Lloyd’s Register Issues Updated Approval in Principle for Joint GE Marine and DSIC Gas Turbine-Powered, Electrically Driven LNG Carrier Design

December 01, 2015

SHANGHAI, China – GE Marine and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) announce it has obtained an updated Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Approval in Principle (AiP) for the jointly developed gas turbine-powered LNG carrier design, the two companies announced today at the Marintec China 2015 trade show. The updated AIP reflects the continued refinement of the LNG Carrier design that takes better advantage of the unique capabilities the gas turbine based COGES power and propulsion system provides.

“With the AiP in hand, customers can feel confident in procuring a COGES-powered LNG carrier,” said Brien Bolsinger, Vice President, Marine Operations, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio. “Operational benefits of gas turbines to naval architects, owners and operators include high power in a compact package and design flexibility. The gas turbine is so lightweight -- fully 80% lighter and 30% smaller than comparable slow-speed diesel applications – that it can be located anywhere on the ship,” Bolsinger added.

The LNG carrier design allows room for more cargo -- some 5,000 m3 of additional space in the same size hull – along with low emissions and the flexibility to operate on LNG or liquid fuel. The LNG carrier will be built around a GE gas turbine-based COGES (COmbined Gas turbine, Electric and Steam) system that will feature one 25-megawatt gas turbine, one steam turbine generator-set and a heat recovery system including gas combustion unit.

The carrier will allow for flexible configuration of prime movers and a total installed power of more than 50 MW, if required. The GE gas turbines can be equipped with a GE Dry Low Emissions (DLE) or single annular combustion system -- both capable of meeting Tier III IMO/Tier IV United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements now with no exhaust treatment and no methane slip.

Lloyd’s Register spearheaded and completed a preliminary hazard identification (HAZID) and hazard and operability (HAZOP) study and a COGES operation modes evaluation. According to Lloyd’s Register’s Global Special Projects Manager Thanos Koliopulos, “This study delved into the carrier’s power station configuration, hazardous areas, structural integrity, safe separation, pipe routing and ventilation. The studies will help mature the design and minimize risk for the COGES LNG carrier system. Meanwhile, we evaluated technical risks including the gas combustion unit and compressors with the equipment makers to ensure safety and operability.”

Additional Gas Turbine Benefits

 

  • More than 90 GE marine gas turbines have been delivered for 17 cruise ships, 19 fast ferries, eight fast cargo ships and five high-speed yachts in various propulsion configurations.
  • GE marine gas turbines are highly reliable; most recent third-party field data show the GE 25 MW industrial gas turbines operate with a better than 99% reliability level.
  • GE gas turbines can operate on various fuels including LNG, Marine Gas Oil (MGO), biodiesel, bio-synthetic paraffinic kerosene blends and natural gas. Fuel flexibility is even more beneficial today as commercial ship operators adopt dual-fuel operating scenarios to meet new emissions regulations. No liquid pilot fuel is required and GE gas turbines can seamlessly respond to rapidly changing load demands in either mode of operation with no methane slip.
  • Marine turbines generate very low NOX emissions when compared to traditional diesels. With GE’s optional dual fuel DLE combustion technology, GE gas turbines in a combined cycle operation meet IMO Tier III and United States Environmental Protection Agency Tier IV today burning either (MGO or natural gas fuels). To date, GE has manufactured 880 DLE systems for its industrial aeroderivative gas turbine fleet, accumulating a total of 19 million operating hours.
  • GE follows an “on condition” maintenance philosophy, so a gas turbine overhaul is not time-limited, but arranged when necessary as revealed during a regularly scheduled inspection. GE offers comprehensive field and depot level repair services including the popular lease engine program for coverage during maintenance operations; engines can be swapped-out within 24 to 48 hours. A COGES system needs a mere 300-man-hours per year for routine operator maintenance, requiring less from an operator’s crew.

 

GE Marine, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine solutions, systems and services, including aeroderivative gas turbines ranging from 6,000 to 70,275 shaft horsepower/4.5 MW to 52 MW. For more information, visit ge.com/marine.

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. was established in 1898. She is the biggest shipbuilding yard with the most comprehensive range of products in China. Main businesses including shipbuilding, offshore engineering and construction, ship repair conversion recycling and heavy industry.

Lloyd's Register provides independent assurance to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets in the marine, energy and transportation sectors. We enhance the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure.