Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam First Cruise Ship to Sail with Krystallon Technology
06/08/07
Krystallon is the first company in the world to install a total air pollution management system aboard a cruise ship.
A Krystallon Seawater Scrubber was successfully fitted onto one of the five diesel generators aboard the Holland America Line (HAL) Zaandam in April earlier this year during dry dock in Victoria, British Colombia. Krystallon continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) technology was also installed on the 61,396-grt/1432-passenger vessel.
HAL president and CEO Stein Kruse said: "This is a ship like no other in the cruise industry and after studies and modifications of the ship's new test emissions technology, it could dramatically change not only the cruise industry but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions.”
The Zaandam installation is intended to evaluate how well seawater scrubbing reduces air emissions on large oceangoing vessels and is expected to point towards significant, sustainable and cost-effective reductions in engine emissions. The Krystallon technology will virtually eliminate sulfur dioxide (SOx), significantly reduce particulate matter and partially reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx).
“Demand from the cruise industry is not just for reducing sulphur emissions,” said Dan Grausz, senior vice president of fleet operations for Holland America Line. “The Krystallon scrubber can remove much of the particulate matter from engine exhaust, which means cruiseship funnel emissions will be much cleaner. This is another example of how Holland America Line takes seriously its environmental leadership role in the cruise industry.”
The efficient reduction in SOx, NO, NO2 and CO2 emissions will be monitored and recorded in a secure data recording system along with other key information such as ship’s position, system status and engine power. Approximately 450 tons per hour of sea water will be used to reduce the engine emissions. This sea water will be treated prior to being released overboard and this technology demonstration project will monitor key components of the wash water to ensure that this part of the treatment system is also protective of the environment.
The project is being overseen by a technical advisory committee composed of funding partners and environmental regulators from jurisdictions where the Zaandam will operate in 2007 and 2008. This group will be evaluating data from the project as it develops. A final report will be submitted by June 2008. In the growing fight to reduce air emissions, the BP-HAL agreement is seen as a significant development, particularly amidst heightened regulatory and public interest in the potential impacts of ocean going vessel operations on the environment.
The cost of fitting the BP technology aboard the Zaandam is being supported by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency; Environment Canada; the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency; B. C. Ministry of the Environment and the B. C. Clean Air Research Fund; the Ports of Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia; and a $300,000 contribution from BP.
"We are pleased to be working with Holland America Line, other funding partners and a Technical Advisory committee on the first large scale demonstration of this innovative seawater scrubber technology," said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. "This technology promises to significantly - and economically - reduce emissions from cruise and other seagoing vessels, benefiting our coasts, and port communities."
Issued on behalf of the Krystallon Press Office by Phil Shirley
For enquiries from the media, journalists and researchers only, the Krystallon Press Office can be contacted on 01782 751939/ 07769 901932 or e-mail: pshirley@theprfirm.co.uk
Editors Notes:
The Technology: The BP Marine-led joint venture has seen the first installation of a Krystallon seawater scrubber in December 2005 pass 8,000 hours of operation on board P&O's Pride of Kent passenger ferry, which sails on the Dover to Calais route. During the Krystallon scrubbing process, the exhaust gases from diesel engines using heavy fuel oil are mixed with sea water to “scrub” out sulphur oxides and particulate matter. The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components whilst the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in seawater renders the sulphur oxides harmless by conversions to sulphates and neutral salts. A Krystallon scrubber will reduce visible smoke to zero but more importantly it will significantly reduce much of the invisible and potentially harmful components of the exhaust gases helping to protect human health and the environment. Key to demonstrating continued effectiveness is continuous measurement. Krystallon brings a true revolution to the shipping industry, unaccustomed to continuous monitoring of environmental performance parameters, by use of quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology. Krystallon’s CEMs, powered by Cascade Technologies, are being developed for applications such as homeland security capable of detecting drugs, explosives and hazardous compounds. The electronic 'nose' has a 1000 times greater sensitivity than a specially trained sniffer dog. The shipping industry is about to enjoy the first major commercial application of this technology.
HAL: Holland America Line, a member of the Carnival Family of Cruise Lines, operates 13 vessels serving more than 300 ports and visits all seven continents. Holland America Line has long held a strong commitment to environmental protection; Holland America Line received ISO 14001 certification in June of 2006. Holland America Line has a tradition of innovation in environmental protection for the cruise industry, pioneering technology such as cascade bilge water treatment, advanced wastewater purification systems, shore power technology, and now the sea water scrubber.
Presentation of early seawater scrubber data
Installation and early operations - Fall 2007 - Posted to HAL website February 2007
