SeaClean[ing] as it should
Two years on and DeAngelo Marine Exhaust's SeaClean soot particulate filter system's are functioning as expected. SuperyachtNews.com finds out about the system and discusses its effectiveness with a client.…
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SeaClean is a diesel particulate filter system that captures up to 95 per cent of the soot and extraneous particulates found in the exhaust flow, which would otherwise contribute towards staining, damage and pollution. SuperyachtNews.com spoke exclusively to Richard Boggs, inventor of the SeaClean system, and Jorge Lang, DeAngelo Marine Exhaust’s operations manager, about the system and how the product has been received since its inauguration at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in 2013.
“One of the main selling points is that - unlike anybody else in the market – we provide a one-stop-shop solution. We travel all over the world to see exactly what a vessel needs, then we design the system, fabricate the components and provide the installation,” starts Lang. “We also train the crew in how to operate and maintain the system. Right now nobody else offers this complete service.”
A central element that distinguishes the SeaClean system from its competitors is the inclusion of variable pre-heater technology. “Most competitive systems use exhaust heating to start or maintain regeneration, waiting for the filters to become partially plugged in order to use exhaust back pressure as the control signal”, explains Boggs. This necessitates the filter to be heavily laden with soot before the on board heating systems are introduced on full blast, in the hope this triggers sufficient regeneration to begin the cycle all over again.
“We have near continuous regeneration throughout the load range of the generator,” continues Boggs. “This means that the filter is always burning off soot and hydrocarbons as they are produced, rather than waiting until there is an accumulation that needs to be removed.”
The SeaClean system works at maximum output when gensets are operating at low loads and the exhaust is cool. As the generator load increases the exhaust gas temperatures increase, allowing SeaClean to reduce the amount of energy going into the heaters and ensuring the system never becomes a parasitic drain.
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust has now installed 17 systems, including some notable superyachts such as the Feadship built 47m SeaRacer. SuperyachtNews.com spoke with Revel Boulon, chief engineer on board SeaRacer, who commented:
“I am extremely happy with its operation to this point. And I might add, so is the deck crew, which is very tough to accomplish when discussing generators and exhaust systems. I currently have just over 2000 running hours on each of the two generators, and there has been nothing but white, shinny paint surrounding the dry exhaust discharge on the hull, and our tender that is always tied on the hip right against the discharge point is the same. This is also without washing the hull for more than two weeks, during which time I completed several services on the generators and have experienced a high degree of fluctuation within the loads.”
“We have had systems running for two years without having to change filters,” explains Lang. “We’ve had one vessel do 5000 hours [underway] without any change in backpressure,” suggesting that the filter remains clean. “We’ve done installations for our competitor’s as they do not have the means to do so. One of the criteria of the installs is easy access to their filter so they can be maintained.” According to DeAngelo Marine Exhaust this is yet to be an issue with SeaClean, and in any case, they operate a future proofed modular system for when, or if, this does occur.
“One of the main selling points is that - unlike anybody else in the market – we provide a one-stop-shop solution. We travel all over the world to see exactly what a vessel needs, then we design the system, fabricate the components and provide the installation,” starts Lang. “We also train the crew in how to operate and maintain the system. Right now nobody else offers this complete service.”
A central element that distinguishes the SeaClean system from its competitors is the inclusion of variable pre-heater technology. “Most competitive systems use exhaust heating to start or maintain regeneration, waiting for the filters to become partially plugged in order to use exhaust back pressure as the control signal”, explains Boggs. This necessitates the filter to be heavily laden with soot before the on board heating systems are introduced on full blast, in the hope this triggers sufficient regeneration to begin the cycle all over again.
“We have near continuous regeneration throughout the load range of the generator,” continues Boggs. “This means that the filter is always burning off soot and hydrocarbons as they are produced, rather than waiting until there is an accumulation that needs to be removed.”
47m MY SeaRacer: SeaClean system
The SeaClean system works at maximum output when gensets are operating at low loads and the exhaust is cool. As the generator load increases the exhaust gas temperatures increase, allowing SeaClean to reduce the amount of energy going into the heaters and ensuring the system never becomes a parasitic drain.
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust has now installed 17 systems, including some notable superyachts such as the Feadship built 47m SeaRacer. SuperyachtNews.com spoke with Revel Boulon, chief engineer on board SeaRacer, who commented:
“I am extremely happy with its operation to this point. And I might add, so is the deck crew, which is very tough to accomplish when discussing generators and exhaust systems. I currently have just over 2000 running hours on each of the two generators, and there has been nothing but white, shinny paint surrounding the dry exhaust discharge on the hull, and our tender that is always tied on the hip right against the discharge point is the same. This is also without washing the hull for more than two weeks, during which time I completed several services on the generators and have experienced a high degree of fluctuation within the loads.”
“We have had systems running for two years without having to change filters,” explains Lang. “We’ve had one vessel do 5000 hours [underway] without any change in backpressure,” suggesting that the filter remains clean. “We’ve done installations for our competitor’s as they do not have the means to do so. One of the criteria of the installs is easy access to their filter so they can be maintained.” According to DeAngelo Marine Exhaust this is yet to be an issue with SeaClean, and in any case, they operate a future proofed modular system for when, or if, this does occur.
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