IP Library Granted Patent US 12,693,070
Granted Patent B2
US 12,693,070 · App. 18/702,180 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Micro-leak detection system of reliquefication system for ship

Inventors: Jihoon Song (Siheung-si, KR); Won Jae Choi (Siheung-si, KR); Seung Chul Lee (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: HANWHA OCEAN CO., LTD.
F25J1/0256F25J1/0025F25J1/0277F25J2290/72
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,693,070
App. No.
18/702,180
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein is a micro-leak detection system of a reliquefaction system for ships. The micro-leak detection system includes: a reliquefaction system reliquefying boil-off gas generated from a liquefied gas stored in a storage tank in a ship by recovering cold heat from the boil-off gas in a heat exchanger, compressing the boil-off gas, and cooling the compressed boil-gas in the heat exchanger through heat exchange with refrigerant circulated along a refrigerant circulation line; a heater heating the boil-off gas to be supplied from the storage tank to the heat exchanger through heat exchange with an antifreeze liquid; and a micro-leak detection device connected to a drain port through which a remaining liquid is drained from the heater and detecting small leaks in the heater.

Claims (15)

1 . A micro-leak detection system of a reliquefaction system for ships, comprising:

a reliquefaction system reliquefying boil-off gas generated from a liquefied gas stored in a storage tank of a ship by recovering cold heat from the boil-off gas in a heat exchanger, compressing the boil-off gas, and cooling the compressed boil-off gas in the heat exchanger through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulated along a refrigerant circulation line;

a heater heating the boil-off gas to be supplied from the storage tank to the heat exchanger through heat exchange with an antifreeze liquid; and

a micro-leak detection device connected to a drain port through which a remaining liquid is drained from the heater and detecting small leaks in the heater.

2 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the micro-leak detection device comprises:

a connection tube fastened to the drain port and extending downwards therefrom; and

a leak detection unit provided to the connection tube to detect the presence of the liquid discharged from the drain port.

3 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 2 , wherein the micro-leak detection device further comprises:

a first shut-off valve disposed on the connection tube at an inlet side of the leak detection unit;

a second shut-off valve disposed on the connection tube at an outlet side of the leak detection unit; and

a tube plug disposed at a lower end of the connection tube.

4 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 3 , wherein the first shut-off valve is operated in a normally open state and the second shut-off valve is operated in a normally closed state, and, during maintenance of the heater, the second shut-off valve is opened to drain the remaining liquid from the heater.

5 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 3 , wherein the leak detection unit is a sight glass to visually detect the presence of the liquid discharged from the drain port.

6 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 3 , wherein the leak detection unit is a liquid level detector to detect and measure the liquid discharged from the drain port.

7 . The micro-leak detection system according to claim 1 , ny wherein the heat exchanger is provided as a cryogenic heat exchanger, and the heater is provided as a shell-tube heat exchanger.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: SONG, JIHOON; CHOI, WON JAE; LEE, SEUNG CHUL
To: HANWHA OCEAN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 067551/0155 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2021-0147145 · Oct 29, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250230974A1 · Jul 17, 2025
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