Hyundai develops 100% LNG reliquefaction

Conventional systems can only partially reliquefy boil-off gas, Hyundai said. The company is building two 176,000m3 LNG carriers featuring the new system for Norwegian company Knutsen, to be delivered in 2016. On those vessels Hyundai said the system is expected to reliquefy 1,600 tonnes of LNG a year, with a fuel cost saving of around US$1 million each.

The newly developed gas treatment system comprises an ME-GI engine, a BOG high-pressure compressor, a BOG re-liquefaction system, an LNG fuel gas supply system and an integrated gas supply system.

Hyundai claims that an LNG carrier equipped with the system can save up to 50% on fuel costs in comparison with standard vessels using HFO or MGO, while cutting emissions by 92% for SOx, 80% for NOx and 23% for CO2.

The company said that it had received approval in principal for the new system from DNV GL.