One of the Marine Fuel Management systems is BunkerTraxTM. BunkerTraxTM can be installed as a stand-alone system to monitor and measure fuel transfers or integrated with the FuelTraxTM Marine Fuel Consumption System, to create a complete fuel management system.
With Coriolis flow meters, BunkerTraxTM automatically measures the mass, temperature, and density of fuel being transferred, dynamically calculates volumetric flow as the fuel is being delivered and determines if the density is to spec. If the fuel quality is out of spec. (density out of range), then vessel personnel are immediately alerted in real-time so they can halt the fuel transfer process and investigate the discrepancy.

Challenge
Manual tank Gauging methods are prone to error. Aeration and fuel temperature also contribute to inaccurate volume calculations, which reduce the amount of the fuel load.

Solution
As a standalone system, BunkerTraxTM measures, monitors, and reports on the quality and quantity of fuel transfers to and from a vessel or other asset. It uses Coriolis technology, and it is able to handle any type of marine fuel.

Business Impact
Measurement of marine diesel oil, all viscosities of fuel oils and LNG
Consistent results from bunker to bunker.
Improved discharge of progress
Fewer disputes and short delivery claims
Long term record storage for fast dispute resolution
Vessel side delivery notes and other custom reports available
New feature of BunkerTraxTM
Recently added as a product option, BunkerTraxTM can now detect water in fuel down to 100 ppm or better.  This new product option offers real-time alerts to the crew so if water is detected, the fuel transfer can be halted and investigated!

With purpose-built equipment that can press up to 6.000 tons, and many years of experience, there is the capacity to straighten shafts of all sizes – from 20mm to more than 1.000mm in diameter.
The cold straightening procedure is fully approved from leading classification societies and is considered to be a permanent repair without recommendation. All work is done in close cooperation with the classification societies, and a certificate is issued on each individual repair.

Save time and money: Straightening of shafts is a much faster and economical solution than manufacturing of new shafts. Many jobs can be completed within 24-48 hours from arrival at the workshop.

Apart from class approved cold straightening, Marine Shaft also specializes in:

Manufacturing of new propeller shafts and rudder stocks
Reconditioning of rudders and rudder arrangements
Repair of Simplex rudder stocks
Reconditioning of propeller equipment
Repair of propeller blades and fixed propellers
Mobile machining
Welding of shafts
Heat treatment
Micro welding of scratches and impact marks
Casting of white metal
Coating of shafts

In addition, the storage of large volumes of LNG involved, in many cases, a high degree of boil-off and, as a consequence, emissions. All these issues prevented the widespread adoption of LNG among high horsepower (HHP) consumers, in spite of the lower price of this fuel and its environmental benefits. The same barriers, along with the cost of laying gas pipelines, prevented the gasification of small and outlying communities.

To address the needs of those consumers, in January 2013, Galileo Technologies introduced its Cryobox® Nano LNG-Station, which packages all the capabilities of a large scale LNG plant into one compact and transportable unit. This milestone was accompanied by the introduction of the ZPTS® Gas Conditioning plant, which widens the sources available for liquefaction: from sources with high content of CO2, such as biomethane, to even simpler gas compositions that require minimal dehydration.

Both units measure the size of a 40 ft. sea container and can be hauled by two separate trailers to connect them later on to natural gas mains, biodigestors, or wellhead equipment in a distant oil & gas field. The outcome of this new technology is a Distributed Liquefaction model, which liquefies every type of gas right at the source in any location, and enables distribution logistics that are equal to liquid fuels. This makes clean gas fuels available without the need of laying pipelines, extending the reach of current natural gas infrastructure or shortening the distance between new gas sources and consumers.

Due to their packaged skid mounted configuration, the installation and commissioning of both units only requires a ground level, air compressed supply and an internet connection. The Cryobox maximum standard unit supplies 10,000 gallons (15 tonnes) of LNG per day. This installed capacity can grow at the pace of demand, through the progressive addition of Cryobox units, even until reaching the volume of LNG produced by a mini LNG plant. The ZPTS is already prepared for these growing processes, due to its design for working with clusters of one or more Cryobox units.

All the liquefaction cycle is driven by a single electric motor of 450 kW installed power and a single 600 HP compressor; it runs entirely unmanned through remote control operation via a SCADA proprietary system, and consumes just 0.7 kWh/Kg of power (including the conditioning process). In addition, Cryobox has an automatic boil-off recovery system that keeps the volume of stored gas in constant levels for unlimited periods of time, solving problems caused by vents during the idle time of large LNG filling stations.

Focusing on immediate fuel availability, the equipment has a cold start-up capacity which allows it to reach peak production within 10 minutes (in a period of 24 hr.) without energy losses and inefficiencies. This Cryobox feature represents an advantage when compared to mini, mid-scale or large-scale plants that require between 12 and 18 hours to start producing.
Success Cases
LNG at the service of transport
The first worldwide Distributed Liquefaction experience was a project to fuel the LNG turbines of the fastest and environmentally cleanest ferry worldwide, Francisco, owned by the South American maritime company Buquebus. The bespoke liquefaction plant that serves this company has seven Cryobox-500-11TM stations, six in operation and one back-up station, which produce 7,683 gallons (12.48 tonnes) of LNG per unit on a daily basis, all of them connected to a single ZPTS, which sources natural gas (with 1- 1.9 mol % of CO2 and 0.8 – 1.5 mol % of N2) from the public gas grid. Located in San Vicente, a town in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, this facility was built and commissioned in 6 months, 18-30 months earlier than usually scheduled for a mini LNG plant of similar capacity. Its footprint is another feature to be highlighted: the seven Cryobox units occupy an area of approximately 50 ft. (15 m) by 100 ft. (30.5 m), and the whole facility requires only 10 acres (4 hectares), including the two tanker filling station with a total storage capacity of 106,000 gallons (163 tonnes). After two years of operation, the availability rate of this liquefaction equipment reached over 99%, allowing Buquebus to fultill its commitment to its passengers.
During each of the two daily roundtrips between Buenos Aires and Montevideo, Uruguay, the ferry consumes approximately 25,800 gallons (40 tonnes) of LNG. Two tanker trucks are used to cover the 43.5 miles (70 km.) between the liquefaction plant and the Buquebus terminal at the port of Buenos Aires. The use of LNG instead of diesel oil allows this 99 m long ship to realize fuel cost savings of 60% and, above all, to reduce combustion emissions by 98%. Thus, up to 150 cars and 1000 passengers cross the River Plate at cruising speeds of around 53 knots under Buquebus’ ‘flag of the planet’ trademark.

Liquefaction of Shale Gas, monetization and distribution without pipelines
The second Distributed Liquefaction experience has been recently carried out in North Dakota’s Bakken shale region to integrate flare gas capture and LNG production right at the wellhead.
Equipped with a ZPTS Plant and a Cryobox station, this solution engineered for Terra Energy captures natural gas and turns it into 7,800 – 8,500 gallons (12.3 – 13.4 tonnes) of LNG per day, depending on the production output of the wells. The LNG produced is stored on-site in ISO tanks  ̶  whose boil-off gas is also liquefied  ̶  and then transported about 50 miles (80 km) to be consumed as a diesel substitute fuel for drill-rig power generation and frac-water heating.
Due to their packaged skid mounted configuration, both units are prepared to be easily redeployed in a new productive location and work under the harsh conditions of North Dakota’s oil fields, which are home to frigid winters and scorching summers.
This successful experience has proven how Galileo’s Distributed Liquefaction technology can be adapted to the monetization of multiple gas sources. In this case, allowing to significantly reduce the waste of flaring, and using that energy to produce additional oil and gas in a region where the dispersion of shale gas sources can make the laying of gas-gathering lines economically unsustainable.

The company has launched a 19-ship retrofit program that includes CR Ocean Engineering as one of its suppliers.

“We wanted to work with CR Ocean Engineering, because the footprint of their equipment seems much smaller than some of the other manufacturers, which will help alleviate some of the space constraints we have in retrofits as well as the newbuild programs”, said Nicholas Rose, environmental regulatory lead, environmental stewardship.

Both the air and water emissions are continuously monitored for MARPOL compliance, with self-adjusting systems for water-load, alkalinity, etc., ensuring that it is always in compliance.

With the help of CR Ocean Engineering technology, the outflow water is equivalent or better than most municipal systems. Royal Caribbean’s standards now exceed MARPOL wherever the brand operates, noted Rose.

by Osvaldo del Campo, Galileo Technologies SA CEO (left) and Sotirios Kaminis, Kaminco Group, President & CEO (right)

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) was originally developed as a means for transporting natural gas across markets. Within this conception, once it arrives at processing terminals, LNG is sent through underground pipelines and distribution networks to supply cities and industries, as well as for vehicle fuel use.
The problem with this model is that LNG production is concentrated at a single point while consumers can be unevenly distributed across large areas. This results in considerable rigidity, typical of large-scale production, and high costs associated with transportation. Both factors deprive consumers of the cost savings that could result from the higher energy density of LNG and its inherent environmental benignity.
Therefore, only to a small extent, has LNG been adopted as fuel for high horse power applications, such as rail, marine, long-haul road transport, mining, drilling, pressure pumping, and stationary power generation.
In addition, the storage of large volumes of LNG at the point of consumption involves, in many cases, a high degree of boil-off and, as a consequence, emissions. This operational aspect, designed to relieve the LNG transportation logistics, poses a clear environmental objection, which has also prevented a widespread adoption of LNG.
It was only until recently that the LNG production plants were only large-scale facilities whose liquefaction cycles generated million cubic meters per day. In the last years, as derivative of this technology, there are new plants that the market named “Mini LNG Production-Stations”, as their capacity was reduced to several hundred thousand cubic meters per day. However, these plants are also well above the needs and financial capacity of any private or small community.
The challenge is to place the production of LNG at the nearest points of consumption, that is, in the consumers’ own hands. To achieve this, it is necessary to reach LNG production levels that match the cost and volume of industrial applications and outlying communities, as well as transport fuel use, whose consumption levels are well below the volume levels generated by the existing LNG plants.
In my vision, the answer for these consumers lies with a model that could be described as “Distributed LNG Production”, which enables them to become their own LNG suppliers. To make it possible, I’ve developed “Nano LNG-Stations”, modular in nature and capable of providing up to 10k gallons per day (approximately 15 tons per day) per unit.
In these “Nano LNG-Stations” modularity is a key aspect, as the progressive addition of modules allows the growth of the installed capacity to be directly proportional to the demand, minimizing financial risk associated with surplus infrastructure.
Furthermore, it is appropriate to compare these equipments with the ‘Mini LNG Production-Stations’ due to their size, production volume of LNG, investment and operating costs. In that case, while the latter requires a capital investment (CAPEX) of around $ 310 per ton of LNG, a “Nano LNG-Stations” requires only a $ 170 per ton of LNG. If we consider the annual operating expenditure (OPEX), the comparison is of 390-210 dollars per ton. Therefore, the use of these units allows savings of 50% in CAPEX and OPEX 40% per annum.
Since no additional constructions -such as perimeter containment walls- are necessary, every unit can be hauled anywhere by a simple trailer for immediate connection to the natural gas distribution network or to a modular treatment plant, which allows gas pre-conditioning at a remote oil & gas field.
In the location just mentioned above, a unit can be used for fueling gas pressure pumping and drilling equipment with LNG, or for the delivery of LNG via virtual pipeline directly to consumers who are distant from pipeline networks and more than 250 miles away from the mother station (the LNG production spot).
This aims at setting in motion remote wells which would have remained outside the system, either as mature or flaring wells. It also creates an additional environmental benefit by converting contaminating vented gas into a high value added liquid fuel.
Biomethane can be also considered as a source for liquefaction or gas compression. Therefore, multiple sources of gas can be considered as different levels of inlet pressure are acceptable: 57psi (4 bar), 156 psi (11 bar) and 213 psi (15 bar).
Regarding the environmental issues associated with LNG storage, liquefaction system of these units includes a multi-stage compression process which features a “boil-off” recovery system that eliminates all gas-venting.
Case Study
Buquebus, a South American sea transportation company, trusted this vision: it has recently adopted seven units to produce LNG as marine fuel for its “Pope Francis”, the world’s first high-speed passenger RO-RO ship powered by Gas Turbines fed on LNG, which daily crosses the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay.
It will be the first time that a sea transportation company, as is the case with Buquebus, becomes its own self-supplier of LNG.
The LNG consumption of this ship has posed a great challenge on account of its 100 meters length and capacity for 156 cars and 950 passengers.
Each unit applied to the Buquebus project is conceived as a module that can reach a maximum of 7,000 gal/day or 4,480 GGE/day (12 ton/day) of LNG. These modules are connected to the gas distribution network of the outskirts of Buenos Aires. From that location and on a daily basis, two trucks will transport 38.5 thousand gal/day (66 ton/day) of LNG to the Buquebus dock at the city port, for the ferry to comply with its two daily frequencies, which will involve an operating speed of 50 knots.
In marked contrast to traditional fuels, LNG will allow “Francisco” to reduce combustion emissions by 98%, and will generate 50% savings within the operating expense.
Conclusion
The Buquebus experience, will demonstrate that “Distributed LNG Production” through Nano LNG-Stations can bring LNG to private small scale consumers, with clear economic benefits for themselves and for the environment. It is a paradigm shift.

For more information please contact Kaminco at (+30) 210 45 28 240

The Kaminis family once again brings innovation to the Greek Shipping Community and the Eastern Mediterranean.

While everybody speaks of LNG as a marine fuel, while Engine manufacturers introduce Dual fuel engines and while Ship-owners built ships capable of burning Natural Gas, no one has managed to make LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) available for bunkering.

Kaminco has entered into a long term strategic partnership with Galileo, the only partner that can offer “LNG on Demand”.

Galileo was awarded with Black Diamond 2013 Innovation Award in USA. The company is the only manufacturer of LNG turnkey solutions that are compact, movable, scalable and cost efficient. Galileo makes bunkering simple and practical saving you money and time. Cryobox technology enables companies to produce their own LNG on demand at the exact quantities and locations they require.

KAMINCO is a Group of Companies with more than 50 years of powerful presence in the Greek and Cypriot Marine, Petrochemical and Energy Markets. The Group forms an important organization, dedicated in the research and application of new technologies. In co-operation with the most reputable world makers, it offers exclusively products, engineering services and consultancy in the areas of automation, safety, propulsion, shipbuilding, remote operations, decision support, even aviation and complex defence applications.