Many harbours and coastal areas may only be approached by ships with sulphur-free fuels. LNG drives or dual-fuel engines that can be operated with gas as well as with heavy oil are prevailing here.

The use of LNG reduces emissions significantly. In gas mode, the CO2 emission reduces by 25 %, nitrogen oxides by 85 % as well as SO2 and particles even by 99 %. Economical reasons also speak for LNG: according to a survey of the marine engineering office Cotenaval, with a stop in-between at the harbour of Barcelona for example, ships save up to 86% of the costs if they are using natural gas. This trend is asserting itself worldwide. In the meantime, more than one hundred ships are being operated using LNG and many others are continuously being put into operation. Two thirds of these ships are equipped with valves from HEROSE.

HEROSE is market leader for valves in cryogenics, for the transport and storage of cryogenic liquefied gases. HEROSE supplies complete solutions for the infrastructure for the storage and transport of LNG as well as for decentralised liquefaction and regasification facilities.

With the increasing use of LNG, the requirement for a comprehensive LNG infrastructure from unloading terminals, LNG tankers, filling stations for natural gas driven HGVs, decentralised energy facilities in industrial operations as well as storage and bunker stations increases.

Extreme loading of the material

Natural gas is liquefied at a temperature of -161°C. The valves and systems used are therefore subject to extreme challenges. When filling with LNG, high temperature changes and the raw ambient conditions of the maritime area burden the material used. For this reason, at HEROSE all components of the valves are designed for durability and offshore operation. They are classified in accordance with the specifications of the leading classifications societies, such as DNV GL, BV, LR, ABS, RINA and CCS and are being used worldwide.

Highest demands on safety

LNG valves and fittings must also always function safely under extreme conditions and emergency shut down valves must guarantee an emergency shutdown at all times. With HEROES valves, the positions “Open”, “Closed” and “Emergency manual actuation” are reliably detected using sensors. Moreover, the opening and closing operation of the valve can be controlled by run-time monitoring on the facility.

Very strict requirements on fire safety also apply for highly flammable natural gas. For LNG use, the HEROSE valves are especially approved for fire safety according to EN ISO 10497.

Planning and implementation of LNG facilities

HEROSE consults plant engineers with the protection against excessive pressure in containers and line systems, or with the storage and transport of liquefied natural gas and cryogenic industrial gases up to -269°C. HEROSE accompanies the plant engineering designers over the entire engineering process of small and mid-scale LNG applications.

Facility-specific design of the valves

HEROSE provides consultation with the most optimum dimensioning of safety valves, shut-off and control valves possible. In doing so, the valves are selected matching the actuator and the overall concept of the facility. On request, HEROSE can put a finished package together that are each best suited for all installations of the LNG project.

Quality and durability of the valves

With a complaint rate of only 0.04%, HEROSE is internationally renowned as a quality supplier and sets standards for safety in the handling of technical gases, vapours and liquids. For a higher durability, the drive components also have a particularly seawater-resistant coating. Every pressure-bearing component is marked for traceability and can therefore be traced back at any time.

LNG project experience

As a family-owned company, HEROSE is very experienced and at the same time very flexibly organised for the field of dynamic LNG projects. HEROSE has been developing, producing and supplying valves for the cryogenic, industry and energy sectors for over 140 years. In China alone, more than 500 projects have been carried out for small-scale LNG applications.

Supervisor for LNG projects

For safe operation, the cryogenic liquefied natural gas already requires a very clean surrounding during the installation of an LNG facility. If for example, the components are not stored free of dust and dirt, sensible sealing surfaces may leak after being assembled. Even the usual pressure test with brackish water may put the operating safety of gas facilities at risk. These requirements differ significantly compared with the operation of conventional fuels. At the shipyard and on ships, the handling of LNG valves therefore requires completely different arrangements and working processes. The experts from HEROSE have extensive experience with such conversion processes and are available as project consultants. On request, they will accompany the implementation of the LNG project on-site in order to provide such best practice experience.