By
Alex Smith |
Italian company Ecospray has developed a new solution, the Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP), for eliminating particulate matter and black smoke emitted by passenger ships and other vessels.
The WESP system removes visible smoke from a ship’s funnel by capturing particles and condensable molecules such as sulphur oxides. The solution can be integrated to an existing desulphurisation tower or installed as a stand-alone unit for both open loop and hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS).
“Like the EGCS plants for diesel engines, WESP is a ‘bridge’ technology, meaning it’s a true transition technology which will guide us towards the 2030-2050 objectives,” said Filippo Lossani, leader of project management at Ecospray. “Considering the ever-increasing focus on issues involving environmental sustainability and health – and given the growing demand for the reduction of polluting emissions – we expect that the standardisation process of dust and particulates will be the necessary next step, and we are ready.”
The solution is to be installed on a cruise ship for testing. The tests will be run in collaboration with classification society RINA, which will support Ecospray in assessing the technology. Swiss testing, inspection and certification company SGS will also assist in the project with laboratory analysis of system performance at full scale.
“The collaboration with Ecospray is part of RINA's strategy, which looks at the energy transition as an area in which to make an important contribution,” said Andrea Cogliolo, senior director of marine at RINA. “In the coming years, the shipping industry will be driven by decarbonisation and RINA is playing an active role in this transformation, making its multidisciplinary skills available to the sector to build an increasingly sustainable future.”