[seadog] BP new build PR
- From: "Tom Blanchard" <tomblanchard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "SEADOG" <seadog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2003 13:57:12 -0400
No Oil Spoken Here: BP?s Shafts are Oil-Free
Safer than safe could be dubbed the term that sums up the design philosophy
on four 185,000 dwt Alaskan-class tankers that will soon be carrying oil
along the U.S. West Coast. Currently being built in San Diego, Calif. by
NASSCO, the BP Shipping-owned vessels feature the latest innovations in
safe-ship design, including Thordon COMPAC water-lubricated propeller shaft
bearings.
During the design phase of the vessels, BP was determined to leave no stone
unturned in its quest to minimize the risk of oil leakage. This included
building in multiple redundant systems, and eliminating the use of oil
wherever possible. "The prop shaft is an area where, traditionally, some
lubricating oil can leak into the sea," says Stan Taylor, technical manager
for BP. "So we needed to look for alternatives." Traditionally, propeller
shaft bearings on commercial tankers are made of white metal lubricated by
oil. Although these systems work well, keeping the oil and water separate
can be a challenge. If seawater contaminates the bearing area, prop shaft
performance can be compromised. If oil escapes into the sea, that's
pollution. "Even a small leakage from the prop shaft," says Taylor, "can
result in a visible sheen when in port."
The Thordon COMPAC propeller shaft bearing systems now being installed on
each of the BP vessels feature water lubrication (a renewed innovation
pioneered for the 21st century by Thordon), no use of oil (and therefore
zero risk of pollution), and an expected minimum 10-year bearing wear life
based on systems currently in operation.
To ensure a steady supply of abrasive-free seawater to the bearings, Thordon
also supplied its integrated Water Quality Package. This maintenance-free
system includes pumps, flow alarms and a separator capable of eliminating
particles down to 50 microns from the seawater lubricating the bearings.
---Gosh, I'd like to see a "maintenance-free system (that) includes pumps,
flow alarms and a separator capable of eliminating particles down to 50
microns". Maybe they sell bridges too.
Be Safe,
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