EcoChill / Ecorel — marine subcooling and reliquefaction units for LNG boil-off gas
EcoChill and Ecorel are two technologies for boil-off gas (BOG) management on ships that carry or use LNG. EcoChill subcools LNG in the tank, while Ecorel reliquefies BOG in a nitrogen cycle with a compander and operates on Q-Max LNG carriers of 266 000 m³.
- EcoChill
- closed refrigeration cycle, hermetic turbomachines on active magnetic bearings (3 compression stages + 1 expander), built-in motors, VFD, water intercoolers, aluminium plate-fin heat exchanger
- EcoChill purpose
- subcooling of LNG and return to the tank (sprayers/bottom lines) to limit BOG; from bunker vessels to full-size LNG carriers
- Ecorel
- BOG reliquefaction in a nitrogen cycle with a compander, ~7 t/h, load range ~30 %
- References
- 2×14 units on Q-Max LNG carriers (266 000 m³) since 2008, >150 000 h; 2×4 units for MOL / PNG LNG since 2015
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
For a significant part of its service life an LNG carrier sails below the BOG-balance speed, and the excess BOG has to be burned in a gas combustion unit. This means both financial loss and unnecessary environmental impact. Reliquefaction needs more power for compression and phase change, whereas LNG subcooling does not need it and does not affect the design of the fuel gas machines.
EcoChill is intended primarily for ships with two-stroke medium-pressure engines. An LNG stream circulates from the tank through a heat exchanger, is subcooled and returns through spray headers or bottom lines; the cold offsets part of the natural heat ingress into the tank. The cold is produced by a closed loop with hermetic turbomachines on active magnetic bearings; it has three compression stages and one expansion stage with built-in motors and variable frequency drives. The system is fully oil-free and virtually maintenance-free, water intercoolers raise efficiency, and an aluminium plate-fin heat exchanger transfers the cold directly to the LNG.
The unit is independent of the cargo machines, so the fuel gas system can be optimized while efficient tank pressure control is retained. Expensive refrigerants are not needed, and efficiency is maintained over a wide range of flows. It is supplied as compact skids with a minimum of interfaces, and the model range covers vessels from bunker vessels to full-size LNG carriers.
Ecorel is a nitrogen process for reliquefaction of boil-off gas with a compander, the manufacturer's first liquefaction system. Capacity is about 7 t/h with a turndown range of about 30 %. Ecorel was selected for the world's largest LNG carriers, Q-Max of 266 000 m³, where 2×14 units have been operating since 2008 and have accumulated more than 150 000 hours (100–120 voyages). A further 2×4 units were supplied to MOL for the PNG LNG project and have been operating since 2015.
Marine equipment is built under the supervision of classification societies. A single point of contact is assigned to each ship, and service agreements are offered. Each machine undergoes factory mechanical and cryogenic tests. Supervision of installation and commissioning, a 24-hour support line, service contracts, repair and personnel training are available from the manufacturer.
Technical specifications
| EcoChill | closed refrigeration cycle, hermetic turbomachines on active magnetic bearings (3 compression stages + 1 expander), built-in motors, VFD, water intercoolers, aluminium plate-fin heat exchanger |
|---|---|
| EcoChill purpose | subcooling of LNG and return to the tank (sprayers/bottom lines) to limit BOG; from bunker vessels to full-size LNG carriers |
| Ecorel | BOG reliquefaction in a nitrogen cycle with a compander, ~7 t/h, load range ~30 % |
| References | 2×14 units on Q-Max LNG carriers (266 000 m³) since 2008, >150 000 h; 2×4 units for MOL / PNG LNG since 2015 |
Request a price and lead time
EcoChill / Ecorel — marine subcooling and reliquefaction units for LNG boil-off gas. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What ships is EcoChill intended for?
Primarily for ships with two-stroke medium-pressure engines. The model range covers vessels from bunker vessels to full-size LNG carriers.
What is the capacity of the Ecorel unit?
About 7 t/h with a turndown range of about 30 %. The process is nitrogen-based, with a compander.
Where are Ecorel units already operating?
On Q-Max LNG carriers of 266 000 m³, 2×14 units have been operating since 2008 and have accumulated more than 150 000 hours. A further 2×4 units were supplied to MOL for the PNG LNG project and have been operating since 2015.
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