ABS grants design approval for LNG containment system

ABS has granted extended general design approval for a new membrane type: KC-1 LNG cargo containment system (CCS), which will be installed on newbuild LNG carriers currently on order for Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS).

The new LNG CCS design is a corrugated membrane type, which is based on KOGAS’ membrane containment system technology used for land-based LNG storage tanks.

KOGAS developed the design concept for the KC-1 LNG CCS in cooperation with the DSME, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyards in South Korea.

ABS’ work scope included a sloshing evaluation using sloshing model tests as part of the structural strength assessment of the new CCS type. The associated pump tower design and sloshing analyses have been reviewed in accordance with applicable industry standards and ABS’ ‘Guidance Notes on Sloshing and Structural Analysis of LNG Pump Tower’ and its ‘Guidance Notes on Strength Assessment of Memrane-Type LNG Containment Systems under Sloshing Loads’.

ABS also analysed tank and ship motions, including the sloshing impact and fatigue loading on an LNG carrier operating in North Atlantic wave conditions.

A new membrane system

The basic concept of the new system, according to KOGAS, is to minimise the effect of the hull and primary barrier deformation on the insulation system. The KC-1 LNG  system will use a 1.5 mm thick corrugated stainless steel 304L membrane as the primary and secondary barriers and polyurethane foam (which has a density of 115 kg/m³) as the insulating material. The proprietary membrane containment system technology has been tested for performance and reliability in cryogenic operating conditions and is being applied to 200 000 m³ in-ground LNG storage tanks in the KOGAS Incheon LNG receiving terminal.

KOGAS Executive Vice President and CTO of R&D, Dr. Young-Myung Yang, said: “We are delighted to have been granted final design approval by ABS for the KC-1 LNG containment system […] We have been working closely with ABS for nearly a decade to conduct preliminary safety reviews and obtain design approval for this new LNG technology, which will be installed on recently ordered newbuild LNG carriers.”

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/07012015/abs-grants-design-approval-for-lng-containment-system-016/