Exhaust Gas Scrubber System

Overview

As of January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce the 0.5% global sulphur cap on fuel content (IMO Marpol Annex VI). This is a significant decrease from the current 3.5% limit. 

The global regulation is a response by the IMO to help curb the air pollution created by ships and control the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). 

Shipowners have three options to choose from in order comply with the sulphur cap.

1) Using compliant fuels: Ships can begin to burn Marine Gas Oil (MGO) or Ultra-Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) at a higher fuel cost. Shipowners are not required to retrofit engines to burn the compliant fuels.

2) Conversion to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG): The marine industry is looking more closely at LNG as an alternative to high sulfur fuel options. LNG is nearly sulfur free. To retrofit a vessel for LNG use is a costly endeavor, but the fuel savings will help to counteract the initial expense.

3) Abatement technology: Installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) will allow ships to continue to burn high-sulphur bunker fuel while complying with the 0.5% limit. Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove particulates and gases from exhaust systems. 

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The 2020 Sulphur Cap will be here before you know it. Avoid expensive time losses and increased costs for urgent, last minute delivery by partnering with W&O. Our scrubber solutions include seawater system valves, process & technical water systems, alkali (NaOH) feed systems, actuation, and piping systems.

To serve our customers, W&O has 3 main scrubber hubs in Houston, Rotterdam and Singapore, part of W&O’s strategic network of 17 global stocking locations.