Hull conversion of existing vessels for tank integration
AssigneeKeppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd
InventorsYun Shui Chen, Wen Sin Chong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to hull conversion of existing vessel for tank integration to allow storage of multiple hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon products onboard the existing vessel. In a converted vessel, a first liquefied hydrocarbon fluid may be stored in an added independent tank, while a second hydrocarbon fluid or a non-hydrocarbon fluid may be stored in an un-converted carge tank, which can be any one of a centre cargo tank, a port side tank or a starboard side tank.
Claims29
A tank-integrated vessel, converted from an existing vessel, for storing multiple hydrocarbon products, the tank-integrated vessel comprising:
- at least one converted tank comprising:
- an added tank support structure disposed in the at least one converted tank;
- at least one added independent tank disposed upon the added tank support structure, wherein the added independent tank is operable to store a first liquefied hydrocarbon fluid;
- a newly-attached upper deck overlaying the at least one added independent tank;
- and
- at least an added chock interposed between the newly-attached upper deck and the at least one added independent tank, and at least one unconverted tank operable to store a second hydrocarbon fluid.
A tank-integrated vessel, converted from an existing vessel, for storing multiple hydrocarbon products, the tank-integrated vessel comprising:
- at least one converted tank comprising:
- an added tank support structure disposed in the at least one converted tank;
- at least one added independent tank disposed upon the added tank support structure, wherein the added independent tank is operable to store a first liquefied hydrocarbon fluid;
- a newly-attached upper deck overlaying the at least one added independent tank, and
- at least one unconverted tank operable to store a second hydrocarbon fluid.
A method of tank integration and conversion of a vessel for storing multiple hydrocarbon products, the method comprising:
- cutting a portion of an existing upper deck overlaying a tank selected for conversion;
- installing a tank support structure in the tank selected for conversion;
- installing an intermediate deck plate in the tank selected for conversion, wherein the intermediate deck plate is spaced apart over an existing hull structure;
- installing a plurality of support members interposed between the intermediate deck plate and the existing hull structure;
- installing at least one independent tank upon the tank support structure;
- and
- disposing a newly-attached upper deck for enclosing the at least one independent tank in the tank selected for conversion, wherein the at least one independent tank is operable to store a first liquefied hydrocarbon fluid, and at least one unconverted tank is operable to store a second hydrocarbon fluid.
A method of tank integration and conversion of a vessel for storing multiple hydrocarbon products, the method comprising:
- cutting a portion of an existing upper deck overlaying a tank selected for conversion;
- installing a tank support structure in the tank selected for conversion;
- installing at least one longitudinal bulkhead interposed between the newly-attached upper deck and an existing hull structure for defining a plurality of added enclosures in cooperation with at least one side wall of the tank selected for conversion, wherein the at least one added independent tank is disposed in at least one of the plurality of added enclosures, and wherein installing a tank support structure in the tank selected for conversion includes installing a tank support structure in the at least one of the plurality of added enclosures;
- installing at least one independent tank upon the tank support structure;
- and
- disposing a newly-attached upper deck for enclosing the at least one independent tank in the tank selected for conversion, wherein the at least one independent tank is operable to store a first liquefied hydrocarbon fluid, and at least one unconverted tank is operable to store a second hydrocarbon fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.