Auramarine launches water in methanol measurement technology to support alternative fuel uptake

Auramarine announced the launch of its Auramarine Water Content Analyzer (AM Water Content Analyzer). The technology measures and reports the concentration of water in methanol, helping ship operators take preventive action to minimize associated risks and costs when using the fuel.

The analyzer comes in response to growing uptake of methanol as a marine fuel to meet shipping’s decarbonization targets. Water as a natural contaminant of methanol may be present in the bunkered methanol either by accident or intentionally. Water in fuel decreases the calorific heating value which increases the bunkering costs. In addition, if the water content is too high, operators may have to unload the fuel, leading to delays and additional costs.

As an example, when a Ro-Ro vessel consumes 27 000 tons of green methanol in one year and with an average price per ton of green methanol at €1,196, the operator of the vessel may avoid losses of up to €1,614,600 for 5% concentration of water as contaminant. The AM Water Content Analyzer is an inline measurement device that can be installed directly to the methanol process piping, for example to the main bunker line with the flanged housing. The technology uses a sensor to analyze the concentration of water in the methanol.

Mr. John Bergman, CEO of Auramarine, commented: “Methanol uptake is increasing across the industry due to its promising Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction credentials. At Auramarine, we've led the way in developing solutions that support the use of alternative fuels-starting with the industry's first Methanol Fuel Supply Units in 2022. Now, with the launch of our AM Water Content Analyzer, we're giving ship owners and operators the tools they need to take the next step in their energy transition and bunker methanol with greater confidence, and importantly, at a lower cost.”