Wartsila has introduced a unique product, GasReformer, which
uses steam reforming technology to convert associated gas to a quality
that can be used as fuel in Wartsila’s range of gas fuelled engines.The Wartsila GasReformer is yet another example of the company
developing highly efficient products and demonstrating integration
capabilities which ensure environmentally and economically optimised
solutions.Wärtsilä GasReformer has been awarded the Offshore Technology
Conference (OTC) 2013 Spotlight on New Technology Award. The award
recognizes innovative new products that provide significant impact for
offshore exploration and production. The award criteria were that the
product must be new, less than two years old, innovative, proven, have
broad interest and appeal for the offshore industry, and provide
significant benefits beyond existing technologies.The Wärtsilä GasReformer is an innovative new product that enables
gases produced during oil production, which by nature are rich in heavy
hydrocarbons, to be converted into a methane rich product for
utilization in Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines operating at full performance
levels. Traditionally such gases would be flared and wasted. While
catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon feeds to hydrogen is a known process dating back to the early 20th century, the Wärtsilä GasReformer
represents a totally new application under quite different conditions
than that of the traditional process.Tore Lunde, Director Wärtsilä Oil & Gas Systems says:“Wärtsilä has considerable experience in the treatment of gaseous fuels for fuel cells, and this patented product is a result of this
development work. It is yet another example of the company’s ability to
develop solutions that combine both economic and environmental benefits. The uniqueness of the GasReformer is in its ability to convert unwanted heavier fractions from the gas into methane. By turning otherwise waste gas into fuel, the system significantly lowers operating costs while
notably enhancing environmental sustainability. In locations where
flaring is prohibited, this is especially important.” Utilizing associated gasAssociated gas from oil production is normally considered as waste
and is consequently flared into the atmosphere. The World Bank-led
Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership estimates that globally around
150 billion cubic metres of gas are flared or vented every year, causing some 400 million tons of carbon dioxide in annual emissions. That is
equivalent to 30 per cent of the European Union’s gas consumption. The
Wärtsilä GasReformer treats this gas and converts it into a stable
composition that can be used as fuel for Wärtsilä engines. This means
that oil platforms and FPSO’s, which demand high levels of power, can
utilize an energy source that was earlier not used at all. Furthermore,
since the power demand was previously met using marine diesel oil (MDO), the bunkering of MDO can mostly be eliminated when using the
GasReformer. This results in direct and measurable cost savings.
SHIPBUILDING
18 March 2013 - 21:19
Finland: Wartsila Introduces GasReformer Product
Wartsila has introduced a unique product, GasReformer, which uses steam reforming technology to convert associated gas to a quality.
SHIPBUILDING
18 March 2013 - 21:19
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