California’s STAX Engineering and UK cleantech firm Seabound have demonstrated multi-emissions extraction from the exhaust of a Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel berthed at the US port of Long Beach.
The two tech firms announced a partnership in February with the intention of combining Seabound’s carbon capture technology on the barge-mounted solutions that STAX Engineering offers ship operators as they berth in California.
Under the state’s rules, vessels must either switch to shore-based electricity once alongside or use alternative compliance methods, to reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter from engine exhausts.
The STAX solution is an approved alternative, as it draws the ship’s exhaust through a barge-mounted or truck-mounted treatment system, to achieve the same emission reduction goal.
By partnering Seabound, the company wants to demonstrate the economic viability of adding carbon dioxide capture too.
During a showcase event in the port of Long Beach the two companies demonstrated how their technologies can be combined into one.
A capture hood over a ship’s funnel collects its engine exhaust, which is then sent through the modular system to remove the pollutants and then though Seabound’s capture unit to remove the CO2.
The companies claim it can isolate and store 95% of CO2 and 90% of sulphur oxides before the cleaned exhaust is released into the atmosphere.
The trials began in March, with three iterations, each serving either an NYK vessel or a Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carrier.
STAX and Seabound are also looking to introduce their combined solution in the UK. The two businesses were in Southampton, England recently trying to woo ports about the benefits of alternatives to shore-based electricity connections.
The UK is about to launch its sixth clean maritime demonstration project. Applications from technology firms, ports and shipowners closed just before Easter.
Up to £30m ($40m) is up for grabs. Project winners are announced in June and will start in September.
