Atlas Copco Compressors For LNG Carriers

The Atlas Copco Gas and Process Division announced it has secured what it calls a breakthrough compressor order for the LNG carrier market. The order from Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries calls for a total of eight heavy-duty centrifugal gas compressors, eight oil-free gas screw compressors along with the necessary heaters and vaporizers.

The equipment will be used on four 180,000 m3 vessels commissioned by Celsius Tankers. The first units will begin shipping from Atlas Copco Gas and Process to the customer beginning October, with the remainder of the machinery to be delivered in the second quarter of 2020.

“This order is a milestone in our marine LNG product development,” said Robert Radimeczky, president of the Gas and Process Division. “To be able to provide

the first ever oil-free gas screw compression technology for carrier vessels is a significant step in the evolution of our products.”

The new vessels will utilize Atlas Copco’s new oil-free gas screw compressors to feed WinGD X-DF two-stroke, low pressure, lean-burn dual fuel engines. Atlas Copco said the new compressor technology was specifically designed to meet modern carrier needs, including the X-DF pressure requirements and reduced flow of boil-off gas from improved insulation measures. The oil-free design also allows for significantly longer maintenance intervals compared to oil-flooded compressors and can be used with a reliquefaction system without any risk of oil contamination in heat exchangers or LNG cargo, the company said.