SLING – Structural Response
LNG is stored onboard a ship at a temperature just below its boiling point (ca. -162°C) at near atmospheric pressure. Special insulated cargo tanks are required to minimize the heat transfer, protecting the steel structure of the ship and limiting the evaporation of LNG (boil-off). LNG will slosh inside the tank exerting impact loads on the cargo tank when the tank is partially filled and exposed to ship motions. The loads can be predicted using computational fluid dynamics or model tests, yet for both the question should be: 'Does the structure care?', a question which will be answered in this part of the SLING research programme.
Dr. ir. J.H. den Besten (Henk)
Ship and Offshore Structures