LNG Tank Heating Circuit with Compressor Gas Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for ships with liquefied natural gas storage tanks face inefficiencies in heating the tanks for inspection purposes while also effectively utilizing the natural gas for energy production equipment and heating.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive natural gas processing and delivery system that integrates a supply circuit for energy production equipment, a burner supply circuit, and a heating circuit, utilizing a common compressor section with switchable three-way connections to optimize gas flow and pressure for both energy production and tank heating, allowing for efficient recovery and reuse of natural gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an external heater is used to heat the tank for inspection, then the tank can be heated to appropriate temperatures, but the natural gas inside the tank is lost and cannot be recovered for energy production
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural gas itself as the heating medium. The gas is compressed, heated by the compressor, and then reinjected into the tank to heat the remaining LNG. This eliminates the need for external heaters and recovers the gas for continued use, making the system self-sufficient and preventing gas loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the natural gas during tank heating operations, the system recovers it by compressing and reinjecting it back into the tank. The gas serves dual purposes: as a heating medium and as fuel for energy production, thereby preventing substance loss.
2Ease of operation
If separate circuits are used for energy production and tank heating, then each function can be performed independently, but the system complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is designed to serve multiple functions: it compresses gas for energy production equipment, heats gas for tank heating operations, and can operate independently for either function. The switchable three-way connection members enable the single compressor to be routed to different destinations, eliminating the need for separate compressors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the energy production circuit and tank heating circuit by using a common compressor and shared piping infrastructure. The switchable three-way connection members allow the circuits to be combined or separated as needed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent operation capability when required.
3Productivity
If the compressor is used for both energy production and tank heating, then component utilization is optimized, but the reliability and redundancy of the system may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically routes the compressor output to different destinations based on operational requirements. The switchable three-way connection members allow the compressor to be quickly reallocated between energy production and tank heating functions, providing operational flexibility and ensuring that the single compressor can meet varying demands without compromising system reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables effective heating of the liquefied natural gas storage tank while recovering natural gas, optimizing the use of components like compressors for multiple functions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and redundancy in energy supply.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (16a, 16b) having an inlet and an outlet and making it possible to increase the pressure and the temperature of a gas flow
Implementation Method 2
a vessel heating circuit capable of collecting a gas flow in the lower part of the vessel and injecting it into the upper part of the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for treating and supplying natural gas comprising: a circuit for feeding an apparatus for generating power, which is selected among a heat engine, a fuel cell or a gas turbine, and which makes it possible to supply natural gas from a liquefied natural gas storage tank (2) to said apparatus for generating power (4, 6), said supply circuit comprising an upstream portion connected to the tank (2) and a downstream portion connected to the apparatus for generating power (4, 6); a circuit for feeding a burner (5) making it possible to supplying the natural gas from the tank (2) to the burner (6) comprising an upstream portion connected to the tank (2) and a downstream portion connected to the burner (5); a circuit for heating the tank (2) capable of collecting a gas stream at the bottom of the tank (2) and injecting same at the top portion of the tank (2), said heating circuit comprising an upstream portion connected to a pipe (52) leading into the bottom portion of the tank (2) and a downstream portion connected to a pipe (71) leading into the top portion of the tank (2).