液化天然气（LNG)

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is purified natural gas consisting to more than 90 % of methane. It becomes liquid by cooling to –161 to –164°C. In this state it is odourless, colourless, only slightly toxic and non-corrosive. It is 600 times more compact than in its gaseous state and half as heavy as water. In the form of LNG, natural gas can be transported safely and economically over vast distances by sea in special tankers. This makes it a significant alternative to pipeline-bound natural gas.
Natural gas is highly sensitive and easily flammable. Strict safety regulations must therefore be observed and protective measures taken in LNG trains, the large-scale industrial plants for the liquefaction and re-gasification of natural gas.

STAHL CraneSystems is known internationally as an explosion protection specialist and is a world market leader in explosion protection technology. All our explosion-proof hoists and crane components as well as the methodical engineering solutions are based on our standard programmes. All parts come from our own production with certified quality assurance system. The strict European ATEX directives and international IECEx regulations for mechanical and electrical explosion protection are naturally fulfilled.

All three tanks are equipped with LNG hoisting technology in safety level 3A. The wire rope hoists with two separately driven rope drums with a lifting capacity of 2,400 kg each are used for maintenance work on the tanks’ liquefied gas pumps.
This project in northern China involved LNG wire rope hoists in safety level 1. The hoists are based on the SH 60 Ex wire rope hoist and are mounted on slewing cranes on the LNG tanks. With a lifting height of 58 metres, they can be used for loads up to 3,500 kg in weight.
The nely developed area for the LNG terminal near Corpus Christi in Texas is the first greenfield LNG project in the USA.
These export routes make it possible to tap new gas resources and allow states that were previously cut off from this market due to their location to enter the international gas business. Current LNG exporters are Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Algeria, Russia, Iran, Norway, Angola and the Ivory Coast. Importers are Japan, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Chile and Brazil, in future also Germany, Croatia and Poland.
Material durability, explosion protection and constant availability must be guaranteed even under extreme conditions. All hoist and trolley components are therefore enclosed and kept at a temperature above –20°C at all times. The crane bridges, trolley bars, endcarriages and crabs are made of low-temperature steel. STAHL CraneSystems supplied the explosion-proof AS 7 Ex ZW twin hoist with a lifting capacity of 100,000 kg.

LNG hoists for liquefied gas trains and terminals

The LNG hoists from STAHL CraneSystems are designed specifically for maintenance work on LNG tanks and are now employed successfully in many plants and terminals throughout the world. Thanks to the high-quality components, robust construction, corrosion-resistant finishes and many other features, they are ideally suited for use in coastal regions with challenging climatic conditions. The experts in our engineering department develop these customised hoists for crane manufacturers and EPC contractors to meet their individual requirements, specifications, quality standards and national regulations.

The LNG hoists come in four safety levels, from Level 1 with increased safety and Level 2 with two rope drums running in parallel to Level 3A with redundant hoists and Level 3B with additional oscillatory, spring-mounted suspension. The LNG wire rope hoists from STAHL CraneSystems in Level 3B are regarded as the safest explosion-proof hoists currently available on the market.

For all other operations in LNG trains, STAHL CraneSystems offers a whole portfolio of explosion-proof standard wire rope and chain hoists as well as individual off-standard solutions and complex engineering solutions.

International specialist for explosion-protected hoist and crane technology
Sophisticated engineering perfectly adapted to your project
Perfected through use of tried-and-tested standard components
Our own production with certified quality assurance
All off-standard solutions certified to ATEX directives or IECEx regulations
Partner for international, official processes
Complete documentation

Useful links

You can find detailed information in our brochure The LNG engineering solution and under the following links:

ATEX – Equipment for explosive atmospheres
IECEx – International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres
DVGW – Data and facts on LNG
BMWi – Instruments used to secure gas supply