LNG Terminal Main Features

Floating Storage and Regasification Unit

• Economic attractiveness
• Technical acceptability &
• Flexibility as FSRU’s can be moved from one demand centre to
another. Mitigates fluctuations due to seasonal demand.
 FSRU Attraction
• Residents tend to favor energy supply solutions that are situated far away
from where they live…NIMBY syndrome.
• In areas where economic growth is uncertain or where there is an element
of political or economic instability.
• FSRU converted from LNGs are lower cost and render faster completion
than on-shore terminals.
• Each FSRU has to be designed to meet the specific requirements of the
charterer for particular project.
• Converting LNG carrier into FSRU is simple in principle but execution is
challenge due to high level of technical integration and long lead times for
specialist equipment.
• Moss type tanks have strong structural integrity and do not have
operational cargo filling restrictions.
• Modern membrane tank vessels have more efficient propulsion systems
being more attractive if the intention is to continue using the vessel to
trade LNG.
• Gas send capacities, temperatures and pressures are influenced by
maximum and minimum rate demands.
• Mooring system design will depend on the local weather conditions and
the jetty configuration.
• Regasification capacity (peak, base, min)
• Storage capacity
• Number of tanks
• Containment system
• Offloading capacity
• Max. BOG handling
• Loading arms similar to ones used on onshore terminals additionally
modified to account for relative motions between carrier and FSRU.
• LNG is sent from the tanks to the regasification skid. It comprises of
booster pumps and steam heated vaporizers.
• Regasification can be both in open or closed loop mode.
Skid Mounted Regasification unit
• Gas Transfer via a riser to a subsea gas pipeline via gas swivel assembly or
via a high pressure loading arms fixed on the jetty .
• High pressure associated with FSRU operations introduce a new set of
risks not present on conventional LNG carriers.
• An FSRU forms part of the shore infrastructure. EIA and assurance of
vessels compliance with the local as well as international marine
requirements are central issues.
• FSRU involves sound aggregation of shipping and energy technology,
commercial skills and marine operating experience.
• The regasification plant design is to be integrated with the cargo handling,
regasification unit, power generation, auxiliary system and control system.
• Transfer of LNG from the tanker to the FSRU is in a side by side
arrangement in mild environmental sea conditions while in hostile
conditions a tandem arrangement.
• LNG vaporization equipment needs to operate with FSRU moving with
winds and waves. The shell and tube vaporizers are not motion sensitive.
• During the design phase, due regard is to be given towards the site
topology, adjacent plant and residential areas and particular attention to
be paid to the exhaust gas outlet.
• Assume a Lower Heat Value of ca. 0.033 MMBTU/m3 of natural gas at
atmospheric pressure.
• Internal turret for the sub-sea pipe connection.
• The regas process is mainly composed of the LNG feeding pumps, HP (high
pressure) pumps, vaporizers, and send-out equipment
• The strengthened insulation boxes have been used in sides, hoppers and
top of the tanks. So there is no tank level restriction in the regas
operation.
Pipeline Ending Manifold
 Pumping hints
• The suction drum is operated typically 3 bar higher than the cargo tank
pressure. Hence, the LNG in suction drum can be maintained at the sub-
cooled state for better performance of the HP pump.
• The HP pump generates some heat in the suction pot, so the generated
vapor should be vented to the suction drum through the venting system.
The venting system should be carefully designed for each operation
conditions of pump cool down, initial start up, re-circulation, and normal
operation.
Steam based re-gasification skid
 PCHE
• Two heat exchangers are split in two. In one we have condensation of
steam and in the other condensate is cooled. Aplit is done to avoid liquid
fluctuations/thermal fatigue.
• Water glycol freezes at -30 degrees C and below. If freezing occurs, no
thermal expansion of volume.
• Steam at high temperatures yields compact skids but it results in high CO2
emissions.
Regasification with propane as the intermediate fluid
• Multistage centrifugal pumps
• At H propane is condensed (liquid)
• Propane evaporates at G1+G2 via seawater
• Propane condenses in B
• Propane has freezing temperature below -160 degs C

Heated up to -20 at PCHE