VOC recovery system promises tanker fuel savings

The VOC recovery technology for the tankers being built for Singapore based AET Tankers at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard is worth more than 30 MEUR.

“The fuel savings efficiency of the system enables a fast pay-back time, while the reduction in emissions of CO2 equivalents is as much as 40% when compared to conventional solutions,” said Timo Koponen, vice president, processing solutions, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

Ground-breaking

When completed, the tankers will operate on LNG as the primary fuel, but VOC – the gas evaporating from the oil cargo tanks – will also be utilised as fuel by mixing it with the LNG so reducing the vessels’ bunkering needs.

This will be made possible by the VOC recovery system which offers the potential for savings of over 3000 tonnes of fuel each year per vessel. This is in addition to the notable environmental benefits the use of gas as fuel provides by enabling a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply for each of these ships includes the VOC recovery plant, the liquefied VOC fuel tank, the fuel mixing unit, the LNG fuel tank and fuel supply system, the gas valve unit (GVU) and two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines.

The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in the autumn of this year.