MARINE TRANSPORT OF LIQUID NATURAL GAS AS SEEN BY THE INSULATION INDUSTRY

The Author, of the Bremen firm Kaefer Isoliertechnik, mentions that the value of long-range forecasts concerning energy production and requirements is doubtful (since data depend very much on political and technical developments), and briefly discusses various sources of energy, with particular reference to natural gas and its production and distribution. The development of tank-and-insulation systems for LNG carriers since the 1950s is then described and discussed in detail. The systems concerned include those used by Conch, Esso, Gastransport, Gasocean/Techniqaz, Moss Rosenberg, and Sener. The author mentions that insulation-material manufacturers and insulation contractors contribute much to the success of LNG tanker designs. Some designs seem to have little or no scope for further containment or insulation developments; examples of this include membrane systems. Self-supporting prismatic container systems, with exterior insulation, are another example, but one such system has been modified to permit a more economical method of applying polyurethane foam and illustrates that development continues. Spherical containment systems, with exterior insulation, appear to have scope for benefiting from the experience, developments, and new application techniques of insulation contractors. It seems doubtful where many contracts for LNG tankers will be placed in the near future; also, the possibility of sea transport of natural gas in the form of methanol at ambient temperatures and pressures continues to be seriously discussed. The Author believes, however, that world energy demands will soon show the need for the accelerated construction of liquefaction plants and LNG tankers; intensive study and design work on floating or mobile liquefaction plants seem to point in this direction.

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  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Article based on a paper presented at the International Insulation Congress, Stresa (Italy), May 1976.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Seehafen-Verlag Erik Blumenfeld

    Celsiusweg 15, Postfach 1347
    2000 Hamburg 50,   Germany 
  • Authors:
    • Nullmeier, E
  • Publication Date: 1976-9

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00152890
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: May 11 1977 12:00AM