LNG
Cargo Operations
Juan Manuel Martín Ordax
LNG Cargo Operations
If we consider that the gas carrier is coming directly from a shipbuilder or a
drydock, the sequence of cargo operations would be as follows:
Source: Liquefied Gas Handling Principles On Ships and in Terminals
LNG Cargo Operations
Tank inspection: The first step is to thoroughly check that the tank is clean.
Drying: water vapour and free water must all be removed from the system.
Methods used:
• Drying using inert gas from the shore
• Drying using inert gas from ship's plant
• On board air‐drying systems
Inerting: It is necessary to ensure that the tank is not flammable. Methods:
• Inerting by displacement
• Inerting by dilution (can be dilution by repeated pressurisation, Dilution
by repeated vacuum or continuous dilution)
LNG Cargo Operations
Gassing up: Neither nitrogen nor carbon dioxide can be condensed by a
ship's reliquefaction plant. Removal of inert gas from the cargo tank is
necessary, done by gassing‐up, using vapour from the cargo to be loaded at
ambient temperature and venting the incondensibles to atmosphere so that
the reliquefaction plant can then operate efficiently.
Methods:
• Gassing‐up at sea using liquid from deck storage tanks: only available to
fully refrigerated, or semi‐pressurised ships.
• Gassing‐up alongside: cargo supplied from the shore.
LNG Cargo Operations
Cool‐down:
• Refrigerated ship: it is necessary to avoid excessive tank pressures during
bulk loading. Before loading a refrigerated cargo, ship's tanks must be
cooled down slowly in order to minimise thermal stresses. Cool‐down
should continue until boil‐off eases and liquid begins to form in the
bottom of the cargo tanks.
• Semi‐pressured ships: it is necessary to maintain a pressure within the
cargo tank at least equal to the saturated vapour pressure corresponding
to the minimum allowable steel temperature. This can be done by
passing the liquid through the cargo vaporiser and introducing vapour
into the tank with the cargo compressor. Alternatively, vapour can be
provided from the shore.
LNG Cargo Operations
The main steps to follow for cargo loading are:
• Preliminary procedures: checking info from ship/shore procedures:
Trim, stability and stress
The ship's seagoing safety
Sloshing
Cargo tank loading limits
• Control of vapours during loading
• Early stages:
Loading refrigerated ships
Loading pressurised ships
Loading pressurised ships from refrigerated storage
Loading semi‐pressurised ships from refrigerated storage
Terminal pipeline system and operation
Small ship problems at large berths
• Bulk loading
LNG Cargo Operations
The maximum volume to which any tank may be filled is governed by the
following formula:
where
LNG Cargo Operations
During the loaded voyage it is necessary to:
• Maintain cargo temperature control
• Prevent polymerisation
• Make inspection of conditions
Operation of the reliquefaction plant during the loaded voyage: the plant
may be operated continuously or intermittently.
LNG boil‐off as fuel: boil‐off is used as fuel for the ship's main propulsion
during sea passages.
LNG Cargo Operations
During the loaded voyage it is necessary to:
• Maintain cargo temperature control
• Prevent polymerisation
• Make inspection of conditions
Operation of the reliquefaction plant during the loaded voyage: the plant
may be operated continuously or intermittently.
LNG boil‐off as fuel: boil‐off is used as fuel for the ship's main propulsion
during sea passages.
LNG Cargo Operations
Discharging: at the discharge terminal, cargo tank pressures and
temperatures should be in accordance with terminal requirements.
Methods used:
• Discharge by pressurising the vapour space
• Discharge with or without booster pumps
• Discharge via booster pump and cargo heater
Draining tanks and pipelines: liquid cargo must be drained from all deck
lines and cargo hoses or hard arms. Such draining can be done from ship to
shore using a cargo compressor.
LNG Cargo Operations
The ballast voyage: Often some refrigerated trades to retain a small
quantity of cargo on board after discharge and the amount retained is
known as the heel. It is used to maintain the tanks at reduced temperature
during the ballast voyage. It is done only if the same grade of cargo is to be
loaded at the next loading terminal.
The quantity retained depends on:
• Commercial agreements
• The type of gas carrier
• The duration of the ballast voyage
• The next loading terminal's requirements, and
• The next cargo grade
LNG Cargo Operations
Changing cargo: The steps to follow(depending on the grade switch, it may
not be necessary to include all these steps):
• Removal of remaining liquid
• Warming‐up
• Inerting after discharge (the need of inerting will depend on A desire to
gain tank entry for inspection, last cargo, next cargo, charter party terms,
requirements of the loading terminal, requirements of the receiving
terminal, and permissable cargo admixture)
• Aerating
• Ammonia — special procedures
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