6/5/2015

Tank types | WPCI

WPCI

Main menu
Home Bunker checklists LNG Environment Regulations Bunkering Vessels Technology Business case

Search:

Secondary Menu
Glossary
Links
Library
Contact
Legal
Sitemap
Home Bunker checklists LNG
Home > Technology > Tank types

Environment

Regulations

Bunkering

Vessels

Technology

Business case

Tank types
Tank types
According to the current IMO IGC code, LNG fuel tanks must be selected from Independent Types A, B, or C.

For LNG-fuelled merchant ships there are several options for installing an LNG tank. For smaller LNG-fuelled vessels, prefabricated vacuum-isolated cryogenic
type C tanks are available in a wide range of sizes (up to 500 m3), with a maximum allowable working pressure of 20 bar. Available tank sizes are expected to
increase significantly over the next few years (1,000-10,000 m3). Type C tanks are already in operation on ferries and offshore supply vessels. There are several
designs for larger LNG-fuelled ships that propose using type B tanks because they require less space, but the industry is not unanimous on this issue.

LNG carriers are typically equipped with membrane-type tanks or type B tanks, but smaller ships may be equipped with type C tanks (e.g. Coral Methane).

Space requirements for LNG storage are greater than for conventional fuel. This may reduce cargo capacity, depending on the type of vessel, type of fuel tank and
onboard potential for adequate location of the LNG tanks. Type C tanks require the most space: about 2-4 times more than an HFO tank.

Type A and B tanks require a full or partial secondary barrier respectively to prevent potential release of the liquefied gas in the event of a tank failure. With a type
http://www.lngbunkering.org/lng/technical-solutions/tank-types

1/3

6/5/2015

Tank types | WPCI

C tank this risk is lower and no secondary barrier is therefore needed.

Although an LNG tank will be properly insulated, there will be some transmission of heat from outside into the liquid, which will cause evaporation and pressure
increase. Vacuum insulation or a 20-30 cm layer of polyurethane foam covered by protection sheets is applied for fuel tank insulation.

Type A and B tanks will require handling of the boil-off gas by (propulsion) engines, boilers or reliquefaction. A 200 m3-type C tank can hold the boil-off for about
25 days before reaching the maximum allowed tank pressure.

Main characteristics of the different tank types

Tank
ty pe

Desc ription

Pressure

Pros

Cons

Boil-off gas handling. More

complex fuel system required
A

Prismatic tank, adjustable to hull

shape; full secondary barrier

<0.7 bar g

Space-efficient

High costs

Boil-off gas handling. More

Prismatic tank, adjustable to hull

Space-efficient

shape; partial secondary barrier

B

complex fuel system required

High costs

<0.7 bar g

Spherical tank; partial secondary

Reliably proven

barrier

in LNG carriers

Boil-off gas handling. More

complex fuel system
required

Allows pressure
increase
Simple fuel
system
C

Pressure vessel, cylindrical with

dished ends

>2 bar g

On board space
Little

requirements

maintenance
Easy installation
Lower costs

Further reading
2013, TGE, Supply, storage and handling of LNG as ships fuel
2013, DNV, LNG fuel tank benefits and challenges
2013, GTT, LNG bunkering for commercial vessels solutions for storage tanks, feeder vessels and vessel fuel tanks
Share
LNG tanks
LNG-fue lle d ships can be fitte d with so-calle d type A, B or C tanks. All LNG ships in the curre nt fle e t are fitte d with a type C tank, a cylindrical pre ssure ve sse l re quiring 2-4 time s more
space than a conve ntional fue l storage tank.

http://www.lngbunkering.org/lng/technical-solutions/tank-types

2/3

6/5/2015

http://www.lngbunkering.org/lng/technical-solutions/tank-types

Tank types | WPCI

3/3