Improved SCR systems for marine applications

Research Project, 2010 – 2012

In a recent report from the Swedish Maritime Administration [1] emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from ships are addressed. The report illuminates the health- and environmental problems and, in particular, the up-coming international legislations to decrease the NOx emissions from ships are discussed. According to the report the NOx emissions from ships only in the Baltic Sea is approximately 370 000 tons per year. This can be compared to the total amount of NOx emissions during 2007, which corresponded to 165 000 tons. Moreover, the report concludes that if no actions are taken the sea transportation in Europe will, in 10-15 years, be in the same range as the total land-based NOx emissions from all 27 EU member nations. Further, in comments on the proposal, the forest industry in Sweden inquires more research related to this issue [2].  

International NOx legislations put new demands on the technique and engine modifications will not be sufficient to meet the most stringent upcoming legislations. It is therefore urgently important to develop the catalytic emission cleaning specifically for the boundary conditions that apply for shipping. This research project proposal addresses the need for development of more effective and robust SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems for NOx reduction for marine applications. This would have a large impact on NOx emissions from shipping and on NOx deposition in Sweden and the surrounding seas. Specifically, goals are to define possible catalyst poisons for urea-SCR for marine applications and increase the knowledge of how these poisons affect the catalytic activity for NOx reduction.