View non-flash version
Continued from page 22) Dual Fuel Technology MDA representative Bill Berlin states that natural gas vessels have shown "much less en- gine repair, multiple times over expected mea- sures — the same for lubricating oil and filters." Building on the experience gained on the two B.C. ferries, MDA will provide vessel engineer- ing designs, as well as act as an interface be- tween the consortium and the regulatory bodies. Systems Management Sciences, Inc. (SMS) will provide contract and shipyard management services, and will work as primary interface between the project and the various governmen- tal agencies. Prime operatives John Pounds and Wesley Moore will oversee both the con- version phase and the long-term testing proce- dures. ECI and SMS have been working for nearly a year on the acquisition of the surplussed vessel, funding of the projected $5-million project, and coordinating the input from sources as var- ied as Russian cryogenic specialists in Moscow, Russia to the staff of the National Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (NCATT) in Moscow, Idaho. Integrated parties from the College of Engineering at Washington State University have also been involved. Methane, the major component of natural gas, exhibits ideal knock characteristics for spark- ignited engines, but not for compression-ignited engines like standard high-horsepower diesels. ECI's system injects a small amount of diesel oil near the top of the piston stroke. The diesel fuel with its lower ignition temperature acts as a pilot charge, igniting the gas mixture. This approach requires a lower compression ratio than normal. To alleviate the lower effi- ciency generally associated with lower compres- sion ratios, ECI's patented piston crowns and cylinder heads are specially designed to mini- mize loss and allow for full diesel-rated horse- power. The Gas Inlet Valve, an electrically- activated pneumatic device, is also patented by ECI. In a standard natural gas power generat- ing plant, monitoring equipment within the en- gine room constantly checks for gas leaks. Should one occur, the system automatically shuts down. While an excellent safety feature in a station- ary plant, such a shutdown on a moving vessel could prove disastrous. To assure uninterrupted power flow, ECI's patented Electronic Control Unit automatically switches the fuel mix to pure diesel the instant a shutdown occurs. Another important aspect of the Olympic project is the opportunity for engineers, scien- tists and regulatory bodies to work together to set realistic standards for this blossoming new industry. According to SMS's John Pounds, his initial contacts with UCGG representatives have been positive and encouraging. Mr.Pounds said, "The Coast Guard has been given a number of studies over the years. This project will prove the concept and provide a foundation for setting the rules for (LNG) passenger vessels." The year-long test period will include fuel efficiency tests under demanding conditions pro- viding conservative baseline fuel consumption figures. Engine wear testing will include before- and-after micrometer measurements of all wear parts providing comparisons to manufacturer's expected wear data. Routine maintenance — repair parts, lubricating oil, filters, etc. — will be performed on an as-needed basis over the course of the test period and consumption levels will be compared to the manufacturer's expectations from a diesel fueled system. Once testing is complete, the vessel will continue to serve the industry as a training and research station in the areas of cryogenics, LNG technology, envi- ronmental enclosures, and synthetic lubricants, among several other possibilities. Government officials and industry insiders foresee a rebirth in the regional maritime trades if this project proves its worth. For more information on the system Circle 11 on Reader Service Card December, 1994 Trinity Acquires Gulf Coast Fabrication As 16th Yard In Group Trinity Industries, Inc. has acquired Gulf Coast Fabrication, a shipbuilder located in Pearlington, Miss., offering new construction, modifications, conversions and repairs. The company will retain its name and will be the 16th shipyard in the Trinity Marine Group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In making the announcement, John Dane III, president of Trinity Marine Group , said, "We are delighted with this acquisition because of the high quality of work produced at Gulf Coast for a long list of repeat customers, and for the addition of Dan Mortimer andFred May, former owners of Gulf Coast Fabrication, to our management team. Dan will remain as president of Gulf Coast Fab- rication, Inc. and additionally will become a se- nior vice president of the Trinity Marine Group. Dan Mortimer and I both worked for Halter Marine, Inc., years ago. Later, we both founded our own companies and he was a tough, but honorable competitor. It's great to have him back on the same side again." For more information on Trinity Circle 8 on Reader Service Card DGPS Chart Viewer The Ultimate Navigation Instrument Chart Viewer is the DGPS of the90's. With 10 ft. accuracy when supplied with its 6 channel differential receiver, our detailed chart displays your precise movement directly on the screen. •Shows all depth markings & bottom contour. •Add/Delete Navaids. •Electronic Dead Reckoning. •Worldwide navigation database. •Chart update program. •Voyage Recorder. •Automatic Beacon Selection. •Vessel Traffic Surveillance Capability. CHART VIEWER is built to the following Mil Spec specifications; Water Resistance and Salt Exposure MIL-T 28800c paragraph 4.5 6.2 V ibration 1.5g 10-100H Shock 5 G peak. s Electronic Marine Systems, Inc. 800 Ferndale Place, Rahway, NJ 07065 908-382-4344 • Fax: 908-388-5111 • Precise Navigation at a Fraction of the Price. Circle 216 on Reader Service Card Capitol Diesel "Repower Specialists" Specializing in New, Remanufactured and Used Engines and Generators. Authorized Dealers For ZF, Northern Lights & Peninsular REBUILT ENGINES ^ USED ENGINES MARINE GEARS 218 W. 23rd Street New York, NY 10011 (212)929-6132 (800) 528-0853 Alan Gordon 490 Taylor Lane Dania, FL 33004 (305) 927-0902 (800) 336-4463 Mike Cobb Circle 209 on Reader Service Card BISSO MARINE •HEAVY LIFT SPECIALIST •MARINE SALVAGE •WRECK REMOVAL • UNDERWATER ELECTRONIC SURVEY P.O. BOX 4113 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70178 Phone: (504)866-6341 Fax: (504)865-8132 Circle 207 on Reader Service Card 42A
