Liquid Natural Gas Storage Integration Into Future Combatants
Abstract
The goal of this research is to approximate the Defense Acquisition System process for an acquisition category I program through the Milestone A decision to provide a high-level design and determine the impacts of implementing liquid natural gas (LNG) fuel on a baseline combatant ship. The motivation to explore alternative fuels for military application is provided from the 2022 National Security Strategy and other political, economic, and industrial factors to maintain energy security and combat the threat of climate change. An analysis of alternatives is conducted to determine the most viable alternative fuel from the most promising energy transition fuels. LNG is selected based on its alignment with the political, economic, and industrial factors. LNG poses significant design difficulties due to its cryogenic (-160 C) storage conditions. The primary components of the fuel storage and transfer system are designed based on industry standards using a1-D heat transfer model to meet a target boil off rate. The impacts to the baseline DDG-51 Flight I ship are modeled using the Parent-Design ship method for estimating surface ship weights. A parametric cost analysis and qualitative survivability analysis are performed. The results of the analysis reveal the baseline ship must increase in length and lightship weight by 22 percent to incorporate LNG as a fuel. The cost to produce the design ship is estimated to be 86 percent greater than the baseline with a lower survivability
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213685
Entities
People
- Lucas G. Tucker
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School