Alfa Laval, a global supplier of solutions for fluid handling, on Tuesday (24 January) said it has introduced the first biofuel-optimised separators and separator upgrades in the marine industry.
The firm said the separators were made to address new operational challenges posed by biofuels, which is a current and accessible fuel option to help marine customers decarbonise.
“Biofuels like HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) and FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) can be used by diesel engines without major engine modifications. They can be a carbon-neutral alternative if produced from the right biomass, but they must still be cleaned effectively to prevent performance issues and expensive engine wear,” it said.
In a marine industry first, Alfa Laval high-speed separators are now compatible with HVO (EN15940) and with FAME (EN14214 or ASTM D6751) blends comprising residual fuel and/or distillate.
“We are proud to support our customers’ decarbonization journey, no matter which fuel path they take,” says Markus Hoffmann, Global Sales Manager, Marine Separation & Heat Transfer Equipment, Alfa Laval.
“Biofuels will be the choice for many marine vessels, but customers must be certain that their equipment is prepared for them. With biofuel-ready separators and cost-efficient biofuel upgrades, Alfa Laval can provide that certainty.”
Biofuels are already in widespread use, and ISO is looking to incorporate them into the 2024 revision of ISO 8217. Nevertheless, they can be prepared in various ways and differ widely in their characteristics – both from conventional fuels and from each other.
“Because of differences in density, moisture absorption and more, they demand additional care when it comes to fuel storage and treatment,” the company said.
To ensure optimal biofuel separation, Alfa Laval has modified both internal bowl components and the separator software. This makes setting up for HVO, FAME blends or conventional fuels a simple parameter change. Incorporated into new Alfa Laval separators for purchase, the developments are also available as upgrades for existing separators.
“Optimising for biofuels is nothing that occurs overnight,” Hoffmann said. “Our biofuel-ready separators build on deep fuel insights, extensive research at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre and long cooperation with ISO and CIMAC. As biofuels continue to evolve, customers can count on Alfa Laval for efficient engine protection, just as they have with conventional marine fuels.”
Photo credit: Alfa Laval
Published: 31 January, 2023
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