New ‘cryo-powered regas’ system promises fuel savings for FSRUs

The AIP was issued to both Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). The cryo-powered regas system is a cold-power generation technology based on the Organic Rankine Cycle – a proven technology used in multiple onshore LNG terminals for decades.

This will be the first time the system has been developed for use in a floating terminal. During the LNG regasification process – where LNG at -163°C warms up and changes to its gaseous state – cold energy is recovered for power generation instead of being fully dispersed back into the ocean as cold seawater. The system is expected to reduce the fuel gas consumption and CO₂ emissions for an FSRU by approximately 50% by recovering about 70% of the power consumption in the regasification process at maximum rated regas flow rate.

BV senior vice president North Asia zone Claude Maillot said "Gas is a particular area of focus and expertise for BV. Floating gas terminals are well supported both by our rules for FSRUs and FSUs as is working closely with important stakeholders like MOL and DSME to promote safety, sustainability and efficiency in FSRU/FSU design, construction and operations."

MOL and DSME plan to test the technology in a small-scale pilot facility in H1 2021 and to provide the technology to customers in future FSRU projects.

This AIP continues co-operation in the FSRU market between DSME and MOL. Both companies are jointly developing a digital twin solution to optimise FSRU operations that will incorporate DSME’s ‘smartship’ technology.

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