Market Overview

The marine market is exceptionally diverse, ranging from the military to holiday cruises, container shipping and smaller pleasure crafts. The common factor between them is the commercial need to keep the internal engineering processes working optimally, so that their primary function can be performed without interference.

The marine market is expected to rise to a value of $188.57 billion by 2028*. It is an industry that reflects the strength of the global economy. The more industrial or consumer based a country is, the greater the need for delivered goods – the growth of the marine industry ebbs and flows with the economic changes within the world. The growth for 2028 is based on greater industrialisation of countries, particularly those of China and India.

Marine and Green

For the moving of goods, the marine market is one of the greener options. However, because of the vast scale of the market, the amount of emissions requires reduction. Within the UK, there are requests to the government from Marine UK for an investment of up to £1 billion to enable the UK to reach its carbon zero targets by 2050.

It is important that the engines and systems on board both current and future vessels remain fully functional and minimize possible pollutants and contamination. This is where process instrumentation is involved in the marine industry.

Marine Boilers – Oil in Water Solution

Delta Mobrey offers products specifically designed to detect oil in water – an example is the Delta Mobrey 442SD and the 402SD, combined with the MCU200 controller. The combination of these products creates an electronic system to protect mariner boilers by ensuring the boiler feedwater is not contaminated with oil. This type of contamination frequently occurs as condensing steam runs through the ship’s system before being returned to the boiler.

Leaks may cause oil to enter the circulating condensate and can cause serious boiler damage by overheating – this could cause reduced water flow and heat transfer. To prevent this, the Delta Mobrey 442SD sensors are installed across the feed-water pipelines while Delta Mobrey 402SD sensors are designed for installation within the vessels tanks; connected to the feed-water pipework. The sensors detect the oil, and signal an alarm via the MCU200 controller. The crew is then alerted and can investigate the problem.

Ballast – Oil and Water

Delta Mobrey can also assist the marine industry by providing a method of determining the mixture of oil and water within a tank. Ballast water can be discharged into the sea, but it must not be contaminated with oil. No marine vessel may empty directly into the sea closer than 50 nautical miles from land, and the depth must be 200 metres minimum.

When in the correct placement, the ship’s dirty ballast water or oil contaminated water may be discharged by gravity below the waterline, on the provision that enough time has passed to allow proper oil and water separation. Interface detectors are used to examine the ballast water before the discharge, to ensure the height of the interface is safe to avoid oil being discharged during this process. The Delta Mobrey 402SD sensors are used in these applications with a Delta Mobrey MCU200 controller to detect this interface.

Ballast Exchange

Ballast tanks need to be emptied and filled depending on their location, the amount of cargo, and the amount of fuel on board. Ballast has been used in shipping for centuries, and since the use of steel hulled vessels, water is used.

The level of ballast needs to be measured and monitored to ensure it is at the levels needed to assist the vessel’s required function. The range of Delta Mobrey’s 9700 tank mounted on submersible transmitters provides precise and reliable level measurement of in tank liquids. They continue to perform in extreme conditions, offering high performance with long-term stability. These transmitters will provide the Ballast Water Management officer with the data needed to ensure the correct levels are maintained for good ballast exchange.

These are a few examples of how process instrumentation assists the marine industry in staying afloat. The smooth running of vessels allows organisations to focus on their primary function.

* Data from https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-vessel-market-102699