1. A new dimension in LNG vessel automation
Kongsberg is a leading supplier of complex Integrated Automation Systems (IAS) for highly
advanced special vessels worldwide. Applications covered by the technology include field
exploration and drilling, oil and gas processing (FPSOs and fixed installations), shuttle tankers
and LNG carriers.
Close co-operation with ship owners, yards and other main suppliers during vessel design and
commissioning ensures an integrated solution, which makes the complete system more
efficient in both economical and technical aspects. Both end user and yard will benefit from
the advantage of one supplier taking complete responsibility for the integration of the system.
The design criteria for Kongsberg’s Integrated Automation System is reliability and safety,
characteristised by:
• Segregation – autonomous process areas have dedicated process controllers with
distributed I/O units
• Redundancy within data communication network and process controllers
• Simplicity – small range of components to facilitate modularization
• Fault tolerant design, based on fail-safe principles
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2. Integrated solution - The Full Picture
By integrating the different functions into the IAS, the overall need for hardware and
software functions and interfacing requirements is reduced, which leads to less demand for
special software, cabling and testing. Furthermore, integrated systems offer a far greater
degree of redundancy and therefore increased system availability and operation performance.
Ex Net
Custody Transfer System
Tunnel Thruster
Redundant Ex Net
The modern Integrated Automation System is a distributed monitoring
and control system covering all important functions on board, such as
control and monitoring of:
Data Net
Engine Cargo
• Power management • Loading / offloading
RIO 400 Ex
• Auxiliary machinery • Boil Of Gas (BOG)
• Ballast / bunker • LD / HD compressor control
• Boiler ACC / RMS • Load and stability calculator
• Main steam turbine
Custody Transfer System (CTS)
Safety Management System
• Cargo ESD
• Fire and gas monitoring
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3. The Operator Station (OS) is based upon the Windows XP operating system.
Dedicated process displays are created in conjunction with the customer, to provide the
best operational environment.
Historic logging of alarms, events and process variables is available for display in trends and
Integrated Bridge historic event lists. Reporting and data export facilities are also provided through
• Vessel Automation administrative net. All process instruments, motors, valves, sensors, etc. are interfaced to the
• Machinery Control Field Stations (FS) via an extended use of Remote I/O units. These are available both for
• Navigation hazardous and safe areas. Algorithms for process control and monitoring as well as alarm
Compressor
Room generation are executed in the redundant process controllers within the Field Stations.
The high-speed data communication between the various computers in the system is via a
redundant network. Network segmentation (bridging) and traffic monitoring are also
Local Operator
available.
Station CCR
Cargo, Ballast
Load Calculator Voyage Data Remote Diagnostic
Recorder
Remote Joystick
Control
Fire
Monitoring
Main Boiler
Control
Gensets
Diesel/Turbines ECR
• Machinery Control
• Power Management Historical Station
• Auxilliaries
Steam Turbine/Gear
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4. Control philosophy for various applications
Kongsberg’s main goal has been to develop an IAS capable of
implementing all features that may appear for LNG carriers, both today
and in the future.
All control options, both manual and semi-automatic, that exist in
today’s systems are maintained.
Automatic control is implemented for:
• Cargo pump discharge pressure
• Spray pump pressure
• Spray nozzle pressure
• Low and high duty compressor capacity
• Vaporiser and heather flow and temperature
Cargo handling control and monitoring of:
• Cargo tank
• Gas Management System (GMS)
• Manifold operation
• LD Compressor
• HD Compressor
• Heathers
• Vaporisers
Cargo tank control and monitoring of:
• Cargo pumps
• Spray pumps
• Temperature indicator
• Volume calculations
Boiler operation (ACC/ BMS)
• Alternative fuel options (HF / BOG)
• Valve operation
• Steam pressure
• Water level
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5. Additional functionality, by means of Operational elements already prepared for
sequencing add further value to cargo integration with IAS are:
operation: • Safety application covering Cargo-ESD and F&G systems
• Cool down cargo tanks • Online load and stability calculator
• Cargo loading including line set-up • Training simulator
• Cargo unloading including line detachment • Thruster control
• Ballast control during loading and unloading • Remote satellite diagnosis service
• Ballast control during voyage • Communication link between vessel and management office
• Power management of steam and diesel generator sets
• BOG control i.e. cargo tanks to steam turbine
Sequence Control, performing automatic firing of burners
for HF oil and BOG gas
• Overview of all sequence step
• Manual override control per sequence steps
• Interlock status overview
Trending functionality
• All analog input signals
• Adjustable time span axis
• Pop-up frames transferable to other mimics
Custody Transfer System
• Loading report
• Unloading report
• Manual input of cargo level
• All relevant cargo tank information
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6. CTS – Custody Transfer System
Kongsberg radar based level gauging systems and Custody Transfer Systems have been in
operation on gas tankers since 1989.
The Custody Transfer System (CTS) is designed for LNG carriers, both with spherical and
membrane type tanks. The radar based level gauging system, the temperature sensors and the
pressure transmitters are all specially designed to provide continuous and reliable accuracy in
the demanding environment of liquefied gas. With the unique AutroCAL® function we have
provided the market with the first fully automated calibration and verification method
commercially available.
Shore Communication Temperature and
Pressure Transmitter
Radar Based
Level Gauge
Integrated Bridge
System
Still Pipe Joints with
Reflector Plate
CCR
Back up
Display Temperature Sensors
ECR
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7. AutroCAL® - the unique calibration and verification function
Gas vapour density and the mixture of gases influence the propagation speed of the radar
signal and thus the accuracy of the measurements. By using the designed still pipe joint
signatures for continuous measurement and calibration, combined with accurate temperature
measurement, AutroCAL® continuously compensates for inaccuracies caused by the
differences in the propagation speed. Thus, our AutroCAL® verification and calibration
function automatically ensures that the same high accuracy is maintained over the whole
measurement range, independent of the gas mixture and its partial pressure.
Housing for Sensor Electronics
Connection Box
Radar Antenna
Temperature measurement
Pressure measurement
Flange for Tank Penetration
Teflon Plate facing Cargo
Temperature sensor pipe
Pipe support Teflon lining (PEHD)
Fastening Brackets
Circular still pipe, 50mm diameter
stainless steel or aluminium alloy
Pipe Joints, with teflon
signature plate
Reflection from cargo surface
Reflection from teflon signature in still pipe
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8. Bridge Line® Integrated Navigation System
The Kongsberg integrated navigation bridge provides a truly integrated and class compliant
system with integrated navigation and manoeuvring capabilities. It is designed for one-man
operation, with functionality that allows maximum time for observation and decision making.
The navigation bridge equipment can be scaled to requirements and extended with bridge
wing consoles, and planning and survey centre.
Our bridge solutions offer improved situational awareness for watch officers, providing a
complete real-time picture of the ship’s position and movement, with correlation of overlaid
radar targets on electronic chart display and information systems.
The core of the BridgeLine® system consists of the DataBridge® radar/ARPA display, the
SeaMap® Electronic Chart Display and Information System and the Conning information
display.
The adaptive autopilot constantly feels the behaviour of the vessel and adjusts the use of
rudder to match the actual conditions. The autopilot can be operated via its own panel, or
remote controlled from any DataBridge® or SeaMap unit®. When connected to the BridgeLine®
system, the standard heading mode is accompanied with three additional steering modes:
• Course - wind and current compensated heading mode
• Waypoint steering
• Full ANTS approved track control
Added values
A full scale vessel management system is obtained when our navigation system is integrated
with the automation system.
With different functions applied on the same hardware platforms, the amount of onboard
spare parts can be reduced and savings made. In addition, excellent maintainability and simple
upgrading solutions reduces overall life cycle costs.
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9. Simulation/Engineering
SIMULATION
Kongsberg can supply a simulator with functions that mirror the vessel system, which can be
used either by the ship yard or the ship’s crew. The simulator enables easy familiarization with
the operation of the vessel with functionality including loading/unloading, BOG handling,
Power Management and Boiler Contol.
ENGINEERING
Kongsberg will provide engineering services to assist the customer in design of the control
system, i. e. establish the functional requirements for the control of various machinery. This
will typically include:
• Facilitate the interface meetings/discussions with yard and other sub-suppliers
• Checking control requirements/interface diagrams for machinery, switchboard, motor
control centres, solenoid valve cabinets, etc.
• Checking system response time requirements for each control loop
• Detection of possible failure modes and the required response to the identified faults
• Defining distribution of process segments and I/O signals to the different process cabinets
based on requirements of system perfomance, limitation of field cables, authority
requirements, etc.
• Specification of serial interface to other suppliers
• Write Functional Design Specification (FDS) for the control system
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10. The new standard LNG Carrier
Today’s high activity in the gas transport market, combined with the price fluctuations on
LNG, motivates the development of alternative propulsion methods for LNG Carriers.
Propulsion alternatives for future LNG Carriers:
• Two stroke engines based on HFO only
• Medium speed Dual-Fuel engines (BOG/LFO) for electrical propulsion
• Gas turbines for electric or direct propulsion
• Improvement of existing steam driven propulsion plant
Additionaly, other loading and offloading principles are also under further development,
including regasification units and buoy connection to onshore pipelines.
Regasification CTS
Reliquefaction
RIO 400
Tunnel Thruster
Submerged Turret
Loading
RIO 400 Ex
Data Net
Redundant Ex NET
Ex NET
Engine Control Room
• Machinary Control
• Power Management
• Auxilliaries
• Historic Station
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11. Propulsion with Two Stroke Engine
Integrated Bridge Remote
• Dynamic Positioning Diagnostic
• Vessel Automation
• Machinery Monitoring
Cargo Control Room
Data Voyage
• Load Calculator
Recorder
• Cargo
• Ballast
Remote Joystick
Thermal
Bog Oxidizer
Fire Monitoring
System
Dual Fuel
Electrical
Propulsion
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12. Upgrading
Kongsberg’s vessel control system has successfully been retrofitted on existing LNG carriers
in order to extend the vessel’s lifetime. The structure of the these systems makes it easy to
install, and minimizes cabling by using existing field cabling as much as possible.
We can also take on responsibility for engineering of cabling and field instrumentation.
Upgrading may for example include:
• Power management w/ auxilliary machinery control
• Ballast / cargo monitoring and control
• Custody Transfer System
• Navigation system
• Propulsion
These integrated upgrades provide a modern vessel control system that utilises sophisticated
technology for safe and efficient vessel operation.
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