Wärtsilä launches new lighter, smaller IQ Series scrubber

The IQ Series has been designed by Wärtsilä’s Exhaust Treatment business unit in Moss, Norway. The scrubber’s innovative design requires 25% less space and 35% less volume to achieve the same exhaust gas cleaning results as previous scrubber designs. The scrubber is also is 30% lighter, minimising the system’s impact on a vessel’s cargo-carrying capacity, and therefore its profitability. 

The new scrubber, which can be configured to use between 20 and 70 MW of power depending on vessel requirements, is expected to be particularly beneficial on container ships, where space is a key commercial priority. 

As the scrubber features the same modular design concept as Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment’s other exhaust gas cleaning solutions, the IQ Series can be upgraded with further technologies that enable other pollutants to be tackled within the stack. Potential options include exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to cut NO_x, a black carbon filter to cut particulate matter (PM), a depluming unit to cut visible steam from the stack, and even a carbon capture and storage (CCS) module that Wärtsilä is currently developing in its Moss test facility.

Sigurd Jenssen, Director, Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment, said: “We have particularly designed the IQ Series with our container segment customers in mind. There is huge demand in the container market for exhaust gas cleaning solutions that enable compliance and have a minimal impact on the profitability of the vessel. That’s why we have brought to market this new design that is lighter, smaller and less voluminous, enabling us to respond to what our customers are asking for, while also maintaining the same high-quality engineering and results they expect from Wärtsilä.”

IQ Series is also a more environmentally-friendly option for owners and operators looking at the impact of their investment decisions, with Wärtsilä manufacturing the technology using 50% recycled steel.