Particular Projects

Nexans:
Beside the project management Nexans is in charge of developing a connection- and coupling technique suitable for LNG-offshore-loading as well as developing and design and commissioning of equipment for the corrugated pipe. Nexans also contributes the know how of vacuum insulated, flexible pipes for cryogenic liquefied gases.

IMPaC:
Developing and design of an approach and handling system suitable for LNG-offshore-loading.

BRUGG:
Developing the manufacturing process for flexible corrugated pipes with an inner diameter of ca. 16” suitable for LNG-offshore-loading.

TUB:
Hydrodynamic coupling of LNG-tankers and Offshoreterminals in sea condition.

Nexans

SOTLL - Sideways Offshore Transfer of LNG and LPG

The target of the consortium SOTLL is to develop a safe and flexible transfer system for liquefied cryogenic gases ( especially LNG and LPG ) in offshore conditions. While using the side-by- side configuration the cryogenic transfer should be possible even in relative harsh conditions up to 3 meter significant wave heights. To reach that target a technology leap in pipe flexibility and minimum bending radius has to be performed.

The result of the development is a solution for a safe side-by-side transfer, which bridges the technologically gap in harsh conditions, where until now a side-by-side transfer of LNG was not possible. NEXANS takes the role as leader of the consortium, as already performed in the previous project MPLS20.

During the project NEXANS develops a process for deep, parallel corrugated stainless steel pipe with a bore diameter of 16“ and a minimum bending radius of 3meter for dynamic applications. The target is to afford a continuous production of length up to 150 meter in the NEXANS typical tube in tube production, which means the outer corrugated pipe, is directly machined around the completely prepared inner corrugated steel pipe.

Standard geometry CRYOFLEX® especially for static installation

During the previous project MPLS20 achieved geometry, the minimum bending radius is 6 meter at a bore diameter of 16“

Geometry which should be performed during the runtime of the funded research project SOTLL, a minimum bending radius of 3 meter at a bore diameter of 16“

IMPaC

Development of a Mooring Concept and a cantilevered Transfer System with flexible pipes for use in in Side-by-Side configuration

Within the project SOTLL IMPaC is responsible for the Transfer System development. Based on the Basis of Design where relevant constraints like suitable environmental conditions of wave, wind and current are defined analyses of resulting advantageous mooring positions of the Shuttle-Tankers to the Terminal vessel are carried out. These positions are characterized by significantly reduced relative motions between the both vessels as compared to today’s standard midship mooring positions.

Goal of these analyses is the development of a suitable mooring concept, a new fender concept and finally a handling system for the flexible transfer pipes from the partners Nexans and Brugg. These flexible pipes are corrugated pipes which are especially dimensioned according to the motions and dynamic loads determined by IMPaC and the partner TU Berlin.

Flexibility shall be achieved by the possibility to moor the Shuttle-Tankers at a situation dependent position at the Terminal vessel considering the Tanker size and type (LNG and LPG) as well as the current wave, wind and current.

The project results are presented by means of validated numerical analyses (FE and hydrodynamic), 3d CAD images for all operating phases as well as with an animation of the technical interfaces of the SOTLL system.

The SOTLL transfer system for liquid cargos like LNG and LPG

The SOTLL system takes advantage from a flexible positioning of the transfer system

BRUGG

Development of a high flexible transfer line for a safe offshore transfer of LNG in parallel corrugated pipes with a nominal width of 16“

During the project BRUGG develops in particular a continuous annealing process.

Based on this process it is now possible for the first time to develop a parallel corrugated stainless steel pipe with a bore diameter of 16“ and a minimum bending radius of 3meter for dynamic applica-tions.

A development of a high flexible coating for the required conditions completes the system.

In the course of this development BRUGG will realise the following secondary targets

  • Process development to create a contour following synthetic coating on a parallel corrugated stainless steel pipe, alternatively a cellular coating.
  • Identification and verification of an appropriate annealing process for corrugated metallic pipes.
  • Conceptual design and construction of an appropriate annealing furnace.

Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering - Technical University Berlin

SOTLL sub-project: Hydrodynamic Analysis of Side-by-side Moored Offshore Structures

The main goal of the developments at Technical University Berlin is the hydrodynamic analysis of the multi-body system in order to estimate the operational loads on the transfer pipes and to ensure safe offshore LNG-transfer. The following tasks are performed in detail:

  • Numerical calculation of the coupled vessel motions at offshore conditions and the resulting relative motions of the transfer pipe connection points.
  • Model tests at the seakeeping basin at Technical University Berlin and validation of the numerical calculations.
  • Downtime analysis of the transfer system for several exemplarily chosen offshore locations.
  • Investigation of the gap effects, i.e. the nonlinear wave propagation inside the gap between both ships.
  • Experimental and numerical analysis of free surfaces in the tanks during the transfer process (Sloshing).
  • Development of a numerical method to predict nonlinear damping parameters for any kind of ship or offshore structure.
  • Numerical simulation (CFD) of emergency scenarios like gas leakage and spreading.



Partner