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What Is A Floating Storage
Regasification Unit
(FSRU)?
By Anish | January 31, 2021 | Types of Ships
A Floating Storage Regasification Unit
(FSRU) is a vital component required while
transiting and transferring Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) through the oceanic channels.
Therefore, FSRU can be termed as a
special type of ship used for LNG transfer.
As viable and exceedingly environment-
friendly LNG is as a fuel component, the
fact remains that transporting the same
isn’t that easy. Any slight callousness could
result in loss of precious lives and precious
fuel, not to mention the further degradation
of the oceanic eco-system.
The LNG fuel transported in a semi-cooled
slushy state of -160 ͦ, to the required
destination, needs to be heated up to its
original gaseous state. This reheating
needs to be carried out before the gas is
pumped into its storage systems. The
whole process of freezing and then re-
heating the fuel is extremely expensive not
to mention time-consuming as well. The
resultant solution to this time-consuming
process is a floating storage unit with a
reliquefaction plant.
Related Reading: Understanding Design
Of Liquefied Gas Carrier
FSRU vessels can be classified either as
ships or offshore installations depending
upon the design they incorporate. Floating
Storage Regasification Unit (FSRUs) can be
equipped in two ways:
either they can be installed as a separate unit
aboard the LNG carrier itself or,
an old gas carrier can be converted into an
independent unit and placed in a particular
destination as an offshore installation
When the FSRU unit is installed in the ship
itself, the construction of the vessel is
similar to other LNG ships undergoing LNG
trading operation with regular dry docking
and complying to all the required
international marine safety standards. The
major advantage of such installation is that
the heating and liquefaction process can be
carried out within the vessel itself without
having to unload the fuel in its semi-frozen
slushy state.
Related Reading: Dry Dock Combo Packs
For the 2nd method, an old LNG tanker is
modified with offshore installations as
floating LNG unit, which can be either with
the propulsion unit (mobile) or without the
propulsion unit (fixed offshore unit). The
former gives the flexibility to operate the
unit as a floating storage unit and as an
LNG tanker when required.
In case of the former, the process can be
carried out within the vessel itself without
having to unload the fuel in its semi-frozen
slushy state.
The latter option, however, promises to be
more viable as docking a refurbished
regasification unit would ensure that the
supply and demand chains are adequately
balanced.
Since the refurbished Floating Storage
Regasification Unit (FSRU) would also be
able to provide storing feasibilities of LNG,
constant transference of the LNG cargo
from LNG vessels would ensure that there
is no storage depletion whatsoever.
Generally, such kinds of Floating Storage
Regasification Unit or FSRUs ae found near
the harbour to prevent time-consumption.
But while utilising a refurbished gas carrier
as a Floating Storage Regasification Unit,
care needs to be taken to suitably
positioning these refurbished vessels to
prevent any emergency arising near a
particular port or harbour.
FSRU consist of following essential
equipment:
1. Tanks: The first important component of FSRU is
the “S” denoting storage of the LNG fuel. This is
done by use of either membrane or spherical
Moss type tanks. Out of the two, the membrane
tank provides better storage capacity for a ship of
the same size.
Related Reading: Properties of Membrane
Tanks For Transportation of LNG Cargo
1. Regasification unit: The next important
component of a Floating Storage Regasification
Unit or FSRU is the “R” denoting regasification
capacity. This is for converting the liquefied
natural gas (LNG), which is transported at −162
°C (−260 °F) temperature, back to natural gas at
atmospheric temperature.
2. LNG Unloading Arms or Hoses: The supply
tanker bringing the LNG cargo transfer the cargo
from using either an unloading arm fixed in the
FSRU or by the use of cryogenic hoses.
Advantages of hoses over arms:
Easy to install and store
Takes Less space and cheaper than Unloading
arm
Advantages of arms over hoses:
Quicker offloading
Ease of operation
Generates less boil of gas than hoses
4. Heating Medium: To vaporise the LNG, Seawater
is generally used as a heat source for warming
LNG in primary receiving terminals, except for
those built in cold areas. This system is known as
an open loop system. Strict environmental
regulations must be followed for the cold
seawater discharged after the heat exchange with
LNG.
The other method to heat the LNG from its
cryogenic state is closed loop system in
which freshwater/glycol mixture is
circulated, which is pre-heated by steam
from the ship’s boilers.
One more option is to use an intermediate
fluid vaporisation process (IFV) in two
stages. The first stage uses propane
vapour to condense the LNG, and in the
second, it is cooled down using a heating
medium (e.g. seawater). It can be a mix of
open and closed loop system.
The most significant advantages of IFV are
Less risk of freezing by not contacting the LNG
with sea water
Reduced weight and size of the heat exchanger
Related Reading: Heat Exchangers On
Ships Explained
Boil-Off-Gas (BOG) Management: During
the LNG loading operation, an excess BOG
is generated in the Floating Storage
Regasification Unit or FSRU piping in just
the same way as it happens when filling
onshore tanks. While some of the gas is
returned to the supply tanker to fill the
space previously occupied by the LNG, the
excess gas needs to be managed to avoid
overpressurisation of the tanks. A boil-off
gas management system will reliquify the
boiling gas and transfer it back to the tank
using loading or spray lines.
Related Reading: What is Boiling Liquid
Expanding Vapour Explosion On Gas
Carrier Ships?
Gas Export Arms or Hoses: In most of the
inshore FSRUs, the gas is exported via a
high-pressure gas export arm. Instead of
an arm, they can also be provided with
hoses for this job.
The offshore industry has seen rapid
growth in FSRUs in recent times, and it is
mainly due to the advantages of cost
saving and financial flexibility it provides to
the owner in addition to the relocation
option which is absent in land-based units.
The FSRUs provides an excellent
opportunity to expand the already growing
LNG market internationally.
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About Author
An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede
has voyaged on a number of ships as a marine
engineer officer. He loves multitasking,
networking, and troubleshooting. He is the one
behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at
Marine Insight.
Read More Articles By This Author >
#FSRU
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
6 Comments
Dr.Ashraf says:
November 14, 2013 at 7:20 pm
which companies can supply+
floating storage and regasification unit
(FSRU)
Pushpanie Wellappuli says:
December 6, 2017 at 2:16 pm
what is the cost of FSRU? Which countries
manufacture FSRUs?
Anish says:
January 24, 2018 at 4:54 pm
@Pushpanie: New build cost may vary from
$240-300m
most of the shipyards are capable to build
one.
YUSUF SIAHAYA says:
May 12, 2018 at 6:21 am
Many thank for your information about
FSRU. I need information about installation
of FSRU, about conponen of FSRU.
Kuldeep Bhadouria says:
December 3, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Currently, How many numbers of Floating
Storage & Regasification Units are using in
across the world?
Wang, wann-yih says:
March 17, 2021 at 7:18 am
Are there any limitations about operating
safety for FSRU?
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