Reliquefaction Plant Fabrication

Every cargo of LNG or LPG generates boil-off gas. Whether you burn it, vent it or reliquefy it is an economic decision — and on longer voyages and higher-value cargoes, reliquefaction pays for itself in cargo retained.

Meritus coordinates the sourcing and fabrication of reliquefaction modules and their major components from Chinese shops, delivered as pre-tested skids wherever the arrangement allows, so integration work at the yard is reduced to connections rather than construction.

Capabilities

Complete reliquefaction skids for LNG, LPG and ethylene
BOG compressors and drivers
Cryogenic heat exchangers and cold boxes
Nitrogen and Brayton cycle equipment
Pre-commissioned modular delivery
Compressor performance testing witnessed
Cryogenic leak and control-loop testing
Insulation and cold-box integrity review

Scope we cover

Complete reliquefaction skids for LNG, LPG and ethylene service; BOG compressors and drivers; cryogenic heat exchangers and cold boxes; nitrogen cycle and Brayton-cycle equipment; separators, receivers and condensate return; instrumentation, control panels and the associated cryogenic pipework and valves.

Modular delivery

Building a reliquefaction plant as a pre-commissioned module moves labour off the critical path. Piping, wiring, insulation and instrumentation are completed and tested in the shop, in controlled conditions, and the module arrives ready to connect. It also makes inspection far more practical — we can witness a functional test on a skid in a way that is impossible once the same equipment is distributed across a machinery space.

Inspection and testing

We witness compressor performance testing, cryogenic leak testing and control-loop checks before release, and review the insulation and cold-box integrity work that is impossible to correct once installed. Every order runs through the same quality chain: shop pre-qualification, material traceability against mill certificates, in-process and final inspection, and a documentation pack released before shipment.

Failure modes we inspect for

Compressor performance curves generated on a different gas composition than the design case. Cold-box insulation closed out before the internal pipework was leak-tested. Control loops proven individually but never as a sequence. And skid framing designed for lifting but not for the accelerations of a sea voyage, which is where a surprising share of arrival damage originates.

How an order runs

Enquiry and specification review; shop shortlisting against the actual scope rather than a general vendor list; quotation with the inspection plan priced in, not added later; kick-off with agreed hold and witness points; in-process inspection at those points; final inspection, document pack release and shipment; arrival support if anything is queried. For reliquefaction the module is functionally tested as an assembly before release, since that is the last practical opportunity to do so.

Standards and certifications referenced

ASME Section VIII
ASME B31.3
IMO IGC Code
ISO 9001:2015
IEC 61511 (functional safety)

Frequently asked questions

Why reliquefy boil-off gas rather than burn it?

On higher-value cargoes and longer voyages, retaining the cargo is worth more than the fuel value of burning it — and on vessels without gas-burning capability, reliquefaction is the alternative to venting.

Can reliquefaction plants be delivered as pre-tested modules?

Yes, and Meritus prefers it. Piping, wiring, insulation and instrumentation are completed and tested in shop conditions, which reduces yard labour and makes meaningful inspection possible.

Which cargoes does this cover?

LNG, LPG and ethylene service, with the cycle and materials selected for the cargo and the boil-off rate.

What is witnessed before shipment?

Compressor performance testing, cryogenic leak testing, control-loop and sequence checks, and cold-box integrity review before insulation closes.

Request a Quote

Contact Meritus Technology's ISO 9001:2015 certified procurement desk in Shanghai for reliquefaction plant fabrication — supplier verification, QA/QC, and global shipping. Request a quote or contact us.