Four students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics at the University of Patras have been involved in Poseidon Med II field of work, by studying the LNG flow during a vessel’s bunkering process , for their diploma thesis.

The deep knowledge around the properties and mechanics of LNG and its interaction with the vessel’s pipelines and tanks is of critical importance, enabling safe LNG bunkering operations.

The students -Dimitrios Koutras, Ioannis Konstantopoulos, Theodore Sarris, Emmanuel Trikilis, – have conducted at the University’s Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and its Applications, numerical simulations examining:

• The LNG flow during bunkering operation using 2D and 3D geometry, while entering the receiving vessel’s tank during ship-to-ship,
• The truck-to-ship and shore-to-ship bunkering operations
• The methane flow during the pre-cooling process.

Among the outcomes of their work are the development of initial computational models, which will assist in the optimisation of the bunkering process of ships, safeguarding high safety standards that are in alignment with the environmental mandates for greener and clean maritime transportations.

Mr. George Polychroniou, Poseidon Med II Project Manager and Executive Director Strategy & Business Development at DEPA S.A. commented: ‘The Poseidon Med II program actively supports the research and development of new technologies related to liquefied natural gas. In this context, we are committed to creating synergies with all institutions and social partners, in order to establish a sustainable and efficient supply chain that will enable the introduction of liquefied natural gas as a fuel in the Eastern Mediterranean marine transportation. As the Coordinator of the Poseidon Med II program, I wish to hereby thank Professor Margaris and the students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics of the University of Patras for their excellent cooperation. Poseidon Med II supports the collaboration with young scientists, and we hope more opportunities will be available for further interaction with the University of Patras’.

Professor, Mr. Dionysios – Eleftherios Margaris, Director of the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and its Applications of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics of the University of Patras, stated: ‘The use of LNG as a marine fuel is an important factor for the development of the gas market, while leading to a reduction in emissions and the gradual harmonization with the European Union Directives on the use of alternative fuels in shipping, in order to reduce the environmental burden. Within this context, the collaboration of the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and its Applications of the Department of Mechanical  Engineering and Aeronautics of the University of Patras, with the ongoing Poseidon Med II program, stands as the starting point for the active participation of the research personnel of the region, in an effort to achieve the above objective. The development of research activity and know-how by our Laboratory, on the modeling of the supply of ships with LNG, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, can contribute, along with the other available methods, to a more adequate understanding of the procedures as well as on the decision-making  on establishing safety zones in port area and dealing with emergencies. Furthermore, the elaboration of these diploma theses enabled the students of the Department to gain valuable knowledge and experiences. 

What is Poseidon Med II project?

Poseidon Med II project is a practical roadmap which aims to bring about the wide adoption of LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low-carbon future. The project, which is co-funded by the European Union, involves three countries Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Lemesos, Venice, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa) as well as the Revithoussa LNG terminal. The project brings together top experts from the marine, energy and financial sectors to design an integrated LNG value chain and establish a well-functioning and sustainable LNG market.