Stena goes green by taking advantage of LEMAG’s SLASHPOL-E WIF homogenizers to reduce NOx emissions, particulate matter, smoke, and most of all fuel consumption
Since fitting the first LEMAG SLASHPOL E-WIF FQI (fuel quality improver) homogenizer on the Stena Carrier over five years ago, Stena has fitted a total of sixteen of their vessels with LEMAG WIF homogenizers in order to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Feedback from a number of the Stena vessels has confirmed that as well as the noticeable reduction in fuel consumption; there is a very obvious and significant reduction in black smoke during start-up and maneuvering, as well as at full load. It was noted on the vessels that operate with SCR NOx reduction systems that as the exhaust temperature was reduced by more than 10°C the WIF allowed the chief engineer to fine tune the system, which resulted in a reduction in the consumption of urea
Although ship owners and operators are enjoying the current respite from the previously high worldwide fuel cost, it is generally expected that they will eventually rise significantly again next year, and with increasing pressure to reduce emissions, it is vital to continue to maximize fuel usage.
WIF (water in fuel) homogenizers have been around for a long time, but like a lot of existing marine technology it has received a lot of renewed interest in the last few years, which has resulted in increased investment in R&D. This is due not only to the soaring fuel costs up to 2015 and the need to reduce emissions, but the knowledge within the marine industry that the WIF technology has advanced to the point where it is now a very viable investment for ship owners and operators.
The complete LEMAG SLASHPOL E-WIF system comprises of torsion meters, Coriolis or PD fuel meters, and it’s V-Per monitoring and management system, as well as incorporating an impressive range of safety devices which are absolutely essential to give total confidence to the operators, in what is virtually a plug and play installation. The planning and actual installation of the systems is carried out by LEMAG’s own technicians to ensure that the system operates safely and efficiently, and depending on the vessel, can be carried out almost entirely in service with minimal disruption to the vessels operation.
