(94f) Overview of Open Rack Vaporizer and Intermediate Fluid Type Vaporizer, and Possible Impact of the Warming Water to Environment

Open Rack Vaporizer and Intermediate Fluid type Vaporizer are supplied by Kobe Steel, both utilize sea water as heat medium, and are used in majority of major receiving terminals in the world, notably in Europe and Asia.

This article firstly introduces safety, and maintenance features of the vaporizers in detail, with their possible environmental impacts. Other special features of the vaporizers are also introduced.

Secondly, environmental issues associated with sea water heat exchangers, and solutions to the respective points are discussed. Preferred practice for injecting anti-biofouling chemicals such as sodium hypochloride is introduced. Possible influence on seawater temperature is discussed, and found out the magnitude will be negligible. Possibility of sucking fish eggs at seawater intake is also discussed, and the necessity of adequate site survey is addressed.

The discussion is supported by the comprehensive study of power plant waste water study conducted in Japan, also supported by recent installation and operational experiences.

Finally, comparison of emissions, including NOX, CO, CO2 and water, and CAPEX and OPEX are compared to show the best match for various possible installations. In relatively colder sea environment, partial usage of ORV often provides greater competitive edge.