Safe Disconnect Kawasaki and TB Global’s Emergency Release for LNG Loading Systems

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and TB Global Technologies Ltd. have jointly filed a patent for an emergency release mechanism designed for fluid loading equipment – specifically the type used to transfer cryogenic liquids such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) between vessels and shore facilities. The invention allows the loading connection to be safely and rapidly disconnected in emergency situations while preventing spills of hazardous fluid.

The Problem

The loading and unloading of liquefied natural gas and other cryogenic or hazardous fluids between ships and terminals is one of the most technically demanding operations in the energy industry. Transfer arms, loading hoses and manifold connections must handle extremely cold temperatures, high pressures and the constant risk of unplanned vessel movement due to weather, tidal changes or mechanical issues. If a vessel moves unexpectedly while a transfer connection is live – carrying fluid under pressure – the consequences can be catastrophic: structural damage to the loading arm, rupture of the piping, and release of cryogenic or flammable fluid with serious fire and safety implications.

Emergency release mechanisms (ERMs) are therefore a critical safety feature of any fluid loading system handling hazardous materials. An ERM must be able to disconnect the loading connection rapidly, reliably and automatically when needed – and critically, it must close the flow path on both sides of the disconnection point simultaneously to prevent fluid escaping from either side. The challenge is to design an ERM that is both fast enough to prevent damage in a rapidly evolving emergency and reliable enough that it does not trigger inadvertently during normal operations.

For vacuum-jacketed cryogenic piping – where the transfer pipe is surrounded by a vacuum-insulated outer structure to minimise heat ingress – the design challenge is further complicated by the need to maintain the structural and thermal integrity of the pipe system even as it is engineered to separate cleanly under emergency conditions.

What This Invention Does

The invention describes an emergency release mechanism built around a pair of pipe portions, each with a vacuum double-wall structure providing thermal insulation for cryogenic fluid transfer. The two pipe portions are arranged with their opening ends abutting against each other – facing and connected at the separation point. A coupling member joins the two pipe portions and can be removed to allow separation.

The critical safety element is the pair of shutoff valves – one in each pipe portion – that close simultaneously when the emergency release is triggered. Each shutoff valve includes a valve body that seats on a corresponding valve seat formed in the flow path of its respective pipe portion. A linear motion drive device moves each valve body along the flow path to seat it, closing that side of the connection. Because both valves close at the same time, neither side of the disconnected pipe can release fluid – the system is effectively made safe on both ends simultaneously.

The vacuum double structure of the pipe portions provides the thermal insulation needed for cryogenic applications while also contributing structural rigidity. The design means that when separation occurs, the vacuum integrity of both pipe portions can be maintained independently – an important consideration for systems that may need to be reconnected and returned to service after an emergency release event.

Key Features

Dual-pipe abutment design. Two vacuum-insulated pipe portions face each other at the separation point, providing the cryogenic thermal insulation and structural integrity needed for LNG and similar applications.

Simultaneous dual shutoff. A pair of shutoff valves – one in each pipe portion – close simultaneously when the emergency release is activated, ensuring both sides of the disconnection are sealed against fluid release.

Linear motion valve actuation. Each shutoff valve body is moved linearly along the flow path to seat against its valve seat, providing a reliable and mechanically direct closing mechanism under the conditions of an emergency release.

Removable coupling member. The coupling member that joins the two pipe portions can be removed as part of the emergency release sequence, enabling clean separation of the pipe portions once both valves have closed.

Vacuum double-wall pipe structure. The pipe portions use vacuum insulation appropriate for cryogenic fluid transfer, maintaining thermal performance while being engineered to separate safely and reconnect after an emergency event.

Who Is Behind It?

Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) is one of Japan’s major industrial conglomerates, with divisions spanning aerospace, energy, marine, rail and industrial equipment. Kawasaki has been a significant player in LNG carrier construction and associated transfer equipment. TB Global Technologies Ltd. is a specialist in marine and industrial fluid transfer systems. The inventors – Tomonori Takase, Akihiko Inomata, Tsutomu Kawai and Yuma Yoshihara – bring expertise in fluid transfer equipment, valve engineering and cryogenic systems. The application is filed through Laminar IP Pty Ltd and is a divisional of an earlier filing (AU 2022303647).

Why It Matters

LNG is one of the world’s most important traded energy commodities, and the safe transfer of LNG at terminals around the world depends critically on the reliability of the loading and unloading infrastructure. Emergency release mechanisms are the last line of defence against spills and structural damage when something goes wrong during a transfer operation, and their performance is therefore a safety-critical specification for terminal operators, vessel owners and regulatory authorities.

A well-engineered ERM that simultaneously closes both sides of a separation point – using reliable linear-motion shutoff valves in vacuum-insulated pipe structures suited to cryogenic conditions – represents a meaningful contribution to the safety architecture of LNG transfer systems. As global LNG trade continues to grow and new terminals are developed across Asia, Australia and elsewhere, the demand for high-performance safety equipment of this kind will continue to expand. Kawasaki and TB Global Technologies’ joint development reflects the technical rigour being applied to this safety challenge.

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AU 2026201600 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.