You make LNG usable. We make you safe.

Liquid LNG is conveyed from the tanker to the regasification plant on land or an FSRU using a ship loading arm. Since loading arms are also suitable for cryogenic, highly combustible products, they are designed to be explosion-protected. This is a must for the control panels of the loading arm, too. Often, a cabinet which is made up of two Ex e enclosures and two Ex d enclosures is used. In order to operate several loading arms that are distributed over a large area, several local explosion-protected control terminals can be used, combined with a hermetically sealed panel and a terminal box with increased safety.

Alternatively, explosion-protected portable control devices are suitable, where handheld transmitters with an extension cable is used. Pluggable suspended devices, to which an explosion-protected plug connector can be connected at the respective rotational joint, provide a simple solution, but one which is liable to wear and tear. Wireless control solutions are more convenient where, the receiver is located within a flameproof CUBEx enclosure on the hydraulic unit. In addition, a software package on the HMI can be useful for monitoring the position of the loading arms. For each arm, a remote I/O system, which transmits the position values via a bus network to the control and monitoring system, is installed in the Ex enclosure.

Before the regasified natural gas can be fed into a distribution grid or a gas-fired power station, it must be compressed to a certain pressure. Various types of compressor are available to do this. The patented EXpressure technology from R. STAHL combines safety and cost-efficiency whilst also meeting requirements for space and weight problems that often occur. It is used in a number of ways, including for motor actuators and power distribution boards, which can therefore be made significantly lighter and more compact. There are benefits for pump units, too. EXpressure is a development of the flameproof enclosure, which safely dissipates the explosion pressure in cabinets and control stations via flow channels. An enclosure manufactured to industrial cabinet dimensions, fitted with industrial components, can therefore be positioned in Zone 1 or 2. For a compact construction design in Zone 1, intrinsically safe IS1+ remote I/O stations, which can be used on FSRUs, are also suitable.

Pumps that convey seawater to the heat exchanger in the regasification plant are usually located in close proximity to pipes carrying LNG or natural gas. Therefore, high safety standards must be maintained, particularly regarding explosion protection. R. STAHL equips the pumping skids with safety switches, as well as alarm signal emitters and terminal boxes. They safely disconnect the electrical energy supply from the machines for cleaning and repairs. All of the installed load disconnect switches have an AC-3 motor switching capacity. Furthermore, explosion-protected motor control units can be used – in a standard version in the Ex d enclosure with Ex e connection chamber, or in the particularly robust CUBEx special version, located fully in the Ex d enclosure. The motor control units can be adapted to any requirement with a transformer, main fuses and control fuses, as well as a variety of explosion-protected control and monitoring systems.

A combination of remote I/O systems, bus communication and suitable HMIs can be used for complete monitoring of loading arms, pump skids and compressor systems. For example, the SHARK panel PCs or the SHARK KVM operating stations from R. STAHL are suitable for the harsh, hazardous environment at the interface of LNG unloading and regasification. They are both available in the rugged design, i.e. resistant to vibrations and seawater. The measuring and diagnostics data from auxiliary contacts, position sensors, miniature circuit breakers, residual current circuit breakers, load disconnect switches and safety switches, etc. is then clearly presented. It is particularly useful when the system indicates wear and, therefore the possible failure of components, well in advance. For this purpose, the IS1+ remote I/O system, which is also suitable for maritime applications, has an integrated function for predictive maintenance. It is approved for use in Zones 1 and 2.

Audible and visual alarm signal emitters complement R. STAHL's portfolio of equipment for the whole LNG infrastructure. Explosion-protected camera systems and communications technology with cable-based or wireless-based transmission are important elements of explosion protection solutions in regasification.

Moreover, the portfolio includes explosion-protected lighting technology, comprising a suitable combination of linear luminaires, tubular light fittings, emergency luminaires, hand lamps and floodlights. Modern LED technology as well as conventional fluorescent lamps are used here. Those in favour of digital light management using the DALI standard according to IEC 62386 benefit from energy savings and increased service lives of the luminaires. Digital networking allows the LED intensity and dimming behaviour to be set and adapted to the operational sequences with timing controls, as well as presence sensors and daylight sensors. This means that the lighting on the unloading arm will only be switched on when unloading activities are actually taking place. Furthermore, the DALI interface also permits reverse communication, so that error messages and brightness values for luminaires can be monitored.