Gassing Up

Why to Gas up?

Tank will be cooled to well below dew point temperature

Dry Ice deposition from CO2 (IG contains 15% by volume)
occurs at -78°C
(opposite is sublimation, dry ice turns to vapour without
passing through the liquid phase)
 Gassing-up

• Process of replacing inert gas with Methane

• Inert gas contains uncondensable gases
• Nitrogen and CO2 can not be condensed by
ship’s reliquefaction plant
• Venting to atmosphere is subject to MARPOL
Annex VI
• Return to shore until tank is full with next
cargo vapour
 Gassing-up

• Gassing-up at sea only available to fully or semi-

pressurised vessel (often with deck tanks)
• Gassing-up using cargo from shore
• Before commencing gasing-up O2 contents must
of tanks should be less then 5% by Volume.
• Compressors for re-liquefaction can be started
after gas concentration into tank reach at least
90%
 Gassing Up
% O2

20.8%

5%
1.5%
Time
Time
 Gassing Up

Vent (or
Vaporiser
ashore)
Steam

Inert Gas LNG

 Gassing Up
Max temp +80°C
LNG Vaporiser
Vapor
Temp? Liquid at -160°
Min temp +10°C ? Steam

LNG
Methane enters
Inert Gas the tank through
the vapour line at
the top of the tank
and exits through
the liquid filling
lines to the vent
riser or ashore.
Compressor & Motor Room Arrangements
•Gas Tight Seal through bulkheads (10.2.4.2, 10.2.4.3)
•Positive and negative ventilation (12.1.4, 12.1.5)
•Entry via airlock (3.6)
•Trip of non approved electrical power on loss of positive pressure (3.6.4)

Suction from top

and / or bottom
Airlock
 High Duty Compressor
3570 rpm 760 kw

9552 rpm
Air
Nitrogen

MAIB Tanker Awareness by

Compressor Inlet Guide Vanes
 Inlet Guide Vanes

In line with shaft 0° Minimum +80° Maximum -30°

 HD Compressor Alarms and Trips
Lube Oil Lo Lo 90kPa
Nitrogen seal pressure Lo 10kPa
Lube oil inlet temp Hi 65°C Differential pressure
Excess vibration 80µm vapour header / atmospheric = 0.3kPa
Discharge gas temp Hi 100°C Vapour header / IBS pressure header = 0 kPa
Bearing Lube oil temp Hi 105°C Any tank very high liquid level
Rotor axis excess position +/-0.2mm Oil temperature
Bulkhead seal temp Hi 120°C Oil pressure
Bulkhead seal press Lo 3kPa High gas discharge temperature
Low seal gas pressure
Electric power failure
Motor room ventilation failure
Cofferdam Heating NO96 System
Cofferdam Heating MKIII System
Gassing-up Liquid Supply from Shore Vapour Return Shore

VENT HEADER
INERT GAS HEADER
CONDENSATE RETURN LINE

VAPOUR HEADER

LIQUID HEADER

Reliquefaction L.P.G. L.P.G.

Vaporizer Heater

Vapour Inert Gas

Compressor Generator

Air
Blower

liquid vapour