Homogenisers cut sludge and NOx

Thames Petroleum is supplying three SIT homogenisers for installation onboard the 32,520 dwt general cargo vessel Canelo Arrow. One will be sited ahead of the purifiers to reduce sludge output, a second processes the fuel immediately before the engines, to improve combustion, and the last will treat the lub oil.

The volume of sludge from the fuel centrifuges is said to be cut by 80 ? 85%. Treating sludge from the lub oil separator means it can pass either to the fuel settling tank or for burning in a boiler or incinerator.

Thames has supplied 300 homogenisers to almost 100 vessels, including several for mixing water into the fuel as a retrofit NOx reduction system. The company recommends a maximum of 10% water is added without contacting the engine manufacturer, and tests have shown 1% water reduces NOx by 1%.