GEA marine separator for polar research ship
F. Laeisz took over the management of the Polarstern in 1996. The vessel sails on behalf of the Alfred Wegener Institute providing crucial information about the polar regions and bringing supplies to the Antarctic Neumayer Station III.
The Polarstern is equipped with four 20,000 hp engines enabling it to fight its way through pack ice up to one and a half metres thick. With 44 crew and up to 55 scientists on board, it is in operation for 310 days per year travelling around 50,000 nautical miles and can cope with temperatures as low as -50°C.
GEA marine separators have been on board the vessel since it was commissioned in 1982. Eight new units will be installed in June 2021 helping save more than 15 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Based on the CWE 15375 standard, GEA marine separators are said to have the highest energy efficiency rate and best certified flow rates currently available on the market. At the heart of the new technology is an integrated direct drive which no longer requires a belt or coupling reducing wear and maintenance costs.
The spindle and motor are available as a modular exchange unit, simplifying installation and maintenance and the integrated drive technology reduces maintenance time on the drive by 95%.
