Singapore firm develops system to cut vessel emissions

Ecospec develops system to cut vessel emissions
Singapore firm tests breakthrough tech on oil tanker
Vince Wee, Business Times 19 Jan 09;

HOMEGROWN research and technology company Ecospec Global Technology has developed a new system to reduce emissions from vessels. The firm believes the technology may have the potential to generate over US$100 million in sales in its first year alone.

Ecospec's new CSNOx device is believed to be the first in the world that is able to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) by up to 90 per cent through a single process system.

The company has successfully tested the system onboard an oil tanker in a joint effort with classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and one of the leading Singapore-based tanker operators. The results of the test show that the device has 92.9 per cent, 82.2 per cent and 74.4 per cent efficiency for scrubbing SO2, NOx and CO2 respectively.

Maritime regulators are starting to enforce stricter emissions standards, with the higher requirements under Marpol Annex VI due to be phased in by the middle of next year.

'This is a major breakthrough for the global shipping industry,' said Ecospec managing director Chew Hwee Hong. 'Prior to CSNOx, there is no single equipment aboard ships with the capability to remove CO2, SO2, NOx and PM at a go, and not generate further CO2 emissions during the process or acidify the ocean.'

He added that the tanker operator that Ecospec is working with - believed to be a major Greek-owned company - is moving towards full implementation and he expects about 100 installations this year. Each system costs about US$1 million not inclusive of installation and engineering costs on the vessel which will depend on its size. 'Shipping customers in Singapore have been very interested,' said Mr Chew.

Ecospec expects to get full certification from ABS in six months to one years' time. Potential customers are expected to come from the oil and gas, offshore and marine and power industries, said sales director Tony Eng. Ecospec is talking to all the major oil companies such as Chevron, Exxon and Shell, barring BP, he added. BP is known to be developing another system with British company Krystallon.

Mr Eng noted that power companies - including all three Singapore power stations - have shown interest in Ecospec's technology. One key component is that the plants need to be relatively close to the sea as a source of water supply.