Page 35: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2013)

www.marinelink.com 35Jansson shows a real-case example (Fig. 1, previous page) where the inlet gas composition has the methane num-ber 56 as it includes heavier hydrocar- bons although as much as 78% methane. After the GasReformer, the composition is 79% methane, 10% hydrogen, 10% carbon dioxide but there are no heavier hydrocarbons. The methane number has increased to 98.Wärtsilä started developing the Gas-Reformer seven years ago. A prototype of the Gas Reformer was built, as a proof of concept. ?It could, for example, turn 100% pro-pane into methane,? Jansson said. The product was then industrialized, which included the entire process of adding safety systems, etc., and the classiÞ ca-tion and approvals. In December 2012 the Þ rst GasReformer unit was deliv- ered, after successful factory acceptance tests at Wärtsilä?s factory in Finland. The GasReformer is classiÞ ed to the Off- shore regulations by Det Norske Veritas. The platform will receive four 8-cylin-der Wärtsilä 34 in-line diesel-generators, two of which will run on crude oil and two DF dual-fuel engines running on both crude oil and on gas as fuel. Flaring was not allowed by the authorities. ?We have a difÞ cult gas, a dif Þ cult crude oil, but Wärtsilä could provide the solution.? The pellets in the reactor of the GasRe-former have to be renewed every three to four years. This is done through re- placing the entire reactor pressure vessel with a unit served ashore. Wärtsilä han- dles this process as part of the contract with the client. The GasReformer has two desulphurizer reactors, with one as backup. The lifetime of one unit, using zinc-oxide as adsorbent, is approximate-ly one year of continuous operation. The units are replaced when needed. The Þ rst produced GasReformer is a 8MW unit. It needs a total of 1,775kg steam per hour. Of this amount 375kg fresh water is consumed per hour, in the reformed gas. 1,400kg is recycled into the process. The amount of fresh water needed in the process is a function of the methane number of the inlet gas. In addition some cooling water is needed, hydrogen for start-ups and blow-downs or ß ushing, when needed, plus some electricity for operation, start-ups and when in stand-by (Fig. 2, next page). With the GasReformer in the product portfolio Wärtsilä is capable of provid- ing an extensive system for handling associated gas for the oil industry. It can supply the entire power production technology and through the aquisition of Hamworthy, also inert gas systems, and systems for ß are gas recovery and ß are gas ignition. Artists impression of the GasReformer MR #4 (34-41).indd 35MR #4 (34-41).indd 354/5/2013 9:23:44 AM4/5/2013 9:23:44 AM