Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a very widely used energy source in both industrial and residential applications.

CIMC ENRIC has done a lot of work in the research, design and manufacturing of LNG trailers. In this blog, we will elaborate on what is an LNG trailer and what to know about this means of transportation.

The discussion will focus on the following topics.

-Description of LNG trailers

-Construction of LNG trailers

-Different forms of insulation used by LNG trailers

What is an LNG trailer?

LNG trailers are specifically designed to transport liquefied natural gas. LNG trailers, also called LNG tank trailers, are widely used worldwide because they are cost effective, robust and flexible. The trailers are fitted with LNG cryogenic storage tanks to store LNG at very low temperatures (-162°C) and transport it.

One of the more unusual features of LNG trailers is the stringent working conditions of the storage tanks. During the transport of LNG in trailers, any of these conditions, including external thermal intrusion, shock or filling, and changes in atmospheric pressure, can result in boiling and gassing of the LNG.

Therefore, CIMC ENRIC always focuses on pressure control, gasification gas extraction and refrigeration cooling inside the tank when designing LNG tank trailers.

Structure of the Tank on LNG trailers

A LNG tank container generally has eight support points between the internal container and the external jacket. The four support points at the back are designed differently from the four support points at the front to prevent rear tubing breakage due to expansion and contraction of the inner vessel. The four support points at the back are fixed, while the four support points at the front are of a sliding design.

The connecting support between the inner container and the outer shell should be reliable and able to withstand the inertial force load impact such as:

-In the direction of motion, twice the maximum weight

-Horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of motion, for the maximum weight

-vertical direction upward, the maximum weight

-vertical direction downward, twice the maximum weight

Different Forms of Thermal Insulation on LNG Trailers

Today, there are four main forms of insulation commonly used in LNG tank trailers, which are:

-Wrapped insulation

-High vacuum insulation

-Powdered fiber insulation (vacuum)

-High vacuum multi-layer insulation (vacuum)

In this chapter, we will focus on the highest form of insulation, which is the high vacuum multilayer insulation. This type of insulation has an alternating structure and is made of materials with high reflectivity and low thermal conductivity.

High vacuum multilayer insulation requires a vacuum to eliminate gas heat transfer and thermal conductivity.

Multilayer insulation is made of two types of materials. The first is a highly reflective, low radiation material, such as aluminum foil, or aluminum polyester film. The second type includes materials that have low thermal conductivity and low outgassing rates and are often used as spacer materials. Examples of such materials include fiberglass cloth, fiber paper, nylon mesh, and netting.

Due to the low thermal conductivity of the second type of material, there is an intermediate layer between every two reflective screen materials. Therefore, high vacuum multi-layer insulation materials can effectively reduce the thermal conductivity of solids and maintain the low temperature inside the LNG tank.

The main advantages of high vacuum multi-layer insulation materials also include the following.

-Superb thermal insulation of the insulation layer

-Low thermal conductivity

-Small insulation space required

-Light effective mass

-Insulation layer is suitable for transporting liquids with low boiling points

What is an LNG trailer? Hopefully, after reading this simple guide, you have got the answer to this question. Much of the design work for an LNG trailer depends entirely on the nature of the LNG itself. And the choice of a quality LNG tank trailer depends on the buyer's knowledge of this transport equipment and its production process. This is why CIMC ENRIC is committed to providing our customers with more product knowledge.

If you are looking for safe and reliable LNG transport equipment, feel free to contact us.