Eco-Shipping: The Modifications

Practical Application

You Should Know

IMO requires reduction of sulphur in ECA/Emission Control Area zones to 0.1% or cleaning of exhaust gases to equal level by the year 2015 in ECA and by 2020 globally.

ECA zones include: Baltic Sea, North Sea, North American and Canadian coasts.

Operational Modes are: Use of Low-Sulphur fuel/MGO (Marine-Grade Oil) Scrubber Technology and LNG/Liquefied Natural Gas use.

Low-Sulphur Fuel Operation

No modification needed for short-term; installation of fuel cooler needed for long-term.

Placed parallel to fuel pre-heater of the main engine.

25kW and 50kW capacity required for fuel cooler. Costs range from 30,000- 50,000$

Scrubber System

Removes sulphur from exhaust gas.

Operates on fresh water and sea water.

Controlled by GPS signals giving position of the vessel.

Operated by control panel in engine room; automatic and semi-automatic modes.

Auto mode: ‘Engines running’ signal starts scrubber, signals from GPS determine to operate in seawater or freshwater modes.

Engine fuel flow index determines the amount of seawater used in scrubber/caustic soda.

Retrofitting includes:

Removal of funnel structure, deck platforms and ladders, exhaust gas pipes and free fall life boat.

Installation of deck extension, pillars, ladder, platforms, sludge tanks, FW circulation tank, NaOH compartment, scrubber, free fall life boat, exhaust gas pipes, scrubber water pipes, funnel top structure and scrubber auxiliary machinery.

LNG Solution General Operation

Converting an existing engine to ME-GI dual engine requires the MC engine to be converted to ME-B with electronically controlled fuel injection.

Requires installation of hydraulic equipment and replacement of camshaft for exhaust gas valve actuation.

Running on gas-mode reduces NOx by 85%

LNG Solution Conversion

Installation of new cylinder covers with gas valves and control blocks with ancillary piping with the gas chain pipes to supply the engine with gas.

Requires removal of deck and electrical cable pipes in area of LNG storage tank.

Installation:

Foundations for LNG tanks

Deck houses for LNG equipment

Rerouting/reinstallation of all pipe foundations

Sealing oil system

Auxiliary systems

Engine conversion from MC-C to ME-GI

Fuel gas supply system

Gas piping system

Inert gas system

Block and bleed valve arrangement

LNG Crucial Aspects of Success

Implementation and adherence of adequate safety standards; addressing technical and emotional aspects.

Equip operators with correct information at all times.

Hazards

Safety first; Sodium Hydroxide or Caustic Soda is a strong alkali which decomposes proteins; penetrating bodily tissues.

Freshwater scrubber operation generates sludge which SHOULD NOT be incinerated.

Emissions should be logged and monitored.

Financial Breakdown

Scrubber Installations: 2,600,000$ Machinery and Equipment; 2,400,000$ 150t Steel/Pipe/Electrical; 500,000$ Design and Classification; 340,000$ Off-hire cost (20 days @17,000$/day. 5,840,000$ TOTAL

LNG Installations: 4,300,000$ Machinery, Equipment and Main Engine conversion; 2,000,000 300t Steel; 500,000$ Design and Classification; 680,000$ Off-hire cost (40 days @17,000$/day) 7,560,000$ TOTAL

HI-71M Platform Supply Vessel

Scrubber arrangement to absorb SOx, NOx emissions

Pure bilge system with 5ppm DNV certified

Pure ballast system

On-board incinerator

More designs coming up in the future with more focus on environmentality