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Pollution in Urban areas Near Ports Has Reached Critical Levels.
Boca Raton, FL — Greener Process Systems Inc. has developed a patented method that reduces, to near zero, emissions from ships that are docked in harbors – many of which are located in major cities throughout the world.
Pollution constitutes both a health and an environmental problem. 70% of pollution caused by stationing ships docked in ports includes fine particulate matter, including sub-micron nuclei mode, nitrogen oxides (NOx), air toxics, heavy metals, and VOC. On average, one large ocean-going ship emits the equivalent of more than 10,000 cars not equipped with catalytic converters.
SETH – Ship Emissions Treatment in Harbor (patent Italy, patent pending U.S.)
A single SETH system simultaneously removes different types of pollutants present in ship exhaust (NOx, SOx, PM, Heavy Metals). The catalytic process abatement efficiency is extremely high (>95% on average). The system takes advantage of a dry process without the use of any solvents or any liquid, and so no liquid waste is generated from it, which can result in water contamination (see scrubbing system failures). Advanced robotics make this system highly adaptable and versatile designed to reach multiple ship’s exhaust funnels simultaneously independently from their shape and form. The system is fully automated and does not require direct human intervention.
SETH utilizes different solutions to accommodate each port necessity without interfering with normal operations. Featuring Smart Eco-Barge when the risk of interference with the harbor operations must be avoided (cargo, container ships, etc.). and Smart Eco-Berth when the occupation of part of the quay doesn’t create any interference with the normal harbor operations. They both operate following fully customizable approach procedures and provide ultra-fast engagement and disengagement – usually in about 30 mins.
“We are currently looking to connect with governmental environmental agencies, port authorities, and shipping and cruise lines in the U.S. and abroad to discuss how we can install SETH in their ports and connect to their ships,” says CEO, Matt Sweetwood, “This is the future for the shipping and port industry in order to achieve clean ship emissions.”
Major air pollutants generated by port activities include, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM). Millions of people throughout the world live close to ports and the health effects of prolonged exposure to these compounds can include premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart and lung disease, increased cancer risk, and increased respiratory symptoms – especially for children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and other sensitive populations. A recent study found that emissions from diesel engines, commonly used in the freight industry, are significantly more harmful to humans than those from petrol vehicles and more than 30 human epidemiological studies have found that diesel exhaust exposure directly increases cancer risk. Port-related diesel emissions—such as NOx and black carbon—also may contribute to climate change.
“I have spent the last 35 years of my career dedicated to making the earth a cleaner place to live. And I am proud of the technical achievement with SETH that will surely lead to a cleaner environment, less greenhouse gases and healthier air for all of us to breath,” says CTO, Enrico Festa.
Ports are a vital part of the United States & world economy, with seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports serving as gateways for moving freight and passengers across the country and around the world. As nations adopt to meet economic and infrastructure demands, it is critical to understand the potential impacts on air pollution, greenhouse gases (GHGs), and the people living, working, and recreating near ports. Diesel engines are the modern-day workhorse of the shipping economy, and although they can be reliable and efficient, older diesel engines can emit significant amounts of air pollution.
A vessel’s diesel engines run on HFO (heavy fuel oil), IFO (intermediate fuel oil), LSMGO (low sulfur maritime gas oil), VLSMGO (very low sulfur), ULSMGO (ultra-low sulfur), showing a decrescent content of sulfur. Currently the regulations in force stated that, while in harbors, the ships must feed the diesel engines with LSMGO and this is a good thing since, by doing so, the ships emit less sulfur dioxide. In developed countries, SO2 emissions have been dropping so that now SO2 pollution is rare in urban environments. The main SO2 source remaining is from ships stationed in port. Unfortunately, however, LSMGO doesn’t prevent the formation of several other pollutants. In fact, NOx, PM, heavy metals, VOCs are emitted as if the ship would use the worst fuel, and that is HFO. Moreover, due to the remarkable difference in cost and in availability, LSMGO has a limited use.
To learn more visit www.greenerprocess.com.
