Baking powder emerges as new scrubber solution for shipping

Sodium bicarbonate, a substance best known for its baking qualities, has emerged as a new scrubber solution. London-based SodaFlexx has created a concept to treat exhaust gas emissions from ships with sodium bicarbonate powder. The concept was adapted from proven land-based technology, where sodium bicarbonate powder is injected directly into the exhaust gas stream to neutralise sulphur compounds.  A chemical reaction occurs converting SOx to a highly stable and non-toxic salt, sodium sulphate which is then either released safely into the atmosphere or can be captured by SodaFlexx’s bespoke cyclone particulate capture hybrid system and recycled ashore.

After three years of trials, the SodaFlexx dry exhaust gas cleaning system was installed on the 96,772 dwt Yeoman Bridge, a bulk carrier owned by Bontrup, and the operations proved so successful that the owner has now contracted a second system to be installed on another ship, the Bontrup Amsterdam.

The application is currently in the process of obtaining a US patent, and SodaFlexx is now trialling new technology adapting their proven powder delivery systems to treat and handle CO2 from marine engines.  Scale tests have shown promising results, and a shipboard installation is planned for Q1 2023.