NTNU researchers develop emissions solution

A pilot project by researchers Carlos Dorao and Maria Fernandino is investigating the use of a centrifugal separator equipped with metal wire sponges, called the Lynx separator. Initially targeting the oil and gas industry, the researchers have recently been granted funding by the Research Council of Norway’s innovation programme MAROFF to examine the technology’s potential in cleaning exhaust emissions from ships.

The pilot project irrigated simulated exhaust with saltwater, before separating them again using rotating metal foam cells. Researchers said that the theoretical calculations and testing showed promising results for this cleaning treatment.
One aspect for development will be incorporating heat exchangers into the technology. While the pilot project tested liquid at 20-30ºC, ship exhaust typically ranges from 60-70ºC.

The weight of the final product will also be important, the team noted. “On offshore gas platforms [as in the marine industry] equipment is measured by weight and size, since their area and tonnage are limited. With some small adaptations, the Lynx separator can be constructed with about half the diameter of today’s existing separators.