Scrubbers need a hydrocarbon add-on

Such effluent would likely violate clean-water regulatory standards such as MEPC 184(59) due to excess PAH and PM levels, says Dr Jason Caplan, president and CEO of EnSolve Biosystems in the US. The company has consequently developed the EnScrub Biofilter to address these contaminants as an add-on device for SOx scrubbers.

EnSolve completed a phase I National Science Foundation project in 2011 using a pilot-scale EnScrub device that achieved hydrocarbon reductions greater than 99%. The technology is now undergoing phase II testing at the Port of Los Angeles and is being developed for both port and shipboard use. On ships, it will be suitable for open and closed loop scrubber technologies and flow rates. EnSolve is partnering with scrubber manufacturers in the product’s development and Dr Caplan estimates a $5 billion market for the equipment.