Gas tanks can be independent type or not self supported.

Independent tanks are completely self-supporting and do not

form part of the ship’s hull and do not contribute to the hull
strength. Depending mainly on design pressure, there are three
different types of independent tanks for gas carriers A, B and
C. Membrane tanks are not self-supporting tanks; they consist of
a thin layer (membrane), normally not exceeding 1 mm thick,
supported through insulation by the adjacent hull structure. The
membrane is designed in such a way that thermal and other
expansion or contraction is compensated for, and there is no
undue stressing of it. The membrane design has been developed
for carriage of LNG. Semi-membrane tanks are not self-
supporting; they consist of a layer which is supported through
insulation by the adjacent hull structure. The rounded parts of
the layer are designed to accommodate thermal expansion and
contraction, and other types thereof. The semi-membrane design
has been developed for carriage of LNG, and the material of
construction is 9% nickel steel or aluminium. Integral tanks
form a structural part of the ship’s hull and are influenced by the
same loads which stress the adjacent hull structure, and in the
same manner. This form of cargo containment is not normally
allowed if the cargo temperature is below -10degC. Today, this
containment system is partly used on some LPG ships dedicated
to the carriage of butane.
1. Type A (independent)
- plain surfaces
- 0.7 barg
- fully refrigerated cargoes
2. Type B (independent)
- plain surfaces
- stress analyzes more required than type A (due to higher pressure)
3. Type C (independent)
- cylindrical or spherical shape
- over 2barg
- fully pressurized, semi-refrigerated, fully refrigerated
- accurate stress analyzes required

4. Membrane tank
- supported by insulation and adjacent structure
- material: lnvar (36% nickel steel) or 9% nickel steel, 1mm thick
- 0.25barg
- usually for LNG

5. Semi-membrane tank
- supported by insulation and adjacent structure
- material: 9% nickel steel or aluminum
- 0.25barg
- usually for LNG

6. Integral tank
- structural part of hull
- 0.25barg
- temperature higher than -10degC
- – usually for LPG (butane)

Thermal insulation must be fitted to refrigerated cargo tanks to

minimize heat flow into cargo tanks reducing boil-off and to
protect the general ship structure around the cargo tanks from
the effects of low temperature. The insulation must be vapour-
sealing to prevent ingress of water or water vapour. Not only
can ingress of moisture result in loss of insulation efficiency but
progressive condensation and freezing can cause extensive
damage to the insulation.
Dome piping arrangement