Transient performance study of high pressure fuel gas supply system for LNG fueled ships

Abstract

The transient performance of the fuel system is a critical issue for the operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled ships. In this paper, experiments and simulations of a high pressure fuel gas supply system (HP-FGSS) were conducted to investigate the system transient responses during load variations and environmental disturbances. A prototype of the HP-FGSS was tested at different running loads from 0% to 110% in combination with a MAN high pressure two-stroke dual fuel engine. A dynamic model of the HP-FGSS was developed and validated by the test data. The effects of the operating parameters and equipment sizes on the system performances were simulated and analyzed. The results show that during the load variations from 75% to 100% the fuel gas pressure fluctuation is nearly 10 bar and lasts for 5 min. The HP-FGSS control system has a high robustness to the LNG composition, but the pressure overshoot increases as the methane content decreases. The LNG composition will also affect the steady state value of the gas temperature. The buffer tank volume has a significant impact on the pressure response. The pressure disturbance in the LNG tank induced by violent sloshing will be transmitted to the suction port of the high pressure pump, causing a cavitation risk.