Based on the most recent data, the quantity of vessels equipped with air treatment systems or on order has risen considerably in recent months. Despite the fact that this number is a tiny percentage of the world fleet, it is estimated that by the end of 2020 15% of the world fleet by tonnage capacity will be fitted with scrubber systems.

More and more shipowners continue to observe the value of installing wet air scrubbers. A variety of advantages come with installing a scrubber, but selecting the appropriate one is essential. Parameters such as the vessel size and layout, its operating route, and its engine configuration greatly influence the best air treatment solution.

For instance, wet air scrubbers are applied more often than dry scrubber systems. The selection of wet scrubbers depends on the ship’s main operating route and the water’s alkalinity. Open-loop scrubbers are considered to have the cheapest installation and simple operation. Shipowners should pay careful attention to acid neutralization because the wastewater is released back into the ocean after scrubbing.

Closed-loop scrubbers are considered to be more effective. These scrubber systems “do not draw a continuous flow of water from the sea, relying instead on clean water which is recirculated with alkalizing chemicals like caustic soda.” A closed-loop wet scrubber incurs greater initial expenses compared to an open-loop due to its more complex technology.

The energy use of the pumps represents one of the largest expenses of operating a wet air scrubber. Open-loop wet scrubbers have to pump significantly more water than closed-loop scrubbers leading to higher fuel bills. Additionally, a ‘hybrid’ scrubber system may be the best solution when ships operate on routes across high alkalinity and low alkalinity water.

Hybrid scrubbers allow switching between open-loop scrubbing and closed-loop scrubbing, depending on requirements. Hybrid wet scrubbers are highly complex, although they are the most versatile. The configuration plays a crucial role in choosing a scrubber system. The design of the ship will determine the most suitable shape of wet scrubbers.

There isn’t a definitive answer when selecting the appropriate wet air scrubber, although a hybrid solution is quite appealing. Every scrubber system has its unique specifications, and any scrubber setup comes with a high cost. Shipowners have to find professional advice before they perform their new air treatment strategy to use the full advantages of wet scrubbers.

If you would like to make your contribution to improving air quality in order to provide air pollution control, Redwood Technology offers a cutting-edge wet scrubbers that is Multi-Vortex scrubber. Multi-Vortex wet air scrubber could apply water contaminated with dust, sand, and even small rocks to capture particulate pollutants, different types of dust, and some gases from the air. 

This type of scrubber is an ideal solution for ore and coal mining. Thus, it can be used in different mining, combustion, and chemical processes to capture gases. Also, in some cases, the unique Multi-Vortex scrubber design allows utilizing cheaper reagents to capture the pollutant gas with more efficiency than a standard wet scrubber. If you would like to buy Multi-Vortex wet air scrubber or have some questions, please contact us at info@optromix.com