Parker Kittiwake News

Parker Kittiwake is witnessing an increase in demand for onboard fuel compatibility testing.The trend reflects the urgency in the market as shipowners and operators take a more deliberate and proactive approach to mitigating the risks of potential marine fuel oil incompatibility and stability issues associated with the impending 2020 global sulphur cap regulation.With the majority of shipowners expected to opt for very low sulphur fuels of 0.5% or less to achieve compliance, the shipping industry is seeing a rise in new blended fuels appearing on the market.

Whether you choose distillates, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or scrubbers to meet the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) fuel regulations in 2020, it will be ever more critical to regularly monitor the condition of vital equipment to ensure there is no adverse affect on operational efficiency. Industry opinion ahead of the implementation of the 2020 global sulphur cap remains fragmented to say the least. With only a relatively short timeframe remaining before ship owners will be facing the reality of compliance…

Parker Kittiwake launched the Parker Kittiwake Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) analyzer, which the company says represents a breakthrough for the simultaneous testing of base number (BN), total acid number (TAN), insolubles, soot loading, viscosity, FAME and water content of oil samples on board a ship, allowing all parameters to be measured using a single sample in one test kit. The ATR analyzer uses infrared spectroscopy to determine the presence of damaging elements such as solid particles or water in a representative sample of oil.

Parker Kittiwake has  announced the launch of the Gold Guide – a definitive reference guide to fuel, hydraulic, and lubricating oil for the marine industry. This first-of-a-kind, comprehensive resource provides vessel owners and operators with all the information needed to understand all aspects of fuel, lube, and hydraulic oil from first principles to testing, monitoring, characteristics and specifications. Furthermore it gives a comprehensive insight into interpreting test results and understanding the potential impact these can have on operational performance and efficiency.

Parker Kittiwake today launched the Condition Monitoring Starter Kit. The kit combines the Parker Kittiwake DigiCell combined kit, the Holroyd MHC-Bearing Checker, and a PC tablet with a condition monitoring routine and log book pre-loaded on it to help guide the user in using the products for maximum effect. Created with the aim of introducing the power of condition monitoring to those owners and operators less familiar with it, the Condition Monitoring Starter Kit combines essential tools that protect vulnerable equipment and prevent failure. It utilises modern condition monitoring technology to simplify everyday maintenance observations and provide advance warning of possible maintenance requirements.

Parker Kittiwake, a leading global supplier of asset control and protection technology, has today announced a significant order of its recently launched Cat Fines Test Kit from leading ship management company, Norbulk Shipping. The contract was awarded to Parker Kittiwake following a competitive evaluation of the available market options, meeting Norbulk’s requirement for a simple solution that any of its crew members could use to get an accurate and repeatable result, quickly. The Parker Kittiwake Cat Fines Test Kit represents a breakthrough in the early detection of cat fines. Using a simple pre-mixed chemical bottle test, which detects the presence of cat fines in a representative sample of fuel oil…

Parker Kittiwake Procal, part of the Parker Hannifin Corporation and the supplier of continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for marine, power and offshore applications, has launched the new Procal 1200M data gathering system and control unit, specifically designed for maritime use by marine engineers. In addition to collecting and processing data from Parker Kittiwake Procal’s marine emissions analyzers, the Procal 12000M is capable of sending and receiving data from devices which monitor exhaust gas scrubbing systems.

A new Cat Fines Test Kit has been launched by asset control and protection technology provider Parker Kittiwake. The onboard test identifies the presence of abrasive silicon and aluminum catalytic fines, which can become embedded into engine components and cause abrasive wear, causing irreversible damage to a vessel’s fuel system if left undetected. When fuel is stored for extended periods of time, cat fines – leftovers from the refinery cracking process – settle out of the fuel and build up as sediment in storage tanks.

The cylinder liner is a crucial part of a ship’s engine, as monitoring wear not only extends operational life but also prevents unexpected and costly repairs, with the average cost for a replacement liner at over $150,000. Matson has installed Parker Kittiwake’s LinerSCAN onto several of its vessels as part of a range of condition monitoring tools. Payback proved immediate, as on the first voyage after installation, the LinerSCAN system indicated increased wear on the cylinder liners.

Parker Kittiwake, part of the Parker Hannifin Corporation and the supplier of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) for marine applications, has doubled its manufacturing capacity in direct response to an increase in industry demand ahead of the imminent 2015 ECA deadline. As a result of the increase in orders over the last year, the company has doubled its revenue. Parker Kittiwake said in-situ CEMS are the most effective method for measuring emissions, and continuous monitoring of sulphur emissions is one of two methods that can be used to verify the scrubbers’ performance…

The recent trend in favoring newer generation engines which offer improved fuel consumption by using a longer stroke reflects the marine industry’s focus on energy efficiency. While this design does aid operators in reducing fuel consumption, it has also created the new issue of cold corrosion. The longer stroke allows the cylinder walls to cool more than with older engine designs, allowing water condensation to form on the surface which then reacts with the sulphur dioxide in the combustion gases to form sulphuric acid, a corrosive element which damages the liner surface.

Parker Kittiwake, the global provider of asset control and protection technology, has announced a breakthrough in onboard cold corrosion testing with their new portable test kit. In less than five minutes per test, Parker Kittiwake’s Cold Corrosion Test Kit monitors specific levels of corroded iron in used cylinder oil. As growing numbers of ship owners and operators favor new generation engines to reduce fuel costs and meet environmental requirements, the problem of cold corrosion escalates.

Parker Kittiwake, the global provider of asset control and protection technology, has launched its newly updated DIGI TBN test kit. The digital, used-oil analysis kit now gives a rapid indication of total base number (TBN) depletion in scrape down cylinder lubricants with a BN range up to 100. Recent guidance from engine manufacturers (OEMs) recommends the use of higher BN lubricants in newer engines to help prevent the damaging effects of corrosive wear. Therefore, major oil companies are now adding higher BN lubricants to their product portfolios. “With the latest Parker Kittiwake DIGI TBN test kit, ship operators using high BN lubes now have the ability to test residual TBN levels in their oil.