Experimental Study on Floating LNG Bunkering Terminal for Assessment of Loading and Offloading Performance

Abstract

In this study, the operability of an FLBT (floating LNG bunkering terminal) was evaluated experimentally. Model tests were conducted in the KRISO (Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering) ocean engineering basin. An FLBT, an LNG carrier, and two LNG bunkering shuttles were moored side by side with mooring ropes and fenders. Two white-noise wave cases, one irregular wave case, and various regular wave cases were generated. The relative local motions between each LNG loading arm and its corresponding manifold in the initial design configuration were calculated from measured 6-DOF motions at the center of gravity of each of the four vessels. Furthermore, the locations of the LNG loading arms and manifolds were varied to minimize the relative local motions.

Keywords

• FLBT
• LNG
• Loading arm and manifold
• Loading and offloading operability
• Relative motion
• Side by side moored vessel
• Ocean engineering basin