Metering and mixing technology for the production of LNG tankers

Reliable application of adhesives and sealants in the manufacturing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport tanks

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plays an important role in supplementing and ensuring the energy supply of many regions around the globe. LNG offers advantages compared to gaseous natural gas, especially when it comes to transport and storage: while gaseous natural gas can only be transported economically in pipelines, LNG can be transported in special transport containers (Dewar vessels) by truck, train and ship.

In recent years, the size and capacity of LNG transport ships have increased significantly. Modern tankers have a loading capacity of 210,000 to 266,000 cubic metres. However, liquefied natural gas is also stored and transported in small LNG bunker tankers, e.g. under the life rafts of cruise ships and ro-pax vessels.


Challenges in the production of LNG transport tanks

Large temperature differences occur during loading and unloading of LNG tanks. During the cooling and heating process, a tank can expand or contract by up to 60 cm. The adhesives and sealants which are used to join the various components of an LNG tank must therefore be processed with extreme process reliability. This is the only way to ensure the long-term flexibility and reliability of LNG tanks. For several decades, DOPAG has been a reliable supplier of precise metering technology, which is used, for example, in the manufacture of LNG tankers of the Mark III and CS1 classes.

Interior view of an LNG tanker: DOPAG supplies metering technology for the production of LNG transport tanks. Our dispensing systems enable a process-stable metering, mixing and applying of adhesives and sealants in the production of LNG tankers.

Manufacturing LNG panels

The variomix piston metering system from DOPAG is used, among other purposes, to apply two-component polyurethane adhesive in the manufacture of LNG panels and produces multiple adhesive strands along the entire length of the individual panels. The variomix is also used when applying epoxy adhesives to the upper bridge panels.

Dispensing polyurethane adhesive for LNG-tank-components

Applying two-component polyurethane adhesive directly to flexible triplex joints is a process that can be automated by using robots that move along the flexible joints, applying the mixed material. The eldomix metering system dispenses the adhesive at a constant, predefined temperature, pressure and flow rate. The system supplies the adhesive to the mixing head, which is installed directly on the robot. The eldomix is compact, has minimal weight and is designed for maximum mobility so that it can easily follow the robot's movements.

Your partnership with DOPAG

  • One contact for the entire system solution
  • All applications from one provider
  • Implementation of specific requirements and automation
  • Competent support from DOPAG experts
  • A dedicated technical centre for testing and customer training
  • Close collaboration with material manufacturers
  • Decades of experience in metering and mixing technology
  • Global distribution and service in over 40 countries

Reference projects

Applications

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