LNG

QatarEnergy, the leading LNG exporter to Europe after the US, has suspended the sending of LNG carriers through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off Yemen after more US-led air strikes against Iran-backed Houthis and continued threats to shipping raised further security concerns.

Grupo HAM, the Spanish company that has opened more than 100 filling stations and now operates around 25 percent of existing facilities in Europe for LNG-powered trucks and other vehicles, has launched a new concept of mobile and transportable service stations.

The group’s new mobile unit, which is called EDUX, has been developed by its subsidiary HAM Criogénica, together with HAM’s research and development team who have been in charge of the design and construction.

The EDUX service station allows owners and operators to store and supply LNG for all types of trucks and heavy vehicles, keeping the liquid subcooled and adapting to the optimal temperature of the different brands.

The mobile units offer fast re-fuelling for Volvo, Scania or Iveco LNG-powered trucks. At the same time, the units allow fuel filling for compressed natural gas in cars, light vehicles and trucks.

HAM’s own network of LNG and CNG facilities is expanding in a growing number of countries with more than 30 in Spain and the others spread around the EU in France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands.

The group has also expanded its network by opening several natural gas stations in the South American nations of Chile and Peru.

The new mobile unit LNG filling station concept has 60,000 litres (60 cubic metres) of LNG capacity and works at low pressures (2-3 bar), has a submerged pump and can supply up to 12,000 kg/h of LNG and 300 Kg/h of CNG, with a capacity storage of 7,000Kg of CNG.

“The gas station has two ‘on the fly’ conditioning systems and has two LNG dispensers and two CNG dispensers, with an innovative nozzle, designed by HAM, with a 'no frost' system and a double anchoring system and closing, avoiding leaks or losses of liquid, in addition to facilitating disconnection without emissions of gas into the air,” explained HAM in a statement.

The selection of fuel and payments can be made independently at each of the dispensers, using any debit or credit card or the HAM Card for professional users.

“EDUX is a modern mobile service station, which is monitored remotely, by registering different parameters, always guaranteeing its perfect operation and allowing to quickly solve any incident,” added HAM

“At Grupo HAM, we continue to work and innovate, in direct contact with our customers, to develop high-quality and reliable advances in the improvement of CNG-LNG logistics infrastructures and services, taking respect for the environment as a starting point,” stated the company.