People and technology working together for the environment: eight GEA separators for research vessel "Polarstern”

GEA separators save 15 tons of CO₂ per year

On board the double-walled flagship of the Alfred Wegener Institute, a crew of around 44 and up to 55 scientists and technicians work and live. GEA's technology and expertise are also at work on behalf of man and nature. GEA separators have been on board since the ship was commissioned on December 9, 1982. Eight new GEA marine Separators will be installed in June 2021. They will help to save more than 15 tons of CO₂ per year.

"Pushing the Limits"

"Pushing the Limits", GEA's guiding principle in the marine sector, takes on a special meaning in the "Polarstern" project and is put into practice through technology solutions. Constantly rethinking and redefining technical limits is an absolute necessity in view of the extreme conditions during the expeditions with double-digit sub-zero temperatures, violent storms and weeks of ice confinement.

For the GEA experts, equipping the "Polarstern" is sustainability in practice and an affair of the heart. After all, when scientists conduct research in the Antarctic and the Arctic for the benefit of the environment and thus for mankind, the "total package" must also be right. In this context, GEA is making a valuable contribution to the "Polarstern" with its eight state-of-the-art separators.

Increase on-board efficiency and reduce operating costs and emissions with intelligent, automated separation technology

GEA marine Separators have the highest energy efficiency rate currently available on the market. The new separators thus lead the way in safely treating fuels and lubricating oils for their respective applications. Based on the CWE 15375 standard, the new GEA marine Separator offers full transparency and the best certified flow rates (CFR) in the market.

An integrated direct drive is at the heart of the new GEA technology. It no longer requires a belt or coupling, a factor in older series models in terms of wear and maintenance costs. The spindle and motor are available as a modular exchange unit. This simplifies installation and maintenance of the machine immensely. Only after 16,000 operating hours or after two years, the drive unit is replaced by a GEA OEM certified exchange unit with full warranty worldwide.