Breaking the barriers of small-scale LNG: Galileo launches the Cryobox

Seven Cryobox^® LNG-Production Stations, designed and manufactured by Galileo, will fuel the tanks of the "Francisco", the world´s first high speed passenger RO-RO ship powered by Gas Turbines fed on LNG.

LNG bunkering: seven Cryobox LNG-Production Stations will fuel the tanks of the “Francisco” ferry, which is the world´s first high speed passenger RO-RO ship powered by gas turbines fed on LNG.

It will also be the first time that a sea transportation company, such as Buquebus, becomes its own self supplier of a fuel, which is in turn the environmentally cleanest alternative. It will be the world’s first LNG bunkering experience. Developed and patented by Galileo, the Cryobox is the newest LNG production technology that enables this paradigm shift.

LNG into consumer’s hands

So far, the small-scale production of LNG was unaffordable for private business companies interested in a clean burning, low-cost and light weight alternative source of energy. Only oil & gas major exporting countries could afford and manage the complex value chain and facilities necessary for its production and delivery.

The Cryobox LNG-Production Station overcomes these hurdles through a cost effective solution, characterized by a high-pressure thermodynamic cycle that converts natural gas into liquid by cooling its temperature below -153 °C. Having a customizable LNG production capacity, it can reach a peak of 12 tpd (tons per day) or 7,000 gpd (gallons per day). It is a small-scaled mobile and packaged LNG production plant, which is ready to be shipped anywhere on a trailer for its immediate start-off.

Operating together, the seven Cryobox stations commisioned by Buquebus will be able to produce 84 tpd or 49,000 gpd of LNG and then trucked from the surroundings of Buenos Aires to the Buquebus’ wharf.

LNG pioneer: the “Francisco” ferry

The “Francisco” is an innovative ferry in all respects, being the LNG usage one of the most ambitious. This 100 metre ship will be the largest catamaran operated by Buquebus on the River Plate waters; and the fastest, environmentally cleanest, most efficient, high speed ferry in the world.

With capacity for 950 passengers and approximately 156 cars, it has a projected lightship speed of 53 knots, and an operating speed of 50 knots. The passenger cabin will include tourist, business and first class seating.

Launched in Australia by Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd it is the first high speed craft built under the British Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC code) powered by Gas Turbines using LNG as the primary fuel and marine distillate for standby and ancillary use.

This is a huge step in a new era of eco-sustainable heavy duty transportation. “The integration of Galileo’s technologies in this challenge will demonstrate that LNG is the most suitable and cleanest power alternative for long-haul trucks; delivery fleets; buses; bunkering solutions; and railroad locomotives, when long distances should be covered, even when the odds of refueling are widely scattered,” said Osvaldo del Campo, CEO of Galileo.

“Since LNG has a superior energetic density than any other diesel substitute, it is possible to charge more fuel to cover longer distances in the same tank,” he added.