N

ot many companies have been overly successful in combining technology advancements and environmental concerns, with most of them facing complicated environmental issues.

“It’s a tough challenge because not only should technology be environmentally friendly but it should also provide energy solutions,” said Chew Hwee Hong, managing director and founder of Ecospec Global Technology.

It took several years for Chew to establish Ecospec in 2001. Chew explained that Ecospec, which is headquartered in Singapore, is a company dealing in technology that conducts research and development related to cost saving solutions for environmental problems for various industries.

To create a revolutionary product, Chew spent no fewer than eight years on the research and development of a major idea in environmental technology.

Chew has a great passion for environmental technology and can be rightly proud because Ecospec has developed an innovative breakthrough system that not only efficiently removes sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from the waste generated by large ships, power generators, processing plants and various other industries but simultaneously greatly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2).

The system, which is called CSNOx, is a new technology that can significantly and simultaneously reduce SO2, NOx and CO2 in gas emissions by using only water.

“CSNOx technology not only effectively reduces emissions that cause climate change and pollution but in the process it does not require chemicals or additives and does not make the ocean acidic nor create byproducts that have to be disposed of,” said Chew, who led the research and development in developing an environmentally friendly technology in Singapore and China using a lab that has been awarded an ISO17025 certificate.

So how does the technology developed by Chew relate to businesses in Indonesia? According to Chew, CSNOx has been designed to fit various land and marine industries, including here in Indonesia, such as petrochemical plants, paper mills, power generators and processing plants.

Although CSNOx technology can be applied to a wide range of land and marine industries it initially targeted the shipping industry, which was under pressure to reduce environmental damage and to conform to strict emission standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“The shipping industry accounts for an estimated 3 percent of global CO2 emissions, while SO2 and NOx emissions from ships have increased by more than 42 percent since 1990,” he said.

Chew and his team then proceeded to work hard on how to conform to the IMO stipulation on a reduction in gas emissions. In February 2010, CSNOx produced impressive results when the system was installed on the 100,000-ton Aframax tanker.

The tanker sailed from Singapore to the Far East via Sri Lanka, and during its voyage CSNOx impressively reduced SO2 emissions by 99 percent, CO2 by 77 percent and NOx by 66 percent, as verified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

The results indicated that CSNOx can help ships conform to 0.1 percent sulfur fuel in emission control areas and the Level 3 NOx emission standard according to IMO regulations without modifying the engine despite using fuel with a high sulfur content.

“This technology is a major global breakthrough for land and marine industries as to date there is no system on the market that can eliminate all hazardous emissions in one process. Due to its compactness, CSNOx can be installed in all types of ships,” explained Chew, who earned a diploma in marine engineering from the Singapore Polytechnic in 1975 and became a Chartered Marine Engineer in 1978.

CSNOx is profitable for the marine industry because one can trade carbon credits through a clean development mechanism as per Kyoto Protocol. The application of CSNOx for emission processing, such as
by a waste processing plant, power generator or oil refinery, can help Indonesia balance its progress
and commitment to the environment.

To meet its requirements until 2011, Indonesia plans to produce an additional 6,248 megawatts (MW) of electricity, 80 percent of which will come from coal-based power generators, which are the largest producers of carbon emissions.

“Electricity requirements in Indonesia are increasing at a rate of 9.2 percent per year but serves only 65 percent of the total population. So it is logical to assume that more electricity will be required in the coming years, which will result in additional carbon emissions,” said Chew, who is a professional and spent 12 years working for DIMET heading the Cathodic Protection Division for the international market.

The basic process of CSNOx uses an ultra low frequency, which has been patented in using water to eliminate the three types of gas in emissions.

The system contains five subsystems. Subsystem Seawater Intake Biofouling Control (BFC) prevents the development of certain organisms, such as barnacles, to protect the piping system.

The Spray Air subsystem has three components: Sulfur Absorption Enhancer, Mineral Scale Control, and CO2 as well as NOx Reducer (CNR) to boost pH and the reaction of seawater that is processed
before being channeled to the pressurizing tower.

The reduction process occurs in the pressurizing tower, which functions as a chamber for the reaction between the processed water and the channeled gas.

The insipid or fresh water is then channeled to the discharge mixing tank where the quality of the water is monitored before being discharged into the sea.

This system ensures that the discharged water will consistently conform to international fresh water standards.

Ecospec has received various international recognition and awards for its CSNOx technology, such as the Environmental Protection Award 2009 from Seatrade Asia and Technology of the Year Award 2010 presented at the Green Ship Technology Conference 2010 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“Based on the superior features of our technology, to date Ecospec has signed work contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Canadian Steamship Lines and Dutch shipping company ForestWave Navigation,” said Chew.