Samsung Heavy Industries Receives Certification for Next-Generation Re-liquefaction System 'X-Reli'

Obtained Detailed Design Approval (DDA) from US Classification Society ABS
Next-Generation System Applying Samsung Heavy's Patented Technology... CO2 Emission Reduction
Integration with Smart Ship Technology... Expected to Lead LNG Ship Market

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 7th that its LNG reliquefaction system for low-pressure engines (X-DF), called 'X-Reli,' developed with proprietary technology, has obtained the Detailed Design Approval (DDA) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Reliquefaction is a technology that re-liquefies the boil-off gas (BOG) generated inside the cargo tanks of LNG carriers and stores it back in the tanks, thereby preserving the cargo volume without loss. Recently, shipping companies have shown increasing interest in applying reliquefaction systems to actively respond to various operating conditions such as long-term berthing or slow steaming, considering seasonal price fluctuations in LNG supply and demand.

Unlike existing reliquefaction systems from advanced overseas engineering firms, Samsung Heavy Industries' patented 'X-Reli' is a next-generation system capable of reliquefying all boil-off gas except the gas required for ship operation without using a separate refrigerant.

By applying this system, CO2 emissions caused by unnecessary combustion of boil-off gas during berthing or slow steaming can be reduced, and cargo volume can be preserved, which is expected to enhance the competitiveness of LNG carrier orders.

In particular, Samsung Heavy Industries will maximize shipowners' trust in the system by being the first in the industry to manufacture a reliquefaction system at actual ship capacity scale (with the same specifications as systems installed on actual LNG carriers) and verifying it at its own onshore LNG demonstration facility.

Additionally, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to develop remote monitoring and maintenance functions for X-Reli and build it as a total system integrated with its proprietary smart ship technology, 'SVESSEL.'

Shim Yong-rae, head of the Shipbuilding and Offshore Research Institute at Samsung Heavy Industries, emphasized, "We have secured proprietary technology that can actively respond to client demands through the development of the next-generation reliquefaction system. We will continue to lead the LNG-related market by advancing differentiated core technologies, including integration with smart ship technology."

Meanwhile, Samsung Heavy Industries has been focusing on securing proprietary LNG core technologies, such as successfully localizing the natural gas (NG) liquefaction facility, a core technology of FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas production facility), for the first time in the industry last August.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.