Following a successful test run, Solvay’s patented SOLVAir Marine solution for dry exhaust gas treatment will be fitted on La Méridionale’s ropax ‘Piana’s’ engines.
The work will be undertaken in close collaboration with engineering partner ANDRITZ.
This will enable La Méridionale to comply with the IMO2020 regulations and represents an important milestone in exhaust gas cleaning within the maritime sector, as it is the first successful use of a dry sorbent-based system on a vessel thus enabling exhaust gas treatment without the use of any wash water, Solvay claimed.
In 2019, La Méridionale tested Solvay’s sodium-based dry technology to clean exhaust gases generated from one main and one auxiliary engine. The system was also tested on the ‘Piana’, which operates between Marseille and Corsica.
Since the test period, ‘Piana’ has continued operating with the SOLVAir Marine dry-based system on board. Building on this success, the system will be fitted to all of her engines in November, 2021, with sea trials scheduled for February, 2022.
Solvay is providing the sodium-based sorbent, as well as technical support during the engineering, construction and operation phases, with a focus on the injection, storage and handling of the dry sorbent.
In addition, the SOLVAir Marine team can provide recommendations and assistance regarding safe residue management.
ANDRITZ is responsible for overall engineering and equipment supply, field instrumentation, and the integrated automation system.
In addition to removing sulfur oxides and particulates of all sizes (PM10, PM2.5, PM1), the dry-based sodium sorbent injection system requires only 10% of the power consumption when compared to a closed-loop wet scrubber.
Emission tests carried out by the independent company CERTAM after completion of the first test stage in October, 2019, showed excellent results for SOx and particulate removal.
Due to the results of the test run and the environmental performance, the French Flag administration attested with the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPP) that all statutory requirements for this installation were fulfilled.
Class society DNV also issued the Marine Equipment Directive Module G (MED-G) certificate, confirming compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
SOLVAir Marine’s team is also working on a solution for ‘three in one’ SOx, NOx and PM removal, which will enable the mitigation of multiple pollutants simultaneously with one compact device.
Various pilot tests are currently under way in Solvay’s research centre in Dombasle, with promising results claimed thus far. This system will also soon be tested on La Méridionale’s ‘Piana’.
