New ship emission control technology to be tested in Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach said Wednesday it is reviewing an application by a terminal operator to conduct the first full-blown test of a dockside system that could treat air emissions from ships at berth, reducing a major source of air pollutants by more than 95 percent.
Metropolitan Stevedoring Co., which operates the Pier G bulk cargo terminal in Long Beach, has partnered with Southern California-based Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc. to develop a pilot project to test ACTI’s dockside emissions treatment system at one berth. The system comprises a “bonnet” that fits over the exhaust stacks of ships at berth. Through a network of ducts, emissions captured by the “bonnet” flow to a dockside treatment unit like those found at industrial plants. The treatment unit includes a multistage emission cleaning system, with a “scrubber” and selective catalytic reduction.
ACTI estimates the system would reduce harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter and sulfur dioxide by 99 percent, and smog-forming nitrogen oxide by 95 percent. The majority of vessels serving the breakbulk facilities at the port’s piers F and G are infrequent callers, presenting a challenge for controlling emissions from ships at berth because cold ironing for these terminals is much less cost effective than for terminals that are serviced by more frequent callers.
ACTI is preparing to test the treatment system on locomotives at Union Pacific Railroad’s yard in the Northern California community of Roseville. If the pilot test at Metropolitan Stevedoring Co. proves effective at treating exhaust from vessels at berth, the treatment system may be expanded. The port is evaluating the potential environmental benefits of extending the system to other facilities in the Southeast Basin, at Piers F and G.