Alfa Laval Unveils Its New Waste Heat Recovery Economizer (Denmark)

Ship owners, hard pressed to boost profits in light of rising fuel costs and stricter emissions regulations, will find welcome relief in the new Aalborg XS-TC7A waste heat recovery (WHR) economizer from Alfa Laval. Designed for use after a ship’s auxiliary engines, this innovative waste heat recovery system promises fuel and emissions savings for the world’s maritime fleet.

Capable of completely supplying or supporting ship steam requirements during manoeuvring and port stays, the new Alfa Laval Aalborg XS-TC7A waste heat recovery economizer turns waste heat from a ship’s auxiliary engines into usable energy and cuts carbon emissions.

Additional fuel savings

With its small footprint and low weight to output ratio, the Alfa Laval Aalborg XS-TC7A promises to reduce fuel costs for oil-fired auxiliary boilers. After two years of testing at sea, a major Danish shipping company is among the first to capitalize on the full potential of using waste heat recovery economizers both after the main engines and auxiliary engines on its fleet. For starters, the company signed a contract in January 2012 to install the Alfa Laval Aalborg XS-TC7A on 20 newbuildings and a larger number of retrofits over the coming years.

“Waste heat recovery systems after the main engines have proven lucrative for decades for many ship owners,” says Hans-Henrik Jensen, Alfa Laval Vice President, Marine & Diesel Division. “Taking advantage of the waste heat from a ship’s auxiliary engines is the natural next step, which is now possible thanks to the Aalborg XS-TC7A. The product has been very well received by the shipping industry, where many of the leading companies are investigating the possibility of installing the Aalborg XS-TC7A onboard.”

Jensen goes on to say that Alfa Laval is the first maritime supplier to help ship owners improve fuel efficiency by capturing the waste heat potential of the auxiliary engines and turning it into usable energy onboard. This delivers measurable cost savings and enhances a ship’s environmental profile.

Fast return on investment

Return on investment for the entire installation can typically be realized within 12 to 18 months; in some cases, payback only takes six to eight months. Drastically reduced fuel costs and reduced maintenance requirements for oil-fired auxiliary engines contributes to fast ROI because the Aalborg XS-TC7A is able to supply, or support, a ship’s in-port steam requirements. Actual payback time varies, depending on various factors, such as the number of days the produced steam can be utilized and redundancy requirements.

Another reason why payback time is quick: A specially designed convection component, which improves heat transfer due to increased turbulence at the exhaust gas boundary layer. This enables increased steam production but makes the Aalborg XS-TC7A more compact and lighter in weight compared to other known waste heat recovery systems.

Deeper emissions reductions

According to the Danish shipping company’s chief executive officer, reducing carbon emissions is a top priority for the company not only to protect the health of the planet but to meet customer demand for a greener supply chain.

“The Aalborg XS-TC7A is clean technology that will help ship owners reduce energy costs and enhance their environmental profiles,” explains Jensen. “All told, the Aalborg XS-TC7A is a must-have on board.”

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Alfa Laval, December 13, 2012