With IMO 2020 deadline less than 8 months away, the importance of scrubbers use have gained momentum. Scrubbers have becomes the ultimate solution in this scenario but many don’t how to ease out the complex process of scrubber consumables handling. An article published by the Marine Propulsion seeks to address that.
Here’s an excerpt from it.
Magnesium Hydroxide for Easier Handling?
Easier handling will make magnesium hydroxide a more attractive option for ship operators using closed-loop scrubbers, after a breakthrough in the production of the alkali source.
- Magnesium hydroxide supplier Nedmag Industries has managed to keep the alkaline compound in stable suspension using wet grinding and the addition of a polymeric dispersant.
- The process means that the product no longer separates, so ship crew do not need to agitate it continuously.
- The company currently supplies its product, under the MH53S Mare brand, to around 50 ships, with a further 30 being added each quarter. These include big ropax and container vessels for European owners.
What’s the advantage of this?
A stable suspension brings operational and cost advantages for closed-loop scrubber users
Nedmag sales manager Henk van den Berg notes that the volume of magnesium hydroxide required for scrubbing is 25% less than for the most common alkali source used with scrubbers, caustic soda. The magnesium suspension is also non-hazardous, meaning further cost savings by reducing the logistical complexity and safety precautions demanded for highly corrosive caustic soda.
“Our belief is that more vessels will be driven to adopt closed-loop scrubbers as the use of open-loop scrubbers is restricted further by ports and in coastal waters,” Mr van den Berg says.
How does it help?
Alkali sources, including caustic soda and magnesium hydroxide, are sprayed into exhaust gases to neutralise the highly acidic sulphur oxides found in the exhaust. They are not required for open-loop scrubbers, where seawater is used instead.
Is this easily available?
The Dutch supplier has engaged chemicals company Timab Magnesium to ensure global availability for the compound in the marine market. The companies plan to boost current distribution, which covers China as well as Europe, to make the product available at key bunkering hubs.
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Source: Mpropulsion
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