Scrubbing System Users vs. European Commission Proposals

The European Commission has recently suggested tougher discharge regulations for users of open-loop scrubbing systems to update rules governing sulfur reduction technology.

While wet scrubbers provide a satisfactory solution for sulfur compliance, European Commission officials believe that open-loop scrubbing systems generate detrimental liquid waste, compelling governments to implement restrictions or bans to protect the marine ecosystem.

The Commission proposes to identify the areas and conditions under which it will be permitted for open-loop wet scrubbers to discharge wash water into ports and seas. Moreover, these actions may lead to the implementation of more stringent discharge regulations or the prohibition of discharge from specific technologies, among other possibilities.

The Clean Shipping Alliance, a group of shipowners that have installed scrubbing systems, is against the proposal. The executive director of the Alliance confirms that the current situation is an attempt to facilitate restrictions on wet scrubbers, which are approved worldwide by the IMO, EU, and others as an acceptable way of controlling air pollution and improving air quality.

Wet air scrubbers have numerous benefits for the shipping industry among other types of scrubbers that include:

  • minimal spatial needs that are especially critical for fitting the scrubbers on a vessel because of space constraints;
  • no alternative dust sources while air scrubbing since there is no way for the collected compounds to exit the scrubber;
  • no temperature or humidity limitations;
  • minimal risks for fire and explosion;
  • gathering of both solid particles and gases.

These shipowners have spent years preparing their vessels to lower emissions in line with current International Maritime Organization and European Union regulations. Despite of the EU proposals, all member states of the IMO again approved scrubbing system technology as an accepted compliance method.

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

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