INTERVIEW Shear efficiency Christian Sens explains to Laura Hyde how Bluefin Technology’s Liquid Shear system cuts fuel consumption, reduces sludge production and lowers emissions without major vessel modifications With a legal requirement to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and operate at net zero by 2050, cruise and ferry lines are looking for the most cost-effective and practical ways to save fuel and comply with International Maritime Organization emission regulations. Bluefin Technology has developed Liquid Shear, a rotor/stator treatment technology designed to process and precondition heavy fuels and oils. “This is not a marine fuel homogeniser system,” says Christian Sens, managing director of Bluefin Technology. “Our system is new; it uses liquid shear force rather than mechanical grinding to reduce fuel droplet sizes to approximately three microns, compared with the typical range of 70 to 120 microns. We don’t do this by adding any chemicals; it’s a mechanical process, which not only reduces fuel consumption but also reduces sludge production by around 80 per cent.” According to Sens, the system delivers measurable fuel savings. “With this system we’re able to guarantee an overall fuel consumption reduction of two per cent or your money back,” he says. “However, the actual figure is usually somewhere between four and five per cent, depending on the ship, engine and fuel. We’ve always achieved at least two per cent and haven’t had a single return yet.” Typical return on investment takes three to 12 months, and the system can be retrofitted to any vessel and installed while the ship is in service. This enables operators to minimise downtime and make savings immediately. “Installation is as simple as cutting into the fuel line and fitting our system,” explains Sens. “It’s plug-and-play, so it comes fully equipped with the control system, mechanical system and motor. It just needs a power connection and then you’re good to go.” The environmental benefits are also immediate. “The first thing operators notice is the lack of soot coming from the exhaust funnel,” says Sens. “Many customers think the engine isn’t running because all they can see is clean air. That’s a significant benefit for the cruise and ferry sector, particularly as emissions regulations continue to tighten.” Bluefin Technology has installed more than 50 Liquid Shear systems, including on cruise ships operated by French and German companies, as well as Danish ferry operators. “We’ve only had positive feedback from the systems we’ve installed,” says Sens. “In fact, clients are asking us to install the technology on additional vessels across their fleets.” “ We’ve only had positive feedback from the systems we’ve installed” 135
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=