Andritz and Solvay have launched the Bicar dry exhaust gas cleaning system, which complies with the new 2020 sulfur emission regulations issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for maritime vessels and has been successfully certified by the classification organisation DNV GL.
This technology will allow shipping vessels to continue to use high-sulphur heavy fuel oils while significantly reducing their sulfur and fine particles emissions. It uses the SOLVAir process principles, Bicar as the sorbent for sulfur dioxide removal and a pulse jet fabric filter for removal of the sulphates and particulates.
Andritz designed and engineered the system and says that, unlike other exhaust gas cleaning systems installed on maritime vessels, no seawater is used, and no wastewater is discharged into the sea.
The Bicar dry exhaust gas cleaning system was installed on the RoPAx ferry Piana operated by the French ferry company La Méridionale and has been operating successfully since April 2019. Results show that the system removed the required levels of sulfur dioxide and more than 99% of particulates and ultra-fine particulates.
