VTG, Chart display first tank wagon for LNG transport on European rails
VTG Aktiengesellschaft, wagon hire and rail logistics company, is celebrating a European premiere. Under the brand LNG by Rail, the company is showcasing Europe’s first tank wagon for transporting LNG to the public during the ‘transport logistic’ trade fair in Munich. Chart Ferox is partnering VTG in designing the tank. The tank wagon makes it possible to supply Europe with environmentally-friendly natural gas in future using environmentally-friendly rail transport regardless of the presence of pipelines.
Two LNG tank wagons will replace four trucks and five tank containers on the road. “We are very pleased to be able to present our LNG prototype. Three years from the project launch, the wagon has finally taken on physical form and can be touched and tested by customers and any other interested parties,” said Heiko Fischer, CEO of VTG Aktiengesellschaft.
VTG has developed and built two prototypes for transporting LNG by rail. Chart Ferox built the tank. It is fitted with special insulation, which allows the cryogenic (-162° C) LNG to remain in the tank wagon for up to six weeks. A vacuum has been generated for the gas for this purpose between the inner tank and the surrounding outer tank. Special suspension and bearing technology for the inner tank inside the outer tank afforded particular effort in its development.
Moreover, extensive vibration calculations and tests needed to be performed by the VTG and the Chart designers for this purpose. Operational authorization for the wagon was already issued by the German Federal Railway Authority in mid-April making now series production possible.
