Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, December 11, 2015

Container ship saves 30 percent in fuel usage with nanotech coating

Industrial Nanotech said that their Nansulate High Heat temperature control coating (TCC), recently used in a test case to insulate and prevent corrosion on the heavy fuel oil (HFO) system of a container ship, resulted in a 30 percent reduction in the amount of diesel fuel required to heat the vessel's HFO system.

The TCC was applied to the tubular system and tanks of the HFO system for insulation and to prevent corrosion under insulation.

The coating reduced the diesel fuel used to heat the HFO system by 30 percent, according to the company statement, reducing the daily diesel fuel use by 360 liters per 24 hours, which equates to more than 7,500 liters of diesel fuel saved during a

typical 21 day round trip Asia/US/Asia journey, equivalent to approximately $3,525 or more in cost savings.

The project was undertaken on a 3,725-TEU container vessel. The High Heat insulating and anti-corrosion coating was applied to the HFO tanks and tubular system at a coverage of 6-coats, totaling a 200-micron dry film thickness. The cost of application and materials used to insulate the HFO tanks and tubular systems was $16,100. The return on investment was achieved after 95 days of sailing.

In addition to reducing diesel fuel use by about 360 liters per 24 hours, Industrial Nanotech said the TCC would likewise reduce operators' costs and lessen associated carbon emissions.