Galileo presented its LNG-Production Station at Francisco ferry launch

Yesterday night Galileo presented the Cryobox^®, its LNG-production station, at the launching of Francisco, the new Buquebus LNG propelled ferry baptized after the new Pope.

The ceremony at Buenos Aires port was honored by the presence of the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as well as the President of Uruguay, José Mujica.

The event is a milestone in the history of sea transport since as of October 2, date when the ferry launches its first trip with passengers onboard, Cryobox technology will make Buquebus the first maritime company to supply its own LNG, the cleanest fuel on the market – with the highest performance.

This is possible in view of the fact that the Cryobox is an LNG-production station designed so that the private industry and communities can become their own LNG suppliers. Until now, major technological barriers and the need for long term capital investment prevented industries such as long-haul trucking, rail, mining, marine, and oil and gas services from using small-scale LNG as a low cost and low carbon alternative for diesel fuel.

“LNG will allow Francisco to reduce combustion emissions by 98%, in marked contrast to traditional fuels,” says Anibal Argomedo, Buquebus’s Technical Manager. At the same time, it is estimated that the 66 tons per day (ton/day) of LNG production required for its two daily frequencies will generate 50% savings within the operating expense. Seven Cryobox stations with a capacity of 84 tpd will be responsible for this LNG production.

“Cryobox is the result of five years of development & investigation, built on 30 years” expertise in the manufacturing of gas compressors in Argentina,” says Osvaldo del Campo, Galileo’s CEO. “At the same time, it represents a worldwide innovative leap, as it is one-of-a-kind equipment, due to its compact dimensions and modular configuration.”

Each Cryobox unit is conceived as a module that can reach a maximum of 12 ton/day  of LNG (equivalent to 16,000 Nm³/day of natural gas). This feature allows a flexible installed capacity that can grow at the pace of the demand, through the progressive addition of modules.

It is also a Plug & Play module that can be sent to any destination by trailer for its immediate commissioning, since it can be installed at a fueling station and then connected straight to a gas pipeline distribution or to a modular treatment plant which allows gas pre-conditioning at a remote natural gas field.

“The River Plate, Francisco’s high speed and the 100 meter boat length are proof that LNG is the best fuel for heavy transport, and that Galileo’s technology contributes to make it happen,” adds del Campo.

In terms of vehicle supply Cryobox is a dual equipment because, besides LNG, it also generates up to 2,000 Nm³/h (560 GGE/hour or 9.3 GGE/min) of CNG depending on demand. This allows the simultaneous availability of adequate fuel for every need: CNG for urban vehicles which profit from the low cost of this fuel, and LNG for heavy transport and long distances, including boats, where saving is linked directly to the performance and autonomy originated in the higher energy density of the fuel.

The same concept can be applied to the Galileo’s Virtual Pipeline^® System for gas distribution by road, where the best alternative is CNG up to 250 miles, and beyond that distance, LNG.

“I imagine fleets, stations on motorways offering both CNG and LNG, major stations producing LNG for small-scale distribution using our Virtual Pipeline system for other stations and industries. I also imagine specific facilities, such as vessels or fishing pole fueling. This offers a highly competitive tool; the cost of transportation is one of the essential factors of the market products to bear in mind. The fact that ships can operate on LNG radically change the cost structure of the different industries,” del Campo concludes.