Kobe Steel, Ltd. recently announced that it has received an order for two screw compressors for use with marine dual fuel engines. This is the first order of its kind for Kobe Steel, as it marks the first time that screw compressors will be used to supply fuel to marine dual fuel engines.
What is a screw compressor, you may ask? Simply put, a screw compressor is a type of gas compressor that works by trapping air between two spinning rotors, which compresses the gas and then discharges it into the engine. In the case of the two screw compressors ordered by Kobe Steel, these will be used to convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) into fuel for marine dual fuel engines.
Marine dual fuel engines are becoming increasingly popular in the shipping industry, as they offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel engines. By using LNG as a fuel source, these engines produce fewer emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Additionally, because LNG is a cleaner-burning fuel, the engines require less maintenance and have longer lifetimes than their diesel counterparts.
The two screw compressors ordered by Kobe Steel will be used in a carrier, which is a type of LNG tanker used to transport liquefied natural gas from one place to another. Carrier screw compressors are specifically designed to be used in this type of vessel, as they need to be able to handle the extreme temperatures and pressures involved in converting LNG into fuel.
So what does this all mean for the shipping industry? Simply put, the use of carrier screw compressors represents an important step forward in the push towards more environmentally friendly shipping practices. By using LNG as a fuel source and incorporating new technologies such as screw compressors, shipping companies can significantly reduce their emissions of harmful pollutants without sacrificing efficiency or performance.
Of course, the adoption of new technologies such as carrier screw compressors does come with some challenges. For example, the initial cost of implementing these technologies can be quite high, which may deter smaller companies from adopting them. Additionally, there may be some concerns around the safety and reliability of new technologies, especially if they are untested.
Despite these challenges, however, the potential benefits of using carrier screw compressors and other environmentally friendly technologies in the shipping industry are hard to ignore. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, it is essential that the shipping industry does its part to reduce its impact on the planet. By investing in new technologies such as carrier screw compressors, shipping companies can help to create a more sustainable future for all.