Wärtsilä gas scrubber ready for volume produc...
Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical press release, 16 June 2011
The development of Exhaust Gas Scrubber technology for SOx emissions control has
advanced to the point that it is now possible to quickly ramp up production
volumes to meet the increasing demand in the marine market as regulations become
more stringent. Wärtsilä and Metso have extensive experience of scrubber
technology in land-based installation. In December 2010 Wärtsilä received its
first commercial scrubber order for a marine application.
Wärtsilä Corporation, the global leader in complete power lifecycle solutions
and services, and Metso Corporation have signed an agreement to co-operate in
developing and delivering scrubber systems for marine applications. Under the
terms of this agreement, Metso is to supply the scrubber unit, while Wärtsilä is
responsible for world-wide sales and integration of complete, certified,
documented marine scrubber systems, including automation, water treatment, and
ancillaries. Both Wärtsilä and Metso have extensive experience in the use of
scrubber technology for land-based installations.
Long co-operation and comprehensive experience
Wärtsilä and Metso have already for a number of years worked together in the
development of scrubber technology. In 2005 the two companies, together with
other companies within the Finnish maritime cluster, embarked on a programme to
develop a feasible marine scrubber.
By autumn 2007, the project had reached the stage of being ready for a test
installation. A tanker, the MT 'Suula', owned by the Neste Shipping division of
the Finnish company, Neste Oil Oyj, was made available and the project-testing
phase began in November 2008. During the test period, which was completed in
mid-2010, the 'Suula' operated primarily in the Baltic Sea but also visited many
North Sea harbours. The sulphur removal efficiency was proven to be excellent
and well within the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) most stringent
limits. Furthermore, the discharge water was also proven to be well in
compliance with IMO Washwater Guidelines.
This extensive development programme, from the establishment of the project
group in 2005 until finalisation of the pilot tests on board a working tanker in
2010, culminated in the Wärtsilä SOx scrubber becoming the first such unit to be
certified for marine applications. The classification societies Det Norske
Veritas, Germanisher Lloyd and Bureau Veritas have granted the Wärtsilä unit a
SOx Emissions Compliance Certificate.
First commercial order for Wärtsilä
In December 2010, Wärtsilä received its first commercial order for a scrubber
for a marine application. Containerships Ltd Oy, a Finnish shipping customer,
placed a contract for a turnkey installation onboard its vessel, 'Containerships
VII', a ship equipped with a Wärtsilä W7L64 main engine. The scope of the order
includes a Wärtsilä fresh water scrubber. The scrubber will be delivered to the
customer in August 2011.
The more stringent IMO sulphur regulations, which require strict sulphur oxides
control, are due to enter into force in January 2015 and will apply to Sulphur
Emissions Control Areas (SECAs). With this in mind, a rapid ramp-up and
development of the scrubber market is foreseen. Following the systematic
development of this technology, its successful validation, and the agreement
between Wärtsilä and Metso, Wärtsilä is committed and ready to fulfil the needs
of the shipping industry regarding scrubber technology. The units can be
delivered both for new ships, and as a retrofit for ships already in service.
Wärtsilä Services
Services is one of the three Wärtsilä's businesses alongside Ship Power and
Power Plants. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Wärtsilä Corporation operates
the most extensive service network in the industry. Wärtsilä offers a range of
services to both the global marine and energy markets. The company's extensive
services portfolio includes spare parts and field services, servicing of
engines, propulsion systems, electrical and automation systems, as well as
boilers. It also covers environmental services and solutions, upgrades and
conversions, as well as long-term agreements for engine and propulsion systems
and training services. Wärtsilä's service business is also a leader in the
development of new service concepts to meet customers' needs in attaining
optimal operational efficiency. Wärtsilä Services has some 70 fully owned
workshops and employs more than 11,000 service professionals.
Information about the closed-loop system
For further information please contact:
Leonardo Sonzio
Director, Environmental Services
Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Tel. +358 40 0987 166
leonardo.sonzio@wartsila.com
Britt-Mari Kullas-Nyman
General Manager, Environmental Services, Air & Energy
Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Tel. +358 40 552 2561
britt-mari.kullas-nyman@wartsila.com
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine
and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total
efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the
vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2010, Wärtsilä's net sales
totalled EURÂ 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has
operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed
on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com
Closed-loop system:
http://hugin.info/131481/R/1523848/459810.pdf
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Source: Wärtsilä Oyj Abp via Thomson Reuters ONE
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