(183b) Technical Challenges and Design Features of the Largest LNG Tank in Korea

Since the first LNG cargo was imported to Korea at the end of 1986, the downstream LNG industry of Korea has been remarkably developed in each sector from the receiving terminal to the nationwide trunkline network. As a result, LNG could be positioned to become a major primary energy source for the domestic market.

The importance of LNG storage facilities in Korea has recently been highlighted due to the country's considerable increase in consumption and the security of a stable supply against seasonal peak loads in winter, which have resulted in sizeable investments to address the issue in a timely manner.

This paper will discuss past major activities in the various fields of the LNG tank industry (such as engineering, construction, technology development, safety study, etc.) starting from the construction of the Pyeongtaek receiving terminal in 1986 to the design of the world's largest above-ground LNG tank which is scheduled to begin construction in early 2006. The design of this 200,000 m3 tank has been developed with an emphasis on security due to Korean geopolitical specifics. This paper also discusses the technical challenges and design features of the largest full containment.