A fuel saving above 20% has been achieved in a long-term test of a carbon nanotube device fitted to a Bhagwan Marine vessel working off the Australian coast.
The G-Cylinder, developed by an Australian Research & Development company, utilises carbon nanotube technology from Japan to enhance fuel combustibility, reduce engine wear, cut emissions and improve power delivery.
Fitted to the fuel line in a relatively simple, low cost procedure, the G-Cylinder conducts radiant heat from the engine room to stimulate the emission of far infrared radiation within the graphene and carbon nanotube. This infrared radiation excites the diesel fuel molecules, disentangling and dispersing them so that they are optimised for combustion.
In 2018/19, in a joint R&D effort to demonstrate G-Cylinder technology in the oil & gas marine service sector, Bhagwan Marine trialled G-Cylinder on utility vessel ‘Tempest’, which is powered by twin Yanmar 12 AYM-WST eco-diesel unit injection engines.
Over the period of the trial, the Tempest recorded a 21% reduction in fuel use against historical data. Tempest Master Brian Reghenza said that with G-Cylinder devices installed, fuel consumption on regular trips to Reindeer platform off the coast of Dampier in Western Australia was “the lowest ever recorded.”
Bhagwan Marine Managing Director Loui Kannikoski said that the trial has been a resounding success, proving the technology and demonstrating considerable potential savings to the company, which they intend to pass onto their clients.
“We run a large fleet of diverse vessels, from work boats to barges, crew transfer vessels, tugs, and dive support vessels. Fuel and maintenance are major costs for a company like ours, so the opportunity to make significant savings across these cost centres and pass these savings onto our clients is definitely something the whole industry should be excited about he said.
Mr Kannikoski said that the next step is to continue the R&D with G-Cylinder, testing to further develop environmental reductions in the marine service sector.
“If we can make an environmental and sustainability impact on our industry through our work with G-Cylinder, I’d say that’s definitely a win-win situation. And with tighter emissions controls and lower sulphur fuels mandated from 2020, improving fuel efficiency and power delivery will be vital,” he said.
G-Cylinder CEO and Director James Glaskin said that seeing fuel savings and emissions reductions projected in laboratory work and previous testing realised in the field is exciting.
“Understanding how the technology responds to real-world environments and usage, and seeing the impact it can have on operations and the environment is incredibly rewarding,” Mr Glaskin said.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Bhagwan Marine, and to expanding our service to others in the marine and oil & gas sectors in Australia,” he said. “The work we’re doing to prove the economic viability and environmental importance of the G-Cylinder today will help industry operators and their clients for generations to come.”