Numerical study on the effect of fire in the cargo area of tanker ship to on-deck LNG fuel tank

This study evaluates the fire safety of C-type LNG fuel tanks installed on the deck of LNG-powered tanker ship by conducting CFD-based fire simulation analysis. Hydrocarbon temperature curve was used to simulate the cargo area fire, and the effect of A-60 compartments, which is the insulation standards for ships, was analyzed. With A-60 on deck, the deck temperature was maintained at 140 °C, and the fire has minimal effect on the LNG fuel tank. In contrast, without the A-60, the temperature rise to over 800 °C in certain areas of tank support, but the insulation structure between support and tank prevented heat transfer to the LNG fuel tank. However, the high temperature air caused by the fire approached to the fuel tank due to natural convection flow. To reduce the risk, a shield plate was designed at the bottom of the fuel tank and the blocking effect of convection flow was verified.