redundancy desired.
  • the required total heating water circulation for this system is about 10,000 cubic meters per hour at the design point, and about 12,000 cubic meters per hour at the peak rating.
  • three pumps 22, each with a 5,000 cubic meter per hour capacity are used and provide a fully redundant unit at the design point circulation requirements of 10,000 cubic meters per hour. If five vaporizers are used, then only two pumps are required. These pumps 22 have a total dynamic head of approximately 30 meters, and the power requirement for each pump 22 is approximately 950 kW (kilowatts).
  • the suction and discharge piping for each pump 22 is preferably 650 mm diameter piping, but piping of other dimensions may be used.
  • the materials used for the pumps 22 and associated piping preferably can withstand the corrosive effects of seawater, and a variety of materials are available.
  • the pump casings are made of nickel aluminum bronze alloy and the impellers have Monel pump shafts.
  • Monel is a highly corrosive resistant nickel based alloy containing approximately 60 - 70% nickel, 22 - 35% copper, and small quantities of iron, manganese, silicon and carbon.
  • the pumps 22 may be smooth flow and pulsating flow pumps, velocity-head or positive-displacement pumps, screw pumps, rotary pumps, vane pumps, gear pumps, radial-plunger pumps, swash-plate pumps, plunger pumps and piston pumps, or other pumps that meet the discharge head and flow rate requirements of the intermediate fluid.
  • Drives for the pumps may be hydraulic motors, diesel engines, DC motors, or other prime movers with requisite speed and power characteristics.
  • a submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger system 21 may be used as either the only source of heat for regasification of the LNG, or, in an alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3 , may be used in conjunction with one or more secondary sources of heat.
  • this embodiment of the invention provides operational advantages.
  • the intermediate fluid is circulated by pump 22 through steam heater 26, vaporizer 23, and one or more submerged or partially submerged heat exchangers 21.
  • the heat exchanger 21 is submerged.
  • Steam from a boiler or other source enters the steam heater 26 through line 31 and exits as condensate through line 32.
  • Valves 41,42, and 43 permit the isolation of steam heater 26 and the opening of bypass line 51, which allows the operation of the vaporizer 23 with the steam heater 26 removed from the circuit.
  • valves 44,45, and 46 permit the isolation of the submerged heat exchanger 21 and the opening of bypass line 52, which allows operation of the vaporizer 23 with the submerged heat exchanger 21 removed from the circuit.
  • valves used are conventional gate or butterfly valves for isolation purposes and are constructed of materials suitable for the circulated fluid.
  • butterfly valves are preferably made of cast steel or ductile iron construction with a resilient liner material, such as neoprene or viton.
  • Gate valves are preferably made of bronze construction with stainless steel or Monel trim.
  • the steam heater 26 preferably is a conventional shell and tube heat exchanger fitted with a drain cooler to enable the heating of the circulated water, and may provide either all or a portion of the heat required for the LNG regasification.
  • the steam heater 26 is preferably provided with desuperheated steam at approximately 10 bars of pressure and about 149°C temperature.
  • the steam is condensed and sub-cooled in the steam heater 26 and drain cooler and returned to the vessel's steam plant at approximately 71°C.
  • the heating water medium in the steam heater 26 and drain cooler is seawater.
  • a 90-10 copper nickel alloy is preferably used for all wetted surfaces in contact with the heating water medium.
  • Shell side components in contact with steam and condensate are preferably carbon steel.
  • each steam heater 26 with drain cooler has the capacity for a heating water flow of about 5,000 cubic meters per hour and a steam flow of about 50,000 kilograms per hour.
  • Suitable steam heat exchangers 26 are similar to steam surface condensers used in many shipboard, industrial and utility applications, and are available from heat exchanger manufacturers worldwide.
  • seawater inlet 61 and a seawater outlet 62 for a flow through seawater system permit seawater to be used as either a direct source of heat for the vaporizer 23 or as an additional source of heat to be used in conjunction with the steam heater 26, instead of the submerged heat exchangers 21. This is shown in FIG. 3 by the dashed lines.
  • the submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger system 21 may be used as the secondary source of heat, while another source of heat is used as the primary source of heat for regasification operations.
  • another source of heat would include steam from a boiler, or a flow-through seawater system in which seawater is introduced as a source of heat from the ocean (or other body of water in which the LNGC is located) and discharged back into the ocean after being used to heat either the LNG or an intermediate fluid that subsequently is used to heat the LNG.
  • Other sources of heat could include a submerged combustion vaporizer or solar energy. Having a secondary or alternative source of heat in addition to the primary source of heat, whether or not either of the sources is a submerged heat exchanger system, also is considered advantageous.
  • the use of a primary source of heat coupled with the availability of at least one secondary source of heat provides additional flexibility in the manner in which the LNG may be heated for regasification purposes.
  • the primary source of heat may be used without requiring that source of heat to be scaled up to accommodate all ambient circumstances under which the regasification may take place.
  • the secondary source of heat may be used only in those circumstances in which an additional source of heat is required.
  • the availability of a secondary source of heat that is based on an entirely different principal than the primary source of heat also guarantees the availability of at least some heat energy in the event of a failure of the primary heat source. While the regasification capacity may be substantially reduced in the event of a failure of the primary source of heat, the secondary source of heat would provide at least a partial regasification capability that could be used while the primary source of heat is either repaired or the reason for the failure otherwise corrected.
  • the primary source of heat may be steam from a boiler, and the secondary source a submerged heat exchanger system.
  • the primary source of heat may be steam from a boiler, and the secondary source may be the use of an open, flow-through seawater system.
  • Other combinations of sources of heat also may be used depending on availability, economics, or other considerations.
  • Other potential heat sources include the use of hot water heating boilers, or submerged combustion heat exchangers, each of which are commercially available products.
  • the LNGC may be equipped with a primary heat source, and made ready for the addition of a secondary heat source by including piping and other items that otherwise could require substantial modification of the ship to accommodate.
  • the LNGC could be equipped to use steam from a boiler as the primary source of heat, but also be equipped with suitable piping and locations for pumps or other equipment to facilitate the later installation of a submerged heat exchanger system or a flow-through seawater system without requiring major structural modification of the ship itself. While this may increase the initial expense of constructing the LNGC or reduce the capacity of the LNGC slightly, it would be economically preferable to undergoing a major structural modification of the ship at a later date.
  • the preferred method of this invention is an improved process for regasifying LNG while onboard an LNG carrier.
  • the LNGC fitted with regasification facilities as described above, may be moored offshore and connected to a pipeline distribution system through a connection located on an offshore buoy or platform, for example.
  • an intermediate fluid such as glycol or fresh water
  • pump 22 is circulated by pump 22 through the submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger or heat exchangers 21 and the vaporizer 23.
  • Other intermediate fluids having suitable characteristics, such as acceptable heat capacity and boiling points also may be used as described above.
  • the heat exchanger 21 is preferably fully submerged and enables heat transfer from the surrounding seawater to the circulated intermediate fluid due to the temperature differential between the two.
  • the intermediate fluid thereafter circulates to the vaporizer 23, which preferably is a shell and tube vaporizer 23.
  • the intermediate fluid passes through parallel vaporizers 23 to increase the output capacity of the LNGC.
  • LNG is passed into the vaporizer 23 through line 24, where it is regasified and exits through line 25. From line 25, the LNG passes into a pipeline distribution system attached to the platform or buoy where the LNGC is moored.
  • the intermediate fluid is circulated through submerged heat exchangers 21 that are mounted in one or more structures connected to the LNGC by suitable piping and lowered into the water after the LNGC moors at an offshore buoy or terminal.
  • the submerged heat exchangers 21 are mounted to the buoy 68 or other offshore structure to which the LNGC is moored, and connected to the ship after docking.
  • one or more secondary sources of heat are provided for regasification of the LNG.
  • the intermediate fluid is circulated by pump 22 through steam heater 26, vaporizer 23, and one or more submerged or partially submerged heat exchangers 21.
  • Steam from a boiler or other source enters steam heater 26 through line 31 and exits as condensate through line 32.
  • Valves 41, 42 and 43 permit operation of the vaporizer 23 with or without the steam heater 26.
  • the vaporizer 23 may be operated solely with use of the secondary sources of heat such as the steam heater 26. Valves 44, 45, and 46 permit isolation of these submerged heat exchangers 21, so that the vaporizer 23 may operate without them.
  • a flow through seawater system permits seawater to be used as a direct source of heat for the vaporizer 23 or as an additional source of heat to be used in conjunction with the steam heater 26, instead of the submerged heat exchanger 21.
  • the submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger system 21 may be used as a secondary source of heat, while one of the other described sources of heat is used as the primary source of heat. Examples of this are described above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
EP02719390A 2002-03-29 2002-03-29 Method and apparatus for the regasification of lng onboard a carrier Expired - Lifetime EP1490625B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2002/009902 WO2003085317A1 (en) 2002-03-29 2002-03-29 Method and apparatus for the regasification of lng onboard a carrier

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EP1490625A1 EP1490625A1 (en) 2004-12-29
EP1490625A4 EP1490625A4 (en) 2009-08-05
EP1490625B1 true EP1490625B1 (en) 2011-08-31

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JP (1) JP4738742B2 (zh)
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WO2007039480A1 (en) * 2005-09-21 2007-04-12 Exmar Liquefied natural gas regasification plant and method with heat recovery
US8069677B2 (en) * 2006-03-15 2011-12-06 Woodside Energy Ltd. Regasification of LNG using ambient air and supplemental heat
US20070214805A1 (en) 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Macmillan Adrian Armstrong Onboard Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air
ES2328619T3 (es) * 2006-05-12 2009-11-16 BLACK & VEATCH CORPORATION Sistema y metodo para vaporizar liquidos criogenicos usando un refrigerante intermedio en circulacion natural.
KR100991994B1 (ko) * 2008-03-28 2010-11-04 삼성중공업 주식회사 액화가스 로딩/언로딩 시스템을 가지는 액화천연가스운반선
US8950196B2 (en) 2008-07-17 2015-02-10 Fluor Technologies Corporation Configurations and methods for waste heat recovery and ambient air vaporizers in LNG regasification
CN103403436B (zh) * 2011-01-28 2015-01-14 埃克森美孚上游研究公司 再气化装置
AU2012216352B2 (en) 2012-08-22 2015-02-12 Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd Modular LNG production facility
WO2014092618A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-19 Polarprod Ab Air conditioning device for a boat
JP2016102554A (ja) * 2014-11-28 2016-06-02 大阪瓦斯株式会社 液化ガス用気化装置
WO2017062457A1 (en) * 2015-10-05 2017-04-13 Crowley Maritime Corporation Lng gasification systems and methods
JP6666703B2 (ja) * 2015-12-08 2020-03-18 株式会社Ｉｈｉプラント 熱交換器
EP3615876A1 (en) * 2017-04-28 2020-03-04 Sandvik Intellectual Property AB Austenitic stainless steel tube material in an lng vaporiser
JP7163853B2 (ja) * 2019-04-11 2022-11-01 株式会社豊田自動織機 改質システム及びエンジンシステム

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EP1490625A1 (en) 2004-12-29
WO2003085317A1 (en) 2003-10-16
MXPA04009512A (es) 2005-02-03
CA2480627C (en) 2007-11-06
JP4738742B2 (ja) 2011-08-03
EP1490625A4 (en) 2009-08-05
CN1297777C (zh) 2007-01-31
CN1623062A (zh) 2005-06-01
JP2005521849A (ja) 2005-07-21
CA2480627A1 (en) 2003-10-16
AU2002250476A1 (en) 2003-10-20
ES2372685T3 (es) 2012-01-25
KR100697797B1 (ko) 2007-03-20
KR20040105802A (ko) 2004-12-16

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