Theoretical and experimental analysis of the heating operation for cargo oil shipped on an actual voyage

ABSTRACT

Cargo oil should be kept at a particular temperature to prevent transport difficulties caused by the high viscosity and pour point during shipping. Optimisation of the heating/insulation scheme on cargo oil must be investigated by studying the heat transfer mechanism of cargo oil, associated with the voyage and hydrometeorological conditions. In this study, a theoretical model is developed to predict the heat transfer of cargo oil in an oil tanker. The heating/insulation data are also measured in two voyages and compared with the predicted results. The relative errors of the temperature between the voyage and predicted results range from 9∼15% and 4∼6% without and with consideration of the hydrometeorological conditions, respectively. The largest relative error of 15.1% is observed in the front cargo tank (1C) affected by the wave/wind conditions. A steam flow rate of 1000∼4000 kg/h is appropriated to optimise the heating/insulation scheme.

KEYWORDS:

• Oil tanker
• heating and thermal insulation
• heat transfer
• cargo oil tanks
• voyage data

Acknowledgement

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52101320 and No.52071203); the Startup Foundation for Young Teachers of Shanghai Ocean University (A2-2006-21-200325); the support of Fishery Engineering and Equipment Innovation Team of Shanghai High-level Local University; And the authors would like to express their gratitude for the support of Fishery Engineering and Equipment Innovation Team of Shanghai High-level Local University. The authors would also like to thank the support from the Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Full Penetration Far-reaching Offshore Ocean Energy and Power.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 52101320].