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RINA: Moving Toward Zero Emission Engines Italian classification society RINA has type-approved a device which is described as a significant step towards the “almost zero emission engine” for passenger and cruise ships. The system, known as Turbotransducer, was devel- oped by Italy’s Mec System and applies micro-emulsion technology to marine diesel engines to deliver significant reductions in smoke visibility and NOx emission without increase in fuel con- sumption. “We focused on our target to provide the basis for an “almost zero emission” cruise ship or ferry more than three years ago,” said RINA’s Corporate Affairs & Communication Manager Mario Dogliani. The micro-emulsion technology approved by RINA produces a micro- emulsified fuel, using HFO and dem- ineralized water to feed the diesel engines. The fuel is composed of homo- geneous micro cells with a diameter of between 0.10 and 0.50 microns formed of water enclosed in a film of organic liquid fuel. “One of the problems in obtaining a micro-emulsified fuel is to make it sta- ble,” said Ernesto Marelli, Mec System’s CEO and owner. “This type of technique has been in use since 1980 in power plants ashore but has never yet been marinized reliably. We now believe Mec System has overcome all the tech- nical problems, and we have proven that it works and provides benefits working with the four-stroke engines typically used on board passenger ships.” In this new system a special device, the Turbotransducer, processes combustion fluids through inverted flow coaxial cavitation chambers activated by mag- neto-mechanic structures designed to specific mechanical criteria. Fuels, waste or even sludge compounds and water are combined to build a single fuel. Fluids flowing through the Turbotransducer are instantaneously combined and reach the engine as a sta- ble and very homogeneous micro-emul- sion due to the very high atomization and fluid acceleration achieved in the Turbotransducer. Tests on board ships as well as at the work bench ashore (totaling some 500 running hours) have been carried out by Mec System, RINA, Wärtsilä and other partners within a pan-European R&D project aimed at identifying technolo- gies and reference standards for low- emission passenger ships. The atomized-stabilized micro-emul- sion technology, together with some adjustments in certain components of the engines to best exploit it, proved to be straightforward in terms of retro- fitting, and very efficient. Based on this, RINA developed a certification scheme specifically geared to existing ships (although applicable to newbuildings as well) named IET “Innovative Environ- mental Technologies”. “The concept is very simple”, explains Dogliani. “The standard envisages three elements for improved environmental performance: a target reduction in emissions the procedures and skills to achieve it, and the periodic monitoring and mainte- nance to keep it over a period of time. Once retrofitted, the engine’s emissions reduction target should be achieved, without increasing CO2 emissions, and IET certification achieved. Circle 54 on Reader Service Card Bio-Gem’s Safe Lube Safe Lube is a line of high perform- ance vegetable oil based lubricants for those seeking alternatives to petroleum based products. Safe Lube features a line of products that are non-toxic, biodegradable and do not use synthetics or petroleum source chemicals. Available in different viscosities, the performance additive package is mixed with either de-gummed soy or canola oil for the base oils with zero hydrocarbon additives. Safe Lube products are designed to increase seal life and resilience, and have a longer fluid life with improved tool performance. Safe Lube Gear Lube combines the advan- tages of a blended vegetable oil base with a extreme pressure performance package compounded from botanical sources. Circle 97 on Reader Service Card New Cylinder Lubricant for Low-Sulfur Fuels Total Lubmarine developed a new lubricant designed for use with low-sul- fur fuels. Talusia LS 40, has completed in-service tests and is approved by MAN B&W and Wärtsilä Sulzer designs. Talusia LS 40 is designed for engines operating continuously with low-sulfur fuel. Total Lubmarine updated and improved its DIAGOMAR Plus marine lubricants analysis service by adding a new lubricants test and by making the reports faster to use and easier to under- stand. The main improvements are the addition of the PQ index, the inclusion of a simple visual interface that indi- cates where action needs to be taken, and access to all historical ship analysis results. Circle 96 on Reader Service Card May 2005 57 THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERING EXTENDS A CORDIAL INVITATION TO ALL OF OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBOURS WITH MARITIME INTERESTS TO VISIT US IN CANADA’S CAPITAL FOR OUR THREE DAY ANNUAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE MARI-TECH 2005 June 1 to 3, 2005 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario MARINE SUPPLIERS’ SHOW - EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES EXHIBITORS AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM OF TECHNICAL PAPERS THEME FOCUSSED ON MARITIME SECURITY AND LOGISTICS ACTION PACKED “PARTNERS’ PROGRAM” IN AND AROUND THE CAPITAL MEET THE LEADERS OF CANADA’S MARITIME FORCES AND POLICY MAKERS To register for the Conference call Al Kennedy (Mari-Tech 2005 Registrar) at (613) 521-8713 or Fax (613) 521-8100. For Hotel reservations call the Crowne Plaza at (613) 237-3600. FULL DETAILS OF THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED BY VISITING THE MARI-TECH 2005 WEB SITE AT http:/www.maritech.ca Circle 278 on Reader Service Card Fuels, Lubes & Additives Deltamarin, well known for deliver- ing high-performance hull designs for the ferry and cruise ship market, offers its most recent invention: the intercep- tor configuration. Interceptor is a plate, a simple solution, which can be designed and installed easily even to existing ships. It is an immersed plate under the transom which is faired into the hull forward, normally for a rather short distance. As a simple construction piece it is relatively easy to manufacture and the weight is only a few tons. The payback time becomes short. The optimum design for the fairing for the first test cases was carried out and verified with Ranse-type CFD code by Safety at Sea in Glasgow. The model tests at Marin in Wageningen for a passenger cruise vessel showed an improvement of up to 10% in propulsion power. The refer- ence level was reached with a ducktail and the interceptor was installed under the ducktail. The performance level with the reference hull shape without interceptor was already considered good in comparison to present industry standard. Other areas of potential fuel savings include all recesses, fin stabilizers, sea chests, bow thruster tunnels, surface roughness of hull and painting sys- tems. Savings of 10-18 percent have been reached with the best combinations of bulbous bow, ducktail, interceptor/trim wedge and optimized recesses. Circle 98 on Reader Service Card Fuel Savings with Improved Hull Form MR MAY 2005 #8 (57-64).qxd 5/4/2005 10:19 AM Page 57
