Ship Gas Re-vaporizing System Seawater Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LNG re-vaporization systems on ships face inefficiencies in energy exchange during the re-vaporization process, leading to wasted energy and challenges in switching between open and closed loop operation types of seawater supply systems without stopping the seawater pump.

Innovation Solution

A gas re-vaporizing system that includes a seawater supply apparatus capable of bi-directional switching between open and closed loop operation types without stopping, using a pressure maintaining device and a heat source heat exchanger to maintain seawater pressure and prevent negative pressure, ensuring continuous operation and efficient re-vaporization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the seawater supply apparatus is switched from open loop operation type to close loop operation type, then continuous operation is achieved, but packing fluid remaining in the circulation connection line causes operational issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation during switchingVSAvoidoperational stability due to packing fluid
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation connection line is pre-filled with seawater before switching to close loop operation type. The filling device introduces seawater into the circulation connection line in advance, so that when switching occurs, no packing fluid remains to cause operational issues. This preliminary action ensures both continuous operation and reliable switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If seawater pressure is not maintained during switching, then system simplicity is preserved, but negative pressure causes operational interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure maintaining device acts as an intermediary component that actively maintains seawater pressure during operation type switching. This device prevents negative pressure from occurring in the circulation connection line, ensuring continuous operation without interrupting the seawater pump. The pressure maintaining device adds complexity but enables uninterrupted operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the seawater pump is stopped during switching, then packing fluid removal is simplified, but re-vaporization supply is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching process simplicityVSAvoidre-vaporization supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to maintain continuous seawater circulation through the circulation connection line during operation type switching. By pre-filling the line with seawater and maintaining pressure, the seawater pump can continue operating without stopping, ensuring uninterrupted re-vaporization supply while seamlessly transitioning between open and close loop operation types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The system enables stable and efficient re-vaporization of liquefied gas by preventing negative pressure and maintaining seawater pressure, allowing for non-stop operation type switching and smooth supply of re-vaporized gas to land terminals.

Implementation Method 1

a re-vaporizing apparatus (50) for re-vaporizing the liquefied gas by heat exchange with seawater supplied by the seawater supply apparatus (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a pressure maintaining device for maintaining pressure of seawater supplied by the seawater supply apparatus, and preventing negative pressure from occurring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure maintenance: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3431382B1Ship having gas regasification system
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 HD HYUNDAI HEAVY IND CO LTD
  • EP3431382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3431382B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3431382B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, a ship including a gas re-vaporizing system including a re-vaporizing apparatus, which re-vaporizes liquefied gas through seawater supplied by a seawater supply apparatus, supplies a fluid inside a seawater storage tank, which maintains pressure of seawater flowing in a circulation connection line, to the circulation connection line, in order to implement the switch of an operation mode of the seawater supply apparatus from an open loop mode to a close loop mode non-stop.