Sven Brink
Today the demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective systems for handling Boil-
Off Gas (BOG) at LNG receiving terminals is greater than ever before. And without
any doubt at all, this demand will continue to grow significantly.
This paper will describe a little of how Siemens has developed equipment to cope
with this challenge – equipment that fully meets the LNG industry’s most stringent
needs for safety, reliability, efficiency, whilst being cost-effective and
environmentally-friendly.
Until recently, flows at LNG receiving terminals were low enough to be a good fit
for reciprocating-type units – and indeed they still are at many existing terminals.
But for today’s much higher BOG volume flows in many new and future terminals,
an alternative type of compressor is often required.
The LNG market is changing rapidly. More than 200 LNG carriers are now in
service, compared with only about 75 just ten years ago. Tanker sizes are
increasing. Today vessels are under construction which are capable of carrying as
much as 265,000 cubic meters.
Inevitably, this means that the maximum BOG flows are increasing during LNG
carrier Unloading Mode and with ever-increasing LNG send-out the ratio between
Holding Mode (BOG volume evaporating from storage tanks during static
conditions minus LNG send-out volume) and LNG tanker unloading is increasing
too. And with this constellation - different optimized compressor BOG-handling
concept becoming more and more attractive - rather than installing a multiple
At the core of this capability is the groundbreaking development work that has
gone into our single-shaft turbocompressors. In their LNG receiving-terminal role,
these machines need to operate with complete reliability whilst experiencing
suction flow temperatures down to -164º C. They also experience very high
discharge temperatures during start-up and run-in – temperatures possibly as high
as 120º C..
The first area of unique technical innovation that makes Siemens single-shaft
turbocompressors ideal for LNG receiving terminal applications is their dry gas
seal technology. This solution was introduced in 1991, dramatically changing the
technology. for the BOG single shaft turbocompressor.
To eliminate or to minimize thermal tension and stress across the enormous range
of operating temperatures involved, these dry gas seals are encapsulated in
heated seal carriers that act as thermal shields. It is essential to keep the seal
areas at an almost constant temperature and to keep rapid temperature
fluctuations away from the seal area if at all possible operating modes, including
start-up and stop, continuous running and stand-still. This constant temperature is
achieved by oil-heated seal carriers, supplied by the existing lube-oil supply.
The described innovations like IGV concept and Dry Gas Seals capsuled in heated
seal carriers ensure that the single-shaft turbocompressors can handle different
flows of BOG and that the packaged unit can run under start / stop conditions for
an almost unlimited number of starts and stops per year without affecting their
overall reliability.
Most of the major inspection work required can be undertaken while the
compressor is running. A planned complete overhaul of the turbocompressor
(which could involve changing the rotor, dry gas seals, labyrinth seals and so on)
Key advantages
They also ensure lower operating and personnel costs and they need the absolute
minimum of surveillance and maintenance costs. No wear parts means no periodic
shutdown for overhauls is needed.
From the point of view of installation, the turbocompressor comes packaged, fully
piped and wired and shop-tested with no need for pulsation bottles or for inter-
connecting piping to be erected at site.
Start-up from warm and cold conditions alike is optimized, while no overheating
can occur either during start-up or at part-load operation.
Conclusion
The key factors that make single-shaft centrifugal-type turbocompressors ideal for
BOG applications in LNG receiving terminals are the development of dry gas seals
for shaft sealing purposes and of variable inlet guide vane technology. The
optimized performance ensured by these technologies makes single shaft turbo-
compressors the equipment of choice for operators of all LNG-receiving terminals
built in recent years.