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The regulation has two limits of the sulphur content of
the fuel oil, namely:
·
4.5% for engines
operating anywhere in the world,
·
but only 1.5% for
engines operating in the new SOx Emission Control Areas (SECA),
presently the Baltic, but soon to include the North Sea and English Channel.
The vessels entering these areas must record the change over of the fuel tanks,
with regards to date, time and vessel position.
These emissions will be transformed into H2SO4
by the reaction of rain, and this falls to the ground as Sulphuric Acid rain.
The level of emissions produced is directly related to
the level of sulphur present in the fuel. This sulphur will oxidise to form SO2
and SO3, at the ratio of 15:1. We presently combat this reaction by
using high alkaline oils to prevent high cylinder corrosion, and this oil
addition will slightly reduce exhaust emissions. However to achieve significant
reductions we must:
1.
Use
fuel that has a low level of sulphur present. This will usually mean an
increase in the fuel purchase price (10 to 20% greater for a change of 3.5% to
1%), also problems with reduced lubrication of fuel injection equipment.
2.
Water
wash the exhaust gases using Calcium in lime water or sea water, in an exhaust
scrubber.
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