Fri 16 Jan 2015, 11:55 GMT

VLGC fitted with exhaust gas cleaning system


Dorian LPG vessel is fitted with Clean Marine scrubber technology.



Dorian LPG's new vessel, the ECO VLGC Corvette [pictured], has been fitted with an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) - also known as a marine scrubber system - provided by Norwegian firm Clean Marine.

The vessel’s class society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), issued a formal letter on January 8, 2015, confirming that the EGCS complies with 'Scheme B – EGC System Approval, Survey and Certification Using Continuous Monitoring of SOx Emissions' of the IMO Resolution MEPC.184(59), 2009 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.

The approved EGCS will enable the new ship to comply with current and future legislation relating to sulphur emissions without switching to conventional marine fuels, Clean Marine says.

The measurements of exhaust gas emission and washwater criteria are said to be well below the required limits stated in the MEPC guideline 184(59), thus ensuring vessel compliancy with the 0.1% sulphur limit in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) which has been in place since January 1. The vessel is also said to be compliant with the stricter US EPA requirements of a pH above 6 in washwater, measured at the outlet.

Dorian LPG is a liquefied petroleum gas shipping company and an owner and operator of very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company currently owns and operates six modern VLGCs and one pressurized LPG vessel. In addition, Dorian LPG has 16 ECO VLGC newbuildings under construction.

Dorian LPG's latest newbuild delivery is to initially trade in the spot market and is the first of 15 deliveries that the company expects in 2015.

Commenting on the news, John Lycouris, Chief Executive Officer at Dorian LPG (USA) said: "Dorian LPG is proud to be the first within the gas carrier market to install the Clean Marine EGCS and we look forward to trading the Corvette with the considerable technological and environmental advantages over similar vessels in the market.

"The hybrid EGCS delivered by Clean Marine to Dorian LPG vessel Corvette is an advanced solution compliant with the stricter washwater regulations in US waters. We are confident that EGCS will play an important role in moving the shipping industry to comply with the new sulphur regulations in ECAs, as well as with the global cap in 2020 in a cost competitive manner.

"We are pleased with the cooperation with Clean Marine during planning, delivery and commissioning of the system, and the Class and Flag State approval process has been quick and efficient."

Clean Marine's EGCS includes integrated fan and gas recirculation technology that allows one EGCS unit to simultaneously serve all combustion units, including the boilers.

The Clean Marine system onboard the Corvette cleans both sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter emissions from the main engine, three auxiliary engines, and one boiler. In total, a single Clean Marine EGCS unit will manage five exhaust sources and clean 140.000 kilograms exhaust per hour, the company says.

The system supplied to Dorian LPG is a hybrid type which can operate seamlessly in both Open Loop and in Closed Loop (zero discharge mode).

"Clean Marine’s EGCS features a unique particulate matter trapping efficiency and meets the pH limit for washwater discharges with good margin. This is why we call it a futureproof solution," the Norwegian firm added.

ABS  

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