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Welding consumables for the LNG Industry - Because Böhler Welding cares

2022-07-23 | 

LNG (liquefied natural gas) is a very relevant topic nowadays and will develop over time. The natural gas demand and production will continue to grow quickly in the coming years. We are seeing strong demand for LNG infrastructure for both exporting and importing countries as well as in LNG carriers and related gas pipelines.

Pierre Gérard, Vice President Global Industry Key Account Management, joined voestalpine Böhler Welding in 2013 and is in charge of our global industry key accounts team, answering all technical questions of customers in various industries. Today he’ll talk us through some challenges within the LNG industry and how voestalpine Böhler Welding prepares for the change in LNG.

 

What are our tasks within the LNG industry?

We are involved into the construction of LNG terminals and LNG carriers since the beginning of the technology. Important development have been done within the welding consumables section in order to both increase welding productivity and at the same time meet more stringent requirements on welding properties of weld metal.

 

Our goal is to be the most reliable partner in terms of welding consumables and welding solutions.

Pierre Gérard, Vice President Global Industry Key Account Management

This means being innovative and close to engineering companies in order to understand new requirements of the market. We work closely with our sister companies within the voestalpine group in order to support our customers with holistic packages.

What welding processes are used in the construction of LNG terminals and carriers?

In the construction of a LNG tank, there are mainly two welding positions involved.

»        The 2G position using SAW process and

»        the 3G up position using SMAW or FCAW.

Challenges are in reaching the designed mechanical properties of the weld metal and at the same time improving the welding productivity of these welding operations.

What do you see as challenges in completing these tasks?

There are many challenges when constructing a LNG tank. That’s why we offer our customers technical on-site support so that we can aid them immediately if something occurs. Welding with submerged arc process in 2G position for the horizontal joints of the rings can be quite testing. For example, the position of the welding torch, the welding parameters, the recycling of the welding flux… if one of these is not perfectly controlled, defects can occur. Welding with stick electrode or flux-cored wire in 3G up position can also be a challenge.

As for the submerged arc process, the support of our company is very often required to optimize the welding operations and to pass all NDT being mandatory and part of the quality system of our customers.

What do you expect for the future?

I believe that we will see in the future new plate material coming, allowing LNG tanks and carriers to be flexible on the cryogenic liquid to be transported or stored. voestalpine Böhler Welding is following very closely this trend and is working on the development of welding consumables and procedures to meet future technical requirements.

Take a look at our focus products:

SEGMENT

COMPONENT

APPLICATION

PRODUCT

LNG

LNG CRYOGENIC TANK

3G UP WELDING OF 9% NI-STEEL

  • SOUDONEL D
  • THERMANIT 625
  • FOXCORE 625-T1

LNG

LNG CRYOGENIC TANK

2G LONGITUDINAL WELDING OF 9% NI STEEL

  • THERMANIT C276 + MARATHON 104

LNG

LNG CRYOGENIC PIPPING

GIRTH WELD OF 308L OR 316L CRYOGENIC STAINLESS STEELS

  • THERMANIT JE-308L CRYO - TIG/MIG
  • THERMANIT JE-316L CRYO - TIG/MAG
  • FOXCORE 308L-T1 CRYO
  • FOXCORE 316L-T1 CRYO
  • THERMANIT JE-308L CRYO - SAW + MARATHON 431
  • THERMANIT JE-316L CRYO - SAW * MARATHON 431
  • BÖHLER FOX EAS 2 (LF)
  • BÖHLER FOX EAS 4 M (LF)

LNG

LNG CARRIER

9% LNG CONTAINMENT TANK WELDING

  • FOXCORE 625-T1
  • THERMANIT C276 + MARATHON 104
  • THERMANIT 17/15TT

We will stay tuned and keep you updated – Because Böhler welding cares.