Liquefied gas carrier

Abstract

This liquefied gas carrier comprises a plurality of liquefied gas storage tanks arranged in the fore-and-aft direction of a hull, a loading space disposed in the hull, an engine room disposed on the aft side of the hull, a plurality of compressors of different types for compressing gas, and a first cargo equipment room and second cargo equipment room in which the plurality of compressors are disposed. The first cargo equipment room may be located near the loading space, and the second cargo equipment room may be located near the engine room. The liquefied gas storage tank may be a liquefied hydrogen storage tank.

Description

Liquefied gas carrier

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquefied gas carrier.

[0002] In an LNG carrier that transports liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a liquefied gas carrier, in order to compress boil-off gas (BOG) generated from the liquefied natural gas and supply it as fuel to a propulsion engine, it is known to use a compressor. Patent Document 1 discloses an LNG carrier equipped with a reciprocating compressor.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-041510

[0004] The compressor mounted on a liquefied gas carrier is arranged in a cargo equipment room near the engine room on the stern side. In a liquefied hydrogen carrier that transports liquefied hydrogen as a liquefied gas carrier, compared with an LNG carrier, since liquefied hydrogen is at a lower temperature than liquefied natural gas, a plurality of compressors of different types, such as a centrifugal compressor, a reciprocating compressor, and a screw compressor, are used.

[0005] When a liquefied gas carrier is equipped with a plurality of compressors of different types, it is important how to efficiently arrange the plurality of compressors of different types in a limited space inside the ship.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquefied gas carrier capable of efficiently arranging a plurality of compressors of different types in a cargo equipment room.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a liquefied gas carrier including a plurality of liquefied gas storage tanks arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hull, a loading space arranged on the hull, an engine room arranged on the rear side of the hull, a plurality of compressors of different types for compressing gas, and a first cargo equipment room and a second cargo equipment room in which the plurality of compressors are arranged.

[0008] According to this disclosure, in a liquefied gas carrier, multiple compressors of different types are arranged in the first and second cargo equipment rooms. This allows for efficient arrangement of compressors in the cargo equipment rooms by arranging multiple compressors of different types in the first and second cargo equipment rooms, which are suitable for gas transfer. By arranging a cargo handling compressor in the first cargo equipment room located near the loading space and a propulsion compressor in the second cargo equipment room located near the engine room, multiple compressors of different types can be arranged in the first and second cargo equipment rooms, which are suitable for gas transfer. This allows for efficient arrangement of compressors in the cargo equipment rooms, such as reducing piping space compared to arranging multiple compressors of different types in a single cargo equipment room.

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of a liquefied gas carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a top view of the liquefied gas carrier. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stern side of the liquefied gas carrier. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a plurality of compressors and piping of the liquefied gas carrier. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating gas compression by a reciprocating compressor. Figure 6 is another diagram illustrating gas compression by a reciprocating compressor. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating gas compression by a screw compressor.

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view of a liquefied gas carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquefied gas carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a liquefied hydrogen carrier for transporting liquefied hydrogen. The liquefied gas carrier may also be a liquefied gas carrier for transporting liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas.

[0012] The liquefied hydrogen carrier 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a hull 2 ​​consisting of a bottom, side walls, and a deck floor. The hull 2 ​​is provided with a cargo space 4 in which multiple liquefied gas storage tanks 3 are arranged in the longitudinal direction from the bow to the stern, i.e., from the forward side to the aft side. An engine room 5 is provided at the aft side of the hull 2. A loading space 7 in which a manifold 6 is located is provided at the center of the hull 2 ​​in the longitudinal direction. The hull 2 ​​is provided with a cargo equipment room 15 in which multiple compressors 20 of different types are located. The hull 2 ​​includes a bow section, which is the forward part, a stern section, which is the aft part, and a cargo space 4 located between the bow and stern sections. The forward part of the cargo space 4 in the hull 2 ​​is the bow section, and the aft part of the cargo space 4 in the hull 2 ​​is the stern section.

[0013] Figure 2 is a plan view of the liquefied gas carrier. As shown in Figure 2, a cargo space 4 located on the front-to-rear center of the hull 2 ​​contains multiple spherical independent liquefied gas storage tanks 3. In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, the liquefied gas storage tanks 3 are liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3 for storing liquefied hydrogen. The first liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3a, the second liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3b, the third liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3c, and the fourth liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3d are arranged from the bow to the stern.

[0014] The cargo space 4 is partitioned in the longitudinal direction of the hull 2 ​​by a first bulkhead 4a that forms the forward wall at the bow and a second bulkhead 4b that forms the aft wall at the stern. The liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3 are not limited to four, but may be two or three, etc.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the engine room 5 houses the main engine 8, boiler 9, and other components. A propulsion steam turbine engine 8 is used as the main engine 8. The steam turbine engine 8 is connected to a propeller 10 located at the stern of the hull 2. The steam turbine engine 8 is configured to use steam to rotate the propeller 10. Other engines, such as a reciprocating engine, can also be used as the main engine.

[0016] The boiler 9 is configured to generate steam to be supplied to the steam turbine engine 8. Boiler 9 is supplied with compressed boil-off gas of liquefied hydrogen stored in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3, and the boiler 9 is configured to generate steam by burning the boil-off gas. The boiler 9 is configured to supply the generated steam to the steam turbine engine 8. The steam from the boiler 9 may also be supplied to a steam turbine engine for power generation, etc. The boiler 9 functions as a gas-consuming device that consumes gas supplied from the liquefied gas storage tank 3. The gas-consuming device to which gas from the liquefied gas storage tank 3 is supplied may be other gas-consuming devices such as a gas combustion unit (GCU) or an engine.

[0017] Boiler 9 is also supplied with fuel such as heavy oil. Boiler 9 is configured to generate steam by burning fuel such as heavy oil. The liquefied hydrogen carrier 1 can generate steam using both boil-off gas of liquefied hydrogen and fuel such as heavy oil. The liquefied hydrogen carrier 1 can also operate using fuel such as heavy oil even if it cannot operate using only boil-off gas of liquefied hydrogen during a voyage.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stern side of the liquefied gas carrier, and is a cross-sectional view of the liquefied gas carrier along the line Y3-Y3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the stern side of the hull 2 ​​includes a deck floor 11, which is the uppermost upper deck floor of the hull 2, and an upper floor 12 that is above the deck floor 11. At least a portion of the engine room 5 is located below the deck floor 11. The forward part of the engine room 5 is located below the deck floor 11, and the aft part of the engine room 5 is located below the deck floor 11 and is also located on the deck floor 11 behind the cargo equipment room 15.

[0019] The aft side of the hull 2 ​​includes a first lower floor 13 below the deck floor 11 and a second lower floor 14 below the first lower floor 13. The engine room 5 is located on the first lower floor 13 and the second lower floor 14. The engine room 5 is located on a lower floor below the deck floor 11 and may be located on the first lower floor 13 or the second lower floor 14.

[0020] The loading space 7 is a manifold area where the manifold 6 is located, as shown in Figure 2. The manifold 6 has piping for connecting to cargo handling equipment at an external land base. The manifold 6 has a first pipe L1 for liquids and a second pipe L2 for gases. The first pipe L1 is for transferring liquefied hydrogen as a liquefied gas and connects the liquefied gas storage tank 3 and the manifold 6. The second pipe L2 is for transferring gases such as boil-off gas within the liquefied gas storage tank 3 and connects the liquefied gas storage tank 3 and the manifold 6.

[0021] The loading space 7 is located on the port side of the hull 2 ​​between the second liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3b and the third liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3c. The loading space 7 is located in the portion of the hull 2 ​​that is wider on the outer side in the width direction compared to the width direction center side between the liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3. The loading space 7 may also be located between the first liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3a and the second liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3b, or between the third liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3c and the fourth liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3d. The loading space 7 may also be located on the starboard side of the hull 2. Although the loading space 7 is located on the central side of the hull 2, it may also be located in other parts of the hull 2, such as the aft side.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the cargo equipment room 15 has a first cargo equipment room 15a and a second cargo equipment room 15b which is different from the first cargo equipment room 15a. The first cargo equipment room 15a is located near the loading space 7. The second cargo equipment room 15b is located near the engine room 5. Specifically, the first cargo equipment room 15a is located closer to the loading space 7 than the second cargo equipment room 15b, and the second cargo equipment room 15b is located closer to the engine room 5 than the first cargo equipment room 15a. The distance between the first cargo equipment room 15a and the loading space 7 is smaller than the distance between the second cargo equipment room 15b and the loading space 7, and the distance between the second cargo equipment room 15b and the engine room 5 is smaller than the distance between the first cargo equipment room 15a and the engine room 5.

[0023] The first cargo equipment room 15a is located on the central side of the hull 2, as shown in Figure 2. The first cargo equipment room 15a is located on the port side of the hull 2 ​​between the third liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3c and the fourth liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3d. The first cargo equipment room 15a is located in a part of the hull 2 ​​where the widthwise outer side is wider than the widthwise central side between the liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3. For example, a cargo handling compressor 20 is located in the first cargo equipment room 15a as cargo handling equipment. When the loading space 7 is located on the starboard side of the hull 2, the first cargo equipment room 15a is preferably located on the starboard side of the hull 2, but it may also be located on the port side of the hull 2.

[0024] The second cargo equipment room 15b is located further aft than the liquefied gas storage tank 3, which is the furthest aft of the multiple liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3. As shown in Figure 3, the second cargo equipment room 15b is located on the deck floor 11 and the upper floor 12 above the engine room 5 on the aft side of the hull 2. For example, a propulsion compressor 20 is located in the second cargo equipment room 15b as propulsion cargo equipment. The second cargo equipment room 15b may be located on the deck floor 11 or the upper floor 12.

[0025] In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, the boil-off gas generated from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is at a low temperature. Normally, during voyages, this boil-off gas is compressed by a compressor 20 before being supplied to the boiler 9 for use with the propulsion steam turbine engine 8. When the ship is stopped, excess boil-off gas may also be compressed by the compressor 20 before being supplied to the boiler 9. In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, multiple compressors 20 of different types are used to compress the gas.

[0026] Several types of compressors 20 with different configurations are used, including a centrifugal compressor 20a, a reciprocating compressor 20b, and a screw compressor 20c. The centrifugal compressor 20a is configured to draw in gas with a high-speed rotating impeller and compress a large amount of gas by converting the kinetic energy from centrifugal force into pressure energy. The reciprocating compressor 20b is configured to compress the gas inside the cylinder by the reciprocating motion of a piston inside the cylinder. The screw compressor 20c is configured to compress the gas inside the casing with a screw-shaped toothed rotor while the rotor rotates.

[0027] In this embodiment, the centrifugal compressor 20a is configured to return cryogenic hydrogen gas to the base. The reciprocating compressor 20b is configured to supply hydrogen gas to the boiler 9 under normal conditions and to raise the temperature of the hydrogen gas during tank warm-up before returning it to the liquefied gas storage tank 3. The screw compressor 20c is configured to supply gas to the boiler 9 during tank inert gas replacement (tank inerting).

[0028] The centrifugal compressor 20a, which returns hydrogen gas to the base, functions as a cargo handling compressor. The reciprocating compressor 20b, which normally supplies hydrogen gas to the boiler 9, functions as a propulsion compressor. The reciprocating compressor 20b is also configured to heat the hydrogen gas and return it to the tank during tank warm-up. The screw compressor 20c, which supplies gas to the boiler 9 during tank inert gas replacement, also functions as a propulsion compressor because it supplies fuel to the propulsion engine.

[0029] In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, the cargo handling compressor is located in the first cargo equipment room 15a near the loading space 7. The centrifugal compressor 20a for returning hydrogen gas to the base is located in the first cargo equipment room 15a. The first cargo equipment room 15a is located on the deck floor 11. The first cargo equipment room 15a may also be located on an upper floor above the deck floor 11.

[0030] The propulsion compressor is located in the second cargo equipment room 15b near the engine room 5. The reciprocating compressor 20b, which normally supplies hydrogen gas to the boiler 9 and heats the hydrogen gas during tank warm-up before returning it to the liquefied gas storage tank 3, is located in the second cargo equipment room 15b. The reciprocating compressor 20b is located on the upper floor 12 of the second cargo equipment room 15b. The reciprocating compressor 20b is arranged such that, for example, the piston extends in the vertical direction.

[0031] By positioning the reciprocating compressor 20b, which exhibits significant vibration, vertically via the deck floor 11 to the engine room 5 where the engine is located, noise in the engine control room located within the engine room 5 caused by solid-borne sound due to the vibrations of the reciprocating compressor 20b can be suppressed.

[0032] A screw-type compressor 20c for supplying gas to the boiler 9 during inert gas replacement of the tank is located in the second cargo equipment room 15b. The screw-type compressor 20c is located on the deck floor 11 of the second cargo equipment room 15b. The screw-type compressor 20c may also be located on the upper floor 12 of the second cargo equipment room 15b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1 is equipped with an inert gas generator (IGG) 17 that generates inert gas. The inert gas generator 17 generates combustion gas as an inert gas by burning fuel. The inert gas generator 17 generates inert gas to be supplied to the liquefied gas storage tank 3 when replacing the air or hydrogen gas in the liquefied gas storage tank 3 with the inert gas. The inert gas generator 17 may also be a nitrogen gas generator that generates nitrogen gas as an inert gas.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the multiple compressors and piping of the liquefied gas carrier. Although only one liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is shown in Figure 4, the four liquefied hydrogen storage tanks 3 are connected by piping (not shown). Each pipe is also equipped with an on / off valve to control the flow rate within the pipe.

[0035] As mentioned above, the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1 is equipped with a centrifugal compressor 20a, a reciprocating compressor 20b, and a screw compressor 20c. The centrifugal compressor 20a is located in the first cargo equipment room 15a, while the reciprocating compressor 20b and screw compressor 20c are located in the second cargo equipment room 15b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is connected to a first pipe L1 for transferring liquefied hydrogen and a second pipe L2 for transferring gases such as boil-off gas, both of which are provided on the manifold 6. A centrifugal compressor 20a is provided on the second pipe L2.

[0037] The liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is connected to a third pipe L3 and a fourth pipe L4 for transferring gas to the boiler 9. The third pipe L3 and the fourth pipe L4 each connect the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the boiler 9. The third pipe L3 is equipped with a reciprocating compressor 20b. The fourth pipe L4 is equipped with a screw compressor 20c. The third pipe L3 and the fourth pipe L4 may each be connected to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 without being shared with the second pipe L2.

[0038] The liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is connected to a fifth pipe L5 that branches off from the third pipe L3 between the reciprocating compressor 20b and the boiler 9. The liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is also connected to a sixth pipe L6 for transferring inert gas. The sixth pipe L6 connects the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the inert gas generator 17. A nitrogen gas generator may be used instead of the inert gas generator 17, or a nitrogen gas generator may be used together with the inert gas generator 17.

[0039] In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, when liquefied hydrogen is loaded from the land base 16 into the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 of the hull 2, the liquefied hydrogen is stored in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 through the first pipe L1, as shown by the thick line in Figure 4. At that time, the cryogenic hydrogen gas, which is the boil-off gas produced when the liquefied hydrogen evaporates in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3, is compressed by a centrifugal compressor 20a through the second pipe L2 and returned to the land base 16.

[0040] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating gas compression by a reciprocating compressor. In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, when liquefied hydrogen is stored in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 during normal navigation, as shown by the thick line in Figure 5, hydrogen gas, which is boil-off gas generated in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3, is compressed by the reciprocating compressor 20b through the third pipe L3 and supplied to the boiler 9, where it is used as propulsion fuel.

[0041] Figure 6 is another diagram illustrating gas compression by a reciprocating compressor. On the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is warmed up before entering dry dock for periodic maintenance, etc. During tank warm-up, as shown by the thick lines in Figure 6, the hydrogen gas in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is compressed and heated by the reciprocating compressor 20b through the third pipe L3 and the fifth pipe L5 and returned to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3. The tank is warmed up using hydrogen gas with the reciprocating compressor 20b.

[0042] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating gas compression by a screw-type compressor. In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, when the hydrogen gas in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is replaced with inert gas before entering dry dock for periodic maintenance, inert gas is supplied to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 from the inert gas generator 17 through the sixth pipe L6, as shown by the thick line in Figure 6. At that time, the mixed gas of hydrogen gas and inert gas in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is compressed by the screw-type compressor 20c through the fourth pipe L4 and blown to the boiler 9 for combustion.

[0043] Even when replacing the inert gas in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 with hydrogen gas, the mixed gas of hydrogen gas and inert gas in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 is compressed by the screw-type compressor 20c through the fourth pipe L4 and blown to the boiler 9 for combustion.

[0044] In the liquefied hydrogen carrier 1, when loading liquefied hydrogen from the onshore base 16 into the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 of the hull 2, in order to keep the pressure in the tank within an appropriate range, hydrogen gas, which is boil-off gas generated by the evaporation of liquefied hydrogen in the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3, is compressed by the centrifugal compressor 20a through the second pipe L2 and returned to the onshore base 16, and may also be compressed by the reciprocating compressor 20b through the third pipe L3 and sent to the boiler 9 for blowing and combustion.

[0045] In the present embodiment, as a plurality of compressors 20 of different types, a centrifugal compressor 20a, a reciprocating compressor 20b, and a screw compressor 20c are used. However, as a plurality of compressors of different types, a centrifugal compressor and a screw compressor may be used. Even in such a case, the plurality of compressors of different types are arranged in the first cargo equipment room 15a and the second cargo equipment room 15b. Each of the plurality of compressors of different types may be one compressor, but preferably may be a plurality of compressors.

[0046] As described above, the liquefied gas carrier 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of liquefied gas storage tanks 3 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hull 2, a loading space 7 arranged on the hull 2, an engine room 5 arranged on the rear side of the hull 2, a plurality of compressors 20 of different types for compressing gas, and a first cargo equipment room 15a and a second cargo equipment room 15b in which the plurality of compressors 20 are arranged.

[0047] In the liquefied gas carrier 1, since a plurality of compressors 20 of different types are arranged in the first and second cargo equipment rooms 15a and 15b, a plurality of compressors 20 of different types can be respectively arranged in the first and second cargo equipment rooms 15a and 15b suitable for gas transfer, and the compressors 20 can be efficiently arranged in the cargo equipment room 15. By arranging the cargo handling compressor 20a in the first cargo equipment room 15a arranged near the loading space 7 and arranging the propulsion compressors 20b and 20c in the second cargo equipment room 15b arranged near the engine room 5, a plurality of compressors 20 of different types can be respectively arranged in the first and second cargo equipment rooms 15a and 15b suitable for gas transfer, and the piping space can be reduced compared to the case where a plurality of compressors of different types are arranged in one cargo equipment room, etc., and the compressors 20 can be efficiently arranged in the cargo equipment room 15.

[0048] The first cargo equipment room 15a can be arranged near the loading space 7, and the second cargo equipment room 15b can be arranged near the engine room 5. Thereby, by arranging the cargo handling compressor 20a in the first cargo equipment room 15a near the loading space 7 and arranging the propulsion compressors 20b and 20c in the second cargo equipment room 15b near the engine room 5, a plurality of compressors 20 can be arranged at positions suitable for gas transfer.

[0049] The first cargo equipment room 15a has a smaller separation distance from the loading space 7 than the second cargo equipment room 15b, and the second cargo equipment room 15b has a smaller separation distance from the engine room 5 than the first cargo equipment room 15a. Thereby, the first and second cargo equipment rooms 15a and 15b in which the compressors 20 are arranged can be arranged at positions suitable for gas transfer.

[0050] The first cargo equipment room 15a can be arranged on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the hull 2. Thereby, by arranging the loading space 7 on the central side of the hull 2, the first cargo equipment room 15a can be arranged near the loading space 7.

[0051] The liquefied gas storage tank 3 may be a liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3. This allows multiple compressors 20 of different types to be positioned in locations suitable for gas transfer on the liquefied gas carrier 1 that transports liquefied hydrogen.

[0052] The multiple compressors 20 include a cargo handling compressor 20a that returns hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the base 16, and propulsion compressors 20b and 20c that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the gas consumption equipment 9. The first cargo equipment room 15a has the cargo handling compressor 20a and is located near the loading space 7, and the second cargo equipment room 15b has the propulsion compressors 20b and 20c and may be located near the engine room 5. This allows the cargo handling compressor 20a and the propulsion compressors 20b and 20c to be positioned in locations suitable for gas transfer.

[0053] Multiple compressors 20 include centrifugal compressors 20a for cargo handling that return hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the base 16, and the first cargo equipment room 15a has centrifugal compressors 20a for cargo handling and can be located near the loading space 7. This allows the centrifugal compressors 20a for cargo handling to be located near the loading space 7 in a position suitable for gas transfer.

[0054] Multiple compressors 20 include propulsion reciprocating compressors 20b that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the gas consumption equipment 9, and the second cargo equipment room 15b also has propulsion reciprocating compressors 20b and can be located near the engine room 5. This allows the propulsion reciprocating compressors 20b to be located near the engine room 5 in a position suitable for gas transfer.

[0055] The propulsion reciprocating compressor 20b blows gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the gas consumption equipment 9 and can also return the hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 during tank warm-up. This allows the propulsion reciprocating compressor 20b, which blows gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the gas consumption equipment 9, to return the hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 during warm-up.

[0056] Multiple compressors 20 include propulsion screw-type compressors 20c that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 3 to the gas consumption equipment 9 when the liquefied gas storage tank 3 is replaced with inert gas. The second cargo equipment room 15b also has propulsion screw-type compressors 20c and can be located near the engine room 5. This allows the propulsion screw-type compressors 20c to be located near the engine room 5 in a position suitable for gas transfer.

[0057] The aft side of the hull 2 ​​comprises a deck floor 11 and an upper floor 12 above the deck floor 11. The engine room 5 is located at least partially below the deck floor 11. The second cargo equipment room 15b has a propulsion reciprocating compressor 20b and is located on the upper floor 12. The second cargo equipment room 15b may be located above the engine room 5, which is located below the deck floor 11. By positioning the reciprocating compressor 20b, which has high vibration, vertically with the engine room 5 via the deck floor 11, noise in the engine control room located within the engine room 5 due to solid-borne sound caused by the vibration of the reciprocating compressor 20b can be suppressed.

[0058] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and various improvements and design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0059] [Note 1] A liquefied gas carrier comprising: a plurality of liquefied gas storage tanks arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hull; a loading space arranged in the hull; an engine room arranged on the aft side of the hull; a plurality of compressors of different types for compressing gas; and a first cargo equipment room and a second cargo equipment room in which the plurality of compressors are arranged. [Note 2] The liquefied gas carrier according to Note 1, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located near the loading space, and the second cargo equipment room is located near the engine room. [Note 3] The liquefied gas carrier according to Note 2, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located at a smaller distance from the loading space than the second cargo equipment room, and the second cargo equipment room is located at a smaller distance from the engine room than the first cargo equipment room. [Note 4] The liquefied gas carrier according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the hull. [Note 5] The liquefied gas storage tank is a liquefied hydrogen storage tank, as described in any of Notes 1 to 4. [Note 6] The plurality of compressors include a cargo handling compressor for returning hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the base and a propulsion compressor for blowing gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to gas consuming equipment, the first cargo equipment room has the cargo handling compressor and is located near the loading space, and the second cargo equipment room has the propulsion compressor and is located near the engine room, as described in Note 5. [Note 7] The plurality of compressors include a centrifugal cargo handling compressor for returning hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the base, the first cargo equipment room has the centrifugal cargo handling compressor and is located near the loading space, as described in Note 5. [Note 8] The liquefied gas carrier according to Note 5 or Note 7, wherein the plurality of compressors include propulsion reciprocating compressors that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to gas consuming equipment, and the second cargo equipment room includes the propulsion reciprocating compressor and is located near the engine room.[Note 9] The liquefied gas carrier according to Note 8, wherein the propulsion reciprocating compressor blows gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the gas consuming equipment and returns hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank when the tank is warmed up. [Note 10] The liquefied gas carrier according to Note 5, Note 7, Note 8, or Note 9, wherein the plurality of compressors include a propulsion screw compressor that blows gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the gas consuming equipment when the liquefied hydrogen storage tank is replaced with inert gas, and the second cargo equipment room has the propulsion screw compressor and is located near the engine room. [Note 11] The liquefied gas carrier as described in Note 8, wherein the aft side of the hull comprises a deck floor and an upper floor above the deck floor, the engine room is located at least in part below the deck floor, the second cargo equipment room has the propulsion reciprocating compressor and is located on the upper floor, and the second cargo equipment room is located above the engine room which is located below the deck floor.

[0060] 1. Liquefied gas carrier 2. Hull 3. Liquefied gas storage tanks 5. Engine room 7. Loading space 11. Deck floor 12. Upper floor 15. Cargo equipment room 15a. Cargo equipment room 15b. Cargo equipment room 20. Compressors 20a. Centrifugal compressor 20b. Reciprocating compressor 20c. Screw compressor

Claims

1. A liquefied gas carrier comprising: a plurality of liquefied gas storage tanks arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hull; a loading space arranged in the hull; an engine room arranged on the rear side of the hull; a plurality of compressors of different types for compressing gas; and a first cargo equipment room and a second cargo equipment room in which the plurality of compressors are arranged.

2. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located near the loading space, and the second cargo equipment room is located near the engine room.

3. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 2, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located at a smaller distance from the loading space than the second cargo equipment room, and the second cargo equipment room is located at a smaller distance from the engine room than the first cargo equipment room.

4. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first cargo equipment room is located on the longitudinal center side of the hull.

5. The liquefied gas storage tank is a liquefied hydrogen storage tank, as described in claim 1.

6. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of compressors include cargo handling compressors for returning hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the base, and propulsion compressors for blowing gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to gas-consuming equipment, the first cargo equipment room having the cargo handling compressors and located near the loading space, and the second cargo equipment room having the propulsion compressors and located near the engine room.

7. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of compressors include a centrifugal compressor for cargo handling that returns hydrogen gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the base, and the first cargo equipment room includes the centrifugal compressor for cargo handling and is located near the loading space.

8. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of compressors include propulsion reciprocating compressors that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to gas consuming equipment, and the second cargo equipment room includes the propulsion reciprocating compressor and is located near the engine room.

9. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 8, wherein the propulsion reciprocating compressor blows gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to the gas consuming equipment and returns the hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen storage tank during tank warm-up.

10. The plurality of compressors include propulsion screw-type compressors that blow gas from the liquefied hydrogen storage tank to gas-consuming equipment when the liquefied hydrogen storage tank is replaced with inert gas, and the second cargo equipment room includes the propulsion screw-type compressors and is located near the engine room, as described in claim 5.

11. The stern side of the hull comprises a deck floor and an upper floor above the deck floor, the engine room is located at least in part below the deck floor, the second cargo equipment room has the propulsion reciprocating compressor and is located on the upper floor, and the second cargo equipment room is located above the engine room which is located below the deck floor, the liquefied gas carrier according to claim 8.

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