Scrubbing systems (or exhaust gas cleaning systems) are considered to be the best air treatment devices that can remove particulate matters and dangerous components, for example, sulfur (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) oxides from the exhaust gases resulting from combustion processes in ship engines to carry out air pollution control.

The main scrubbing application includes the treatment of exhaust gases from engines, auxiliary engines, boilers, onshore, and onboard marine vehicles, to ensure no damage is done to human life and the environment by toxic air pollutants. According to the MARPOL Treaty, the level of sulfur emissions to the atmosphere by ships is required to be reduced by January 1st, 2020.

All ship owners have to install scrubbing systems on their boards to comply with international regulations and standards. The principle of scrubber operation is based on exhaust gas streams that pass inside the scrubbing system that has an alkaline solution to neutralize the acidic nature of the exhaust gases and remove any particulate matter from the exhaust. The used solution from the scrubbing system can be then collected with wash water that is stored or disposed of.

Types of scrubbing systems:

• Dry air scrubbers that use solid lime as the alkaline scrubbing solution that allows removing SOx from exhaust gases;
• Wet air scrubbers that use water (fresh or sea) for the same purpose. Additionally, all wet scrubbing systems are classified into open-loop (that discharge the used water) and closed-loop (that store the liquid until it is removed in a special place) scrubbers. Moreover, there are hybrid scrubbers that can employ both closed and open running modes either at the same time or by switching between the two.

Open-loop scrubbing systems offer such benefits as simple design, easy installation and a few moving parts, minimal maintenance, and no need for waste material storage. At the same time, this type of scrubber has such disadvantages as problems with the cooling of the exhaust gas, dependence on water alkalinity, high power consumption, and high fuel cost.

Closed-loop wet air scrubbers require less maintenance, and the scrubbing system is independent of the ship operating environment. Closed-loop scrubbers need storage space and the system installation can be quite complex, particularly for dual-fuel engines. A shipping company should consider numerous factors to choose the most suitable type of scrubbers.

If you are looking for the best air treatment device to improve air quality, Redwood Technology offers a cutting-edge type of wet scrubber – a Multi-Vortex wet air scrubber.

Redwood technology is a fast-growing vendor of wet air scrubbers. The multi-vortex scrubber can remove gas emissions, dust, vapors, and other pollutants from a gas stream. It is an innovative technology created to save water that makes it more cost-efficient and differs from other types of scrubbers.  If you have any questions or would like to purchase a multi-vortex wet air scrubber, please contact us at info@rdwd.tech