Technology

EGCSA explains PAH monitoring in scrubber discharges

Association establishes working group to consider the standards for PAH monitoring.

Published

6 years ago

July 23, 2018

Admin

The following is a statement written by EGCSA explaining the importance of PAH monitoring for scrubber discharges:

The IMO Pollution Prevention and Response sub-committee (PPR) has set up a correspondence group to provide guidance in the event of accidental breakdown, instrumentation malfunction or perceived non-compliance of exhaust gas cleaning systems. Part of the group’s brief is to clarify some of the language used in the scrubber guidelines (MEPC.258(68)) including the term PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) monitoring.

So, what are PAH and why are PAH monitored? Well, quite simply these are a group of compounds found in oil that can be measured in water at parts per billion concentrations. This enables monitoring of the extremely low levels of oil in scrubber wash water, which is well beyond the measurement capability of traditional instruments associated with 15ppm or even 5ppm bilge water separators.

PAH fluoresce when exposed to ultra violet light energy. Monitors are tuned to emit UV light around a wavelength where it is absorbed by one PAH compound in particular – phenanthrene, the second most common of the PAH in petroleum, with detection at a higher range of wavelengths where phenanthrene fluoresces.

In real world water monitoring the fluorescence from other PAH overlap with that from phenanthrene and the overall response can be used to report the concentration of PAH as phenanthrene equivalents or PAHphe.

Online monitoring by UV fluorescence cannot be related to laboratory analysis, for example for the US EPA Vessel General Permit, as the individual PAH compounds are not identified nor quantified. However, EGCSA is keen that the reason for monitoring PAH is not forgotten – it is an effective means of monitoring very low concentrations of oil in scrubber discharges.

In terms of direct online measurement of emissions to air and water, exhaust gas cleaning systems are perhaps the most closely monitored of all marine equipment. It is believed to be unique in terms of compliance requirements that the scrubber guidelines contain a table, which not only has limits for the concentration of PAH in scrubber wash water, but also links these to the water flow rates in order to strictly limit the quantity of oil discharged.

Through knowledge transfer and its code of conduct, a key EGCSA objective is to develop and promote a high level of integrity and standards in exhaust gas cleaning. As part of this effort EGCSA has set up a working group to consider the standards for PAH monitoring.

With expert input from instrument suppliers who are EGCSA Associate members, the group met recently in London to discuss a robust product neutral definition of PAH monitor and consider how the requirements for installation and verification in service can be reinforced in order to promote compliance assurance.

This work will feed into the review being undertaken by the IMO PPR correspondence group to ensure a consistency of reporting, that instruments and their installation can be readily surveyed, and that monitoring standards are maintained at a high level, which any new market entrant must meet.

Photo credit: Carnival Corporation
Published: 24 July, 2018

Classification Society

LR: Risk sharing key component to viable emissions reduction

When major change is introduced on a ship, there are numerous aspects to consider by all stakeholders involved which all add risk.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 31, 2024

Admin

Shipping must be open to sharing the risks associated with emissions reduction to enable the uptake of energy savings devices and technologies (ESDs/ESTs) and digital applications, stated classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) representatives during a presentation at Athens during early December.

The responsibility of investing in and driving the uptake of new solutions must be borne by all relevant stakeholders and not sit solely with the shipowner. This extends not only to financial exposure, but also new vessel design and data sharing.

When major change is introduced on a ship, there are numerous aspects to consider by all stakeholders involved which all add risk. Energy producers, the energy consumers, the associated supply chains, and the investors, insurers, regulators, class societies and governments – all have critical, but different and highly inter-related roles to play within the transition.

“We are in a new era of shipping that comes with a different set of rules, including shipping companies’ approach risk and risk sharing,” shared Elina Papageorgiou, Global Strategic Growth Director and VP Greece and Cyprus at LR at the Powering Progress: Innovation and Energy in Maritime event.

“Longer-term investment decisions should also be informed by the decisions of shipping’s clients’, clients – the cargo owners – and align with their emissions reduction ambitions.”

David Lloyd, Director, Energy Transition at LR, meanwhile noted: “Smart vessel operation and well-informed, data-led investment decisions can significantly support vessel compliance. What’s more, investments don’t have to be extensive to achieve results.”

“Whilst uncertainties around bigger challenges such as alternative fuels and future requirements are resolved, ESDs and digital solutions can support the commercial viability of vessels as we approach 2030 with often surprisingly low levels of investment. But these investments should be shared across all stakeholders and not be limited to owners and financiers.”

Fotis Belexis, Technical Director of Starbulk Carriers, were amongst speakers discussing risk sharing across stakeholders for complex capital investments.

He pointed out that as existing vessels age, they cannot be replaced by newbuilds as there is insufficient global shipbuilding capacity to replenish the fleet with newer tonnage.

As such, older vessels may therefore remain in the market for longer than expected and not depreciate in value as has been the case in the past. Banks and other lenders must realise this and adjust their depreciation and lending models to suit when ship owners want to finance retrofits of ESDs on their older ships.

Moving forward, the room agreed energy saving devices (ESDs), such as wind-assisted ship propulsion, digital solutions and smart operations should all be considered as the in-service fleet using traditional marine fuels seeks to shave its bunker fuel consumption to comply with IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator, EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) and FuelEU regulations – the latter will which be in effect as of 1 January 2025.

As emissions reduction targets increase, with steeper increments than currently planned potentially being announced at the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in May next year, data-led insight and scenario planning will become more important to understand where efficiencies can be gained.

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 31 December 2024

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: ExxonMobil completes 100 digital bunker deliveries with Bunkerchain

“As the first accredited bunker fuel supplier to introduce MFMS in Singapore, we are proud to lead the way in implementing eBDNs,” the company said in a social media post.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 23, 2024

Admin

ExxonMobil on Friday (20 December) said it has successfully completed over 100 bunker deliveries using electronic bunker delivery notes (eBDNs) in collaboration with Singapore-based Bunkerchain, its first approved eBDN vendor.

“As the first accredited bunker fuel supplier to introduce MFMS in Singapore, we are proud to lead the way in implementing eBDNs,” the company said in a social media post.

Ognjen Plakalovic, Head of Asia Pacific Aviation and Marine Sales, ExxonMobil, said: “Our implementation of eBDNs is expected to help drive efficiency, enhance trust, and boost productivity. We continue to advocate for transparency and value the advantages of digitisation.”

Starting from April 1, 2025, marine fuel suppliers in Singapore must offer digital bunkering services, including electronic bunker delivery notes (eBDNs). The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) expects this initiative to save the industry up to 40,000 man-days annually.

According to the MPA, the move will also enable more efficient data sharing between bunker buyers and suppliers, which will help streamline administrative processes, improve accountability, and facilitate regulatory compliance.

“Integrating eBDNs with mass flow metering systems (MFMS) greatly minimizes the risk of manual errors or intentional tampering with fuel quantity figures, thereby enhancing integrity and trust in fuel transactions,” the company added.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 December, 2024

Alternative Fuels

NYK and Yusen Logistics introduce digital platform for GHG emission management

NYK and YL will use the platform by allocating to platform customers the GHG emission reductions achieved through use of alternative fuels in their ocean, air, and land transport services.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 23, 2024

Admin

NYK and Yusen Logistics introduce digital platform for GHG emission management

Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) on Thursday (19 December) introduced a digital platform with Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd. (YL) for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.

The platform is provided by 123Carbon B.V. (123Carbon), a Netherlands-based startup working on decarbonising the logistics sector.

NYK and YL, a comprehensive logistics group, will use the platform to support the reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions by allocating to platform customers the GHG-emission reductions achieved through the use of alternative fuels in their ocean, air, and land transport services and issuing certificates confirming those reductions.

Process for Managing and Allocating GHG-Emission Reductions

NYK

Generates and manages GHG-emission reductions through the use of biofuels in its bulk shipping business, recognises the environmental value of these reductions, then allocates them to YL and issues a certificate of confirmation. The first allocation will be completed on the platform after verification by a third-party certification organisation.

Procures GHG-emission reductions generated by ocean shipping companies like NYK and its airline partners and provides accompanying certificates. Additionally, for land transport, YL will utilise sustainable fuels derived from waste cooking oil and other renewable materials to power its own trucks in some countries and areas, actively creating and managing GHG-emission reductions as a transport operator. A one-stop service on the platform will be officially launched by YL shortly.

Key Features of the Platform

Customers can monitor GHG-emission reduction methods and the alternative fuels used to generate the reductions.
The management and allocation of GHG-emission reductions are secured using blockchain technology to prevent data tampering.
The entire process, from calculating GHG-emission reductions to allocating, is verified by a third-party certification organisation to ensure the platform's reliability and transparency.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 23 December, 2024