WORK PACKAGES

1. Investigation of the parameters for the inland transportation of LNG

In this work package, the design criteria for the development of inland LNG carriers are being established. These include potential dimensions, transport routes, the required transport masses as well as the requested LNG state. In the work package, load profiles are to be determined which are conveyed from the data of existing conventional vessels and transport requirements.

The tasks of this work package are fulfilled by the Development Center for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST).

2. Optimization of tank systems for inland LNG carriers

Special requirements for LNG tank systems result from high safety levels and on-board storage limitations due to limited water depth and bridge clearence. By a parametric model, tank volumes and masses as well as the time-dependent amount of boil off gas, in consideration of different depletion curves, shall be calculated to customise the tank to the operation characteristic of the vessel. The use of modular tank systems (LNG containers) or LNG barges regarding safety risks will be analysed with CFD methods. The bunkering of LNG is another aspect of this topic.

3. Engine concepts for LNG operated-vessels

The boil-off-gas emerging during the vessel’s journey may be used as fuel for the main engine or auxiliary systems, respectively. In the BinGas project, technical and regulatory aspects are investigated regarding the use of this gas for vessel operation. In inland navigation long waiting times may occur. During these the energy demand on board is small and the emerging boil-off-gas cannot be used instantly. Therefore other options for energy storage are surveyed.

In addition, a software is developed to simulate the engine dynamics, taking into account the amount of boil-off-gas and different fuel qualities (LNG and diesel combinations).

A major target of BinGas is the combined simulation of LNG-tank performance and the engine dynamics to generate a full image of the vessel’s operational behaviour during the first steps of its design. The methods developed can also be applied to the adaptation of existing vessels as LNG carriers.

4. Development of inland LNG carrier types

Inland LNG carriers are highly specialised ships transporting cargo of a very low density (450 kg/m³). As a result, very shallow-draft vessels can be designed which can be operated even at low water or, alternatively, very slender ships with excellent hydrodynamic characteristics. Therefore, designs are to be developed and investigated for various tank and transport concepts. For this purpose, numerical as well as model tests are applied.

The construction of LNG energy carriers closely depends on the tank systems used and, due to the specialisation on only one type of cargo, admits a construction tailor-made to these ship types. One criterion is the integration of the tank into the ship’s structure, no matter what type of tank.

Due to low freight rates and an excess capacity in conventional inland transportation, currently a lot of ships are not in use. In order to meet a short-term need for LNG carriers, investigations are made under which conditions these ships may be converted into inland navigation tankers. For this purpose, various different types of ships (combined cargo ships, single-hull and double-hull tankers) are used to work out concepts for the conversion.

The tasks of this work package are coordinated by the Development Center for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST) and fulfilled in close co-operation with Neue Triton Schiffswerft.

5. Risk analysis

In the project, special attention is paid to the safety of transportation of LNG. In order to grant a high amount of safety, potential safety hazards are investigated which might occur during transport or trans-shipment and will have to be considered in the development of transport systems. In-depth safety analyses are made of the systems which have been developed for the transport of LNG in order to reduce the risk of accidents.

Even by high safety provisions, it is impossible to completely prevent disorders or collisions. Therefore, potential disorders like the leaking of LNG after a collision are investigated in simulations to develop counter-measures. The results of these investigations are to contribute to national and international legislation.

The tasks of this work package are coordinated by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and fulfilled in close cooperation with the project partners.

6. Development of production processes for LNG carriers

In the BinGas project, the existing production processes for LNG carriers are evaluated and the need for new production processes is discussed. The effort that needs to be taken to establish new production processes is also investigated. One example is the availability of cranes for the handling and installation of LNG tanks on board. Such cranes which need to be able to handle loads of 50 – 100 tons are usually not available at shipyards specialised on inland vessels. It has to be examined whether accessibility can be granted or whether the tanks have to be mounted at other locations.

Additionally, the engines installed on conventional diesel-operated ships are, compared to the equipment necessary for gas engines, quite simple. If technologies for the use of BOG are to be installed, the technical requirements are higher; especially those for gas pipes and safety systems. Therefore, another aspect of this work package is the analysis of additional rules to be observed by shipyards concerning the production of inland LNG carriers to ensure a safe and economical installation.

The tasks of this work package are fulfilled by Neue Triton Schiffswerft.