Resolution MEPC.177(58)

AMENDMENTS TO THE TECHNICAL CODE ON CONTROL OF EMISSION OF NITROGEN OXIDES FROM MARINE DIESEL ENGINES (NO_X TECHNICAL CODE 2008)

(Adopted on 10 October 2008)

 

 

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

 

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

 

NOTING article 16 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the "1973 Convention"), article VI of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the "1978 Protocol") and article 4 of the Protocol of 1997 to amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (herein after referred to as the "1997 Protocol"), which together specify the amendment procedure of the 1997 Protocol and confer upon the appropriate body of the Organization the function of considering and adopting amendments to the 1973 Convention, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols,

 

NOTING ALSO that, by the 1997 Protocol, Annex VI entitled Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships is added to the 1973 Convention (hereinafter referred to as "Annex VI"),

 

NOTING FURTHER regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI which makes the Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines (NO_x Technical Code) mandatory under that Annex,

 

HAVING CONSIDERED the draft amendments to the NO_x Technical Code,

 

1. ADOPTS, in accordance with article 16(2)(d) of the 1973 Convention, the amendments to the NO_x Technical Code, as set out at annex to the present resolution;

 

2. DETERMINES, in accordance with article 16(2)(f)(iii) of the 1973 Convention, that the amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 January 2010, unless prior to that date, not less than one-third of the Parties or Parties the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet, have communicated to the Organization their objection to the amendments;

 

3. INVITES the Parties to note that, in accordance with article 16(2)(g)(ii) of the 1973 Convention, the said amendments shall enter into force on 1 July 2010 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

 

4. REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article 16(2)(e) of the 1973 Convention, to transmit to all Parties to the 1973 Convention, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols, certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the Annex;

 

5. REQUESTS FURTHER the Secretary-General to transmit to the Members of the Organization which are not Parties to the 1973 Convention, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols, copies of the present resolution and its Annex;

 

6. INVITES the Parties to MARPOL Annex VI and other Member Governments to bring the amendments to the NO_x Technical Code to the attention of shipowners, ship operators, shipbuilders, marine diesel engine manufacturers and any other interested groups.

 

NO_x technical code (2008)

 

Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines

 

Introduction

 

Foreword

 

On 26 September 1997, the Conference of Parties to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) adopted, by Conference resolution 2, the Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines (NO_x Technical Code). Following the entry into force, on 19 May 2005, of MARPOL Annex VI – Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, each marine diesel engine to which regulation 13 of that Annex applies, must comply with the provisions of this Code. MEPC 53 in July 2005 agreed to the revision of MARPOL Annex VI and the NO_x Technical Code. That review was concluded at MEPC 58 in October 2008 and this version of the NO_x Technical Code, hereunder referred to as the Code, is an outcome of that process.

 

As general background information, the precursors to the formation of nitrogen oxides during the combustion process are nitrogen and oxygen. Together these compounds comprise 99% of the engine intake air. Oxygen will be consumed during the combustion process, with the amount of excess oxygen available being a function of the air/fuel ratio which the engine is operating under. The nitrogen remains largely unreacted in the combustion process; however, a small percentage will be oxidized to form various oxides of nitrogen. The nitrogen oxides (NO_x) which can be formed include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), while the amounts are primarily a function of flame or combustion temperature and, if present, the amount of organic nitrogen available from the fuel, NO_x formation is also a function of the time the nitrogen and the excess oxygen are exposed to the high temperatures associated with the diesel engine's combustion process. In other words, the higher the combustion temperature (e.g., high-peak pressure, high-compression ratio, high rate of fuel delivery, etc.), the greater the amount of NO_x formation. A slow-speed diesel engine, in general, tends to have more NO_x formation than a high speed engine. NO_x has an adverse effect on the environment causing acidification, formation of tropospheric ozone, nutrient enrichment and contributes to adverse health effects globally.

 

The purpose of this Code is to provide mandatory procedures for the testing, survey and certification of marine diesel engines which will enable engine manufacturers, shipowners and Administrations to ensure that all applicable marine diesel engines comply with the relevant limiting emission values of NO_x as specified within regulation 13 of Annex VI. The difficulties of establishing with precision, the actual weighted average NO_x emission of marine diesel engines in service on ships have been recognized in formulating a simple, practical set of requirements in which the means to ensure compliance with the allowable NO_x emissions, are defined.

 

Administrations are encouraged to assess the emissions performance of marine propulsion and auxiliary diesel engines on a test bed where accurate tests can be carried out under properly controlled conditions. Establishing compliance with regulation 13 of Annex VI at this initial stage is an essential feature of this Code. Subsequent testing on board the ship may inevitably be limited in scope and accuracy and its purpose shall be to infer or deduce the emission performance and to confirm that engines are installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and that any adjustments or modifications do not detract from the emissions performance established by initial testing and certification by the manufacturer.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Abbreviations, Subscripts and Symbols

 

Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 below summarize the abbreviations, subscripts and symbols used throughout the Code, including specifications for the analytical instruments in appendix 3, calibration requirements for the analytic instruments contained in appendix 4, the formulae for calculation of gas mass flow as contained in chapter 5 and appendix 6 of this Code and the symbols used in respect of data for onboard verification surveys in chapter 6.

 

.1 Table 1: symbols used to represent the chemical components of diesel engine gas emissions and calibration and span gases addressed throughout this Code;

 

.2 Table 2: abbreviations for the analysers used in the measurement of gas emissions from diesel engines as specified in appendix 3 of this Code;

 

.3 Table 3: symbols and subscripts of terms and variables used in chapter 5, chapter 6, appendix 4 and appendix 6 of this Code; and

 

.4 Table 4: symbols for fuel composition used in chapter 5 and chapter 6 and appendix 6 of this Code.

 

Table 1.
Symbols and abbreviations for the chemical components

 

 

 

Table 2.
Abbreviations for Analysers for measurement of diesel engine gaseous emissions
(refer to appendix 3 of this Code)

 

 

 

Table 3.
Symbols and subscripts for terms and variables
(refer to chapter 5, chapter 6, appendix 4 and appendix 6 of this Code)

 

 

 

 

 

Table 4.

Symbols for fuel composition

 

 

Chapter 1.
General

 

1.1 Purpose

 

1.1.1 The purpose of this Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines, hereunder referred to as the Code, is to specify the requirements for the testing, survey and certification of marine diesel engines to ensure they comply with the nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emission limits of regulation 13 of Annex VI. All references to regulations within this Code refer to Annex VI.

 

1.2 Application

 

1.2.1 This Code applies to all marine diesel engines with a power output of more than 130 kW which are installed, or are designed and intended for installation, on board any ship subject to Annex VI and to which regulation 13 applies. Regarding the requirements for survey and certification under regulation 5, this Code addresses only those requirements applicable to an engine's compliance with the applicable NO_x emission limit.

 

1.2.2 For the purpose of the application of this Code, Administrations are entitled to delegate all functions required of an Administration by this Code to an organization authorized to act on behalf of the Administration¹. In every case, the Administration assumes full responsibility for the survey and certificate.

______________

¹ Refer to the Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of Administrations adopted by the Organization by resolution A.739(18) and to the Specifications on the Survey and Certification Functions of Recognized Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration adopted by the Organization by resolution A.789(19).

 

1.2.3 For the purpose of this Code, an engine shall be considered to be operated in compliance with the applicable NO_x limit of regulation 13 if it can be demonstrated that the weighted NO_x emissions from the engine are within those limits at the initial certification, annual, intermediate and renewal surveys and such other surveys as are required.

 

1.3 Definitions

 

1.3.1 Nitrogen Oxide (NO_x) emissions means the total emission of nitrogen oxides, calculated as the total weighted emission of NO₂ and determined using the relevant test cycles and measurement methods as specified in this Code.

 

1.3.2 Substantial modification of a marine diesel engine means:

 

.1 For engines installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2000, substantial modification means any modification to an engine that could potentially cause the engine to exceed the applicable emission limit set out in regulation 13. Routine replacement of engine components by parts specified in the Technical File that do not alter emission characteristics shall not be considered a "substantial modification" regardless of whether one part or many parts are replaced.

 

.2 For engines installed on ships constructed before 1 January 2000, substantial modification means any modification made to an engine which increases its existing emission characteristics established by the Simplified Measurement method as described in 6.3 in excess of the allowances set out in 6.3.11. These changes include, but are not limited to, changes in its operations or in its technical parameters (e.g., changing camshafts, fuel injection systems, air systems, combustion chamber configuration, or timing calibration of the engine). The installation of a certified Approved Method pursuant to regulation 13.7.1.1 or certification pursuant to regulation 13.7.1.2 is not considered to be a substantial modification for the purpose of the application of regulation 13.2 of the Annex.

 

1.3.3 Components are those interchangeable parts which influence the NO_x emissions performance, identified by their design/parts number.

 

1.3.4 Setting means adjustment of an adjustable feature influencing the NO_x emissions performance of an engine.

 

1.3.5 Operating values are engine data, like cylinder peak pressure, exhaust gas temperature, etc., from the engine log which are related to the NO_x emission performance. These data are load-dependent.

 

1.3.6 The EIAPP Certificate is the Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate which relates to NO_x emissions.

 

1.3.7 The IAPP Certificate is the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate.

 

1.3.8 Administration has the same meaning as article 2, subparagraph (5) of MARPOL 73.

 

1.3.9 Onboard NO_x verification procedures mean a procedure, which may include an equipment requirement, to be used on board at initial certification survey or at the renewal, annual or intermediate surveys, as required, to verify compliance with any of the requirements of this Code, as specified by the applicant for engine certification and approved by the Administration.

 

1.3.10 Marine diesel engine means any reciprocating internal combustion engine operating on liquid or dual fuel, to which regulation 13 applies, including booster/compound systems if applied.

 

Where an engine is intended to be operated normally in the gas mode, i.e. with the main fuel gas and only a small amount of liquid pilot fuel, the requirements of regulation 13 have to be met only for this operation mode. Operation on pure liquid fuel resulting from restricted gas supply in cases of failures shall be exempted for the voyage to the next appropriate port for the repair of the failure.

 

1.3.11 Rated power means the maximum continuous rated power output