A study of Volatile Organic Compunds and their effects and control actions.

1. VOLATILE ORGANICVOLATILE ORGANIC
COMPOUNDSCOMPOUNDS
VAPOUR EMISSION CONTROLVAPOUR EMISSION CONTROL
Capt Ashok MenonCapt Ashok Menon

2. Climate change and carbonClimate change and carbon
management hit the headlines!management hit the headlines!
Other environmental challengesOther environmental challenges
- VOC emission controlVOC emission control
- Sulphur and nitrogen oxideSulphur and nitrogen oxide
emissionsemissions
- Ship recyclingShip recycling
- Ballast water managementBallast water management

3. 21 %21 % of the 51 IMO Conventionsof the 51 IMO Conventions
relate to environmental issuesrelate to environmental issues
2.7%2.7% – the proportion of global– the proportion of global
greenhouse gases due to shippinggreenhouse gases due to shipping
CO2 emissionsCO2 emissions
95-98%95-98% of a ship’s lightweight isof a ship’s lightweight is
recycled in the last five yearsrecycled in the last five years
compared to less than 75% acompared to less than 75% a
decade earlier.decade earlier.

4. Current MARPOL Regulations:Current MARPOL Regulations:
The first stage of emissionThe first stage of emission
control:control:
Sulphur content in marine fuelSulphur content in marine fuel
not to exceed 3.5% m/mnot to exceed 3.5% m/m
Within SECA areas, this is not toWithin SECA areas, this is not to
exceed 1.0 %exceed 1.0 %
In port in EU block, this shouldIn port in EU block, this should
not exceed 0.1%not exceed 0.1%
NOx emission reductionNOx emission reduction

5. The second stage is more difficult:The second stage is more difficult:
There will be a distinction betweenThere will be a distinction between
ships built before or after Januaryships built before or after January
1, 2016;1, 2016;
The SOX controls will apply to allThe SOX controls will apply to all
ships, while the Tier III NOXships, while the Tier III NOX
controls will apply only to shipscontrols will apply only to ships
built in 2016 or later whenbuilt in 2016 or later when
operating in Emission Controloperating in Emission Control
Areas established to limit NOXAreas established to limit NOX
emissions – ECA-NOX.emissions – ECA-NOX.

6. Further while SOX controls mayFurther while SOX controls may
be either operational (bunkeringbe either operational (bunkering
a fuel oil of the required sulphura fuel oil of the required sulphur
content) or equipment-basedcontent) or equipment-based
(using an exhaust gas cleaning(using an exhaust gas cleaning
system), the Tier III NOXsystem), the Tier III NOX
controls will, in all probability,controls will, in all probability,
require systems to be fitted atrequire systems to be fitted at
the time the engine isthe time the engine is
constructed.constructed.

7. SOx Regulations:SOx Regulations:
*Outside ECA sulphur in fuel:*Outside ECA sulphur in fuel:
- On / after 1st Jan 2012: 3.5%On / after 1st Jan 2012: 3.5%
- On / after 1On / after 1stst
Jan 2020: 0.5%Jan 2020: 0.5%
*Within ECA*Within ECA
- On / after 1On / after 1stst
July 2010: 1.0 %July 2010: 1.0 %
- On / after 1On / after 1stst
Jan 2015: 0.1%Jan 2015: 0.1%

8. NOx Regulations:NOx Regulations:
*Tier II*Tier II (g/kwhr)(g/kwhr)
- On / after 1st Jan 2011:On / after 1st Jan 2011:
n<130:n<130: 14.414.4
n = 130-1999:n = 130-1999: 44n44n-0.23-0.23
N>2000:N>2000: 7.77.7
*Tier III (Within NOx ECA)*Tier III (Within NOx ECA)
- On / after 1On / after 1stst
Jan 2016Jan 2016
n<130:n<130: 3.43.4
n = 130-1999:n = 130-1999: 9n9n-0.2-0.2
N>2000:N>2000: 2.02.0

9. ECA AreasECA Areas
For the purpose of the regulation,For the purpose of the regulation,
Emission Control Areas shallEmission Control Areas shall
include:include:
- The Baltic Sea areaThe Baltic Sea area
- The North SeaThe North Sea
- English ChannelEnglish Channel
• N American ECA/Sox : 1N American ECA/Sox : 1stst
Aug 2012Aug 2012
• Caribbean ECA-Sox: Dec 2013Caribbean ECA-Sox: Dec 2013
• N American ECA/NOx: 2016N American ECA/NOx: 2016

10. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOC - Organic chemicals thatVOC - Organic chemicals that
easily vaporize at normaleasily vaporize at normal
conditions and enter into theconditions and enter into the
atmosphere.atmosphere.
-They contain carbon atoms in-They contain carbon atoms in
their molecular structure.their molecular structure.

11. Sources of VOCSources of VOC
- Human activities,- Human activities,
- Biogenic emissions from vegetationBiogenic emissions from vegetation
- The exhausts of vehicles and shipsThe exhausts of vehicles and ships
- Evaporation of hydrocarbon fuelEvaporation of hydrocarbon fuel
- Solvent usage, industrial processes,Solvent usage, industrial processes,
oil storage and distribution, foodoil storage and distribution, food
manufacture, and many othermanufacture, and many other
sources.sources.

12. Example of VOCExample of VOC
- Hydrocarbons (eg methane,Hydrocarbons (eg methane,
ethane, benzene, toluene, etc.),ethane, benzene, toluene, etc.),
- Oxidized hydrocarbons (or fuelOxidized hydrocarbons (or fuel
oxygenates, such as methyloxygenates, such as methyl
tetra-butyl ether (MTBE))tetra-butyl ether (MTBE))
- By-product organic compoundsBy-product organic compounds
from chlorination in waterfrom chlorination in water
treatment (such as chloroform).treatment (such as chloroform).

13. VOC emissions from theVOC emissions from the
fuel/petroleum industry sourcesfuel/petroleum industry sources
occur during extraction of oil at theoccur during extraction of oil at the
platform, tanker transportation ofplatform, tanker transportation of
oil, loading and discharging atoil, loading and discharging at
terminals, oil processing atterminals, oil processing at
refineries, tanking at filling stationsrefineries, tanking at filling stations
and leakage from pipelines as welland leakage from pipelines as well
as oil spills.as oil spills.

14. The VOC given off throughThe VOC given off through
vaporization of crude oil and refinedvaporization of crude oil and refined
products are a mixture of light-endproducts are a mixture of light-end
hydrocarbon components such ashydrocarbon components such as
methane, ethane, propane andmethane, ethane, propane and
several other gases.several other gases.

15. Methane, being lighter than air,Methane, being lighter than air,
will be emitted to thewill be emitted to the
atmosphere and contribute toatmosphere and contribute to
the greenhouse effect.the greenhouse effect.
All the other componentsAll the other components
generally referred to as non-generally referred to as non-
methane VOC (NMVOC), beingmethane VOC (NMVOC), being
heavier than air, will react onheavier than air, will react on
warm days with nitrogen oxideswarm days with nitrogen oxides
(NOX) in the air and form the(NOX) in the air and form the
ground level ozone commonlyground level ozone commonly
known as smog.known as smog.

16. This ground level ozone has aThis ground level ozone has a
detrimental effect on humandetrimental effect on human
health, vegetation and buildings.health, vegetation and buildings.
Some NMVOC are quite harmful,Some NMVOC are quite harmful,
including benzene, toluene andincluding benzene, toluene and
xylene, which may causexylene, which may cause
leukemia.leukemia.

17. VOC emissions from ships can beVOC emissions from ships can be
due to incomplete combustiondue to incomplete combustion
processes and include crankcase,processes and include crankcase,
exhaust and evaporation emissions.exhaust and evaporation emissions.
Crankcase emissions refer toCrankcase emissions refer to
hydrocarbons escaping from thehydrocarbons escaping from the
cylinder during compression andcylinder during compression and
exhaust emissions are due solely toexhaust emissions are due solely to
incomplete combustion. Evaporativeincomplete combustion. Evaporative
emissions are the evaporation ofemissions are the evaporation of
hydrocarbon fuel releasing gaseoushydrocarbon fuel releasing gaseous
VOC into the atmosphere.VOC into the atmosphere.

18.  Tankers emit VOC during cargo loadingTankers emit VOC during cargo loading
and crude oil washing operations as welland crude oil washing operations as well
as during sea voyages. The amount ofas during sea voyages. The amount of
VOC emissions depends on many factorsVOC emissions depends on many factors
including the properties of the cargo oil,including the properties of the cargo oil,
the degree of mixing and temperaturethe degree of mixing and temperature
variations during the sea voyage. Thesevariations during the sea voyage. These
operational discharges can be effectivelyoperational discharges can be effectively
controlled and minimized to a largecontrolled and minimized to a large
extent. With new technology, the NMVOCextent. With new technology, the NMVOC
emitted during tanker loading andemitted during tanker loading and
transport operations can be recoveredtransport operations can be recovered
and returned to the cargo tanks.and returned to the cargo tanks.

19. Four criteria that impact the extentFour criteria that impact the extent
and rate of evolution of gaseousand rate of evolution of gaseous
non-methane VOC from crude oils’non-methane VOC from crude oils’
1. The volatility or vapor pressure of1. The volatility or vapor pressure of
the crude oilthe crude oil
2. The temperature of the liquid and2. The temperature of the liquid and
gas phases of the crude oil tankgas phases of the crude oil tank
3. The pressure setting or control of3. The pressure setting or control of
vapor phase within the cgo tankvapor phase within the cgo tank
4. The size or volume of the vapor4. The size or volume of the vapor
phase within the cargo tankphase within the cargo tank

20. MARPOL REGULATIONSMARPOL REGULATIONS
Regulation 15.6 requires a tankerRegulation 15.6 requires a tanker
carrying crude oil shall have onboardcarrying crude oil shall have onboard
and implement a VOC Managementand implement a VOC Management
Plan (Management Plan) approvedPlan (Management Plan) approved
by the Administration in accordanceby the Administration in accordance
with IMO Resolution MEPC.185(59)with IMO Resolution MEPC.185(59)
“Guidelines for the Development of a“Guidelines for the Development of a
VOC Management Plan”.VOC Management Plan”.
This VOC Management Plan shall beThis VOC Management Plan shall be
specific to each shipspecific to each ship

21. MARPOL 73/78 ANNEX VIMARPOL 73/78 ANNEX VI
REGULATION 12REGULATION 12
 Installations which contain ozone-Installations which contain ozone-
depleting substances, other thandepleting substances, other than
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, arehydrochlorofluorocarbons, are
prohibited :prohibited :
 On all ships constructed on or afterOn all ships constructed on or after
19.05.2005,19.05.2005,
 Installations containingInstallations containing
hydrochlorflourocarbons (HCFCs) arehydrochlorflourocarbons (HCFCs) are
prohibited on ships constructed on orprohibited on ships constructed on or
after 1.01.2020.after 1.01.2020.

22. REGULATION 13: NOxREGULATION 13: NOx
 NOx emission controls.NOx emission controls.
 All ships shall hold EIAPP (Engine Int AirAll ships shall hold EIAPP (Engine Int Air
Pollution Prevention) and the technicalPollution Prevention) and the technical
File.File.
 The NOx Technical Code opens for 3 diffThe NOx Technical Code opens for 3 diff
on board verification procedures:on board verification procedures:
 Engine parameter check methodEngine parameter check method
 Simplified measurement methodSimplified measurement method
 Direct measurement and monitoringDirect measurement and monitoring
methodmethod

23. REGULATION 14REGULATION 14 : SOx: SOx
 As an alternative to using marineAs an alternative to using marine
fuel oil with low sulphur content infuel oil with low sulphur content in
Emission Control Areas an exhaustEmission Control Areas an exhaust
gas cleaning system or othergas cleaning system or other
equivalent system may be allowed toequivalent system may be allowed to
be used (abatement technologies).be used (abatement technologies).

24. REGULATION 15: VOCREGULATION 15: VOC
All tankers which are subject toAll tankers which are subject to
vapour emission control invapour emission control in
accordance with aboveaccordance with above
requirements shall be providedrequirements shall be provided
with an approved vapourwith an approved vapour
collection system, and shall usecollection system, and shall use
such system during the loadingsuch system during the loading
of such cargoes.of such cargoes.

25. The revision of Annex VI toThe revision of Annex VI to
MARPOL which entered into forceMARPOL which entered into force
in July 2010 also requires crudein July 2010 also requires crude
oil tankers above 400 grt tooil tankers above 400 grt to
implement and keep onboard aimplement and keep onboard a
VOC management plan.VOC management plan.
The plan has to be approved byThe plan has to be approved by
the Administration OR the Classthe Administration OR the Class
Societies approved by theSocieties approved by the
Administration.Administration.

26. The Plan shall provide writtenThe Plan shall provide written
procedures for minimizing VOCprocedures for minimizing VOC
emissions during the loading andemissions during the loading and
sea passage.sea passage.
Give consideration to theGive consideration to the
additional VOC generated duringadditional VOC generated during
COWCOW
Identify a person responsible forIdentify a person responsible for
implementing the plan.implementing the plan.
Be written in the workingBe written in the working
language.language.

27. DISTILLATES - ADVANTAGESDISTILLATES - ADVANTAGES
Reduces all types of air emissionsReduces all types of air emissions
from ships, including PMfrom ships, including PM
Reduces the bunker consumptionReduces the bunker consumption
(by weight) by 5% to 10%(by weight) by 5% to 10%
Eliminates the need of retrofitting ofEliminates the need of retrofitting of
additional bunker storage capacityadditional bunker storage capacity
and associated pipingand associated piping
Eliminates current onboard fuelEliminates current onboard fuel
treatment plants and significantlytreatment plants and significantly
reduces onboard generated ERreduces onboard generated ER
waste and exposure of the engineswaste and exposure of the engines
to damaging materialsto damaging materials

28. eliminates the need for scrubberseliminates the need for scrubbers
for the inert gas systemfor the inert gas system
no additional costs of installing,no additional costs of installing,
operating and, aintaining/repairingoperating and, aintaining/repairing
equipment for reducing PM and SOxequipment for reducing PM and SOx
emissionsemissions
no potential losses due to delay inno potential losses due to delay in
case of unexpected breakdown ofcase of unexpected breakdown of
onboard technologyonboard technology
if no SECAs, no operational burdensif no SECAs, no operational burdens
for ships & no associated risks whenfor ships & no associated risks when
changing fuel types, lube oils andchanging fuel types, lube oils and
settings for the ship’s enginessettings for the ship’s engines

29. New Parameter for Air Pollution ControlNew Parameter for Air Pollution Control
 Particulate Matter Emission controlParticulate Matter Emission control
 What are these Particulates?What are these Particulates?
–Sulphates from SOxSulphates from SOx
–Nitrates from NOxNitrates from NOx
–VOC from uncombusted hydrocarbonsVOC from uncombusted hydrocarbons
–Heavy Metals e.g. Vanadium, Nickel,Heavy Metals e.g. Vanadium, Nickel,
Aluminium, Sodium, Calcium, Zinc;Aluminium, Sodium, Calcium, Zinc;
from Heavy Fuel oil and Lube Oilfrom Heavy Fuel oil and Lube Oil
–Soot – from the aromatics in heavy fuelSoot – from the aromatics in heavy fuel
oiloil

30. PM Regulation and Control MethodsPM Regulation and Control Methods
 At present this subject matter has notAt present this subject matter has not
been fully debated.been fully debated.
 Issues to be confronted:Issues to be confronted:
–Size of the Particulate to be regulated –Size of the Particulate to be regulated –
10 micron or 2.5 micron10 micron or 2.5 micron
–Extent of limitation of PM emissionExtent of limitation of PM emission
–Methods for control of PM emissions –Methods for control of PM emissions –
e.g. Scrubbers and/or Filterse.g. Scrubbers and/or Filters
–Storage and Disposal of ParticulatesStorage and Disposal of Particulates
–Control and verification of reducedControl and verification of reduced
emissionsemissions

31. Current Regulation 18: Fuel Oil QualityCurrent Regulation 18: Fuel Oil Quality
 ““Fuel oil shall be blends of hydrocarbonFuel oil shall be blends of hydrocarbon
derived from petroleum refining”derived from petroleum refining”
 ““Fuel shall be free from inorganic acid”Fuel shall be free from inorganic acid”
 ““Fuel oil shall not include any substanceFuel oil shall not include any substance
or chemical waste which either:or chemical waste which either:
–Jeopardises the safety of ships orJeopardises the safety of ships or
affects the performance of machinery,affects the performance of machinery,
–Is harmful to personnel, orIs harmful to personnel, or
–Contributes overall to air pollution”Contributes overall to air pollution”