World Bunkering > News > Spring 2011 > Equipment and services

Wartsila scrubber for Containerships

Finnish-based companies Containerships and Wärtsilä have signed a turnkey contract that will see Wärtsilä’s scrubber technology installed on one of Containerships’ vessels by the end of this year.

According to a press release from the two companies, the technology will move Containerships a long way towards matching the 2015 SECA requirements. Use of the scrubber will mean the test vessel, M/V Containerships VII will meet the strict regulations by the end of 2011.

Wärtsilä is the first manufacturer to have been awarded a marine scrubber certificate by the classification societies Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd. The scrubber installation consists of a scrubbing unit including control and monitoring systems and ancillary equipment which cleans the exhaust gas from the vessel’s main engine. Scrubbers efficiently reduce exhaust gas emissions such as sulphur oxides and particulates, and also nitrogen oxides, slightly.

The scrubber works with fresh water in a closed-loop system in which sulphur oxides are neutralised with caustic soda. A small amount of scrubbing water is constantly extracted and fed into treatment units on board where the contaminants are removed and pumped into vessels existing sludge tank. Contaminants are always disposed of at reception facilities in port. Clean effluents are discharged overboard, in accordance with IMO rules. The scrubber can also be operated in so-called zero discharge mode where clean effluents are fed into a holding tank.

“The Wärtsilä fresh water scrubber technology will meet both environmental and commercial requirements for our operations. We see it as a clear advantage that Wärtsilä, with its long experience in emissions abatement technology, delivers the scrubber solution,” says Sigurjon Markusson, CEO, Containerships Ltd Oy.

Kittiwake acquires Procal

Monitoring technology company, Kittiwake Developments, has bought Procal, a manufacturer of in-situ, multi-component continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). Chris Leigh-Jones, director, Kittiwake Developments said: “There are clear synergies between the two businesses. Like Kittiwake, Procal’s customers span the globe and rely upon products for market-leading testing and analysis solutions across a multitude of different applications. There is no doubt that Procal’s analysers offer clear advantages over alternative solutions within an expanding and ever-vital market place for reliable emissions monitoring.”

According to a company statement the newly-named Kittiwake Procal can supply CEMS for a very wide range of applications, spanning power generation, marine and offshore, cement, incineration, refineries, paper and pulp, steel, nitric acid and fertilisers. Complying with international standards including EN14181 and US EPA 40 cfr Parts 60 & 75 for the measurement of NO, NO2, SO2, CO, CO2, H2O, the in-situ analysers monitor and measure emissions accurately and reliably. This contrasts dramatically with the high maintenance requirements of extractive CEM systems that can incur additional costs to ownership.

Mr Leigh-Jones added: “When I came across Procal while seeking sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions data from a passenger ferry, their CEMS was the only one that provided accurate measurements and proved rugged enough to withstand the environmental challenge. You might say, we liked it so much we bought the company!”

Kittiwake says that the in-situ design brings further cost savings as installation is minimal compared with extractive systems, translating into lower tubing and cabling costs, particularly if other analysers form part of the emissions system. The flexibility of the Kittiwake Procal CEMS enables an integrated system capable of receiving data from other instruments, which typically measure parameters such as oxygen, opacity/dust and velocity. In addition to displaying, data logging and retransmitting, the Kittiwake Procal system can use this data to correct the readings to normalised levels.

Chris Daw, Kittiwake Procal MD, said: “The Procal business is 25 years old in December, and this new alliance with Kittiwake provides a solid platform for growth going forward. Our new, bolstered infrastructure provides the scope to capitalise upon increasing market opportunities, and we remain committed to an ambitious development programme, which will result in a range of advanced CEMS to meet future market and legislative demands worldwide.”

Kittiwake Developments says that, despite the challenging financial climate, it has achieved approaching 10% growth on last year. The acquisition follows the launch of ThrusterSCAN, a new product for the offshore marketplace, and the appointment of a new CEO for its US operations. Kittiwake says it continues to explore various expansion strategies to achieve ambitious growth plans, with further significant announcements expected in early 2011.

New partnership develops hybrid propulsion

Electronic Power Design Inc (EPD) and Siemens Industry Inc Drive Technologies have formed a “solutions partnership” for Siemens ELFA R hybrid propulsion systems. Siemens recently released its newly designed ELFA hybrid propulsion system, which is claimed to offer considerably enhanced fuel consumption, range, redundancy, and manoeuvrability.

A statement says: “The Siemens ELFA successfully closes the gap between large merchant vessels and small recreational and commercial crafts traditionally powered by mechanical propulsion solutions. The standardised plug and operate solution further reduces the time/effort required for installation and integration into the vessel. Siemens Hybrid Control Software enables realisation and control of different operational modes on a vessel: diesel electric mode, pure electric mode and hybrid mode “

“EPD continues to demonstrate its technological competency for Siemens products, being a Solutions Partner for almost 20 years,” said John Norwood, EPD’s Vice President of Business Development. “EPD has maintained an excellent relationship with Siemens and has continued to provide the technological and specific applications expertise utilising Siemens products worldwide.”

EPD plans to integrate the ELFA system components with engines, gearboxes, the vessel control system and stored energy devices as needed, and tailored for the customer’s application. EPD will also be responsible for system engineering, service, programming and implementation of Siemens Industry ELFA R propulsion system. EPD is recognised worldwide for its innovative electric power control systems and systems integration for the marine, drilling, powerdistribution, petrochemical, steel, paper, plastics, and solar and wind energy sectors. EPD is a leader in designing and servicing all type of commercial electrical equipment with an emphasis on total power system integration and automation.

Castrol, Maersk to offer engineer training

Castrol Marine says it has appointed Maersk Training as a global nonexclusive distributor of Castrol Academy, a module-based training course designed to help marine engineers develop a broad range of skills “to move the industry forwards”. Ther Castrol Academy training package, which includes printed course materials and DVDs, will be redistributed by Maersk Training. This will enable Castrol Marine to take advantage of Maersk Training’s established global infrastructure to promote Castrol Academy in order to deliver engineering expertise to new and existing customers of both companies.

The agreement also encompasses the promotion of Maersk Training courses to Castrol customers. The Danish-based learning provider has, over the past three decades, built a broad portfolio of courses specifically developed for the maritime, offshore and wind-power industries. Through this agreement Castrol customers will receive a 10% discount when booking a Maersk Training course. Castrol Academy was developed in direct response to an industrywide problem: a recent survey by the Institute of Engineering and Technology revealed that 55% of those polled reported problems recruiting experienced, well-trained technical ship crews.

Albert Chan, Global Offer Director for Castrol Marine, said: “Lack of skilled marine officers is pushing up operating costs and holding back the development of fleets. Castrol Academy was created to help address increasing fears of crew shortages while providing a source of added value to customers such as improving efficiencies.”

Mr Chan added: “We are very excited to work with Maersk Training, which is leading the industry in marine training programmes. This deal will enable Castrol Academy to reach a broader audience, demonstrating the added value of working with Castrol as lubricants supplier by providing access to the wide-ranging courses of Maersk Training and helping to close the skills gap threatening the industry. It will also complement Maersk Training’s training portfolio, making this an excellent partnership for both companies.”