Preventive Maintenance Topic Models for LNG Containment Systems of LNG Marine Carriers Using Dock Specifications

Ik-Hyun Youn,Sung-Cheol Kim

doi:10.3390/app9061202

Abstract

The high demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires more LNG carriers (LNGCs) to be in operation. During transportation, there is a high risk due to the required extremely low temperatures and the explosive nature of LNG cargo. Moreover, when there is a lack of experience in operating old LNGCs, there is a serious concern regarding operational accidents. A systematic maintenance strategy, especially for LNG cargo containment systems, is crucial for maintaining safe LNG transportation at sea. The purpose of this study is to develop preventive LNG cargo containment system maintenance models by using LNGC dock specifications from LNGCs of various ages. The dock specifications from a conventional LNGC repairing dock were analyzed using natural language processing techniques in order to develop preventive maintenance models of the LNG cargo containment system. From these results, and by considering the ship’s age, it was found that for young LNGCs, the priority for repair should focus on checking routine consumable spare parts by tank inspections, whereas for older LNGCs, the focus should be on tank condition maintenance rather than on other facilities. These results are expected to be useful in the development of a maintenance strategy of preventive LNG cargo containment systems in maritime LNG transportation.

Highlights

Liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) are sophisticated ships designed for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the challenging marine environment
LNG is kept at extremely low temperatures, and the vapor from LNG is an explosive hazard; cryogenic damage and the risk of catastrophic fire must be reliably managed during the entire lifespan of LNGCs
Discovering the priority of maintenance keywords based on vessel age categories was performed using histograms and word clouds [31]; developing maintenance topic models based on vessel age categories and summarizing the developed maintenance topics by reviewing the original dock specifications were sequentially performed

Summary

Introduction

Liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) are sophisticated ships designed for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the challenging marine environment. Commercial seaborne LNG transportation has been used for more than 50 years (i.e., since 1964) [1,2]. Unlike other marine dry cargo carriers such as container vessels or bulk carriers, LNGCs must consider a reliable. LNG cargo containment system for safe LNG marine transportation [3,4]. LNG is kept at extremely low temperatures, and the vapor from LNG is an explosive hazard; cryogenic damage and the risk of catastrophic fire must be reliably managed during the entire lifespan of LNGCs. Appl.

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Results

Conclusion