Krystallon: scrubbing vital in ports
Seawater scrubbing technology could have an important part to play in the future as ports come under increasing pressure to reduce air pollution, says manufacturer Krystallon. The company, a joint venture between BP Marine and Kittiwake, developed and installed the first Krystallon seawater scrubber on board a commercial vessel a year ago.
It says that subsequent tests on P&O’s Dover- Calais ferry the Pride of Kent have indicated no measurable sulphur dioxide emissions despite using fuel with a 2% sulphur content.
“The Krystallon seawater scrubber test results are not only below the level required by the IMO’s Sulphur Emissions Control Areas but they may even comply with the more stringent in-port requirements of the European Union, which will come into force in 2010,”said a spokesman.
The technology enables vessels to reduce sulphur emissions without requiring changes of fuel or modification to engine design, says the company.
Emissions of air pollutants from ships have been identified as one of the key areas for debate in the UK’s Ports Policy Review.
Krystallon says it is in talks with port authorities in the UK and the US about effective ways to tackle emissions and that many West Coast US ports have come out in favour of exhaust scrubber technology.
“The general feeling is that ship emissions should be dealt with before they leave the ship, so that governments are not forced to impose regulations or limit port expansion. If ports wait, the governments impose solutions. They could have solutions in every different country and that will be very costly and inefficient.”
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