LNG
Background of LNG-fueled ship
Boil Off Gas (BOG) is inevitably made in an LNGC cargo tank as a result of LNG evaporation from the inflow of external heat and occurrence of kinetic energy. LNGC use steam turbines for this BOG, but a steam turbine’s critical weakness is its bad thermal efficiency. To solve this problem, engine manufacturers have developed an engine which can use LNG as a fuel directly, so LNG as fuel is now possible on standard ships as well as LNGC.
Increasing interest in LNG fueled ship due to IMO 2020 regulation
The IMO has tightened regulations to reduce environmental pollution from ships. From 1 January 2020 the sulphur content of fuel oil used or carried for use on board a ship shall not exceed 0.50% which means shipowners need to install an EGCS, or find different options.
LNG is a popular option. LNG is pre-treated for dust removal, deoiling, decarbonization, dehydration during the process of liquefaction.It does not include sulfurous acid gas and generates less nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide compared to fuel oil, as a result it is termed clean energy. Shipowners’ interest in LNG is increasing because it meets the environment regulations.
There are many alternative energy sources being developed, with shipowners increasingly interested in ammonia, methanol as fuel. But, LNG as commercialized eco-friendly fuel will lead the industry for the next 30 years.
LNG fueled ship project
KR has long experience researching practical solutions for engineering challenges related to LNG fueled ships, many of our projects have been ahead of shipping industry trends.
Currently, the IGC Code and IGF code only allow four materials to be used for cryogenic cargo tank and fuel tanks. New materials needs to be registered under these codes. The Korean Government, Korean Register and POSCO have prepared documents and secured final approval for interim guidelines using high manganese steel on cryogenic tanks for ocean going vessels at the 100th MSC Committee, IMO. This material offers great advantages and superior economic feasibility, and KR is working to register this material for the IGC Code and IGF Code.
KR surveyed the first Asia LNG Fueled ship “M/V ECONURI” during construction. We expect the ship can operate for 900KM on LNG 10 ton, with 100 ton lower CO2 emissions compared to a diesel engine ship. Moving forward, we will explore more eco-friendly ship policies including LNG fueled ships.
