Maersk Fluid Technology (MFT) has announced contracts to supply its Sea-Mate Blending-On-Board (BOB) system to Evergas and the Clipper Group.
Evergas will install the Sea-Mate B1000 unit on their vessels, a system which is suitable for medium range engines with a bore size of 50 [ds_preview]– 72 cm. The Clipper Group have taken delivery of the smaller B500 unit, which is the system specifically designed for engines with a bore size of 26 – 48 cm, to be fitted on a vessel equipped with a MAN Diesel S42MC engine.
MFT’s BOB technology facilitates blending of the in-use system oil, as a base oil, with a high-BN cylinder oil product to produce a fit-for-purpose cylinder lubricant matching the actual fuel composition. With BOB units on board, ship operators can blend cylinder lubricant compositions that match actual engine operating conditions and fuel sulphur levels MFT stated.
The use of this technology could reduce cylinder oil consumption and alleviate issues such as cold corrosion, excessive cylinder wear the company adds.
The system also mitigates issues associated with worn system oil, causing problems for the hydraulic control system in modern electronic 2-stroke engines. Once oil is refreshed, significant energy savings in connection with purification and frictional losses can be realised.
Developed together with engine manufacturers
According to MFT the Sea-Mate BOB concept is actively developed together with the major engine designers and has received »no objection« letters for MAN Diesel & Turbo and Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) engines. The system is suitable for use on all types of vessel, both retrofit and newbuild, and does not require installation of additional cylinder oil tanks nor does installation result in offhire – it is fitted and commissioned during regular port stays.
