Komara Omni excels in testing with low sulphur fuel oils under IMAROS program

We are very excited by the results our new Komara Omni skimmer has achieved during tests under the IMAROS program at Horten in Norway with Low, Very Low and Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (LSFO/VLSFO/ULSFO).  These are newer types of fuel introduced into marine fuels used in shipping in recent years and present significant challenges when spilled into the sea.  

Vikoma was one of 3 manufacturers selected for the IMAROS  2 project to test mechanical recovery (skimmers) all three types of low sulphur fuel oil emulsions (LSFO, VLSFO & ULSFO) at Horton in Norway.

The concept was to utilise principals of an existing skimmer and to then develop the skimmer to effectively recover these oils.  The project consisted of 2 separate test trials each over several days with each of the different types of Low Sulphur Fuel Oil emulsions (LSFO, VLSFO & ULSFO) 

The 1st set of testing was to trial existing skimmer technology on the recovery of these oil emulsions. This was on the back of IMAROS 1 where traditional skimmers were found to be ineffective for the recovery of these challenging vessel fuels.

The 1st set of testing gave the Vikoma team invaluable knowledge on the characteristics of all three types of the oils (LSFO, VLSFO & ULSFO) and the challenges with recovery them.

Between the 1st and 2nd set of testing the Vikoma development team where able to take lessons learned from the initial testing and apply these in developing a skimmer in our world renowned Komara range.

The 2nd set of testing took place at Horton in Norway in May, and we are very pleased to announce that the Vikoma Komara Omni Skimmer surpassed expectations and was able to effectively recover the required amount of all 3 types of oil emulsion (LSFO, VLSFO & ULSFO) used in the IMAROS 2 trials within set times and with low free water pick up.

We also had the opportunity to test on a 4th ULSFO and again recovered this efficiently.

This new skimmer will be known as Komara Omni (Omni = All / in all ways).  The Komara Omni skimmer demonstrated efficient recovery of these newer low sulphur fuel oil emulsions and is also well suited to recovery of light to heavy traditional oils too.  The Komara Omni provides versatility which is key to an effective oil spill response package.

The Komara Omni continues Vikoma’s core values of quality, innovation and reliability.

We will be launching Komara Omni in the coming months so watch this space.

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