GLEAMS interest group continues to grow after project concludes
As reported last month the GLEAMS Project (Glycerine Fuel for Marine Sustainability)finished in September 2014 and has presented its findings. The subject of alternative fuels is quickly gaining momentum and Simon Powell from Marine South East recently spoke on the subject at the 'Fuels, Lubes and Emissions Technologies' event in October in London.
The conference, which was organised by the publishers of Marine Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery provided shipowners, technical managers and fuel industry specialists with the qualitative and quantitative information they need to make informed decisions on fuel, lubricant and emission technologies, including a session dedicated to alternative and emerging fuels.
The GLEAMS project has conducted a very successful publicity campaign that has attracted worldwide interest. Over 85 press articles have been published including some special features. 140 approved specialists have joined the online 'GLEAMS Interest Group' that will be maintained beyond the end of the project.
GLEAMS demonstrated to the marine community that it is possible to combust glycerine in a diesel engine, that the resulting emissions are extremely low and will comply with all current and any envisaged future IMO emissions regulations. Glycerine is also clean, safe, non-toxic, non-polluting and has a shelf life of at least 5 years. The catch at the moment is that there just isn't enough of it to make a big impact in the massive global marine fuels market. Techniques such as salt-stressed algae farming have the potential to meet future large scale demand for glycerine but until these new supply chains are established its use will be restricted to niche markets where its benign characteristics are of greatest value.
To keep up to date with ongoing developments from the GLEAMS project please join the Interest Group at:
http://groupspaces.com/GLEAMSInterestGroup/
GLEAMS was a 'Vessel Efficiency Programme' project, supported by InnovateUK and DSTL.
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