Insulation Systems News

To start, can you give an overview of the Thermamax offering to the maritime industry?Thermamax is a specialist in the design and manufacture of thermal and acoustic insulation solutions for diesel engines, spark ignited engines, exhaust aftertreatment systems and electric storage systems. Our markets include automotive, on- and off-highway sectors, power sports vehicles, stationary power generation, ships, and oil platforms, both on land and at sea. For the marine industry, Thermamax is a solution provider for SOLAS-compliant insulation solutions for engine rooms.

Trident Maritime Systems (Trident), a portfolio company of J.F. Lehman & Company (JFLCO), signed a definitive agreement to acquire Callenberg Technology Group (Callenberg) from Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS. Callenberg designs, assembles, integrates, and supports HVAC, electrical energy management, and insulation systems for commercial and government vessels around the world.  It is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden and employs approximately 900 employees in 14 countries. Trident is an independent provider of turnkey marine joiner, distributed, electro-mechanical, and power, propulsion and control systems and solutions for government and commercial customers both in the U.S. and internationally.  Completion of the sale is expected to take place later in 2016.

NLI Solutions (NLI) has developed a concept for a LNG Bunker Barge (often described as the 'missing link' in prospective LNG bunkering plans) based on the NLI LNG tank design. The concept has been further developed in a design study together with the Marine division of Rolls-Royce and Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions (WTS). LNG is among the cleanest and most cost efficient options for low emission shipping. Interest in LNG as a marine fuel is rapidly increasing, but one limiting factor is practical availability of LNG bunker facilities.Today…

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) announced it has developed a high performance Hyundai Membrane LNG Cargo Containment System. The shipbuilding giant’s new membrane type containment system for liquefied natural gas received Design Approval from classification societies including ABS and DNV. The containment system, useable for LNG carriers, LNG FPSO, LNG fueled vessel and LNG bunkering systems, features dual metal barrier and high performance insulation systems. The thin STS304L and Invar-alloy barriers…

GE’s Power Conversion business has taken a step in testing a viable way of producing large amounts of electricity from renewable resources using superconductors running at relatively high temperatures. The company completed trials of Hydrogenie, a power generator incorporating technologies that enable highly efficient production of electricity in a small space. Hydrogenie makes use of superconductors instead of copper for the rotor windings on the motor, operating at 43 Kelvin or -230°C.

By Stuart C. Karon and Dr. In the September 2002 issue of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, a detailed discussion was featured on the advantages of future High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) machinery for propulsion of electric drive ships. • Motors A 5-MW 230-rpm machine for the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) is undergoing factory tests. ONR is now funding the next step - design, fabrication and factory testing of a 36.5-MW 120-rpm machine to prove the technology at full-scale for warships. • Generators Development of HTS generators has also leapt ahead with the initial production of 10-MVAR synchronous condensers for utility voltage adjusting service. These condensers are very similar in design and operation to 10-MW, 1,800-rpm generators.

Unitor won contracts from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., worth approximately $5.65m for specialized insulation systems for LNG and LPG carriers under construction at this South Korean shipyard. Hyundai has chosen Unitor to deliver a foam insulation system for the cargo tanks on a 12,000 grt LPG carrier building for a European owner. The contract is valued in the region of $650,000. Unitor has delivered more than 70 foam in situ (molded) insulation systems for liquefied petroleum gas carriers, mainly in Europe. This is Unitor's first LPG contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries and is an important breakthrough for the company in this part of the world, which has become the center for the construction of LPG carriers, with new deliveries currently running at 20-30 vessels per year.

Eric Greene Associates, Inc. has just been awarded a 9-month, $65,000 contract from the Maritime Administration to investigate spray-applied insulation systems for marine transportation. The work is being performed for the Ship Structure Committee (SSC) representing in the U.S. the Maritime Administration, the Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the Navy; and in Canada the Coast Guard, DREA, and Transport Canada. High-speed marine transportation systems rely on structural fire protection to ensure passenger safety. Passive structural fire protection used today consists of "batted" material that is held in place with pins.

Mark A. Robicheaux, Inc., Marine Joiner Contractors, located in Morgan City, La., provides custom marine joiner services. Two companies have been added to the service family to provide more complete and controlled joiner packages. Robicheaux Manufacturing offers custom/modular yacht and plastic laminate marine furniture and millwork, and Robicheaux Insulation Systems provides insulation installations for the marine, industrial and offshore industries. The contracting segment of the business has completed marine projects, including offshore living quarters, jack-up marine vessel quarters, workboat and crewboat interiors, dive boat interiors and dinner cruise, yacht and casino vessel interiors.