Atlas Incinerators and Global Boiler Services minimize downtime with new service setup

The aim is clear: stable combustion, fewer alarms, longer refractory life, and maintenance that can be planned instead of improvised. Global Boiler Services mobilises teams from hubs in Denmark, Singapore and Dubai and works directly with Atlas manufacturing. That way, even large orders are ready to be shipped with short notice and docking schedules stay on track. This new engagement also reduces costly airfreight, overtime, and lay-by risk. Our aim is also to be able to reduce costly freight cost by establishing local    

“Health & Safety-inspections let us guide customers while there is still time to optimise the plan. That is where most of the savings are found,” says Susie Lous, Customer Relations Manager, Atlas Incinerators. 

Why refractory matters 

Refractory is the lining that protects the steel shell, retains heat in the combustion chambers, and keeps temperatures steady enough for a complete burn. Professionally designed and installed it ensures the incinerator runs clean and efficiently. Poor execution leads to hot spots, rising fuel use, and nuisance alarms. In the worst cases it can cause fire, since incinerators operate at up to 1,200 °C. 

“In an incinerator, refractory is not just bricks and mortar. It is a high-tech system. Material selection, anchoring, and the dry-out programme decide how long it lasts,” says Casper Nørregaard, Customer Relations Manager, G&O Maritime group. 

Failures follow known patterns: thermal shock from fast start-ups, mechanical impact around the feed zone, chemical attack from difficult waste streams, and erosion in high-velocity gas turns. Each failure can be handled, but only when the right materials and installation method are matched from the start. 

Atlas Incinerators now specifies hot-face castable or bricks, anchors and expansion detailing for the exact duty cycle. Scope and thicknesses are locked in advance, and material is ready for casting and installation before the vessel arrives in dock. Global Boiler Services then plans demolition, rebuild, and dry-out against the ship’s schedule. 

“Our average quotation response time is little more than two days from enquiry,” says Susie Lous. “That speed helps owners keep docking plans on track and cut off-hire.” 

Quality build, controlled dry-out 

On board, the rebuild follows strict steps. Old lining is removed, the shell is checked and repaired, before a new tailor-made refractory solution is installed.  

“The dry-out programme runs in controlled steps to drive out free and bound water. This process takes several days and is crucial for the rebuilt process. One of the fastest ways to ruin an otherwise good rebuild is to rush the dry-out,” says Casper Nørregaard. “This discipline is what makes the difference between good refractory job that will last years and bad one that may only last a few months. This represents a cost-effective and straightforward investment in securing years of reliable and stable incinerator performance.” 

Susie Lous adds: “Unfortunately, we sometimes see inexperienced crew trying to carry out the refractory job themselves, and often see the result is refractory that must be reinstalled within months. In contrast, we have experienced professional installations lasting up to 15 years.” 

Ship incinerators are facing tighter environmental rules. In several countries they must be fully operational if installed, and with fewer newbuilds entering the market, operators depend more on keeping existing units in service. With the right refractory system, combustion is complete, alarms drop, and vessels avoid unplanned downtime. That protects both environmental compliance and operating budgets. 

“If the unit is on board, authorities expect it to work. Our job is to make sure it does,” says Susie Lous. 

Flexible service agreements matched to use 

Atlas Incinerators will soon be able to offer a service agreement tailored to actual operation. Coverage can include pre-docking inspections, fixed pricing on materials, defined mobilization lead times, repair and recommissioning and post-job reporting. 
“The usage of the incinerators onboard can vary from never to a 24/7 operation depending on the vessel type and the trading area,” says Casper Nørregaard. “The agreement should reflect that with a clear plan rather than a one-size-fits-all.” 
Operators moving from generic bricks to the engineered Atlas system with a Global Boiler Services rebuild typically see longer service life, fewer breakdowns, and steadier maintenance budgets. 

Service agreements are not limited to Atlas incinerators. They can also cover other G&O products and third-party systems such as boilers and inert gas generators, giving owners a single point of contact and predictable service across critical equipment.