Feasibility of methods and systems for reducng LNG tanker fire hazards
In this program concepts for reducing fire hazards that may result from LNG tanker collisions are identified and their technical feasibility evaluated. Concepts considered include modifications to the shipborne LNG containers so that in the event of a container rupture less of the contents would spill and/or the contents would spill at a reduced rate. Changes in the cargo itself, including making the LNG into a gel, solidifying it, converting it to methanol, and adding flame suppressants are also evaluated. The relative effectiveness and the costs of implementing these methods in terms of increased cost of gas at the receiving terminal, are explained. The vulnerability of an LNG tanker and its crew to the thermal effects of a large pool fire caused by a collision spill is estimated and methods of protecting the crew are considered. It is shown that the protection of ship and crew so that further deterioration of a damaged ship might be ameliorated, would require the design and installation of extraordinary insulation systems and life support assistance for the crew. Methods of salvaging or disposing of cargo from a damaged and disabled ship are evaluated, and it is concluded that if the cargo cannot be transferred to another (empty) LNG tanker because of lack of availability, then the burning of the cargo at a location somewhat distant from the disabled tanker appears to be a promising approach. Finally, the likelihood of the vapors from a spill being ignited due to the frictional impact of the colliding ships was examined. It is found that the heating of metal sufficient to ignite flammable vapors would occur during a collision, but it is questionable whether flammable vapor and air will, in fact, come in contact with the hot metal surfaces.
- Research Organization:
- Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-78EV04734
- OSTI ID:
- 5025248
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/04734-T1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
03 NATURAL GAS
CHEMICAL SPILLS
IGNITION
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
FIRE HAZARDS
ACCIDENTS
COST
DATA COMPILATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FIRE PREVENTION
GELS
GRAPHS
HEAT TRANSFER
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
LIQUEFACTION
METHANOL
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
RUPTURES
SOLIDIFICATION
SOLIDS
TANKER SHIPS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMAL RADIATION
ALCOHOLS
COLLOIDS
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HAZARDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
NATURAL GAS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RADIATIONS
SAFETY
SHIPS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
570000 - Health & Safety
030800 - Natural Gas- Environmental Aspects