ASME has a project to meet industry needs for pressure vessel Code updates to address storage of high pressure hydrogen. This has resulted in updates to existing B&PV Code, new Code Cases, and new Code requirements. One of the tasks was to develop requirements for high pressure composite reinforced vessels with non-load sharing liners. Originally developed as a Code Case, the requirements have been approved as mandatory Appendix 8 of ASME Section X of the B&PV Code, to be published in July 2010. The allowed pressures of this new Code are from 0.7 MPa (3,000 psi) to 103.4 MPa (15,000 psi). Qualification testing addresses expected operating conditions. Inspection requirements are being developed in cooperation with NBIC. Pressure vessels are being developed that meet the new ASME requirements. Efforts will be made to include additional gases, including compressed natural gas, and additional operational requirements in future revisions. Paper published with permission.

In discussing the use of Natural Gas as a fuel for Marine use, there are two aspects that require examination, firstly, the gas handling, process and on land/vessel storage considerations, and secondly, the pressure vessels that will store the fuel. Paper published with permission.

To avoid making billion dollar mistakes, operators with discoveries in deepwater (∼3,000m) Gulf of Mexico (GoM) need dependable well performance, reservoir response and fluid data to guide full-field development decisions. Recognizing this need, the DeepStar consortium developed a conceptual design for an Early Production System (EPS) that will serve as a mobile well test system that is safe, environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The EPS is a dynamically positioned (DP) Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel with a bundled top tensioned riser having quick emergency disconnect capability. Both oil and gas are processed onboard and exported by shuttle tankers to local markets. Oil is stored and offloaded using standard FPSO techniques, while the gas is exported as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This paper summarizes the technologies, regulatory acceptance, and business model that will make the DeepStar EPS a reality. Paper published with permission.

This discussion paper is based on a preliminary design and is not to be construed or interpreted as being a suitable basis for adoption as a final design for natural gas storage facilities or marine vessels. The gas storage concepts were developed as a basis for project budgeting, further design studies such as HAZID/HAZOP/FEMA, and for review/comment by Classification Societies and Regulatory Authorities as a precedent to further design development. The contents, comments and opinions contained herein are proprietary to Floating Pipeline Company Incorporated and TransCanada. Paper published with permission.

Liberator Engine Company, LLC designs, develops and produces alternative fuel engines for vehicles around the globe. The Company’s 6.0 Liter Liberator™ gaseous fuels engine will have the ability to operate on Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas or Liquid Propane Gas: clean, domestic, economical fuels. The Liberator engine will target OEM on road vehicles, as well as off road applications. The Liberator engine is also an excellent choice for the repower of existing diesel vehicles. The 6.0L Liberator™ engine will serve as a replacement engine for vehicle currently operating on a Cummins 5.9L diesel engine or Mercedes diesel 6.0L engine. Paper published with permission.

Marine transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is well established and extensive precedents for the design of the ships and tanks exist. Fewer precedents exist for the transport of compressed natural gas (CNG). This paper describes the application of composite (fiber) wrapped pressure vessels constructed to the requirements of ASME Section VIII Division 3, Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels (Division 3) to pressure vessels for marine CNG transport. Since the density of CNG is much lower than the density of LNG, efficient transport requires that the pressure vessels be as light as possible while ensuring pressure integrity. The advantages of a composite fiber wrap and of Division 3 construction for this application will be discussed. Paper published with permission.