Dry exhaust gas cleaning system installed on bulker

With traditional scrubber systems coming under increasing pressure from the washing residue that environmentalists are highlighting as a pollutant, a sodium compound for dry exhaust systems offers an alternative that may enable older, in-service vessels to meet tighter emissions regulations. A dry system was recently installed on a Dutch-owned bulk carrier, whose manufacturer also highlights the potential for a containerized system that further simplifies operations.

The integrated dry exhaust gas cleaning system developed by the British company SodaFlexx was recently installed on the Bontrup Amsterdam, a 39-year-old bulk carrier owned by the Dutch company Bontrup. Built in 1984, the vessel is 65,400 dwt and 736 feet long and is powered by a traditional heavy fuel oil propulsion system. The dry exhaust system was installed in Amsterdam in the last week of February. According to the companies, the installation took less than three days, with the ship resuming service from the Netherlands to the UK last week.

“The technical installation of the SodaFlexx system was successfully completed and commissioning will take place in March 2023. The project is running smoothly, although we had to make some adjustments immediately prior to installation,” said Elwin Koning, Managing Director, Engineering at SodaFlexx. “The system offers a lot of flexibility and we have a wide range of options that we can integrate to achieve an optimized installation. This new SodaFlexx system uses our advanced Hyperion technology, which uses AI to ensure optimal absorbent dosing for the required emission zone.”

The SodaFlexx dry powder unit injects sodium bicarbonate powder directly into the exhaust stream to neutralize sulfur compounds (SOx). A chemical reaction takes place in the heat and turbulence of the exhaust stream, converting SOx into a highly stable and non-toxic salt. This salt is safely released into the atmosphere or can be captured by a cyclone particulate collection system and recycled on land.

SodaFlexx highlights that the system allows ships to burn HSFO (High Sulfur Fuel Oil). It can be connected to the main engine and also to auxiliary generators, boilers and incinerators. The company offers an option for prefabricated containerized and stackable units in a TEU footprint.

Not only does the company allow the use of the lower-cost HFSO option compared to Marine Gas Oil (MGO), but they also point out that most older marine engines were designed to burn HFO. The dry exhaust system offers an option that is environmentally friendly and allows shipowners to follow existing maintenance and lubrication protocols for their in-service vessels.

“Finding the balance between economical and environmentally friendly solutions for the maritime industry is the ultimate goal of our business,” says Barry Bednar, CEO of SodaFlexx. “The transition to alternative fuels will not happen overnight and we still have a global fleet to operate as sustainably as possible and burning HSFO with our emission control system has proven to be less carbon intensive than using MGO or VLSFO on a well to wake basis.

The basis of the system, sodium bicarbonate, is produced by many manufacturers and on all continents. The company offers a containerized solution for the material onboard the ships or it can be delivered by truck or barge. The residue is also easy to recycle, unlike wash water from wet scrubbers, which is increasingly regulated.