Cummins is mapping out effective solutions to the challenges of Marpol (maritime pollution), and is assisting customers in navigating current and future regulations. Cummins has responded to the industry’s demand for regulatory compliance with an investment in technology, crucially containing measures to control NOx emissions from its diesel engines.

“We have chosen Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology as one of the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient technologies available to help reduce NOx emissions,” said Cummins Arabia Upstream and Design Manager, Engineering Magdolin Mikhail at a marine technical seminar held on 14 March in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Cummins’ leading aftertreatment technologies are designed around proven core technologies. With a decade of experience with oxidation catalysts, particulate filters and SCR technology, its aftertreatment systems optimise the entire engine system to operate more efficiently.

An SCR system consists of three main elements: an SCR catalyst, a urea dosing system, and the aftertreatment control system. The Cummins’ system uses a chemical reductant, in this case urea, known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in North American, or AdBlue in Europe. DEF or AdBlue converts to ammonia in the exhaust stream, and reacts with NOx over a catalyst to form harmless nitrogen gas and water.

Entitled the ‘Evolution of Emission Regulations and New Technologies to Support the Marine Industry’, the technical seminar was attended by 108 ship owners/managers, executives from shipyards, engineering firms, oil and gas exploration and services companies, suppliers/service companies, marine consultants, independent surveyors, classification societies managers, inspectors from regional flag administrations, and port officials from the Middle East.

Mustafa Aytin, Segment Manager for the Marine & Oil Gas segment, and EBU Application Engineers Abdul Rahman and Soumya Bhattacharjee answered delegates’ questions.

“Environmental responsibility is a priority for Cummins, and we strive to actively reduce our carbon footprint. It is through technical meetings like these that gives Cummins an opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices with our customers,” Mikhail concluded.