Cargo Handling Systems

for LPG, NH3 & Ethylene

Gas Systems
Cargo handling systems
for LPG, NH3 & Ethylene

Gas Carrier Technology

Hamworthy‘s gas system know-how originates from its heritage gas, inert gas plants and nitrogen generator systems, deepwell
with the Kværner group and Moss Shipyard, which pioneered and booster pumps. All equipment is designed and engineered
LPG carrier shipbuilding in the early 1960’s. 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
Hamworthy‘s 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

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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 -104°C.
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 -50°C. 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

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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

the loading rate when loading “hot” cargoes. On FSOs
Cooling plant onboard ‘Sanha’ LPG FPSO
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

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Heat exchangers
Heat exchangers are manufactured in accordance with
Hamworthy‘s 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

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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

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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
Svanehøj 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

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 Hamworthy Gas Systems AS
PO Box 144
NO-1371, Asker
Norway

tel: +47 815 48500 The manufacturers reserve the right to alter the
specification and data to incorporate improvements
fax: +47 815 48510
in design. Certified drawings will be issued on request.
e-mail: [email protected]
ref: HGS 3006 0405/1

web: www.hamworthy.com © All details copyright Hamworthy plc.

Certificate no.: NO-900665
A subsidiary of Hamworthy plc