With regulations for SOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs) set to tighten in 2015, ship owners and operators are eager to secure safe and efficient changeover between heavy fuel oil (HFO) and low-sulphur fuels.
This interest is reflected in growing sales of the Alfa Laval Automated Fuel Changeover System (ACS), of which over 300 have been sold in 2014.
The new regulations, which take effect on 1 January 2015, will establish an ECA fuel sulphur limit of 0.10%. For vessels without a scrubber, this will mean switching between HFO and a low-sulphur fuel like MGO/MDO whenever entering or exiting an ECA.
The ACS, which builds directly on Alfa Laval’s expertise in oil treatment, is specifically designed to safeguard fuel changeover. It is a complete system that provides vital cooling and control for this process, yet one which demands little from the customer in terms of installation or operation.
Already used in complying with local sulphur regulations, the ACS has experienced a sharp rise in sales now that ECA implementation is approaching. During the year to date, Alfa Laval has sold over 300 systems.
“The ACS is a clear response to what we’ve been hearing from our marine customers, which is undoubtedly the reason for its success,” says Jaswant Choudhary, Business Manager Service at Alfa Laval Marine & Diesel Equipment. “The majority are looking for a complete changeover system, rather than additional booster components. As well as being complete, the ACS is safe, simple and fully automatic – which makes it a solution for total peace of mind.”
Safe and automatic fuel changeover
The ACS removes the substantial risks in fuel changeover, which include fuel pump seizure and even loss of propulsion. These risks arise from the significant differences in the properties of HFO and MGO/MDO. Because the latter fuels are lighter in nature, they must be cooled significantly to ensure proper viscosity and lubricity when used with diesel engines.
The ACS provides advanced temperature ramping that ensures controlled and progressive changeover between multiple fuels, and it supplies the necessary cooling via its own built in built-in cooler. Easy to install, it is integrated with the vessel’s fuel booster system, either as a retrofit or as part of a new booster installation. In most cases it is delivered ready-mounted on its own compact skid, although deliveries and the ACS itself can be tailored to individual demands.
About Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.
The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.
Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.
Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena.
Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2013, posted annual sales of about SEK 29.8 billion (approx. 3.5 billion Euros). The company has today, after the acquisition of Frank Mohn AS about 17 500 employees. www.alfalaval.com
For further information, please contact:
Marine & Diesel Division, Alfa Laval
Phone: +45 39 53 63 11
E-mail: annekirstine.senderovitz@alfalaval.com
www.alfalaval.com/marine
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