FRP Vessels for Low-Temperature Transportation of PLNG

Trans Ocean Gas says that it has developed a new method to transport natural gas by ship and tractor trailer, storing pressurised liquid natural gas (PLNG) in FRP vessels.
Pressurised liquefied natural gas is an alternative to LNG for the storage and transportation of natural gas, achieved by combining low temperatures with relatively low pressures. High density PLNG is achievable between temperatures of -40 and -80 degrees Celsius, but Trans Ocean Gas says that PLNG is not applicable for use with low-temperature carbon steels, as the temperature limit of low-temp carbon steel is 40C.
Trans Ocean Gas will be testing full scale fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) pressure vessels in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia, this autumn. Destructive burst testing required for certification will be conducted at Atlantic Steelworks facility in Sheet Harbour NS, whilst Environmental Simulation Laboratories of Dartmouth NS has been contracted to administer the testing program. Certification of the prototype pressure vessels will be issued by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
The FRP pressure vessels about to be tested for CNG transportation are very similar the ones intended for PLNG. Low temperature testing of FRP pressure vessels is expected to follow certification for CNG transportation. Publication Date: 25/06/2006WWW Link: http://www.transoceangas.com