Articulated conduit systems and uses thereof for fuel gas transfer between a tug and barge

A method of operating an articulated tug and barge (ATB) arrangement comprising a tug, a barge, and an articulated conduit system for transferring a fuel gas between the tug and the barge, wherein the tug is positioned within a notch at a stern of the barge, and wherein the tug is configured to push the barge through a pin connection, and wherein the articulated conduit system comprises a first end on the tug and a second end on the barge, wherein the first and second ends are connected through a plurality of rigid conduits fluidically interconnected by swivel joints that accommodate different movement between the tug and barge, wherein the swivel joints comprise i) at least three swivel joints each having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a forward-aft axis of the tug such that each of the at least three swivel joints is rotatable about its axis of rotation in a substantially port-starboard plane, wherein together the at least three swivel joints are rotatable in their substantially port-starboard planes to accommodate relative vertical displacement between the tug and barge and relative rotation of the tug and barge about the forward-aft axis of the tug, and ii) at least one swivel joint having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a port-starboard axis of the tug such that the at least one swivel joint is rotatable about its axis of rotation in a substantially forward-aft plane to accommodate pitch motion between the tug and barge, the method comprising:

• transferring the fuel gas between the tug and barge through the articulated conduit system.

A method of connecting an articulated conduit system for transferring a fuel gas between a tug and barge of an articulated tug and barge (ATB) arrangement, wherein the tug is positioned within a notch at the stern of the barge, and wherein the tug is configured to push the barge through a pin connection, and wherein, when connected, the articulated conduit system comprises a plurality of rigid conduits fluidically interconnected by swivel joints that accommodate different movement between the tug and barge, wherein the swivel joints comprise i) at least three swivel joints each having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a forward-aft axis of the tug such that each of the at least three swivel joints is rotatable about its axis of rotation in a substantially port-starboard plane, wherein together the at least three swivel joints are rotatable in their substantially port-starboard planes to accommodate relative vertical displacement between the tug and barge and relative rotation of the tug and barge about the forward-aft axis of the tug, and ii) at least one swivel joint having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a port-starboard axis of the tug such that the at least one swivel joint is rotatable about its axis of rotation in a substantially forward-aft plane to accommodate pitch motion between the tug and barge, the method comprising:

• i) repositioning a tug portion of the articulated conduit system from a first stowed position on the tug to a first operational position, wherein in the first stowed position the tug portion has a proximal end and a distal end on the tug, and in the first operational position the tug portion has a proximal end on the tug and a distal end extending toward the barge;
• ii) repositioning a barge portion of the articulated conduit system from a second stowed position on the barge to a second operational position, wherein in the second stowed position the barge portion has a proximal end and a distal end on the barge, and in the second operational position the barge portion has a proximal end on the barge and a distal end extending toward the tug;
• and
• iii) fluidically connecting the distal end of the tug portion when in the first operational position to the distal end of the barge portion when in the second operational position.