For the first time, a ship has been fitted with a pioneering sensor that measures emissions of particles in real time. The project is the result of a collaboration between the Danish Technological Institute, Uni-Tankers and Green Instruments.
Together, they have developed an advanced flue gas sensor that was installed on board the M/T Falstria Swan. The companies involved feel this type of equipment will be of great importance to the shipping industry when new requirements are introduced to reduce emissions of soot particles and an important step in the efforts to make shipping climate neutral.
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Flue gas sensor
The new flue gas sensor can measure emissions of soot particles – also known as black carbon – in real time. The sensor is now installed on a ship from the shipping company Uni-Tankers, the Falstria Swan, thanks to a constructive collaboration between the Danish Technological Institute, Uni-Tankers, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping, Danish Maritime, Danish Shipping and the company Green Instruments, which produces the flue gas sensor.
They are all part of Project Cleanship, which is being supported with DKK 18 million from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency over a three-year period. Project Cleanship is coordinated by the Danish Technological Institute.
‘With the installation on the ship, we are now a big step closer to reducing black carbon emissions, the second largest maritime source of global warming after CO2. This is the first time ever that it is possible to accurately measure black carbon emissions in real time and under realistic conditions on a ship. This means that we have a much better understanding of how emissions in shipping can be reduced,’ says Sonny Baekdahl Trudslev, Development Manager at Green Instruments.
Also read: How new flue gas sensor measures ships’ black carbon emissions
Facts – black carbon
- Formed by incomplete combustion in ship engines, among other things.
- In terms of the impact of shipping on the climate, black carbon is a significant risk after CO2.
- Absorbs sunlight and contributes to global warming.
- Carcinogenic and causes a number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recommended a 35 per cent reduction in global black carbon emissions.
Precise measurements crucial
The IMO and the EU, among others, are expected to adopt requirements for the shipping industry to reduce emissions of soot particles – including black carbon – in the coming years. This is not least because black carbon accounts for around twenty per cent of the CO2-equivalent emissions from international shipping, and precise measurements will be crucial for shipping companies.
Baekdahl Trudslev: ‘Without precise measurements, shipping companies navigate blindly, but now they will be able to see where they need to take action to reduce emissions of very harmful particles, and they can document their emissions. We can clearly see that there is a growing interest in this type of equipment, and we have already received several specific enquiries from shipping companies who want to hear more about the flue gas sensor.’
Focus on energy saving and new fuels
It is not only the actual emissions of black carbon that are being studied in connection with Project Cleanship. There is also a focus on the effect of energy-saving measures and new fuel types to provide the maritime industry with more knowledge that can influence future investments in cleaner technology. The aim of the cross-industry collaboration is to provide greater insight into where action can be taken to minimise the climate impact of shipping, which has set a target to be climate neutral by 2050.
‘There is no doubt that a data-driven approach to the issue of emissions from shipping is the way forward, and we are now getting accurate data that can certainly help us understand what the maritime industry can do to reduce emissions of a number of harmful particles. At the same time, we will gain valuable knowledge about the effect of various measures on board ships,’ says Baekdahl Trudslev.
Also read: IMO sets emissions limits and GHG pricing for shipping
From measurements to reporting
For example, the effect of technologies and operational interventions such as optimising engine load and speed management must be documented.
To get a detailed overview of emissions of different types of greenhouse gases, Green Instruments has delivered a CEMS system that documents the concentrations of greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, N2O and others. In addition, Green Instruments has also delivered a so-called GreenView Emissions Insight system that can convert the measurements into key figures in mass emissions such as CO2/kWh or CO2/fuel. These ratios are expected to play a major role in emissions reporting for ETS and FuelEU in the coming years.
Picture: Installation of the sensor on the Uni-Tankers vessel Falstria Swan (photo by Green Instruments).
