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First Ore Carrier Equipped with Mitsubishi Energy Recovery System (MERS) Goes Into Service
- Fuel Savings of 8% Achieved in At-Sea Trial-
- Fuel Savings of 8% Achieved in At-Sea Trial-
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Tokyo, May 22, 2014 - A Mitsubishi Energy Recovery System (MERS) supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Engine Co., Ltd. (MHI-MME), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., has been installed on a VLOC (Very Large Ore Carrier) for the first time. The system significantly enhances power generation efficiency by maximizing recovery and utilization of exhaust gas waste energy from marine diesel engines, and demonstrated significant fuel consumption improvement compared with existing ships during at-sea trial. MERS ability to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact has already been confirmed through installation and testing in container ships that consume large amounts of electricity, and the latest event marks successful verification of MERS capability in other type of ships as well.
MERS is the system that optimally controls exhaust gas turbines1 and steam turbines, enhancing fuel efficiency by recovering waste heat at a wide range of engine load. The latest MERS enables even greater waste energy recovery by incorporating shaft motors2 that delivers surplus power back to the main engine. As results, the new MERS is able to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 8%.
MERS orders have progressively expanded since the system's development in 2010, mainly for systems installed on refrigerated container (reefer) carriers that consume large amounts of electricity. The latest MERS at-sea trial, however, confirms MERS ability to efficiently recover and utilize waste energy in smaller vessels as well. Leveraging these test results, MHI-MME intends to meet fuel efficiency needs in a wider range of seagoing vessels.
Going forward, MHI-MME will continue to propose various innovative energy-saving and environmental solutions to enhance seagoing energy efficiency and environmental preservation efforts.
Notes:
1. Turbines driven by engine exhaust gas.
2. Motors to assist propeller shaft rotation.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.