Safety Assessment of Inner Hull Structure Affected by Cryogenic Temperature

The market of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) carrier is continuously in a prosperous condition, and a lot of LNG vessels are being built in many shipyards. Membrane-type MARK-III LNG CCS (Cargo Containment System) is used more and more in the construction of LNG carrier, and it has already taken considerable market share among the various LNG CCS products. This paper deals with a study on structural safety of LNG carrier whose inner hull structure is affected by cryogenic temperature of LNG. If the primary and secondary barriers are failed simultaneously, the inner hull structure comes to be in direct contact with LNG. It is well known that the cryogenic temperature exposes the inner hull structure to fatal risk of structural failure due to brittle fracture, but nevertheless it is quite difficult to find a precedent research which explains the degree of risk and severity with due consideration of the consequence caused by structural failure of inner hull. The heat transfer test has been performed using the specimen appropriate to realize test scenario while considering cryogenic liquid flow from primary and secondary barrier into inner hull structure, and at the same time, the specimen has been tested by applying proper deformation so as to examine the structural behavior of inner hull structure under cryogenic condition. The heat transfer analysis has been performed to simulate and verify the heat transfer test, and consequently it is possible to obtain actual distribution of temperature in the inner hull structure exposed to cryogenic temperature. The structural analysis has been performed to evaluate the damage of inner hull structure and as a result to assess overall decrease of hull girder strength of LNG carrier. Finally, consequence of the decrease of global strength has been discussed.© 2010 ASME