Norway-based Hydroniq Coolers has been contracted by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) to deliver its hull-integrated marine cooling system to two newbuild service operation vessels (SOVs) that are being built for Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.
Credit: Hydroniq Coolers
Under the contract, Hydroniq Cooler will deliver its “Rack” seawater cooling system that is integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessels. Marine cooling systems are utilised to reduce temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater to avoid overheating of the engine and other critical systems.
The Rack is equipped with fuel and energy saving solutions such as frequency operated seawater pumps which due to low pressure drop requires lower power consumption. Chilled water element reduces running time at the chilled-water compressors while heat recovery element makes it possible to use the surplus heat, further underlining the system’s energy efficiency.
The Rack system is also designed to increase intervals between each clean and reduce cleaning time when cleaning is necessary. It does not require dry-docking for maintenance as the coolers can be extracted from below the engine room, even while at sea.
“The hull-integrated Rack cooler combines the energy and space-saving features of a box cooler with the standardised steel structure and constant and efficient cooling of a plate heat exchanger – uniting all these qualities into one system. Additionally, the Rack offers a maintenance-friendliness that neither the box nor plate cooler can compete with,” says Jan Inge Johannesen, sales manager at Hydroniq Coolers.
Hydroniq Coolers will manufacture at assemble the Rack seawater coolers at its headquarters at Ellingsøy outside Aalesund, Norway. The company has not disclosed the value of the contract.
Next-generation SOVs
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has chosen ZPMC as the shipyard for the construction of the new SOVs. SALT Ship Design is designing the vessels.
The new SOVs, which will support the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms, represent the next generation. Enhanced manoeuvrability is achieved thanks to four azimuth thrusters, together with superior dynamic positioning (DP) performance. The vessels will also feature an advanced gangway system and a 3D motion-compensated crane. Additionally, special attention has been given to technicians and crew comfort, transforming the SOVs into high-standard floating hotels.