Liquid natural gas transfer station
AssigneeDorob International Ltd.
InventorRobert D. Goldbach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semi-submersible floating transfer station for unloading liquid natural gas (LNG) from, or charging LNG to an oceangoing vessel. The station comprises at least one and preferably two or more pontoons that include outboard sections comprising LNG tanks and a depressed center section, said sections forming a U-shaped channel into which an oceangoing vessel may enter for discharging or loading. The station includes pumping and piping means for transferring LNG and ballast-deballast system for accommodating the depth of the center section to the draft of the vessel as it is unloaded or charged. Pontoon can be uncoupled for individual transport to a drydock.
Claims9
A semi-submersible floating transfer station suitable for transferring liquid natural gas (LNG) to or from an oceangoing vessel, comprising at least one semi-submersible pontoon, said at least one pontoon including
- a port section and a starboard section each having at least one outboard ballast tank below a decked, watertight compartment housing at least one LNG tank, LNG transfer means comprising a first pump and associated piping for transferring LNG to and from said vessel, said LNG tanks and shore-transfer piping,
- a depressed central section attached to and separating said port and starboard sections at their bottoms, said central section including at least two inboard ballast tanks, said port, starboard and central sections forming a U-shaped channel into which said vessel may be placed for loading or unloading, and
- a ballast-deballast system capable of adjusting the submergence in the water of said central section to conform to the draft of said vessel during loading or unloading and maintaining said pontoon in a horizontal attitude, and
- anchoring means for mooring said floating transfer station at a desired location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.