Real-Time NOx Monitoring Helps to Keep Shipowners in Compliance

GreenLink Systems LLC has developed an on-board nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions monitoring unit (NEMU) designed to comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s NOx Technical Code.

The compact NEMU, installed directly on the engine and exhaust, aims to bring the laboratory to the ship.

It is sensitive enough to measure to within 0.5 parts per million of NOx. The optimum positioning of the device is onthe engine in order to measure, record and transmit data continuously with updates seconds apart.

The data is transferred wirelessly using 4G wireless modems to a secure, online database accessible over the Internet from any location, whether on the ship itself or from the company’s HQ, or even from the technical manager’s living room if he/she so wishes.

Crucially, automatic alerts by text message/e-mail immediately inform of non-compliant emissions ratings so that corrective action can be taken immediately and in real time rather than at one step behind the actual status of the ship operations.

GreenLink has also developed a web interface with each regulation indicated along with a visual representation of a gauge panel. It uses a traffic light system: A green light signifies “in compliance” and a red light indicates “out of compliance” making it quick and easy to identify areas in need of improvement.

“With an automatic alert system you don’t need a person to monitor a computer or gauges throughout the day,” said Mark Adair, technical director at GreenLink. “They would get a text message or e-mail and then log in to the web site to find out what is out of compliance. By clicking on the item, they can dial in to the test data folder and find out the date, time and section of the event and what channel – temperature, pressure, and emissions level – is not compliant so they can quickly address it.

“Ship owners have so many other issues to worry about that when it comes to environmental regulations. What they want is a solution that will keep them in compliance with minimal difficulty, manpower and headaches,”added Adair.