US system provides emissions monitoring

The system is designed for continuous use onboard, for all installed engines and boilers. The maker claims it is the first system to be certified for the calculation of totalised emissions, particulate matter measurement and the calculation of the CO₂ operational Index in line with IMO guidelines. The software incorporates GPS position and time stamping to allow accurate report generation on order to fully meet ECA limits.

Emsys is described as a second generation quantum cascade laser and optics-driver single enclosure device that can continuously monitor emissions from up to 10 smokestacks for marine applications and is certified by ABS. Development began in early 2009 and the system was formally launched at the SMM 2010 exhibition in Hamburg.

WR Systems points out that fines, detention and possible arrest are looming for ship owners or operators who fail to meet emissions requirements. The MARPOL Annex VI ECA regulations for sea areas within 200 nautical miles from the coasts and ports of the US and Canada come into effect from 1 August 2011. Even with an exemption clause that extends the regulations enforcement date to August 2012, the company says that the time window is short for outfitting thousands of vessels. Within two years, the ECA could be extended to areas off the Hawaiian Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. ECAs are already in force in the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel.

Enforcement of the new ECA will be carried out by the US Coast Guard under EPA guidelines, with potential fines for vessels in violation in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“We developed Emsy sin a proactive fashion to be a straightforward and cost-effective solution for compliance,” says Dave Edwards, senior vice president and director of WR Systems’ engineering services division based in Norfolk, Virginia. “Cost savings will be realised in black smoke fines and ship detention avoidance, as well as a reduction in engine maintenance expense, part replacement costs, fuel expense and reporting expense. The public relations value of improved environmental performance and green operating standards will also be of significant benefit.”

“The technology incorporated in the system is a significant leap forward over other systems currently available,” says Simon Brown, WR Systems’ director of international marine business.

Emsys has been designed to meet the requirements of all current and future marine emissions regulations. A further enhancement to include ammonia slip (NH₃) measurement within SCR systems is planned for release subject to the finalisation of IMO Guidelines in 2011. Extensive system assessment and testing by ABS has resulted in Emsys taking a claimed technological lead over its competitors. The automated CO₂ operational index software module can simplify data collection and index generation while increasing the accuracy of reported data. The integral PM sensor allows reporting of particulate matter in various formats to provide compliance data for forthcoming ECAs and other local regulations. The system uses a single PM sensor to measure specific emissions in g/kWh and mg/m³, which the company says avoids the need for installation of sensors in each stack and eliminates the maintenance and cleaning requirements normally associated with this technology.