Krystallon gears up for first oil tanker scrubber installation
18/02/08
BP subsidiary Krystallon is moving ahead with plans to fit a first oil tanker with its innovative seawater scrubber technology this year.
The company is expected to install a scrubber on one of BP’s own tankers later in 2008 most likely at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore.
The project is part of a drive to demonstrate the effectiveness of abatement technology as a way of reducing sulphur emissions from ships.
The Krystallon seawater scrubber can effectively eliminate harmful sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from vessels. This has become a critical requirement in certain parts of the world such as the North Sea and the English Channel.
Currently, the technology is working effectively inside other vessel types ranging from cruise liners to ferries. The BP tanker will be the first of its kind to carry the eco-friendly technology.
BP Shipping is to decide shortly which one of its ‘tree-class’ aframaxes will be fitted with the scrubber system. A number of the aframax vessels – typically between 80,000 dwt and 120,000 dwt – are due to dock at Sembawang this year in quick succession where the installation work will be done.
Krystallon’s Andy Osbourne said that other tanker owners are also considering installing the equipment on a trial basis, primarily on their new buildings.
“The current scrubber system can handle vessels fitted with diesel engines of up to 25MW in power, which covers most of the world’s tanker fleet.”
Extensive sea trials of Krystallon scrubbers have already been conducted by ship operators in various parts of the world including a ferry in Northern Europe and a cruise ship sailing off the North American West Coast.
“Krystallon scrubbers can reduce sulphur emissions from ships’ exhaust to virtually zero, offering ship operators a viable way of reducing SOx pollution without using more expensive low sulphur bunker fuel,” said Osbourne.
ENDS
For enquiries from the media, journalists and researchers only, the Krystallon Press Office can be contacted on 01782 751939/ 07769 901932 or e-mail: pshirley@theprfirm.co.uk