Low-temperature heat transfer and stress analysis of LNG loading arm pipeline supports

Abstract

The pipeline support is a complex component structure in liquefied natural gas (LNG) loading arm. In order to study the impact of ultra-low temperature conditions on the mechanical performance of pipeline brackets, the heat transfer analysis and thermal stress calculation of the pipeline support of the LNG loading arm are carried out under low-temperature conditions in this paper. Based on the principle of steady-state heat transfer, the finite element method is used to study the sensitivity of ambient temperature to heat transfer results of pipe support, the results show that the heat dissipated by the duct support is proportional to the temperature difference. The temperature field distribution of the pipe-bundle rib on the duct support under ice-free and ice-covered conditions is analyzed, and two different paths are selected to study the temperature distribution law of the structure, and the conclusion that the ice has the effect of cooling is drawn. Finally, based on the temperature field distribution results obtained by the heat transfer analysis, the low-temperature stress analysis of the pipe support is carried out. According to the thermal stress results, the corresponding improvement measures are proposed. It provides some guidance for the structural design of the loading arm.