Decision support system for scrubber selection

Target journal: TRD/Resources, Conservation & Recycling

Abstract

Keywords:
 1. Introduction

2. Literature review
2.1. Scrubber selection criteria
2.1.1. Associated cost
Installing scrubbers required two cost factors to consider, the capital cost which formulates
the installation of the whole scrubber system and the operational cost regardless of the type of
scrubber installed (Panasiuk, Lebedevas, & Česnauskis, 2014). The return of investment over
the associated costs depends on various factors such as planning, maintaining balance
between CAPEX & OPEX, scrubber selection, operating route etc.(Tran, 2017).

2.1.2. Energy efficiency

Energy consumption is a major factor to be planned ahead before decision making. Different
ships and scrubber types require varying energy consumption (Yang et al., 2012). For
example, open wet scrubbers require more energy for utilizing enormous sea water
consumption than closed wet scrubbers (Schinas & Stefanakos, 2014). So, proper
consideration over vessel size and layout, engine configuration and available power to operate
in different conditions to be considered.

2.1.3. Regulation
Although prime compliance to the regulation is to reduce SOx emissions to the set standards
by IMO, there are restrictions for some scrubber types over national jurisdictions (Brynolf,
Magnusson, Fridell, & Andersson, 2014). An open loop scrubber is getting banned by several
countries due to its wash water discharge to sea such as Singapore, China, Fujairah etc.
However, there are ambiguity with this situation where some countries like Japan totally
agrees to use open loop scrubbers in their waters (Brynolf et al., 2014). Therefore, factors
such as chartering schedule, safety and operational hazards and compliance must be taken into
account.

2.1.4. Incentives
Various ports are considering incentive scheme for vessels such as wavier in percentage of
port due for using technologies to reduce emissions, undertaking initiative to being compliant
to regulations (ABS, 2013). An eye over the trade route for attaining such incentive could be
considered to reduce time over ROI’s.
 2.2. Scrubber alternatives (what it is, core operations, some names of producers )

The operating principle is the same for all scrubbers which is exhaust gas emissions are
directed inside the scrubber where reaction over the emitted gases takes place using mediums
or reactants. Post reaction sulphur free gas is emitted to the air, leaving reacted effluents for
discharge or processing.

2.2.1. Open loop

Open loop scrubbers use fresh or sea water as a reactant towards the emitted gas from ships
exhaust to absorb SOx. Open loop consists of simple system to get installed on board; the
intake of sea water reacts with the gases in the scrubber tower producing effluent water for
discharge. As the sea water intake via a pump is continuous open loop system consumes
energy.
Operation of the open loop system is purely based on the alkalinity level of the reactant i.e,
open loop system achieves maximum efficiency in the high-sea areas where alkalinity level of
the sea water is high. The system is not an option for vessels trading in the fresh water &
coastal areas.
The wash water discharge from open loop system is banned by some countries, thus leading
to restrictions with operation and discharge over specific geographical regions.

2.2.2. Closed loop

A closed loop system does not require an alkalinity level as the system used NaOH solution as
a base reactant to absorb SO x. There is also no issues with discharging as the technology
recycles the used reactant in a cyclic process. A separate tank is designed for storage of the
effluent water making the system to be used in all geographic locations including fresh water
and coastal zones.
Installing such a system requires additional cost than the open loop due to additional
equipment for recirculation of the reactant and designated tank for storing the effluent water.
Difficulties could arise in finding suitable reception facilities to deliver the collected or stored
wash water.

2.2.3. Hybrid

As the name implies the system can be used in both ways as open and closed loop. Therefore,
flexible to operate in all regions and conditions. The effluent maybe stored in a closed loop
mode where restrictions apply, but also possible to discharge using open mode.
Installing a hybrid system is complex to install and time consuming due to its dual nature but
has advantages for operating in both deep sea areas and coastal zones.

2.2.4. Dry Scrubbers

Dry scrubbers use dry chemicals such as limestone granules as scrubbing medium and applies
high cost for installations and operations. Using dry chemicals makes the system weigh higher
than the wet scrubbers thus requires stability consideration for installing on board.
Dry scrubbers require more storage space to store reactants and by product produced and is
complex to handle.
Like wash water, post reaction dry scrubbers produce gypsum which does not find difficulty
to reception facilities as the product can be sold as a commodity for industrial applications.

2.2.5. Membrane Scrubbers

The system uses membrane technology to absorb the emitted sulphuric acid and does not
require any discharge or reception facility. Cost of installing such system is quite high due to
its efficiency of absorption which consumes more energy than all systems.
Membrane system are widely used only in the land based exhaust gas circulation and
absorption system, and not suitable for an option to be installed on board ships.
After consideration with the type of scrubber to be installed, it is imperative to have a careful
consideration over the configuration. Two configurations apply for installing such system
  Single stream – Sperate system for each exhaust stream i.e, a individual cleaning
system for each machinery such as Main Engine, Auxiliary Engine and Boilers.
 Multi stream – Cleaning several exhausts from different machinery (M/E, A/E &
Boilers) as a one scrubbing unit.

Scrubber Manufacturer Technical details

Hamworthy Krystallon Wartsila / Moss Hybrid EGCS, 1-100 MW
Dry EGCS Couple Systems Dry Scrubber
DuPont BELCO DuPont Marine Scrubbing Open, Closed & Hybrid
Systems EGCS

ENVI Marine PGTK Closed & Hybrid Scrubbers

Maritime Turbo Scrubber PureteQ Open and Closed Scrubbers

3. Methodology

4. Results

5. Conclusion
References
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https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/advisories-and-
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