Alfa Laval launches marine biofuel-ready separators

Alfa Laval claims that it has developed the marine sector’s first biofuel-ready separators compatible with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biofuel blends.

PHOTO: Model of biofuel-ready separator. Alfa Laval

Swedish engineering company Alfa Laval explains that its “high-speed” separators can remove glycerine, impurities and other harmful compounds from biodiesel that could affect the fuel's quality. The separators can also remove water from the fuel during washing and drying.

Biofuels uptake has increased rapidly over the past year, especially from shipowners looking to gain operational experience before running more vessels on biofuel blends as emission regulations tighten over the coming years.

Biofuels have been popular alternative fuel choices as they are said to offer similar combustion performance to oil-based fuels without any major modifications to engines or vessels.

Alfa Laval, however, argues that "biofuels must still be cleaned effectively to prevent performance problems and expensive engine wear" and separators may be able to address these operational challenges.

By Konica Bhatt

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