SeaSOx Port

ANDRITZ SeaSOx Port completes the SeaSOx portfolio to offer innovative solutions during ship operations at sea and in ports. With this new technology, port authorities are able to offer flexible and cost-efficient environmental technology to ship operators.

In addition, the emissions of vessels, which are not able to connect to OPS systems or using alternative fuels, can be nearly eliminated, which will lead to improved air quality in harbor areas. Therefore, the SeaSOx Port is the right answer to port emission challenges.

© ANDRITZ

In most ports worldwide, air pollution is a major issue regarding life and health quality of its neighbors. People living in port area report of noise, noxious substances and particulates, which influence their life in a dangerous manner. Therefore, port authorities are optimizing logistic processes, upgrading existing industries in harbor area and introducing new technologies to reduce the environmental impact on port operations. For instance, electrification of trucks is able to reduce port emissions and new emission standards for the located industry area is tackling pollutants release into the atmosphere.

For ships, ports are starting to offer alternative fuels with lower environmental impact and Onshore Power Supply (OPS) during port stay besides other new options. These ideas are promising and can help to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, these new technologies are expensive and not feasible for most ships nowadays. Expensive and complicated engine upgrades, new bunker logistics supply security are barriers for changing to alternative fuels (e.g. methanol). Local power grid limitations and high ship and port investments can also be a hindering reason to not opt for OPS systems. In addition, OPS is not an option for vessels at anchorage.

Due to these challenges, ANDRITZ is offering a technology (either land-based, on a pontoon or on a barge), which is able to reduce SOx, NOx and particulates, independently of ship size, fuel or engine configuration. This unique solution is called ANDRITZ SeaSOx Port.

ANDRITZ SeaSOx Port process

© ANDRITZ

Technology

The system installed on the barge is based on the successful SeaSOx Dual/Multi Filtration technology, which is an equivalent solution for installation directly on ships.

An installed crane for this technology is lifting one or two special designed devices to the funnel of the vessel, where the exhaust gas is collected and fed to the treatment plant at the barge, the pontoon or the land-based solution. The exhaust gas is mixed with fresh air to ensure a defined temperature. On the way to the filter, Ammonia/Water and Sodiumbicarbonate (NaHCO3) are injected into the duct. The Ammonia/Water is used to reduce the NOx emission in the gas, and the NaHCO3 reduces the SOx amount in the clean gas to the lowest limits. In addition, other acid components are also reduced (e.g. SO3). Then, the gas is led to the filtration unit, which is the core equipment of the whole plant. There, the rest of the SOx is removed (which has not reacted already in the duct) and the particulates are segregated at the installed filter bags inside the filter. The reacted product (harmless Na2SO4) is pulsed from the filter bags and collected in the filter. The product will be discharged on land, as soon as the barge returns to the quay.

The ammonia reacts at the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reaction) device installed downstream of the filter and eliminates the NOx by converting it to N2 and H2O. At the end, a fan is installed to transport the exhaust gas through the whole plant. The exiting clean gas is practically free of SOx, NOx and particulates (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10).

ADVANTAGES:

Operational benefits

  • NOx clean gas value equivalent to IMO Tier 3
  • SOx clean gas value equivalent to 0.05%S in fuel (independent of Sulphur content of the fuel used at the vessel)
  • Reduction of particulates (PM1, PM 2.5 and PM 10) by 99.9% in mass and in numbers
  • No discharge water
  • Low power consumption
  • No exhaust gas plume visible
  • Noise reduction

Economic benefits

  • One barge can handle different vessel sizes (no need for operating different barges to serve different vessels)
  • OPS usually more expensive compared to barge solution (depending on the electricity costs)
  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • One barge can be used at different terminals (depending on port calls)

Other benefits

  • Exhaust gas from ships at anchorage can also be treated
  • Easy solution
  • Possibility to add a carbon capture plant
  • Adjustable pollutants removal (e.g. only particulates and NOx) reduces the operating costs

ANDRITZ SeaSOx technology  – exhaust gas cleaning systems for the marine industry

Exhaust gas emissions from marine diesel engines, mainly containing nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon dioxides, and complex particulate matter (PM), are a big concern for human health and the environment. In response to these concerns, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced regulations for emission control under Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention. Annex VI imposes a framework of mandatory limits on emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), both globally and within designated sea areas known as Emission Control Areas (ECA). The regulations specify the sulfur content allowed in the fuel to limit the SOx emission. A ship may burn fuel with a higher sulfur content, providing that SOx emissions are controlled to a level that is not higher than the levels emitted when using compliant fuel. In order to comply with the new regulations, ships must either use expensive, low-sulfur fuel or install exhaust gas cleaning units. Based on the operating profile of maritime vessels, exhaust gas cleaning can secure enormous savings in fuel costs and thus provide payback periods of between one and three years. The ANDRITZ SeaSOx technology is the right answer to meet the new requirements and can be installed on all types of maritime vessels, either on a new build or retrofit basis thanks to its flexibility.