Synthesis, Design and Operation Optimization of the Marine Energy System for a Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier

Abstract

The synthesis, design and operation optimization of the marine energy system for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessel is performed in this study. A realistic problem is formulated based on a detailed thermoeconomic model of the energy system components and the production of boil-off gas from the LNG cargo, which is used as the main fuel of the system. The time varying operation requirements of the vessel are identified and the problem is solved in a time dependent form. A novel optimization algorithm is used based on social and evolutionary metaphors. The results indicate that the duration of the trip (route) of the vessel has a significant effect on the optimum synthesis of the system.

Keywords

• synthesis optimization, marine energy systems, particle swarm optimization