Open-loop scrubbers and restricted waterways: A aase study investigation of travemünde port and increased sulphur emissions immediately after the scrubbers are turned off

Open-loop sulphur scrubbers must be switched off, and the fuel must be changed to low-sulphur fuel before entering German inland waters. Immediately after the scrubbers are turned off, warm exhaust gases cause the residue left in the scrubber to vaporise, leading to the increased sulphur content of the exhaust gas. The momentary increase in sulphur emissions immediately after the open-loop scrubbers are turned off has received little attention in research. This paper presents the onboard measurement results of exhaust gases and examines the effects of sulphur compounds released into the air. In this case, the observed sulphur emission peak is problematic due to the geographical location. The ship sails to the river port, passing the coastal town of Travemünde, where the exhaust gases are released. Due to this, the emissions are more harmful when compared to emissions generated in the open seas.