Bronte Wells
Diesel engines produce a different array of pollutants compared to spark-driven engines, with diesel exhausts containing an array of inorganic and organic pollutants, in various classes, and in varying concentrations. The shipping industry's use of diesel fuel has been a significant source of air pollution, with emissions from diesel engines being more harmful than those from petrol engines. Large ocean-going ships tend to use bunker fuel, the world's dirtiest diesel fuel, which usually contains 3,500 times more sulphur than the diesel used for cars. This has led to efforts to reduce emissions from ships, including stricter regulations about marine fuels' allowable level of sulphur, and the adoption of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) to set emission standards. With this context, this article will explore the question: is diesel fuel a marine pollutant?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine pollutant | Yes |
| Air pollutant | Yes |
| Carbon emissions | 2.68 kg CO2/litre |
| CO2 emissions from diesel car | 120 g CO2/km |
| CO2 emissions from petrol car | 200 g CO2/km |
| Sulphur content | 10 ppm since 2011 for non-road vehicles |
| Sulphur content in bunker fuel | 3,500 times more sulphur than the diesel used for cars |
| Shipping contribution to global sulphur oxide emissions | 13% |
| Shipping contribution to global NOx emissions | 15% |
| Shipping contribution to global CO2 emissions | 3% |
| Shipping contribution to premature deaths | 100,000 per year |
| Shipping contribution to premature deaths in East Asia | Highest |
| IMO 2020 regulation | Limits sulphur content of marine fuel to 0.5% by mass |
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What You'll Learn
Shipping emissions and air quality
Shipping emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution, both locally and globally, and this impact is expected to increase in the future. Ships predominantly use fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases and air pollutants. The emission of air pollutants from large ships is a key factor in the air quality state in the surrounding port areas. The pollutants emitted from ships include particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
The impact of shipping emissions on air quality has been studied in various regions, including the Mediterranean Sea, which contains major shipping routes within Europe and between Europe and East Asia. These studies have utilized different methodologies and modelling techniques to assess the effects of ship emissions on air quality. For example, Grange and Carslaw (2018) demonstrated a significant decrease in SO2 concentrations in a port city in England after the implementation of ship fuel sulfur limits.
The International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering has proposed a methodology for assessing the environmental impact of maritime traffic on air quality in port areas. The study covers emissions from large two-stroke diesel engines and considers the fuel change-over from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to marine gas oil (MGO) as ships approach and depart from ports.
The availability of Automatic Information System (AIS) data has improved the emission inventories of air pollutants from ship stacks. This data, combined with emission factors for individual ships, can be used to assess the impact of shipping emissions on the environment and human well-being. For example, Jalkanen et al. (2021) found that the single most polluting type of liquid waste stream from ships is scrubber wash water.
Regulations and policies have been implemented to mitigate the impact of shipping emissions on air quality and health. For example, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented regulations to limit the sulfur content in shipping fuel oil, and some countries, including the UK, require ships in their national waters to use low-sulphur fuel. These regulations have had a positive impact on air quality, as seen in the decreases in atmospheric SO2 concentrations in Europe and North America.
In conclusion, shipping emissions have a significant impact on air quality, and this impact is expected to increase in the future. Studies and methodologies have been conducted to assess and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of these emissions. Regulations and policies have been implemented to reduce the sulfur content in shipping fuel, which has improved air quality in some regions. However, more efforts are needed to effectively reduce the impact of shipping emissions on a global scale.
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Sulphur content and pollution
Sulphur is a naturally occurring element that is tasteless and odourless in its natural form. It is present in crude oil and its derivatives after refinement. Sulphur is not harmful to humans in its pure form when in extremely low concentrations. However, it can be extremely harmful when in compound forms, especially those formed after the combustion of fuel.
Diesel fuel contains sulphur, which remains even after refinement. After combustion in the engine, the sulphur in the fuel forms particulates that are a primary contributor to air pollution. Sulphur also causes harmful corrosion in the engine. The corrosion is caused by the sulphur in the fuel forming sulphuric acid after combustion, which then reacts with water vapour in the exhaust to form sulphur acids that damage the exhaust system and reduce its life.
The harmful effects of sulphur in diesel fuel have been recognised, and there have been global efforts to improve air quality by removing sulphur from fuel. Regulations to reduce vehicle emissions have dramatically reduced the allowable sulphur content in diesel fuel. For example, the sulphur content in diesel fuel in the United States and Mexico is 97% lower than it was throughout most of the 20th century. Similarly, diesel and gasoline have been limited to 10 ppm sulphur since 2009 for on-road vehicles and 2011 for non-road vehicles.
The addition of biodiesel fuel to high-sulphur diesel leads to reductions in most pollutant emissions, and this reduction is greater with increasing methyl ester portions in the fuel blend.
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Diesel engines and pollutants
Diesel engines produce a different array of pollutants compared to spark-driven engines. The pollutants produced by diesel engines include gaseous nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The emission of these pollutants varies depending on the engine load and the fraction of time the vessel operates at the corresponding load.
The impact of diesel engines on air pollution is particularly significant in the case of large ocean-going ships, which tend to use bunker fuel, a type of diesel fuel that contains high levels of sulfur. The sulfur in bunker fuel contributes to the formation of sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, which are a major source of air pollution and have been linked to various health issues.
To address the environmental and health impacts of diesel engines, efforts have been made to reduce emissions and implement stricter regulations. For example, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has set emission standards and designated sulfur emission control areas where marine vessels must use fuels with lower sulfur content. Additionally, some countries have mandated the use of low-sulfur fuel for ships in their national waters.
Furthermore, there has been a push towards alternative fuels and technologies to reduce the use of diesel in marine vessels. For example, switching to natural gas or liquefied natural gas can significantly reduce NOx, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide emissions. However, it is important to consider the potential trade-offs, as the use of alternative fuels may increase other pollutants such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and methane.
Overall, the mitigation of pollutants from diesel engines requires a comprehensive approach that includes stricter regulations, the adoption of cleaner fuels, and the development of more efficient engine technologies. By addressing these issues, we can reduce the environmental and health impacts associated with diesel engine pollutants.
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Health risks of diesel exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a mixture of gases and particulates produced during the combustion of diesel fuel. The very small particles are known as diesel particulate matter (DPM), which consists primarily of solid elemental carbon (EC) cores with organic carbon (OC) compounds adhered to their surfaces.
Diesel exhaust has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC has classified diesel engine exhaust as "carcinogenic to humans," based on sufficient evidence linking it to an increased risk of lung cancer. Prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust, particularly in occupations such as mining, construction, and transportation, can lead to a higher risk of lung cancer and potentially other types of cancer.
Acute health effects of diesel exhaust exposure include irritation of the nose and eyes, lung function changes, respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Chronic exposure to diesel exhaust has been associated with more severe respiratory symptoms, including cough, sputum production, and decreased lung function.
Additionally, there is some evidence suggesting a link between diesel exhaust and allergic reactions. Diesel exhaust particles can act as adjuvants to allergens, increasing the sensitization response. This may be particularly detrimental to individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, potentially exacerbating allergic inflammation in the human lower respiratory tract.
To mitigate the health risks associated with diesel exhaust, various control measures can be implemented. These include replacing diesel-powered engines with alternative power sources, using cleaner fuels or lower-emission engines, employing exhaust treatment systems, and improving ventilation in areas where diesel exhaust accumulates. Personal protective equipment, such as respirators, can also help reduce exposure to diesel exhaust.
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Alternative marine fuels
Diesel fuel is a marine pollutant. Large ocean-going ships use bunker fuel, the world's dirtiest diesel fuel, which contains 3,500 times more sulphur than the diesel used for cars. Shipping accounts for 13% of annual sulphur oxide emissions worldwide, 15% of global NOx emissions, and 3% of CO2 emissions.
The increasing stringency of GHG emission regulations has compelled ship owners and operators to seek new methods of fulfilling these requirements. As a result, the maritime industry is urgently searching for clean, reliable, and affordable alternative fuels and energy sources.
LNG is mainly methane and has the lowest carbon content of any fossil fuel. It produces about 25% less carbon dioxide than traditional marine fuels, as well as very little SOx and NOx. LPG is a liquefied mixture of propane and butane and is easier to handle than LNG due to its use of pressure tanks to maintain its liquid state. Biofuels are produced from biomass and often mimic naturally-occurring fossil fuels. They can improve carbon and greenhouse gas emissions when compared with traditional fuels, but they often rely on food crops as a source material, which can lead to problems of indirect land use change and loss of biodiversity.
Ammonia has zero CO2 emissions in use and is easier to store and transport than compressed hydrogen, but it has a much lower energy density than traditional fuel oils and is caustic and toxic, so handling, transport, and storage facilities need to be adapted to ensure safety. Dimethyl ether is another alternative fuel that can effectively reduce pollutants such as NOx and CO.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel is a marine pollutant. Diesel exhaust contains an array of inorganic and organic pollutants, and diesel engines produce a different array of pollutants than spark-driven engines.
Diesel exhaust contains nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, atmospheric soot, and fine particles, which are components of air pollution implicated in human cancer, heart and lung damage, and mental functioning.
Alternative fuels to diesel include dimethyl ether, other bioethers, natural gas, and ammonia.
Switching from diesel fuel to alternative fuels can reduce pollutants such as NOx and CO. For example, switching from diesel to natural gas reduces emissions of NOx, PM2.5, CO2, and BC by 92%, 93%, 18%, and 97%, respectively.
