CAPÍTULO 3 VARIANTES PARA LA PROTECCIÓN DE LOS CONOCIMIENTOS
3.1 DESDE EL DERECHO DE PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL Y PARTIENDO DE SUS
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
4.1 LNG
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)
The gas composition can vary depending on the source of natural gas and the processing of the gas. A typical composition in volume % is:
Methane 94.0 % Ethane 4.7 % Propane 0.8 % Butane 0.2 % Nitrogen 0.3 %
The sulphur content of LNG is not expected to exceed 5 ppm. However, the sulphur content must be documented in line with the requirements and procedures as stated in the relevant chapters within MARPOL Annex VI.
4.2
LNG as Fuel
The characteristics and specification regarding the requirements of the composition and minimum contents of compounds for LNG as marine fuel are defined in ISO 8216, Classification of marine fuels’ and ISO 8217 ,Specifications of marine fuels’
Comment: For the time being it is not finally decided if, where and how LNG as marine fuel might be specified. ISO TC 67 WG 10 proposed to ISO 8216 and ISO 8217 to look into this issue. The exact scope of this ISO 8216 and ISO 8217 is under consideration.
4.3 LNG Bunkering
LNG bunkering means the transfer of LNG from land based or floating facilities into a ship’s permanent fuel tanks or the connection of portable tanks to the ship’s fuel supply system (refer IGC Code chapter 2.2 Definitions).
4.4 LNG Transfer
LNG transfer means the transfer of LNG from land based or floating facilities into a ships permanent cargo tanks or other LNG cargo containment systems and vice versa.
4.5
Begin and End of the LNG bunkering Process
Defining the start of the bunkering process should coincide with the first handling procedure related to bunkering LNG as fuel. This could be defined by the interaction of the defined safety zone around the receiving vessel. On the sea side this will be the safety distance for passing vessels. On the landside this will be the Explosion Zone around the bunker station. For the different bunker procedures the following definitions could be made
- Ship to Ship LNG bunkering:
o Begin: Interaction of the safety distance zone of the receiving vessel with a bunker vessel or bunker barge
o End: Leaving of the bunker vessel or bunker barge out of the safety distance zone - Truck to Ship LNG bunkering:
o Begin: Interaction of the defined Explosion Zone around the bunker station of the receiving vessel with the LNG bunker hose
o End: Removal of the bunker hose from the Explosion Zone of the receiving vessel - Terminal to Ship LNG bunkering:
o Begin: Interaction of the defined Explosion zone around the bunker station of the receiving vessel with the LNG bunker hose / pipe
o End: Removal of the bunker hose / pipe from the Explosion Zone of the receiving vessel - Portable tanks
o Begin: Fixation of the portable tank to the ships structure; here fore special requirements regarding the IGF Code are required and differ from the fixation of cargo container. Therefore the fixation is the begin of the bunkering procedure
Comment: Special requirements for the fixation of portable fuel tanks were agreed during the BLG 17 meeting due to the development of the IGF Code. Details about the requirements of the fixation are still under discussion due to the ongoing development of the IGF Code. For the above mentioned bunker procedures the relevant port authority and maritime administration is assumed as responsible authorities. However, it should be kept into mind that during other possible bunker modes e.g. bunkering at sea or bunkering while sailing other authorities might be involved.
4.6 Responsibilities
4.6.1 Ship to Ship bunkering
The responsibility of the bunkering process is with the Master of the receiving vessels and the Master of the bunker vessel (refer chapter 19.3 of the IGF Code).
4.6.2 Truck to Ship bunkering
The responsibility of the bunkering process is with the Master of the receiving vessels and the operator of the LNG truck.
4.6.3 Terminal to Ship bunkering
The responsibility of the bunkering process is with the Master of the receiving vessels and the operator of terminals’ jetty.
4.6.4 Portable tanks
The responsibility of the bunkering process is with the Master of the receiving vessels.
Comment: The above mentioned definitions of responsibilities refer to the definition of responsibilities in Chapter 19.3 of the current draft of the IGF Code as reflected in 4.6.1. As the IGF code is not finalised it is not foreseen if there are any amendments or additional definitions regarding responsibilities for the bunkering process as well for other than the ship to ship bunkering will be done. The same applies for possible definitions regarding bunkering responsibilities due to the ongoing development of the ISO TC 67 WG 10 bunkering guidelines.
4.7
Rapid Phase Transition (RPT)
The explosive change from liquid to vapour phase when LNG is released into water
4.8
Emergency Shut-Down (ESD)
Emergency Shut Down means the controlled determination of the bunkering process as a result of an unsafe condition being detected. The bunkering process will be stopped immediately and no fuel will be transferred. The gas system of the bunker facility as well as of the receiving vessel will be transferred to a safe condition.
4.9
Emergency Release Coupling (ERC)
An automatic disconnection device located within the transfer system that allows rapid disengagement when the limits of safe operation of the transfer system are reached. The disconnection can also be carried out manually. Usually a dry break coupling will be used for this purpose so that no media can escape. The disconnection of the coupling will be executed in such a way, that one part of the valve closes the bunker line of the bunker facility and the other part of the valve stays on the receiving vessel and closes the bunker line respectively.
4.10 Quick Connect / Disconnect Coupler (QC / DC)
The QC / DC Coupling system is foreseen for a fast and safe assembly of the pipe connections. The QC/DC can be achieved hydraulically as well as mechanically.