Demonstration Test in Response to IMO Tier III NOx Regulations
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced plans to install the Selective catalytic Reduction (SCR) system – jointly developed by MOL, Yanmar Co., Ltd. , and Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. – on all three power generators of an MOL-operated oceangoing freighter for a demonstration test.
This test demonstrates NOx denitration under the actual operation of freighter, to meet the Tier III NOx regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The SCR system received a statement of fact from ship classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) on July 1, verifying that it meets the NOx Tier III emission limit, and its superior denitration performance was confirmed. The system was developed with support from ClassNK’s “Joint R&D with Industries and Academic Partners” program.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships, MARPOL Annex VI regulates NOx emissions from vessels. If all goes smoothly, the diesel engines used on vessels built after 2016 will be required to reduce NOx emissions by more than 80% from the Tier I NOx emission standards in the Emission Control Areas, including North America.
The SCR system will give MOL a head start in responding to this critical environmental issue. This initiative reflects MOL’s effort to prevent air pollution as one of the environmental strategies in its single-year management plan RISE 2013. The company takes a proactive stance in introducing various technologies that will reduce the environmental burden of its business activities.
Outline of SCR system onboard an actual vessel, and details of test operation
- Install a catalytic reactor that includes bypass system, onboard to save engine room space and allow greater flexibility in design
- Reduce space needed for peripheral equipment by integrating control of three units
- The test operation on an actual vessel is scheduled to last about two years, to observe operability and refilling of aqueous urea, and ensure that:
- All three SCR systems function properly under normal power generator operating conditions.
- Long-term performance of the system can be maintained even if the engines use Bunker C and other fuels that contain high levels of impurities.
