Pressurized LNG: Prototype Container Fabrication

摘要

Pressurized LNG (PLNG) is an ExxonMobil patented technology that utilizes pressurized containment to reduce the overall costs of delivering gas to market. The storage conditions allow the cargo to be contained at warmer temperatures than LNG while still remaining a liquid. As a result, only about one-half of the conventional LNG liquefaction facilities are required for PLNG. While the reduced facilities lead to significant savings, the PLNG ships and containment must be cost effective in order to realize overall project savings. The key component of this new technology is the containment system. The PLNG pressure vessels are made of a newly developed high strength, low temperature (HSLT) steel along with a new welding technique and welding consumable. In order to confirm the design and fabrication methods for these PLNG containers, ExxonMobil fabricated and hydrotested a 5m diameter by 18m tall PLNG prototype container using the new HSLT steel and welding method. Prototype container fabrication was conducted at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Harima Works. This paper describes the fabrication and hydrotesting of the prototype container.