DNV has awarded approval in principle to a new waste heat-derived LNG fuel supply system.
The Hi-eGAS (Hyundai High Efficient Gas Supply System) has been developed by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and its subsidiary Hyundai Heavy Industries for use on board 300,000 tonne very large cargo carriers.
“KSOE and HHI are leading the development of reducing carbon emissions and high-efficiency ship technology that increases the competitiveness of LNG fuel propulsion ships,” said Byeongyong Yoo, vice president of KSOE.
“I believe that AIP of this technology, proven by DNV, can provide more confidence in stakeholders’ choices and support shipping industries to lower fuel price and CO2 emissions,” he added.
At present LNG-fuelled ships need to use boilers to make steam which then converts the LNG into a gas for use by the ship’s engine. This process increases fuel costs and emissions so alternative solutions have been sought. However, previous trials using waste heat instead of boilers have been abandoned as detrimental to engine performance.
In the new Hi-eGAS process, the engine continues running even if the LNG fuel system is comprised such as by a vaporiser leak or failure of JCW booster pump, temp and pressure control valves. The system uses a new heat exchanger with low freezing risk, which KSOE and HHI developed in cooperation with domestic equipment companies.
KSOE successfully completed a 24-hour demonstration test last year at the LNG Cryogenic Mechanical Testing Certification Center at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials under the same conditions as the maximum fuel supply for large ships.
