New system to reduce emissions of power plants

Power plants will be able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with the new system, says the company

Ecospec Global Technology, a Singapore-based research and technology firm, has introduced a low-cost system capable of dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, power plants, refineries, and other fossil fuel-burning sites, the company says.

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The system, called CSNOx, is the first of its kind in the world capable of significantly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxide (NOx), all in a single system and by a single process. The CSNOx technology not only effectively removes emissions that contribute to climate change but does so without producing secondary pollutants or generating further CO2 emissions, says Ecospec.

Ecospec’s initial implementation targets the shipping industry, which is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and to comply with stricter emissions requirements. Shipping accounts for an estimated 3 percent of global CO2 emissions, and SO2 and NOx emissions from ships have increased by more than 42% since 1990. In initial testing onboard an Aframax tanker in December 2008, the CSNOx system reduced SO2 by 92.9 percent, NOx by 82.2%, and CO2 by 74.4 percent.

Singapore has targeted clean energy as a strategic growth area to help the country diversify its economy. Since 2007, the country has earmarked US$250m to develop the industry, and maintains a Clean Energy Program Office devoted to research and development, grooming start-ups, and other activities to promote industry growth.