OSV bulk handling system optimises use of below-deck space
Bulk handling systems found on almost all existing offshore supply vessels and those under construction use pressure vessels as bulk storage tanks, and discharge bulk cargo by compressed air. “Their main weakness lies in the basic principle of using pressure vessels as bulk tanks,” says MacGREGOR’s Pankaj Thakker.
The three most widely used bulk tank shapes all share a circular footprint which does not allow efficient use to be made of the valuable space on an OSV. A complicated piping layout and inconvenient location of pipes and valves are also disadvantages.
In May 2005 MacGREGOR entered the dry bulk handling sector of the offshore supply vessel market and tailored its Nordströms technology to meet the needs of this demanding environment. The fundamental principle of its hopper and blow pump concept is that the two main tasks of a bulk handling system – storage and discharge – are performed by two separate units. Cargo is received and stored in a hopper, whereas discharge is performed by a blow pump using compressed air. Technical solutions based on this concept have been successfully employed on cement carriers for the past 20 years.
Since the hopper is not performing the discharge operation it is not subjected to pressure and therefore can be rectangular in shape and easily integrated into the ship’s hull. It is obvious that the cargo capacity of this hopper would be considerably larger than that of conventional bulk tanks occupying same space: an increase in capacity of around 50 to 75 per cent may be realised.
MacGREGOR’s Bulk Handling division has sold 45 Nordströms bulk handling systems for offshore supply vessels, of which six are of the new system, since the introduction of this product in 2005. The equipment includes bulk tanks, maintenance free valves, pollution free venting, compressors and a control panel.
Nordströms Bulk Systems
OSV bulk handling system optimises use of below-deck space
Bulk handling systems found on almost all existing offshore supply vessels and those under construction use pressure vessels as bulk storage tanks, and discharge bulk cargo by compressed air. “Their main weakness lies in the basic principle of using pressure vessels as bulk tanks,” says MacGREGOR’s Pankaj Thakker.
The three most widely used bulk tank shapes all share a circular footprint which does not allow efficient use to be made of the valuable space on an OSV. A complicated piping layout and inconvenient location of pipes and valves are also disadvantages.
In May 2005 MacGREGOR entered the dry bulk handling sector of the offshore supply vessel market and tailored its Nordströms technology to meet the needs of this demanding environment. The fundamental principle of its hopper and blow pump concept is that the two main tasks of a bulk handling system – storage and discharge – are performed by two separate units. Cargo is received and stored in a hopper, whereas discharge is performed by a blow pump using compressed air. Technical solutions based on this concept have been successfully employed on cement carriers for the past 20 years.
Since the hopper is not performing the discharge operation it is not subjected to pressure and therefore can be rectangular in shape and easily integrated into the ship’s hull. It is obvious that the cargo capacity of this hopper would be considerably larger than that of conventional bulk tanks occupying same space: an increase in capacity of around 50 to 75 per cent may be realised.
MacGREGOR’s Bulk Handling division has sold 45 Nordströms bulk handling systems for offshore supply vessels, of which six are of the new system, since the introduction of this product in 2005. The equipment includes bulk tanks, maintenance free valves, pollution free venting, compressors and a control panel.
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Figure:
Hopper and blow pump bulk handling system
Attachments
nordströms (JPG)
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