TT-Line, a German-Swedish ferry operator, has contracted Wärtsilä to retrofit an exhaust gas cleaning system to its Ro-Pax vessel, the M/S Robin Hood.
Wärtsilä’s will perform engineering, pre-fabrication, installation, classification, project management, and construction site management. The contract was signed in October 2013 and delivery and installation will take place during summer 2014.
SECA Compliance
The vessel will be fitted with four Wärtsilä Hybrid Scrubber Systems designed to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate emissions from the ship’s exhaust. The ferry operates in the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) between Travemünde, Germany and Trelleborg, Sweden. The systems will enable compliance with the SECA regulations, as well as with anticipated future legislation.
TEN-T Financing
The pilot installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems on the M/S Robin Hood is part of the company’s Green Ship strategy. The retrofit project is co-financed by the European Union through the TEN-T MOS “Green Bridge on Nordic Corridor” project.
Hybrid Scrubber System
The system operates in either an open loop or closed loop mode using seawater to remove SOx from the exhaust. When operating in open loop, exhaust gases enter the system and are sprayed with seawater.
The sulphur oxides in the exhaust react with the water to form sulphuric acid. Chemicals are not required since the natural alkalinity of seawater neutralises the acid. When operating in closed loop, the natural alkalinity of seawater is boosted by an alkali.
Wash water from the system is treated and monitored at the inlet and outlet to ensure that it conforms to all applicable discharge criteria. It can then be discharged into the sea with no risk of harm to the environment.
Picture above: The Wärtsilä Hybrid Scrubber. Picture below: The Robin Hood.
