5 July 30, 1997

Higman Towing Orders "Green" KTA38-MOs for New Push Boat

At 72X27X8 feet, with a pair of Cummins KTA38-MO main engines rated at 750-hp each and turning 72X54-inch wheels through Twin Disc MG-5202 6.10:1 gears, this is a fairly typical tow boat at first glance. A closer look shows how Orange Texas-based Higman towing is getting the jump on the new generation of tow boat that will meet future environmental expectations. Utilizing a combination of established and demonstration technology, the new boat's engines will eliminate waste in the lube oil system and dramaticly reduce exhaust emissions.

Building at Hope Services in Dulac Louisiana to a proven inhouse design, the boat will be fitted with the latest in marine diesel technology. Starting with the service proven V-12 KTA38-MO engines, two options have been added to the highly tuned base. These include:

ELIMINATOR FILTER: Working with the people at Cummins, Alfa Laval has developed the Eliminator Filter system that effectively eliminates the need for replaceable components in the lube oil system. Taking the place of seven conventional filters, the Eliminator Filter unites two proven Alfa Laval technologies -- a self-cleaning full-flow filter that removes 85-90% of particulates over 20 microns and a disc stack centrifugal separator that removes particles down to two microns or less.

EMISSION REDUCTION: In addition to engine design modifications to reduce emissions, Cummins has worked with Englehard Corporation, a leader in emission control technology, to develop a "soot trap" that is located in the muffler to provide after treatment to virtually eliminate particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from the exhaust. The system utilizes a ceramic filter coated with a catalyst developed through the joint efforts of Cummins and Englehard.

These "off the shelf" Cummins components significantly reduce pollutants to provide a safer and cleaner working environment and greater operator profitability.

A third lube oil management option is available for this engine that can even further reduce waste.

CENTINEL: This electronicly controlled system actually removes small amounts of lube oil from the engine on a monitored basis. Removed oil is blended with fuel and burned. At the same time the lube oil in the engine is replenished from a make-up tank. This system eliminates the need to change oil and the resulting shut down and disposal costs.

Research has shown that the typical operating costs on a KTA38-MO engine for lube oil replenishment together with used oil and filter disposal averages $1.31 per operating hour. With the Eliminator and Centinel systems in place this is reduced to only 37 cents per hour.

For further information please contact:

Geoff Conrad or Rachel Bridges
Commercial Marine Sales
Cummins Marine
4500 Leeds Ave. Suite 301
Charleston , S.C. 29405-8521
Phone: 803 745 1585 Fax: 803 745 1549

Ted Esplin
Alfa Laval Separation, Inc.
955 Mearns Rd.
Warminster Pennsylvania
18974-0556
Phone: (800) 942-7676 Fax: (215) 957-4859

Charles Durio
Port Engineer
Higman Towing, Orange Texas
Phone: 409 883-5636

Lou Parker
Hope Services
Dulac, Louisianna
Phone: 504 563-7801

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