A hybrid Eulerian-Largrangian multiphase-thermal flow simulation of evaporative spray cooling in LNG cargo tanks

Abstract

The safe loading of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into Cargo Containment Systems (CCS) requires an efficient precooling process to prevent thermal shock. This study develops a hybrid Eulerian-Largrangian multiphase-thermal model to simulate the LNG spray cooling process within membrane-type CCS. Using STAR-CCM+ 16.04, a comprehensive simulation framework was built to capture the complex dynamics of LNG droplet vaporization and heat transfer, incorporating detailed drag and vaporization models. Optimization tests on particle-grid sizes and solver configurations resulted in a 25 % improvement in computational efficiency, making the model scalable for large-scale simulations. The model's accuracy was validated against real-world operational data from an LNG carrier, demonstrating strong agreement in temperature variations over a 1-h cooling process. The simulation reveals key insights into the temperature distribution, fluid dynamics and thermal response of the insulation system, offering practical guidance for optimizing LNG spray operations. This study provides a significant contribution to improving the efficiency and safety of LNG storage and transport systems, with the potential to reduce cooling time and energy consumption in real-world applications.