SG175151A1

SG175151A1 - System for transferring fluids between two vessels placed side by side

Info

Publication number: SG175151A1
Application number: SG2011073707A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Philippe Cox; Patrice Bastet
Original assignee: Eurodim Sa; Technip France
Priority date: 2009-04-09
Filing date: 2010-04-15
Publication date: 2011-11-28
Also published as: EP2239190A1; BRPI1010298A2; FR2944256A1; WO2010116113A2; FR2944256B1; ZA201107247B; WO2010116113A3; IL215520A0; WO2010116113A8

Description

System for transferring fluids between two vessels placed side by side

The invention relates to a system for transferring fluids such as liquefied natural gas and/or cold vapor, between a first storage vessel for the fluid and a second vessel, which are placed side by side during the transfer, the system being of the type comprising at least one flexible tubular transfer pipe that can be moved between a storage position on one of the two vessels and a transfer position in which it is connected to the connection devices associated with the manifolds of the vessels.

Transfer systems of this type, which are known, have the major drawbacks of having a complex and hard-to-handle structure.

The invention aims to propose a system that offsets these drawbacks.

To achieve this aim, the system according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a device for storing a plurality of pipes, arranged near connection devices of the first vessel, and devices for individual movement of each pipe between its storage and transfer positions.

According to one feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that the storage device is made in the form of a rack arranged above the connection devices, on which the flexible pipes are placed next to each other, advantageously in the form of at least one layer tilted relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

According to another feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that each flexible pipe is arranged on the rack, above the «connection device to which it must be connected.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that each pipe rests on the storage device in the elongated state disconnected from the connection device to which it can be connected.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system 1s characterized in that the plane of the storage device, on which the pipes rest, is tilted toward the edge of the vessel and each pipe is retained on said tilted plane by a retaining cable wound on a winch, the movement of the pipe between its storage and transfer positions is done by winding or unwinding the cable on the winch and sliding the pipe on the tilted placement plane.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that the system includes connection devices respectively arranged on the first storage vessel and the second vessel whereof the connecting clips are arranged at the edge of the respective vessel.

According to still another feature, the system is characterized in that the connecting clip for a connecting device provided on the second vessel includes an outwardly- open orifice, the axis of which is oriented downward, so that the nozzle for connecting to a transfer pipe is connectable to sald nozzle by a rising movement, using a cargo runner that can be wound on a winch provided on the nozzle or on the end of the pipe comprising guide means for guiding the nozzle to the clip of the cone and trumpet type.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that the nozzle of the pipe provided on the end intended to be connected to the connecting clip of a connector device of the first storage vessel is bent to be connectable to the clip and to the latter are associated with means for centering the nozzle during connection thereof.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system 1s characterized in that a transfer pipe, during a fluid transfer, extends freely in a chain between the connecting clips of the two vessels.

According to still another feature of the invention, the system is characterized in that a transfer pipe is made in the form of a cryogenic hose.

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, features, details and advantages therecf will appear more clearly during the following explanatory description done in reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings provided solely as an example 1llustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which: — figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the system for transferring a fluid between a storage vessel for the fluid and a shuttle for receiving it; — figure 2 is a top view of figure 1; —- figure 3 1s a view in the direction of arrow III of figure 2; —- figure 4 is a larger-scale perspective view of the device for transferring a fluid, according to figure 1, showing in particular the part of the system provided on the storage vessel; — figure 5 1s a larger-scale side view of detail V of figure 4 and shows the means of the storage vessel; — figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along arrow

VI of figure 5; —- figure 7 is a perspective view of the shuttle and in particular shows the part of the fluid transfer device according to the invention, which is provided on said vessel; —- figure 8 is a larger-scale perspective view of the part of the transfer system that is provided on the second vessel; —- figures 9 to 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating the transfer system with three different steps for establishing a transfer connection for transferring a fluid between the two vessels; — figures 12 and 13 illustrate two steps of an emergency disconnect method for the hoses; and

—- figure 14 1s a larger-scale view of detail XIV of figure 12.

The invention relates to a transfer system 1 for transferring a fluid such as liquefied natural gas, from a first fluid storage vessel 2 to a second vessel 3, which could be a shuttle, using a plurality of flexible pipes, such as hoses 4, the hoses also serving to ensure the return of the cold vapors from the shuttle 3 to the storage vessel 2.

As shown in particular by figures 2 and 3, during a transfer, the two vessels are placed side by side, separated for example by a small distance of 4.5 to 5 meters. As seen in the figures, the gap between the vessels is determined by the dimensions of the inserted spacing floats 5.

Part 6 of the transfer system 1 1s provided on the storage vessel 2 and another part 7 on the shuttle 3. The part 6 that equips the storage vessel 2 includes, for each hose 4, a connection device 9 for connecting to the manifold device 14 of the vessel. The different connection devices 9 are arranged side by side, in the illustrated example in a central zone of the vessel, and are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. Each device 9 essentially comprises a tubular element 7 whereof one end is connected to the corresponding manifold while the other end supports a connecting clip 8 for connecting to the hose 4 during a fluid transfer. The function of the connecting devices 9 is to offset the connection orifice of the manifold device at the longitudinal edge of the vessel. The edge 1s fitted with a rounded protective piece 11, semi-circular in the illustrated example, below the connecting clips, on which the hose bears in its transfer position.

The part 6 also includes a storage device 12 for the hoses 4, in the shape of a rack that extends above the connection devices 9 and supports, above each connection device, a hose 4 that rests on a plane tilted downward toward the edge of the vessel and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof. The hose 1s stored in the elongated state and disconnected. Each hose is retained on the rack by a cable 13 whereof one end is fixed to the rear end of the hose while the other end is wound around a winch 15. The 5 hoses are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

The part 7 of the transfer system 3, provided on the shuttle 2, includes a plurality of connection devices 16 (figures 7 and 8) that offset the connector of the manifold device 17 of the shuttle at least at the edge thereof. Thus, the connection devices 16 that are juxtaposed toward the axis of the vessel each include a connecting clip 19 arranged at the edge of the vessel and bent downward so that the axis of its opening orifice toward the outside is tilted downward. In the illustrated example, the axis 1s oriented substantially vertically. On the clip 19 side is a cone 20 that extends parallel to the axis of the orifice of the clip.

As emerges from the figures, the connection devices 16, i.e. for offsetting the vessel’s manifold at the edge thereof, essentially include a tubular element 22 that extends substantially horizontally from the manifold and is maintained at its free end by a support foot 23 on the structure of the vessel. The connection devices 16 can be permanently installed on the vessel or made in the form of easy-to-handle spools that can move between a storage position and a service position in which they are mounted on the manifold device of the shuttle.

Regarding the hoses 4, the rear upper end 24 of each one, which is connected by a displacement cable 13 to a winch 15, is configured as a nozzle 26 that can be connected to the corresponding connecting clip 8 of the storage vessel 2. The nozzle 26 1s bent so that the axis of its connector is oriented horizontally for connection thereof to the connecting clip. To ensure the placement of the nozzle 26 opposite the clip, the connection device 9 is provided with a centering piece 28 having a V-shaped cutout 29 open upwardly and guides the nozzle 26 in its connection position at the bottom of the

V (figures 5 and 6).

The other end 30 of the hose 3 is made in the form of a nozzle that supports the connector 31, a guide member advantageously in the form of a trumpet 32 arranged on the connector side and the axis of which 1s parallel to the connector axis, as well as a winch 33 around which a cable 34 is wound. The free end 35 thereof passes through the trumpet 32 so that it can be fixed to the tip of the cone 20 of the connection device 16 of the shuttle 3, when a fluid of the hose is put into the transfer position.

The nozzle 30 also includes an emergency disconnect 37 that makes it possible to separate the connector 31 from the nozzle. The trumpet 32 being secured to the connector and the winch with the remaining part of the nozzle, the connector and the trumpet remain attached to the connector 19 of the shuttle and the nozzle descends in a controlled manner by the cargo runner that unwinds from the winch, as illustrated in figures 12 to 14. Reference 38 designates an opening and closing valve device for two pipe sections that separate during disconnection.

Figures 9 to 11 illustrate three significant successive steps of the method for placing a hose 4 by moving it from its storage position on the storage rack 12, on which it rests in the elongated and disconnected state both of the manifold of the shuttle 3 and that of the storage vessel 2.

The method for placing a hose 4 in its position for transferring a fluid between the two vessels 2 and 3 placed side by side starts by actuating the winch 15 for moving the hose 4 resting on the storage rack 12. The winch 15, then unwinding the cable 13, allows the hose 4 to slide on the rack toward the edge of the vessel and beyond it, as shown in figure 9. The cargo runner 34 of the nozzle 30 of the hose toward the connecting clip 19 of the connecting device of the shuttle is then connected to the tip of the cone 20 of that device. Then, while continuing to unwind the cable 13 for moving the hose, the winch 15 ensures the continuation of the movement of the hose, as shown in figure 10, until its bent nozzle, engaging in the V-shaped 29 guide piece 28, reaches its position opposite the connecting clip 9 of the connection device to which it must be connected. Figure 11 illustrates this step of the process for placing the hose.

As emerges 1n particular from figures 10 and 11, the hose, all throughout the process of placing it in its transfer position, bears on the piece 11 at the edge of the vessel 2 in its state retained by the movement cable 13 and the cargo runner 34.

Then, after connecting to the connection device 9 of the vessel 2, the other nozzle 30 of the hose, which includes the guide trumpet 32 and the winch 33, 1s connected to the connecting clip 19 of the connection device of the shuttle, by hoisting the nozzle toward the clip 19. This hoisting is done by winding the cable, which is connected to the tip of the cone, on the winch and engaging the trumpet 32 on the cone 20 until the connector of the nozzle comes into contact with the connecting clip 19 of the receiving connection device. The hose extends in a chain, i.e. freely, between its two ends connected to the respective connecting clips.

It emerges from the description of the system according to the invention just provided that the latter has multiple major advantages. The transfer system according to the invention makes it possible to use a large number of hoses that are stored on the vessel without the storage becoming bulky, and the movement thereof between their storage and transfer positions requires complex and difficult-to-handle means. In fact, by storing the hoses on the rack in the elongated and disconnected state thereof, in one or more superimposed layers, above the connection devices to the manifolds, a small bulk is guaranteed. This advantageous storage also makes it possible to use simple structure and handling means to ensure the movement of the hoses between their storage and transfer positions. The configuration of the nozzles of the hoses, the position of the connecting clips at the edges of the vessels and the suspension of the hoses in chains at their ends ensures an absorption of the dynamic movements between the two vessels without that causing mechanical strains for the hoses. In their transfer position, the hose advantageously extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal directions of the vessels.

Furthermore, an emergency disconnect of the hoses is possible, without the latter colliding with the vessel since their nozzles on the shuttle side are lowered at a controlled speed by the cargo runner 34 associated with the winch 33 from which it frees itself at the end of unwinding as shown by figures 12 and 13. Consequently, and in summary, the invention proposes a system for transferring a fluid between a fluid storage vessel and a shuttle and the return of cold gas between these two vessels, which can comprise a relatively large number of hoses, while ensuring a very small bulk and absorption of the dynamic movements, even significant ones, between the two vessels arranged side by side during a transfer.

The invention applies in general to the transfer of fluids between two floating units, the term vessel thus being equivalent to the term floating unit. Thus, the invention can be used to load methane tankers from a floating liquefaction unit and transfer any other fluid. The invention applies to standard methane tankers and does not require any modification of their manifold devices.

Claims

1.A system for transferring fluids such as liquefied natural gas and/or cold vapor, between a first storage vessel for the fluid and a second vessel, which are placed side by side during the transfer, the system being of the type comprising at least one flexible tubular transfer pipe that can be moved between a storage position on one of the two vessels and a transfer position in which it is connected to the connection devices associated with the manifolds of the two vessels, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for storing a plurality of pipes (4), arranged near connection devices (9) of the first vessel, and devices (13, 15) for individual movement of each pipe (4) between its storage and transfer positions.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage device (12) is made in the form of a rack arranged above the connection devices (9), on which the flexible pipes (4) are placed next to each other, advantageously in the form of at least one layer tilted relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that each flexible pipe (4) is arranged on the rack (12), above the connection device (9) to which it must be connected.

4. The system according to one of «claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each pipe (4) rests on the storage device (12) in the elongated state disconnected from the connection device (9) to which it can be connected.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the plane of the storage device (12), on which the pipes (4) rest, 1s tilted toward the edge of the vessel and each pipe (4) is retained on said tilted plane by a retaining cable (13) wound on a winch (15), the movement of the pipe between its storage and transfer positions is done by winding or unwinding the cable on the winch and sliding the pipe on the tilted placement plane.

6. The system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the system includes connection devices (9) and (16) respectively arranged on the first storage vessel (2) and the second vessel (3) whereof the connecting clips (8, 19) are arranged at the edge of the respective vessel (2, 3).

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting clip (19) for a connecting device (16) provided on the second vessel (3) includes an outwardly-open orifice, the axis of which is oriented downward, so that the nozzle (30) for connecting to a transfer pipe (4) is connectable to said nozzle by a rising movement, using a cargo runner (34) that can be wound on a winch (33) provided on the nozzle (30) or on the end of the pipe comprising guide means for guiding the nozzle to the clip of the cone (20) and trumpet (32) type.

8. The system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the nozzle (20) of the pipe (4) provided on the end intended to be connected to the connecting clip (8) of a connector device (9) of the first storage vessel is bent to be connectable to the clip (8) and to the latter are associated with means (28, 29) for centering the nozzle during connection thereof.

9. The system according to one of «claims 1 to §, characterized in that a transfer pipe (4), during a fluid transfer, extends freely in a chain between the connecting clips (8, 9) of the two vessels.

10. The system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a transfer pipe is made in the form of a cryogenic hose.

11. The system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that during a transfer, the transfer pipe extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the vessels in the space between them.