US20090095017A1 - Floating hydrocarbon treating plant - Google Patents

Floating hydrocarbon treating plant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20090095017A1
US20090095017A1 US12/332,999 US33299908A US2009095017A1 US 20090095017 A1 US20090095017 A1 US 20090095017A1 US 33299908 A US33299908 A US 33299908A US 2009095017 A1 US2009095017 A1 US 2009095017A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
plant
deck
natural gas
module
treating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/332,999
Inventor
Alan Edgar John Bliault
James Milne Cusiter
Andrew Neil Stephens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/332,999 priority Critical patent/US20090095017A1/en
Publication of US20090095017A1 publication Critical patent/US20090095017A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B15/00—Superstructures, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like; Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars, e.g. bowsprits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B43/00—Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0022—Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0257—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J1/0275—Construction and layout of liquefaction equipments, e.g. valves, machines adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices
    • F25J1/0277—Offshore use, e.g. during shipping
    • F25J1/0278—Unit being stationary, e.g. on floating barge or fixed platform
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0204—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the feed stream
    • F25J3/0209—Natural gas or substitute natural gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0228—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream
    • F25J3/0233—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0228—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream
    • F25J3/0238—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 2 carbon atoms or more
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/0295—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used, e.g. sieve plates, packings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/448—Floating hydrocarbon production vessels, e.g. Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels [FPSO]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/40—Vertical layout or arrangement of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, condensers, heat exchangers etc.
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/42—Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/72—Processing device is used off-shore, e.g. on a platform or floating on a ship or barge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a floating plant for treating hydrocarbons.
  • a floating plant for treating hydrocarbons.
  • Such a floating plant comprises a vessel having a hull and a deck.
  • the vessel comprises tanks for storing hydrocarbons that are located below the deck.
  • the floating plant further includes a plant for treating hydrocarbons that is located at the deck of the vessel.
  • the vessel is furthermore provided with means for receiving natural gas and with means for delivering treated natural gas.
  • the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, which modules have their own pre-determined function within the treating process.
  • Each module comprises plant equipment needed for the function of the module, and the plant equipment is mounted on a module floor.
  • the expression related plant equipment is used to refer to the plant equipment that is related to the function of the module.
  • the present invention relates to a floating plant for liquefying natural gas.
  • a floating plant for liquefying natural gas.
  • An example of such a floating plant is discussed in the article ‘Floating LNG plant will stress reliability and safety’, C D Kinney, H R Schulz, W Spring, World Oil, July 1997, pages 81-85.
  • the floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprises a vessel having a hull and a deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, wherein each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, wherein the modules rest on closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders.
  • the module floors are open, for example they are from open grating, optionally reinforced by floor stiffeners, and thus fluid that leaks from a module is collected on the deck below the module floor.
  • the blast is directed by the closed support girders to the edge of the deck.
  • the closed girders prevent the blast from spreading in a direction perpendicular to the girders.
  • the present invention further relates to a floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprising a vessel having a hull and a double deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules.
  • each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, and the modules rest on at least two closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically and not to scale part of a top view of the floating hydrocarbon treating plant according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view along line III-III.
  • the floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprises a vessel 1 having a hull 2 and a deck 3 . Inside the vessel 1 , below the deck 3 tanks (not shown) are located in which hydrocarbons can be stored.
  • the deck 3 of the vessel 1 is provided with a plant for treating hydrocarbons.
  • the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes several spaced-apart modules, of which four are shown in the Figures. The four modules are referred to with reference numerals 10 , 11 , 12 and 13 .
  • Each module 10 , 11 , 12 and 13 comprises a module floor 15 on which related plant equipment (not shown) of that module has been mounted.
  • the module floor 15 is open so that fluids can pass through it.
  • To reinforce the module floor 15 it includes floor stiffeners 16 .
  • Each of the modules 10 , 11 , 12 and 13 is supported by two closed support girders, a fore closed support girder 20 and an aft closed support girder 21 .
  • the closed support girders 20 and 21 extend under the module 10 , 11 , 12 or 13 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 23 of the deck 3 .
  • the closed support girders 20 and 21 extend along at least 90% of the breadth of the module, and more suitably they extend along at least 95% of the breadth of the module.
  • the module floor 15 is secured to the fore closed support girder 20 only and it is laid on the aft closed support girder 21 so that the module floor 15 has a fixed end 15 a and a free end 15 b . If the friction between the module floor 15 and the aft closed support girder 21 on which it is laid is so large that the module floor 15 cannot slide over the aft girder 21 , friction reducing means (not shown) can be applied between the module floor 15 and the girder 21 so as to form a free end bearing. It will be understood that the situation can be reversed: the module floor 15 is fixed to the aft girder 21 only and is laid on the fore girder 20 .
  • the closed support girders 20 and 21 direct the blast to the edge 23 of the deck 3 .
  • the closed support girders 20 and 21 prevent the blast from spreading in a direction perpendicular to the girders to adjacent modules.
  • tank manifolds, schematically shown as squares 25 and 26 are protected from the blast.
  • the displacements of the upper ends of the closed support girders 20 and 21 depend not only on the longitudinal deflections of the vessel 1 , but also on the height of the girders 20 and 21 , in other words, the lower the girders the smaller the displacements.
  • the fact that the module floor is not fixed at both ends, but has a free end, allows selecting the height of the closed support girders so that they can contain the blast. In selecting the height, one does not need to consider the displacements of the upper ends of the closed support girders.
  • the closed support girders 20 and 21 is relatively high.
  • the height of the closed girders 20 and 21 is more than 2 meters, and more suitable the height is between 3 and 5 meters.
  • the number of closed support girders is suitably two per module, however, in some cases between three and five closed support girders per module is possible. In case there are more than two closed support girders per module, the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders only and laid on the others.
  • the support girder can be provided with a set of triangular supports 28 secured to the deck 3 .
  • stiffeners (not shown) can be applied to the closed support girder at regular intervals along its length.
  • the modules have to be connected by pipes (not shown) in order that the hydrocarbon to be treated is conveyed from one unit to another.
  • the pipes (not shown) are arranged in a pipe-rack 35 that extends between opposite modules 10 , 13 and 11 , 12 along the centreline 30 of the vessel 1 so that the modules are arranged at either side of the pipe-rack 35 .
  • This arrangement of the pipe-rack 35 is particularly suitable if the vessel is an elongated vessel.
  • the pipes are suitably arranged in the zone 36 (see FIG. 3 ) that is located above the level of the module floors 15 .
  • the pipes can be arranged about two to four meters above the level of the module floors 15 .
  • the space under zone 36 can be used for other utilities, such as cables.
  • the vessel 1 further comprises a lower deck 39 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the deck 3 is called the upper deck.
  • the upper deck 3 and the lower deck 39 form a double deck.
  • transverse stiffeners 40 and 41 are placed, in such a way that each closed support girder 20 , 21 is above a transverse stiffener 40 , 41 . In this way the two decks 3 and 39 carry the weight of the module.
  • the force exerted to the upper deck 3 can be transferred to the transverse stiffeners 40 and 41 , or to the lower deck 39 or to both by suitable load transfer members 44 .
  • the plant for treating hydrocarbons suitably comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas. Further the plant for treating hydrocarbons can comprise a plant for removing heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas or a plant for removing contaminants, such as acid gas, water or mercury, from the natural gas.

Abstract

A floating hydrocarbon treating plant containing a vessel having a hull and a deck and having tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel is provided. The plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, wherein each module has related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, and the modules rest on closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders.

Description

  • This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/498,339 having a 35 U.S.C. 371 date of Apr. 28, 2005 that was PCT filed Dec. 12, 2002 having PCT No. PCT/EP02/14181 claiming priority from European Patent Application No. 01310466.6 filed Dec. 14, 2001, which are all incorporated herein by reference.
  • The present invention relates to a floating plant for treating hydrocarbons. Such a floating plant comprises a vessel having a hull and a deck. The vessel comprises tanks for storing hydrocarbons that are located below the deck. The floating plant further includes a plant for treating hydrocarbons that is located at the deck of the vessel. The vessel is furthermore provided with means for receiving natural gas and with means for delivering treated natural gas.
  • The plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, which modules have their own pre-determined function within the treating process. Each module comprises plant equipment needed for the function of the module, and the plant equipment is mounted on a module floor. In the specification and in the claims, the expression related plant equipment is used to refer to the plant equipment that is related to the function of the module.
  • In particular the present invention relates to a floating plant for liquefying natural gas. An example of such a floating plant is discussed in the article ‘Floating LNG plant will stress reliability and safety’, C D Kinney, H R Schulz, W Spring, World Oil, July 1997, pages 81-85.
  • In the article the need for a proper layout of the modules that make up the plant is emphasized in order to provide explosion protection.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide protection in case an explosive fluid, such as liquefied natural gas, leaks from a module.
  • To this end the floating hydrocarbon treating plant according to the present invention comprises a vessel having a hull and a deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, wherein each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, wherein the modules rest on closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders.
  • The module floors are open, for example they are from open grating, optionally reinforced by floor stiffeners, and thus fluid that leaks from a module is collected on the deck below the module floor. In the event of an explosion of the fluid, the blast is directed by the closed support girders to the edge of the deck. The closed girders prevent the blast from spreading in a direction perpendicular to the girders.
  • The present invention further relates to a floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprising a vessel having a hull and a double deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules.
  • Suitably, each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, and the modules rest on at least two closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders.
  • The invention will now be described by way of example in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically and not to scale part of a top view of the floating hydrocarbon treating plant according to the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1; and
  • FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view along line III-III.
    •
  • The floating hydrocarbon treating plant according to the present invention comprises a vessel 1 having a hull 2 and a deck 3. Inside the vessel 1, below the deck 3 tanks (not shown) are located in which hydrocarbons can be stored.
  • The deck 3 of the vessel 1 is provided with a plant for treating hydrocarbons. The plant for treating hydrocarbons includes several spaced-apart modules, of which four are shown in the Figures. The four modules are referred to with reference numerals 10, 11, 12 and 13. Each module 10, 11, 12 and 13 comprises a module floor 15 on which related plant equipment (not shown) of that module has been mounted. The module floor 15 is open so that fluids can pass through it. To reinforce the module floor 15, it includes floor stiffeners 16.
  • Each of the modules 10, 11, 12 and 13 is supported by two closed support girders, a fore closed support girder 20 and an aft closed support girder 21. The closed support girders 20 and 21 extend under the module 10, 11, 12 or 13 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 23 of the deck 3. Suitably the closed support girders 20 and 21 extend along at least 90% of the breadth of the module, and more suitably they extend along at least 95% of the breadth of the module.
  • In order to isolate the module 10, 11, 12 or 13 from longitudinal deflections of the vessel 1, the module floor 15 is secured to the fore closed support girder 20 only and it is laid on the aft closed support girder 21 so that the module floor 15 has a fixed end 15 a and a free end 15 b. If the friction between the module floor 15 and the aft closed support girder 21 on which it is laid is so large that the module floor 15 cannot slide over the aft girder 21, friction reducing means (not shown) can be applied between the module floor 15 and the girder 21 so as to form a free end bearing. It will be understood that the situation can be reversed: the module floor 15 is fixed to the aft girder 21 only and is laid on the fore girder 20.
  • In the event of an explosion of fluids that leaked through the module floor 15, the closed support girders 20 and 21 direct the blast to the edge 23 of the deck 3. The closed support girders 20 and 21 prevent the blast from spreading in a direction perpendicular to the girders to adjacent modules. Moreover tank manifolds, schematically shown as squares 25 and 26 are protected from the blast.
  • The displacements of the upper ends of the closed support girders 20 and 21 depend not only on the longitudinal deflections of the vessel 1, but also on the height of the girders 20 and 21, in other words, the lower the girders the smaller the displacements. The fact that the module floor is not fixed at both ends, but has a free end, allows selecting the height of the closed support girders so that they can contain the blast. In selecting the height, one does not need to consider the displacements of the upper ends of the closed support girders.
  • In order to contain the blast the closed support girders 20 and 21 is relatively high. Suitably the height of the closed girders 20 and 21 is more than 2 meters, and more suitable the height is between 3 and 5 meters. The number of closed support girders is suitably two per module, however, in some cases between three and five closed support girders per module is possible. In case there are more than two closed support girders per module, the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders only and laid on the others.
  • To prevent rotation of a closed support girders about its longitudinal axis, the support girder can be provided with a set of triangular supports 28 secured to the deck 3. In addition to provide vertical stiffness, stiffeners (not shown) can be applied to the closed support girder at regular intervals along its length.
  • The modules have to be connected by pipes (not shown) in order that the hydrocarbon to be treated is conveyed from one unit to another.
  • Suitably the pipes (not shown) are arranged in a pipe-rack 35 that extends between opposite modules 10, 13 and 11, 12 along the centreline 30 of the vessel 1 so that the modules are arranged at either side of the pipe-rack 35. This arrangement of the pipe-rack 35 is particularly suitable if the vessel is an elongated vessel.
  • In order to increase the resistance to flow between opposite modules 10, 13 and 11, 12, the pipes are suitably arranged in the zone 36 (see FIG. 3) that is located above the level of the module floors 15. For access reasons, the pipes can be arranged about two to four meters above the level of the module floors 15.
  • The space under zone 36 can be used for other utilities, such as cables.
  • In a suitable embodiment, the vessel 1 further comprises a lower deck 39 (see FIG. 2). In this case the deck 3 is called the upper deck. The upper deck 3 and the lower deck 39 form a double deck. Between the decks 3 and 39 transverse stiffeners 40 and 41 are placed, in such a way that each closed support girder 20, 21 is above a transverse stiffener 40, 41. In this way the two decks 3 and 39 carry the weight of the module.
  • In case the closed support girders 20 and 21 are provided with triangular supports 28 that are secured to the upper deck 3, the force exerted to the upper deck 3 can be transferred to the transverse stiffeners 40 and 41, or to the lower deck 39 or to both by suitable load transfer members 44.
  • The plant for treating hydrocarbons suitably comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas. Further the plant for treating hydrocarbons can comprise a plant for removing heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas or a plant for removing contaminants, such as acid gas, water or mercury, from the natural gas.

Claims (27)

1. A method for treating hydrocarbons comprising using a floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprising a vessel having a hull and a deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, wherein each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, and the modules rest on at least two closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to only one of the closed support girders.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the floating hydrocarbon treating plant further comprises a pipe-rack supporting pipes that form the fluid connection between the equipment, which pipe-rack extends along the centreline of the vessel, wherein the modules are arranged at either side of the pipe-rack.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the pipes are located above the level of the module floor.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the deck is a double deck consisting of an upper deck and a lower deck.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons further comprises a plant for removing heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the deck is a double deck consisting of an upper deck and a lower deck.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the deck is a double deck consisting of an upper deck and a lower deck.
9. The method of claim 2 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
10. The method of claim 3 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
11. The method of claim 4 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
12. The method of claim 5 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
16. A method of treating hydrocarbons comprising using a floating hydrocarbon treating plant comprising a vessel having a hull and a deck and comprising tanks located below the deck for storing hydrocarbons, and a plant for treating hydrocarbons located at the deck of the vessel, wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons includes spaced-apart modules, wherein each module comprises related plant equipment mounted on a module floor, and the modules rest on at least two closed support girders that extend under the module in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the deck, and wherein the module floor is secured to one of the closed support girders and further comprising a pipe-rack supporting pipes that form the fluid connection between the equipment, which pipe-rack extends along the centreline of the vessel, wherein the modules are arranged at either side of the pipe-rack.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the pipes are located above the level of the module floor.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the deck is a double deck consisting of an upper deck and a lower deck.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons further comprises a plant for removing heavy hydrocarbons from natural gas.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the deck is a double deck consisting of an upper deck and a lower deck.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein the plant for treating hydrocarbons comprises a plant for liquefying natural gas.
24. The method of claim 16 wherein the module floor is secured to only one of the closed support girders.
25. The method of claim 19 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
27. The method of claim 23 wherein liquefied natural gas is obtained.
US12/332,999 2001-12-14 2008-12-11 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant Abandoned US20090095017A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/332,999 US20090095017A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2008-12-11 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01310466 2001-12-14
EP01310466.6 2001-12-14
PCT/EP2002/014181 WO2003051711A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
US10/498,339 US7478536B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
US12/332,999 US20090095017A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2008-12-11 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/498,339 Division US7478536B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
PCT/EP2002/014181 Division WO2003051711A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090095017A1 true US20090095017A1 (en) 2009-04-16

Family

ID=8182541

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/498,339 Expired - Fee Related US7478536B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
US12/332,999 Abandoned US20090095017A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2008-12-11 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/498,339 Expired - Fee Related US7478536B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (2) US7478536B2 (en)
AP (1) AP1829A (en)
AU (1) AU2002361406B2 (en)
BR (1) BR0214799B1 (en)
EG (1) EG23255A (en)
GB (1) GB2398276B (en)
MA (1) MA26252A1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA04005697A (en)
MY (1) MY128503A (en)
NO (1) NO20042965L (en)
OA (1) OA12743A (en)
WO (1) WO2003051711A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120047942A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-01 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITY FOR OFFSHORE LPG and LNG PROCESSING OF ASSOCIATED GASES
US20150075216A1 (en) * 2012-04-20 2015-03-19 Sbm Schiedam B.V. Floating lng plant comprising a first and a second converted lng carrier and a method for obtaining the floating lng plant
CN111409776A (en) * 2020-04-10 2020-07-14 江南造船(集团)有限责任公司 Rhombic isolation empty cabin structure of liquefied gas carrier

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2002361406B2 (en) * 2001-12-14 2007-11-22 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
WO2005056379A1 (en) * 2003-12-15 2005-06-23 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Modular offshore hydrocarbon storage and/or processing structure
FR2890372B1 (en) * 2005-09-05 2007-11-30 Total Sa METHOD FOR MOUNTING A MODULAR EQUIPMENT SUPPORT PLATE ON A FLEXIBLE AND MOVING STRUCTURE, AND CORRESPONDING MODULAR PLATE
RU2009145096A (en) * 2006-07-13 2011-06-10 Шелл Интернэшнл Рисерч Маатсхаппий Б.В. (NL) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LIQUIDING A HYDROCARBON FLOW
US20090208294A1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Yao Aifeng Apparatus for off-shore processing of a hydrocarbon stream
EP2347953A1 (en) * 2010-01-20 2011-07-27 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Vessel with a modified pipe arrangement
NO2539222T3 (en) * 2010-02-22 2018-01-20

Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2933902A (en) * 1955-12-12 1960-04-26 Exxon Research Engineering Co Transportation of liquefied gases
US2940268A (en) * 1954-05-10 1960-06-14 Constock Liquid Methane Corp Apparatus for transporting, storing and using natural gas
US2986011A (en) * 1959-04-09 1961-05-30 Conch Int Methane Ltd Cold liquid storage tank
US3005317A (en) * 1959-10-26 1961-10-24 Phillips Petroleum Co Combination dry or liquid cargo vessel and process
US3068657A (en) * 1959-07-24 1962-12-18 Texaco Inc Method for the transportation and maintenance of a normally gaseous hydrocarbon in solution with a liquid hydrocarbon
US3161492A (en) * 1961-08-25 1964-12-15 Hydrocarbon Research Inc Mobile gas liquefaction platform
US3498392A (en) * 1968-06-07 1970-03-03 Global Marine Inc Drilling rig floor structure
US3766583A (en) * 1970-07-02 1973-10-23 Gulf Oil Corp Offshore liquefied gas terminal
US4041721A (en) * 1975-07-07 1977-08-16 The Lummus Company Vessel having natural gas liquefaction capabilities
US4666340A (en) * 1986-03-28 1987-05-19 Shell Offshore Inc. Offshore platform with removable modules
US4729695A (en) * 1985-06-19 1988-03-08 Saipem, S.P.A. Process for the installation of the enbloc superstructure of an offshore platform, and equipment for carrying it practically
US4753185A (en) * 1983-04-05 1988-06-28 Marvin Steve Worley Floating vessels
US4883389A (en) * 1986-03-07 1989-11-28 Haugesund Mekaniske Verksted A/S Method for constructing huge modules, and a module fabricated by said method
US5125769A (en) * 1991-01-16 1992-06-30 Kyu Lee Floatable structure
US5407302A (en) * 1993-02-11 1995-04-18 Santa Fe International Corp. Method and apparatus for skid-off drilling
US6293734B1 (en) * 1998-06-12 2001-09-25 Technip France Apparatus for transporting and installing a deck of an offshore oil production platform
US6318931B1 (en) * 1995-03-15 2001-11-20 Jon E. Khachaturian Method and apparatus for the offshore installation of multi-ton packages such as deck packages and jackets
US20030102166A1 (en) * 2000-01-03 2003-06-05 Jan Jortveit Modular light weight drilling rig
US6736571B2 (en) * 2000-01-17 2004-05-18 Saipem U.K. Limited Removal of decks from offshore structures
US7478536B2 (en) * 2001-12-14 2009-01-20 Shell Oil Company Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2172247B (en) 1985-03-11 1988-05-05 Csi North Venture Limited Launcher for expendable space vehicle
GB9106202D0 (en) 1991-03-22 1991-05-08 Cape Durasteel Ltd Fire walls incorporating blast proofing

Patent Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2940268A (en) * 1954-05-10 1960-06-14 Constock Liquid Methane Corp Apparatus for transporting, storing and using natural gas
US2933902A (en) * 1955-12-12 1960-04-26 Exxon Research Engineering Co Transportation of liquefied gases
US2986011A (en) * 1959-04-09 1961-05-30 Conch Int Methane Ltd Cold liquid storage tank
US3068657A (en) * 1959-07-24 1962-12-18 Texaco Inc Method for the transportation and maintenance of a normally gaseous hydrocarbon in solution with a liquid hydrocarbon
US3005317A (en) * 1959-10-26 1961-10-24 Phillips Petroleum Co Combination dry or liquid cargo vessel and process
US3161492A (en) * 1961-08-25 1964-12-15 Hydrocarbon Research Inc Mobile gas liquefaction platform
US3498392A (en) * 1968-06-07 1970-03-03 Global Marine Inc Drilling rig floor structure
US3766583A (en) * 1970-07-02 1973-10-23 Gulf Oil Corp Offshore liquefied gas terminal
US4041721A (en) * 1975-07-07 1977-08-16 The Lummus Company Vessel having natural gas liquefaction capabilities
US4753185A (en) * 1983-04-05 1988-06-28 Marvin Steve Worley Floating vessels
US4729695A (en) * 1985-06-19 1988-03-08 Saipem, S.P.A. Process for the installation of the enbloc superstructure of an offshore platform, and equipment for carrying it practically
US4883389A (en) * 1986-03-07 1989-11-28 Haugesund Mekaniske Verksted A/S Method for constructing huge modules, and a module fabricated by said method
US4666340A (en) * 1986-03-28 1987-05-19 Shell Offshore Inc. Offshore platform with removable modules
US5125769A (en) * 1991-01-16 1992-06-30 Kyu Lee Floatable structure
US5407302A (en) * 1993-02-11 1995-04-18 Santa Fe International Corp. Method and apparatus for skid-off drilling
US6318931B1 (en) * 1995-03-15 2001-11-20 Jon E. Khachaturian Method and apparatus for the offshore installation of multi-ton packages such as deck packages and jackets
US6293734B1 (en) * 1998-06-12 2001-09-25 Technip France Apparatus for transporting and installing a deck of an offshore oil production platform
US20030102166A1 (en) * 2000-01-03 2003-06-05 Jan Jortveit Modular light weight drilling rig
US6736571B2 (en) * 2000-01-17 2004-05-18 Saipem U.K. Limited Removal of decks from offshore structures
US7478536B2 (en) * 2001-12-14 2009-01-20 Shell Oil Company Floating hydrocarbon treating plant

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120047942A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-01 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITY FOR OFFSHORE LPG and LNG PROCESSING OF ASSOCIATED GASES
US20150075216A1 (en) * 2012-04-20 2015-03-19 Sbm Schiedam B.V. Floating lng plant comprising a first and a second converted lng carrier and a method for obtaining the floating lng plant
US9422037B2 (en) * 2012-04-20 2016-08-23 Sbm Schiedam B.V. Floating LNG plant comprising a first and a second converted LNG carrier and a method for obtaining the floating LNG plant
CN111409776A (en) * 2020-04-10 2020-07-14 江南造船(集团)有限责任公司 Rhombic isolation empty cabin structure of liquefied gas carrier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
OA12743A (en) 2006-06-30
US7478536B2 (en) 2009-01-20
WO2003051711A1 (en) 2003-06-26
AU2002361406A1 (en) 2003-06-30
EG23255A (en) 2004-09-29
BR0214799B1 (en) 2011-11-16
MXPA04005697A (en) 2004-12-06
NO20042965L (en) 2004-07-13
AU2002361406B2 (en) 2007-11-22
GB2398276A (en) 2004-08-18
MA26252A1 (en) 2004-08-01
GB2398276B (en) 2005-05-04
AP2004003061A0 (en) 2004-06-30
MY128503A (en) 2007-02-28
AP1829A (en) 2008-02-19
BR0214799A (en) 2004-10-19
US20050172645A1 (en) 2005-08-11
GB0413220D0 (en) 2004-07-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20090095017A1 (en) Floating hydrocarbon treating plant
KR102055049B1 (en) Hydrocarbon processing vessel and method
EP2293971B1 (en) Systems and methods for supporting tanks in a cargo ship
AU2008345676B2 (en) Deep draft semi-submersible LNG floating production, storage and offloading vessel
US20110192339A1 (en) Hull conversion of existing vessels for tank integration
US10183730B2 (en) Twin-hull offshore structure comprising an interconnecting central deck
WO2011089108A1 (en) Vessel with a modified pipe arrangement
CN110099844B (en) Floating cryogenic hydrocarbon storage structure
Krekel et al. FPSOs: Design considerations for the structural Interface hull and topsides
Lapidaire et al. The effect of ship motions on FPSO topsides design
Chen et al. Topsides Facilities Design and Module-to-Vessel Interface
Dimbour et al. Offshore LNG Mega-Module Solution
Burn et al. Topside facilities for floating production systems require new engineering thinking
Filson et al. Modification of the Penrod 72 for Green Canyon Block 29 development
Hwang et al. Topside development and modularization for 210K LNG Floating Production Storage & Offloading unit
KR20140026002A (en) Topside module arrange structure in fpso
Burns et al. The Design and Failure Analysis of a Cargo Containment System for a Liquid Natural Gas Ship
Geoffroy et al. OCTOPLUS: A New Generation of FPSO for Deepwater
Crecca Jr A PROPOSED SYSTEM TO LIQUEFY AND TRANSPORT NATURAL GAS BY TANKER WITH THEDESIGN BASED UPON METHANE.
KR20170000044U (en) Deformation reduction device for pipe rack structure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE