GTT introduces an LPG cargo containment system
Written by Nick BlenkeyAPRIL 5, 2017 — LNG containment leader GTT is turning its attention to LPG.
Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT says that, thanks to a new GTT containment system, the LPG industry will be able to benefit from a more optimized technology allowing the transport of more cargo and shorter cooling down and warming up times than the other systems.
The company says that its NO96 and Mark III cargo containment systems (CCS) have already proven their capacity to transport gases other than LNG and are also fully compatible with LPG.
However, as these technologies are designed primarily for LNG, they may not be optimized for the specific market of LPG.
GTT is therefore developing a new CCS dedicated to the transport of any liquid hydrocarbon cargo with a boiling temperature over -55°C and a liquid density lower than 700 kg/m3. This new technology is drawn from sea-proven GTT concepts that have been reworked in order to provide an innovative solution.
It has been awarded Lloyd’s Register (LR) General approval.
The tightness of the tank is achieved by a stainless steel corrugated membrane. It is supported by a layer of insulating components consisting of plywood boxes filled with glass wool. The structure of the boxes has b e e n d e s i g n e d t o sustain the internal cargo pressures.
As the membrane technology is directly supported by the hull of the ship, its impact on the weight of the vessel is very limited and results in a lower lightship weight than a self-supporting tank. It is then possible to increase the total cargo capacity while staying within the same overall dimensions of the vessel.
Another key aspect of the membrane is that its heat capacity is very low. This makes it possible for the operator of the ship to optimize the cooling-down operations by up to 17 hours and to limit the volume of gas to be reliquefied.
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