ECOsuperyacht announces new additions to its range of products as well as services for 2013. These comprise its proprietary retrofit exhaust gas re-heater system for passive diesel particulate filter systems, a 4 day turnaround cleaning service for diesel particulate filter elements, and a new dry ice cleaning service for large yachts with dry stack exhaust systems.
“Soot is a real hot button issue for a lot of captains and engineers, as it is something that is very noticeable for the owner and guests and has a significant detrimental impact on quality of life onboard. Although not yet directly regulated, boats with bad soot problems risk local port action if there’s a visible residue on the water, as well as gaining a reputation for being dirty neighbours,” says Richard Franklin, Managing Director of ECOsuperyacht.
“Any approach to soot reduction needs to be holistic, as there’s no single cure for the problem. As well as good servicing, reducing the total volume of soot being generated due to incomplete combustion by using a fuel borne catalyst such as Cerion Energy’s highly effective GO2 is a good starting point. Thereafter having a correctly specified diesel particulate filter makes a world of difference. So too does ensuring that the DPF is allowed to work properly. We see a lot of boats fitted with passive systems having problems caused by low exhaust temperatures that don’t allow the DPF to regenerate properly. Our proprietary retrofit exhaust re-heater system ensures that the correct temperatures for regeneration are sustained at the catalyst, allowing optimum performance.”
“Inevitably there’s some soot build up on the DPF filters over time, so to maintain optimum performance regular filter cleaning is required, sometimes as often as every 1,000 hours. Keeping filters clean maximises DPF performance and minimises back pressure problems, so it is an important part of the maintenance programme. Our cleaning service is available throughout the Mediterranean for all major brands and is designed to offer a quick turnaround, recognising that this work sometimes needs to be done mid season, especially for boats with a busy programme where running hours can accumulate quickly. Our 4 day collection, clean and delivery service using a state of the art cleaning facility aims to deliver filters cleaned to at least 95%, with a full condition report on each filter. For boats where even 4 days is too much, we can offer a 1 for 1 exchange, clean and storage service.”
Dry stack exhaust systems that are found on the largest yachts require regular cleaning to keep the free from accumulated soot, which would otherwise present a fire hazard, as well as tending to deposit soot on the upper deck during start up. Conventional cleaning methods using brushes tends to be slow, dirty and time consuming. Dry ice blasting, which is in widespread use for industrial cleaning, is a highly effective cleaning process. However it isn’t well suited for use in long, narrow spaces where manned access isn’t possible, such as in dry stack systems, Working with a Canadian dry ice blasting equipment manufacturer, ECOsuperyacht has developed a series of tools that enable it to use dry ice blasting to clean dry stack systems quickly, cleanly and effectively, with residue being captured and removed throughout the cleaning process. “Interest in our dry ice cleaning system from engineers on larger yachts has been exceptional, indicating that engineers are keen to find an effective alternative cleaning method that is cleaner and quicker than conventional cleaning”, says Richard.
Although based at their new offices in STP-Palma from the start of January 2013, ECOsuperyacht’s services are available throughout Europe, whilst the addition of ECOsuperyacht USA in Fort Lauderdale provides them with capability at the heart of the US superyacht market.
Says Richard Franklin, “There’s no doubt at all that increasing regulation, combined with pressure to minimise the impact of superyachts on their local environment and a justifiable desire on the part of owners to make their experience onboard as enjoyable as possible all point in the direction of cleaner, more efficient yachts. We intend to ensure that ECOsuperyacht is there to support superyacht owners, captains and engineers in meeting these challenges”.
