Cargo Handling Systems

for LPG, NH3 & Ethylene

Gas Systems

Cargo handling systems

for LPG, NH3 & Ethylene
Gas Carrier Technology
Hamworthys gas system know-how originates from its heritage

gas, inert gas plants and nitrogen generator systems, deepwell

with the Kvrner group and Moss Shipyard, which pioneered

and booster pumps. All equipment is designed and engineered

LPG carrier shipbuilding in the early 1960s. This vast experience

in-house.

in engineering cargo handling systems for LPG, NH3, Ethylene

and LNG is the foundation of our activities in this technology

We also complement packages with gas detection systems,

driven environment.

valves, instrumentation and monitoring systems, and are

pleased to offer support to shipbuilders and shipping

Hamworthys engineering team has gained important

companies worldwide. We can assist in almost any matter

operational feedback from gas carrier operators and our

regarding gas carrier cargo handling, from feasibility studies

engineering ideas have been continuously developed and

through to complete design and fabrication, supervision of

applied. At sea there is no substitute for experience.

installation, commissioning and gas trials.

Hamworthy is a leading supplier of not only gas carrier cargo

Hamworthy designs and supplies heaters and vaporisers for

handling technology but also design and manufacture of key

boil off gas, reliquefaction plants, inert gas generators and

cargo handling equipment. For LPG and Ethylene carriers we

nitrogen generators for LNG carriers, as well as VOC recovery

offer single source services including engineering of complete

systems for shuttle tankers and terminals.

cargo handling systems, tank design and supply cargo handling

equipment such as reliquefaction and cooling systems for liquid

Reliquefaction plants
Skid mounted units ready to be installed onboard

The plants are delivered complete and tested, with all

The advantages achieved are lighter weight, better efficiency,

components; internal piping, valves, instrumentation and

expected lower life cycle cost and easy maintenance. The units are

control devices. Plants can be operated locally or via a remote

also equipped with pulsation dampers in the piping system to

control by conventional instrumentation or through an

minimise vibration.

integrated computer control system. A typical skid unit will

include a section of the partition bulkhead between the

The cascade systems for Ethylene and Ethane are designed for

compressor and the motor-room to simplify the installation

boiling point down to -104C.

and alignment.
Cargo compressors used are of the reciprocating oil-free type such
We supply reliquefaction plants based on direct condensation

as Burckhardt, suitable for various cargoes and pressures in

for LPG carriers and cascade systems for Ethylene carriers.

multi-purpose gas carriers.

The LPG systems are designed for cargoes with boiling point

To meet the increasing environmental anti-pollution requirements,

down to -50C. Typical cargoes that can be handled are

all plants are designed to prevent cargo vapour leakage.

Propane, Propylene, Butane, Butadiene, Ammonia and VCM.

Cascade plants have screw compressors applied for the cooling
With respect to cargo condensers, our standard of adopting

circuit with application of non-CFC refrigerants. The experience of

plate type heat exchangers of fully welded plate type in

using Propane for this purpose is good and Hamworthy has

Titanium is considered state-of-the-art for the industry.

converted many systems from R22 to Propane.

Reliquefaction unit with plate type condenser in titanium and

pulsation dampers

Cargo cooling plants

for cooling of LPG, hydrocarbons or chemicals

Cooling plants are designed and manufactured by

Hamworthy to suit individual customer needs. For LPG we
have references both for VCM cooling and for LPG FSOs
and FPSOs for cooling of gas.

The plants are delivered as skid mounted units either for

installation and operation in deck housing or on open
deck in EX-zone.

Installing this type of plant on a gas carrier can improve

Cooling plant onboard Sanha LPG FPSO

the loading rate when loading hot cargoes. On FSOs

and FPSOs the plant is cooling hot gas from the upstream
process plant before it is expanded into the cargo tanks.

Propane is the preferred refrigerant for the cooling plants.

Compressors will typically be of the screw type.

Cooling plant for the Escravos LPG FSO

Loading of LPG on Escravos LPG FSO

Heat exchangers
Heat exchangers are manufactured in accordance with
Hamworthys design and are applied to various duties
including condensers, heaters, vaporisers and
intermediate coolers.

Shell and tube type heat exchangers for heating of LPG

cargo are delivered with high Nickel alloy stainless steel
or Titanium tube-stacks.

For cargo heating applications seawater is typically

circulated on the shell side to prevent freezing and tube
cracking, avoiding cargo leakage.

Combined LPG Cargo Heater and Vaporizer with Titanium tubes

Gas systems
for LPG-FSOs / FPSOs and Offshore Applications
Hamworthy has delivery references for purpose built
LPG-FSOs and FPSOs where we have designed, manufactured
and supplied LPG cooling plants, reliquefaction plants, inert
gas generators, nitrogen generators and cargo pumps.

Both LPG-FSO and FPSO new-build barges and conversions of

VLGCs have been equipped with cargo handling systems from
Hamworthy. The systems have been designed according to the
applicable rules for the actual project, ie from offshore rules
to standard ship rules.
Sanha LPG FPSO

Reliquefaction plant onboard Sanha LPG FPSO

Professional

project management
Assistance will be given to ensure complete project management of the installation
from conception through to operation and through-life support.

General arrangement
Outline specification
Tank design
Systems engineering
Arrangement drawings
P & I diagrams
Installation drawings
Equipment supply
Installation supervision
Commissioning/IMO certification assistance
Gas trial assistance
Instruction manual
Troubleshooting
Spares & maintenance

Complementary systems for gas carriers

Hamworthy supply other systems for gas carriers including
Moss nitrogen generators, Moss inert gas generators and
Svanehj deepwell cargo pumps. All these systems can be
supplied as part of our total equipment package.
For more information on these products please visit our
website at: www.hamworthy.com

NORWEGIAN
ACCREDITATION
MSYS 002
ISO 9001/ISO 14001/OHSAS 18001
CERTIFIED COMPANY

tel: +47 815 48500

fax: +47 815 48510
e-mail: gasinfo@hamworthy.com
web: www.hamworthy.com
A subsidiary of Hamworthy plc

The manufacturers reserve the right to alter the

specification and data to incorporate improvements
in design. Certified drawings will be issued on request.
All details copyright Hamworthy plc.

ref: HGS 3006 1208/3

Hamworthy Gas Systems AS

PO Box 144
NO-1371, Asker
Norway