The unique “emulsion fuel system” from Nonox Ltd. "produces an on-the-spot, water-in-oil emulsion fuel that reduces NOx, black carbon/soot and other air pollutants concurrent with significantly reducing fuel consumption. The dynamics of the Nonox emulsion fuel system as a differentiator from regular pre-manufactured emulsion fuel requires no surfactants or additives to keep the emulsion stable as it is produced in "real time". This enables the micro-explosion phenomenon produced by the Nonox system such that energy & high performance are maintained
With so much going on about fuel costs and how to deal with them, there seems to be a dearth of knowledge about emulsion fuel as a viable fuel saving/emissions reduction option. With typical fuel savings of at least 5%, the return on investment (ROI) for installing a Nonox system could be just 56 sea days for a ship burning on average 80 metric tonnes (mt) of heavy fuel oil (HFO) per day.
Retrofitting is not required as the install does not affect engines or injectors. Installation requires an intermediate connection between the fuel source and engine/boiler and a connection to a water source.
The Nonox emulsion fuel system requires fresh water, typically 7% to 20% and bunker fuel "to create 'just-in-time' emulsion fuel helping to enable MARPOL compliance with continued use of bunker fuel concurrent with cleaning it up and reducing costs.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction achieved with the system is typically 25% to 50% and particulate matter (PM) or soot reduction ranges from 60% up to 90%.
Nonox marine users help to ensure compliance with the MARPOL Annex VI, the US Clean Air Act, The EU Emissions Standards and the Asian Standards. The more complete burn of the Nonox system reduces SOx as well.
"US Patents pending process began in 2005 and were granted with all claims in May 2011.
Nonox emulsion fuel systems have been used aboard ships during several years of development and practical usage, and it is currently in use on four ships. Two of the vessels using it are the vessels Taiko and Tortugas owned by Wilh. Wilhelmsen. “Since first installing the ECU on board Tortugas we are seeing positive trends with regards to reduced fuel oil consumption, cleaner inside engine, economizer and boiler and reduced NOx-emissions”.