MARITIME EMISSIONS TREATMENT SYSTEM (METS)

ABS T RACT
In January 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) began enforcement of the “Airborne Toxic Control Measure for
Auxiliary Diesel Engines Operated on Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth in a California Port” Regulation, commonly referred
to as the At-Berth Regulation.

Covering all six ports in California, the At-Berth Regulation requires a

50% reduction in emissions from auxiliary diesel engines of ships at-
berth. Through 2020, those reductions will be periodically increased to
a maximum of 80%. A CARB-cer tified
Initially, the only available technology approved to comply with the At-
emissions treatment
Berth Regulation was the shore power option, AMP. All California ports system is now
have installed significant shore power infrastructure; however, cases
exist in which an equivalent emissions reduction option will be required. available for ships
Those would include ships and or berths that are not AMP capable.
and ber ths that
Clean Air Engineering Maritime (CAEM), in partnership with Tri-Mer
Corporation, has developed the Maritime Emissions Treatment System
are not AMP-capable
(METS), a CARB certified alternative to achieve compliance with the
At-Berth Regulation.

The METS system is comprised of two components. First, the emissions capture device effectively transports the exhaust
from the ship’s exhaust stack to the treatment system. Second, the Catalytic Ceramic Filter (CCF) technology treats the
emissions for diesel particulate matter (diesel PM) and NOx. Low density ceramic filters are embedded with catalyst that
facilitates the selective catalytic reduction of NOx to harmless nitrogen and water vapor. Nitrogen is the most common
gas in earth’s atmosphere. The combination of these components constitutes a significant advance in treating large-scale
diesel exhaust from ships.
The performance of the METS system is assessed by T HE PAR T N E R S HI P
examining the system’s capture efficiency and pollutant
A Division of
removal efficiencies: 91.0% for capture Tri-Mer Corporation
efficiency, CAEM, based in San Pedro, California is the principal
91.4% for NOx removal, and 99.5% for PM capture as development partner and operator of the Maritime
demonstrated averages over multiple vessels. METS Emissions Treatment System. With an in-depth knowledge
performance exceeds CARB requirements and has of port protocol, operations and regulatory requirements,
gained CARB approval for use at California ports. CAEM personnel have been involved with ports and
shipping for over twenty years.
Michael Shea
BAC KGRO UN D
General Manager

In December
office/cell: 2007, the California Air Resources Board
(503) 593-8796
(CARB) approved the “Airborne Toxic Control Measure
fax: (503) 716-4699
for Auxiliary Diesel Engines Operated on Ocean-Going
[email protected]
Vessels At-Berth in a California Port” Regulation (At-Berth
Regulation).

The At-Berth Regulation aims to reduce emissions from

diesel auxiliary engines on container ships, passenger
ships, and refrigerated-cargo ships while berthing at any
of California’s six ports including the Ports of Los Angeles,
Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and
Hueneme. The pollutants targeted for reduction currently
include both NOx and diesel particulate.

Starting in January of 2014, the At-Berth Regulation

requires vessel operators of fleet ships calling at any of
California’s six ports to achieve reductions of at least 50%
of at-berth emissions from auxiliary diesel engines used
for power generation. The requirements increase to 70%
in 2017 and 80% in 2020.

Initially, the only approved and available technology to

comply with the At-Berth Regulation was the shore power
option, or AMP. All six California ports have installed
significant amounts of shore power infrastructure.

In conjunction with the building of port infrastructure, vessel

operators either built new ships or retrofitted existing ships
to be able to plug into shore power. The cost of conversion
for each ship can exceed several million dollars. Due to
these high conversion costs, only ships meeting stringent
criteria - such as age of the ship and the frequency and
duration of port calls - are economically viable.

While shore power access continues to expand today,

there remain certain berths and terminals where shore
power infrastructure will not be available in the short term,
or may not be feasible due to construction restrictions,
power availability, and cost issues. Additionally, there is
a certain percentage of ships that are not AMP capable.
In order to comply with future emissions reduction
requirements, all ships will either have to be AMPed or
use an equivalent emissions reduction option.

Clean Air Engineering Maritime (CAEM) partnered

with Tri-Mer Corporation to engineer and implement an
innovative system that allows ships to meet the California
Air Resources Board At-Berth regulation. Figure 1: CAEM crane and capture device

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control
 Tri-Mer Corporation, based in Owosso, Michigan,
provides advanced pollution control technology, coupled
A Division of Tri-Mer Corporation
with turnkey engineering and project delivery capabilities.
Established in 1960, Tri-Mer is one of the leading air
pollution control companies in the world. Known for
innovation, Tri-Mer has delivered thousands of pollution
control systems to customers worldwide.
Michael Shea The combination of Tri-Mer’s expertise in the air pollution
General Manager
control industry and CAEM’s extensive port experience
office/cell: (503) 593-8796
allowed for the design, construction, and implementation
fax: (503) 716-4699 of the first generation Maritime Exhaust Treatment System
[email protected] (METS), which is the first alternative control technology
approved by CARB.

M E T S T E C HN O L O G Y O V E RVI E W
Identifying a technology that can capture diesel particulate
has been an on-going challenge for the pollution control
industry for several decades. Traditional pollution control
technologies were found to have operational barriers
due to the nature of the diesel particulate and the unique
operating environment of the port. These obstacles were
complicated by the requirement for high levels of NOx
Figure 2: METS Flexible emissions capture device removal at relatively low temperatures.

When applied to ships, these challenges were further

compounded by the need to effectively collect the diesel
engine exhaust from auxiliary engine smokestacks and
convey the exhaust to the treatment system without
interrupting the loading/unloading and other operations of
the ship at berth.

Together, CAEM and Tri-Mer Corporation have

surmounted these formidable scientific and
engineering challenges.

The METS system is comprised of two components. The

first component is a stack adaptor or flexible emissions
capture device that connects the treatment system to the
ship exhaust stack via a flexible pipe. It is placed by a
Figure 3: METS Catalytic Ceramic Filter (CCF) system crane that sits on the barge. (Figure 1). The specialized
capture device connects to the stack in a manner which
effectively collects the exhaust while minimizing fugitive
outside air (Figure 2).

The second component uses Catalytic Ceramic Filters

(CCF) technology to remove the PM and NOx from
the exhaust (Figure 3). Tri-Mer is the world’s largest
manufacturer of multi-pollutant systems employing
Catalytic Ceramic Filters. A simplified flow diagram is
shown in (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Catalytic Ceramic Filter (CCF) System
for both PM and NOX

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
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CATALYTIC CERA M I C F I ALTDivision
ER of Tri-Mer Corporation
( C C F ) TECHNOLOG Y

Ceramic filters have been used in pollution control

for decades, however, the Catalytic Ceramic Filters
Michael
in Tri-Mer Sheasystems are distinctive from any other
ceramic filters in the industry.
General Manager

office/cell:
The (503)start
filters 593-8796
as a slurry of refractory fibers and
fax: (503) 716-4699
are vacuum formed into tube shapes that are 10
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feet long and six inches across. The filters are very
lightweight, approximately 90% open with very
low pressure drop, robust, self-supporting without
any filter cages, and have a useful service life of 7
to 15 years.

The filters have nano-bits of catalyst embedded

in their 3/4-inch thick walls to facilitate the selective
catalytic reduction of NOx by NH3 (Figure 5).

Figure 5: NOx and NH3 converted to N2 and H20

The micronized catalyst offers a larger surface area
for reaction than conventional catalyst block SCR
reactors. In the filters, contact time between the
gases and catalyst is not restricted by diffusion of
the gases in and out of the catalyst block pores.

The result is a significant increase in the intrinsic

catalytic activity. A combination of factors also allows
the catalytic process to proceed at much lower
temperatures than commonly seen in traditional
catalyst block reactors.
All catalysts can be severely compromised by
blinding of the surface by particulate and chemical
interactions on the surface with particulate.

With the Tri-Mer CCF, particulate is captured on

the surface of the filters, not inside the filter as in
other glass media filters. The nano-catalyst is
completely protected inside the filter, eliminating
the particulate-type interactions and extending the
catalyst life (Figure 6). Figure 6: Ceramic fiber filter tube protects catalyst.

Tri-Mer CCF systems have the capability of removing

particulate matter (PM), NOx, SO2, HCl, dioxins, and
mercury in a single system. The CCF system has
been installed and operational is a wide range of
industrial applications.

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control
 trap and a conventional SCR to remove PM and NOx. The
CCF technology is far more robust than diesel particulate
trap technology.
A Division of Tri-Mer Corporation

From the beginning, the CCF system was designed to

handle very high PM and NOx loads and to operate
on a continuous basis, as it does in many industrial
applications. CCF takes advantage of lower catalyst
Michael Shea activation temperatures to minimize any re-heat costs
General Manager associated with NOx conversion. Other pollutants such
as SOx that may be regulated in the future can also be
office/cell: (503) 593-8796
fax: (503) 716-4699
treated by CCF.
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The METS design eliminates a number of operational
issues that are typical for a diesel particulate trap +
conventional SCR system. While the diesel particulate trap
+ conventional SCR system combination may be effective
in removing pollutants, there are multiple operational and
utility inefficiencies compared to CCF technology used
by METS.

The diesel particulate trap + conventional SCR

combination has a high energy requirement for particulate
incineration, increased complexity of operational and
safety requirements, increased potential for catalyst
poisoning and contamination, and a much greater service
Figure 7: Diesel Particulate Filtration demand for catalyst replacement.

METS operates continuously, ensuring uninterrupted

Filtration Mechanism compliance with regulations and can operate on any
engine of any age, burning any fuel type at any load. The
The CCF Technology filters diesel particulate with METS system is extremely versatile; if there is the need
extremely high efficiency. Diesel particulate builds on the to remove SOx and other pollutants from the exhaust, the
residual layer of the filter, without penetrating the filter METS system can easily be configured to provide this
media. This produces a cake of particulate on the filters capability.
that is periodically removed with a brief reverse pulse of
air (Figure 7).
The reverse pulse jet method sends a pulse of M AR I N E E M I S S I O N S T R E AT ME N T
compressed air down the center of the tube, and cleans S Y S T E M S (M E T S ) AP P L I C AT IO N S
the accumulated PM from the outer surface of the tube. CAEM and Tri-Mer Corporation have successfully
Filters are cleaned while on-line. developed and deployed an innovative alternative
Benefits to the utilization of CCF for PM and NOx to allow ships to reach compliance with At-Berth
removal include the ability to handle very high loading Regulations. CAEM currently has the first generation of
conditions with high removal efficiency. Additionally, there a Marine Emissions Treatment System (METS) designed,
is negligible penetration of particulate through the filter, constructed, certified by CARB, and in commercial
which significantly extends catalyst life when compared to operation. Multiple configurations are available that
conventional SCR methods. provide options for various terminal configurations and
vessel berthing logistics.
Contrasting Technologies
Barge-Mounted METS
Diesel particulate traps were developed for smaller
engines and mobile diesel sources such as semi-trucks The first generation of METS is a barge mounted mobile
operating Tier 3 and Tier 4 engines. When adapted for emissions treatment system that can be deployed in a
ship usage, this equipment combines a diesel particulate variety of applications where shore power is not available

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control
 A Division of Tri-Mer Corporation

Michael Shea
General Manager

office/cell: (503) 593-8796

fax: (503) 716-4699
[email protected]

Figure 8: Maritime Emissions Treatment System (METS-1)

or where the ship is not equipped for connection to shore auxiliary engine exhaust system, and uses ship power for
power (Figure 8). Once the ship is docked, the METS can operation. As soon as the vessel is berthed, the auxiliary
quickly connect and capture emissions from the ship’s engine exhaust is automatically diverted through the on-
existing auxiliary diesel power generator. No additional board METS unit.
modifications either on shore or on the ship are necessary.
With the ship-mounted METS, there are no shore power
Shore-Mounted METS connections, no external attachments, and no interference
with any berth-side activities. Compliance with the At-
CAEM/Tri-Mer offers a mobile shore-mounted version of Berth Regulation begins within minutes.
the METS. Building upon the same highly efficient multi-
pollutant capture technology as barge-mounted METS, The availability of barge, shore, and ship-mounted METS
the shore-mounted option will provide terminal operators configurations allows vessel and terminal operators an
the ability to move the emissions control system where it’s emissions control system to meet the vast majority of
needed, anywhere on the terminal berth. applications they are likely to encounter with any fleet ship
calling at the port.
Ship-Mounted METS
For container ships, the barge-mounted METS will be
The ship-mounted design is an on-board, ship-mounted effective to achieve compliance with At-Berth regulations.
METS configuration that provides vessels operators In the case where berth-side access is more desirable,
ultimate flexibility during calls. Vessel location, berthing the shore-mounted METS might be the best option.
direction and other terminal logistics challenges are Ship-mounted systems are the best fit when maximum
eliminated. The METS unit is permanently installed flexibility is desired.
on-board the ship, is directly connected to the vessel’s

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control
M E TS PERFO R M A N CE RESULT S
All METS Systems are comprised AofDivision two of
principal
Tri-Mer Corporation
components: a stack adaptor or flexible emissions
capture device, and a CCF system configured for
treating PM and NOx. The performance of the adaptor
or emissions capture device can be assessed by
determining the capture efficiency, while the CCF system
Michael Shea is assessed by determining removal
performance
efficiencies.
General ManagerPerformance data is currently available for
the first generation of METS.
office/cell: (503) 593-8796
fax: (503) 716-4699
Capture Efficiency
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Capture efficiency is monitored continuously by the
METS system. As part of the CARB verification process,
capture efficiency was directly measured through the use
of a method known as tracer gas dilution.
Figure 9: METS-1 Capture Efficiency – Sample of capture data
A known quantity of inert tracer gas, perfluoro-1,2- for 5 vessel calls
dimethylcyclobutane is injected at a known mass rate
into the stack of the auxiliary engine. The mass rate of
the tracer gas is measured at the inlet of the treatment
system and compared by mass balance to the inlet
concentration of the stack in order to evaluate the capture
efficiency of the system.

The capture efficiency of the METS system was

demonstrated on a group of vessels over a 6 month
period of time (Figure 9).

The average capture during the CARB verification

process was 91.0%. The METS is certified by CARB for
90% capture.

NOx Performance
The METS design includes Continuous Emission
Monitoring data based on CARB Method 100 with all data
being permanently logged and stored during operations.
Instrument calibration and maintenance is based on
CARB Method 100. NOx is measured on both the inlet
and outlet along with volumetric flow rate and oxygen.
The data was used to generate inlet and outlet mass
emission rates in order to determine reduction efficiency.
Figure 10: METS-1 NOx Performance - Sample of capture data
The METS system NOx performance was demonstrated for 7 vessel calls
on vessels over a 6 month period. (Figure 10).
The average NOx removal during the CARB verification
process was 91.4%. The METS is certified by CARB for
90% NOx removal. The average ammonia slip was less
than 5 ppmv.

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control
PM Performance
Since there are no CARB approvedA methods for the
Division of Tri-Mer Corporation
continuous measurement of PM, CAEM developed an
approach based on methods used for the determination of
PM from ocean-going vessels. The measurement system
produces a PM concentration for both the inlet and outlet,
and is reported in mg/Nm3.
Michael Shea
This
Generalconcentration
Manager data is then combined with the flow
rate measurements to generate mass based loads and
emission rates
office/cell: (503) which were used to determine reduction
593-8796
fax: (503) 716-4699
efficiency during in-use performance and durability testing.
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The performance of the METS system was demonstrated
on multiple vessels across a 6 month period (Figure 11).

The average PM removal efficiency during the CARB

verification process was 99.5%. The METS-1 is certified
by CARB for 90% PM removal. Figure 11: METS-1 PM Performance - Sample of capture
data for 6 vessel calls
C O NCLUS ION
The METS system is a technically advanced and
economically superior alternative control technology,
approved by CARB, and already being deployed and
demonstrating consistent performance and compliance
with regulations.

METS removes both PM and NOx in a single, effective

system that is straightforward and easy to operate. Unlike
other emissions control technologies, METS is able to
operate continuously, has lower re-heat costs due to
lower CCF NOx activation temperature, and can be easily
altered to provide the capability of SOx removal.

With barge, shore, and ship-mounted configurations of

METS, vessel and terminal operators will have technical
options available to them to meet the vast majority of
applications they encounter with any fleet ship calling
at the port. While shore power will remain the preferred
method for emissions reduction, the addition of METS will
allow operators to effectively meet the At-Berth Regulation
well past the 2020 reduction limits.

The combination of CAEM’s extensive experience in port

protocol, operations and regulatory requirements, and Tri-
Mer’s expertise in advanced pollution control technology
makes them the perfect professional team to provide
CARB approved alternative control systems that ensure
compliance with current and future regulations.

A Division of Tri-Mer Corp.

Factory & Headquarters 1400 E. Monroe St. Owosso, MI 48867 | office: (989) 723-7838 | fax: (989) 723-7844 | www.tri-mer.com Technology Leader
air pollution control