Van Oord trials membrane scrubber technology

The technology uses porous membrane tubes carrying absorbent fluid, rather than fluid being sprayed direct into the exhaust stream. The supplier claims that using this method, only targeted gasses are absorbed, cutting energy consumption, use of absorbent material, maintenance and waste products.

Ionada already has one system in service onboard ro-ro cargo ship Nolhavana, a 6MW membrane scrubber installed on for the vessel’s two 3MW engines in 2016.

The company, which has attracted investment from Canadian and Chinese institutions, was one of fourteen companies to sign contracts or pilot agreements at the conclusion of a three-month, start-up accelerator programme, PortXL, in Rotterdam.

The pilot installation on Van Oord’s dredger will take place in the fourth quarter of 2018.