Thermal analysis of LNG storage tank for LNG bunkering system
摘要
In 2016, the IMO's new rules for an 80% reduction in NOx emissions in newly built ships will necessitate the use of LNG as a clean fuel. So far, the developed European countries have led the development of LNG bunkering ships and related facilities. An LNG bunkering system stores LNG in a horizontal or vertical IMO C-Type tank insulated with perlite powder, and a vacuum in the annular space between the double walls, like the cryogenic liquid nitrogen tank. Current storage tanks have high heat leakage, evaporating over 2.0% daily, and are difficult to build with the required vacuum. A more efficiently insulated storage tank could reduce the evaporation rate. This research carried out thermal analysis on a new effective insulation method that separates high vacuum in the annular space between two tanks with a solid insulation material, such as urethane foam, lining the outer vessel. This highly efficient insulation system obtained an evaporation rate of 0.03% per day under a vacuum, and an evaporation rate of 0.11% at . Even if the space loses its vacuum, the new insulation system showed a lower evaporation rate of 4.12% than the present perlite system of 4.9%. This newly developed tank can increase the efficiency of LNG storage tank and may help keep LNG bunkering systems safe.