August 17, 2021
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; head office: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME; head office: Geoje, Korea; President & CEO: Sung Geun Lee) have successfully carried out the demonstration test of the "Cryo-Powered Regas" (Note 1) System for FSRU (Note 2) at DSME's Okpo shipyard.
The role of an FSRU is to regasify -160°C liquified natural gas (LNG) through heat exchange. In the past, LNG's cold energy had not been utilized in FSRUs and was released. By installing the "Cryo-Powered Regas" System, such cold energy will be transferred to another heating medium, and the generated steam will be sent to a turbine to generate electricity, which results in reducing FSRU's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
A small-scale version of the "Cryo-Powered Regas" system was built in DSME's R&D premises. The turbine generator used in this system was designed and constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd. (head office: Nagasaki, Japan; President: Toshiaki Hori) specifically for the CPR System. Through this test, MOL and DSME verified that the system could successfully generate electricity up to its rated capacity. The result of this demonstration test confirms that through the utilization of the "Cryo-Powered Regas" System, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new generation FSRUs can be reduced by 50% at maximum rated regas flow rate (Note 3) compared to conventional existing FSRUs.
Introducing fuel efficient FSRUs with lower CO2 emission rates to the market is one of the initiatives "Enhancement of Energy-Saving Technologies" (Fig. 1) that MOL is pursuing towards the achievement of MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1 (Note 4). The "Cryo-Powered Regas" System is ready for implementation in actual FSRU projects. MOL is already in discussions with multiple potential users and is confident in further promoting this system.
(Note 1)
For details, please refer to the following press releases:
21 February, 2020 press release:
MOL Signs Joint Development Agreement with DSME for Environmental Friendly FSRU Technology | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
3 March, 2020 press release:
MOL and DSME Obtain AIP for Design of FSRU "Cryo-Powered Regas" System - Development of New Technology to Reduce Environmental Impact - | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
(Note 2)
Floating Storage Regasification Unit. A floating facility for storing and regasifying LNG, which is then pressurized and piped ashore.
(Note 3)
Equivalent to 500 mmscfd (million standard cubic feet per day)
(Fig. 1)