ClassNK and Panama approve ‘Methanol Superstorage’ fuel tank design concept

SRC has received Approval in Principle (AiP) for its ‘Methanol Superstorage’ - an innovative tank design concept that uses a Sandwich Plate System (SPS) technology to almost double shipboard storage capacity for both methanol and ethanol – from both Class NK and Panama.

A joint AiP handover ceremony involving SRC, ClassNK and Panama’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Ginette Sophia Testa Barnett, was conducted at the IMO MEPC meeting (pictured).

The ClassNK AiP confirms that Methanol Superstorage is feasible for the intended application in accordance with the Society’s 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, Part A: Guidelines for Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuels (Edition 3.0.0)'.



In contrast to traditional fuel tanks, where internal and external walls are separated by a cofferdam of at least 600 mm, Methanol Superstorage features SPS technology - a solid elastomer core ‘sandwiched’ between two steel plates that is 25-millimetre-thick. The solution delivers 85% more storage capacity than a conventional tank. 



“With many methanol-ready ships now in operation, under construction or on order and ethanol also gaining traction, fuel storage has become an area of intense industry interest,” said Mr Ryohei Sakai (pictured, left), Manager (Project Hull), Technical Solution Department, ClassNK. “Because of its low volumetric energy density compared to HFO, a methanol tank would need to hold over twice the volume to generate the same energy, for example. This has consequences for ship range and design. SRC’s methanol fuel tank concept represents an approach to addressing this challenge.”
 


Methanol-fuelled vessels must follow the alternative design process, in which the final approval rests with the flag state. To reflect this, Panama’s expertise was brought into the review, with Panama also granting AiP to Methanol Superstorage.



“Receiving Approval in Principle for Methanol Superstorage from both ClassNK and Panama Maritime Authority represents a major step forward for SRC in our mission to achieve widespread industry acceptance for the solution,” commented Alex Vainokivi (centre), Innovation Manager, SRC Group.

“A Methanol Superstorage tank delivers almost twice the fuel storage volume of a traditional tank, while the SPS provides a triple barrier for fire protection, leak prevention and higher impact protection. It can also be retrofitted with minimal impact on the vessel’s general arrangement.”