Saacke launches new GCU solution for LNG carrier market

“In order to take into account the ever decreasing space available in the engine room of LNG tankers, we have now designed this system solution with significantly smaller dimensions with the same or even improved performance,” explains Bernd König, Sales Director Offshore & GCU Systems at SAACKE.

The new unit represents a refinement of SAACKE’s classic Gas Combustion Unit design, modifying the surface burner. The evo suffix stands for “evolution”.

In addition to saving space, the new model has reduced emissions thanks to special cold flame technology. The unit’s NOx emission values of 60-80 mg/m3 and CO values of 150 mg/m3.

The new unit is also compatible with digital remote maintenance, which meets the requirements of shipyards, owners and charterers of LNG tankers and bunker vessels.

Unlike the previous GCU unit which used two separate zones for combustion and mixing air for cooling the gases, all the air is sent over the surface burner and only mixed further downstream. This eliminates the requirement for a separate radial blower, as only one air blower is required, which reduces the motor output requirement and lowers power consumption.

This also leads to lower temperatures (approx. 600 °C) are generated in the combustion chamber, reducing the thermal stress on the combustion chamber material. “In terms of space saving as well as technical details, this GCU system is currently unrivalled on the market,” König added.

The GCU, which is ready for series production, is available in different output sizes from 0.4 to 4.5 t/h methane combustion with various size gradations. The scope of supply includes the GCU system including burner, control system, gas train and blower as well as spare parts service. Installation and commissioning are carried out in sections. SAACKE also offers training courses in this context.