Shipboard regasification for LNG carriers with alternate propulsion plants
AssigneeExcelerate Energy Limited Partnership
InventorAlan Nierenberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquefied natural gas carrier uses a diesel engine or gas turbine propulsion plant fitted with a shipboard regasification system. The propulsion plant can provide either a direct mechanical drive of the propeller shaft and propeller, or can be fitted with an integrated electric power plant using an electric motor or motors to drive the propeller shaft and propeller. The regasification system includes a heat input source of exhaust gas heat exchangers, electric water heaters and supplemental heaters to provide an additional heat source to a hot water circulating loop. The liquefied natural gas contacts the hot water or heating medium circulating loop and is regasified. An undersea conduit from the ship transmits the regasified natural gas to an on shore plant.
Claims21
A shipboard regasification system, comprising:
- a vaporizing unit positioned on the ship, wherein the vaporizing unit is configured to vaporize a liquefied gas and wherein the vaporizing unit is coupled to a heating medium circulating loop;
- a heat-generating propulsion unit on the ship that provides a source of heat to the heating medium circulating loop;
- one or more additional sources of heat that provide heat to the heating medium circulating loop;
- and
- a conduit configured to carry vapor produce by heating the liquefied gas in the vaporization unit from the ship to a remote location.
A method of regasifying liquid gas on board a ship, the method comprising:
- generating heat from at a heat-generating propulsion unit of the ship;
- transporting the generated heat from the heat-generating propulsion unit of the ship through a heating medium circulating loop to a regasifying member on the ship;
- providing additional heat from one or more additional sources of heat to heating medium circulating loop;
- conveying a liquefied gas through the regasifying member;
- regasifying the liquefied gas into a vaporized gas in the regasifying member;
- and
- transporting the vaporized gas to a remote location off of the ship.
A shipboard regasification heat input system, comprising:
- generating means for generating heat on a ship, wherein the generating means comprises a propulsion unit of the ship;
- carrying means for carrying the generated heat to a heating circulating loop;
- transferring means for transferring additional heat from one or more additional sources of heat to the heating medium circulating loop;
- transferring means for transferring heat from the heating medium circulating loop to a regasifying means;
- regasifying means for regasifying a liquefied gas into a gas vapor;
- and
- transporting means for transporting the gas vapor to a remote location off of the ship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.