Prediction model for desulphurization efficiency of onboard magnesium-base seawater scrubber

• A novel wet scrubber system for marine diesel engine exhaust gas was established.
• MgO and seawater was combined as desulfurizer in this scrubber system.
• A prediction model for desulphurization efficiency was established.

In this study, we developed a prediction model for desulphurization efficiency of onboard magnesium-base seawater scrubber. The effect of various parameters, including liquid to gas ratio (VL/VG), pH value and empty container velocity (ve), on desulphurization efficiency of magnesium-base seawater scrubber was studied using the MiniTab 15 software. Specifically, central composite design coupled with response surface method was used in this model. A prediction model for desulphurization efficiency of magnesium-base seawater scrubber was presented. Analysis of variance of the quadratic model indicates that the model could be used to navigate the design space. The parameters of VL/VG and pH are most effective factors affecting the desulphurization efficiency. Within the variation range, ve has limited influence on desulphurization. The scrubber can be handled at the flow rate of more than 1×104 m3/h. We observed that desulphurization efficiency is more than 90% under the optimized conditions of VL/VG at 10.39 L/m3, pH at 7.66 and ve between 0.66 and 0.75 m/s.