Odfjell will set up the revolutionary OceanGlide hull air lubrication system on one in every of its vessels later this 12 months.
Alfa Laval has signed an settlement that can see main chemical tanker operator Odfjell set up the revolutionary OceanGlide hull air lubrication system on one in every of its vessels later this 12 months. OceanGlide is the newest addition to Alfa Laval’s sustainability portfolio, aimed toward supporting shipowners in addressing gas and emission challenges. It differs from different hull air lubrication options in that it makes use of the patented fluidic know-how developed by Rotterdam-based Marine Performance Systems B.V., which Alfa Laval acquired earlier this 12 months after earlier taking a minority stake within the firm.
We are delighted that Odfjell has chosen OceanGlide to boost their vessel’s vitality effectivity,” says Anders Lindmark, enterprise unit president, warmth & gasoline methods, at Alfa Laval. “We strive to develop and bring innovative and environment-friendly technologies, such as OceanGlide, to our customers which support them in meeting their decarbonization targets and enable them to sail efficiently.”
“Odfjell has installed more than 130 energy-saving devices on its vessels since 2014. In Q1 2023 we reported a historical low carbon intensity – more than 50% below the IMO baseline for our fleet,” says Erik Hjortland, vp know-how at Odfjell. “Our decarbonization efforts do not stop with this achievement – now the time has come to start deploying more enhanced technologies. We believe fluidic air lubrication technology is a natural next step for us, and we look forward to deploying the OceanGlide system to further reduce our carbon intensity”
OceanGlide integrates fluidic know-how into air lubrication to optimize vitality saving. This patented and class-approved system makes use of fluidic oscillators to generate a fair layer of micro air bubbles throughout a vessel’s total flat backside, decreasing friction and drag. By decreasing the vessel’s resistance, the OceanGlide system gives a confirmed technique for decreasing gas consumption and CO2 emissions.
One of the important thing benefits of the OceanGlide know-how is the power to control energy consumption by oscillation bands. OceanGlide makes use of fluidic know-how to create streamlined sections on the vessel’s flat backside, every with its personal fluidic band that generates bubbles. The impartial steering of every band permits a extra managed and streamlined circulation of air bubbles to ship optimum effectivity, most protection, and decreased compressor energy.
“The unique configuration of bands into sections for a regulated flow of air bubbles is a distinguishing feature of the OceanGlide system,” says Hjortland. “This set-up allows for precise control and optimization of power consumption, and we look forward to documenting its energy-saving effect on our chemical tankers.”
The OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system’s excessive effectivity in producing bubbles ensures an efficient air layer with fewer compressors and has the added benefit permitting their positioning wherever on board. The system requires no structural modifications or vessel recertification, which makes it very best for retrofitting in addition to for brand new builds. The fluidic bands, designed with a low profile and no shifting elements, may be simply configured beneath the ship at any shipyard.
Air lubrication know-how is acknowledged by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an “Innovative Energy Efficiency Technology” to decrease carbon emissions. The know-how helps compliance with Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the discount of carbon depth to satisfy IMO’s carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) necessities. Besides this, the revolutionary fluidic air lubrication know-how minimizes CO2 emissions thereby serving to in limiting CO2 taxes payable underneath new EU laws that carry shipping into its Emissions Trading System (ETS).
