Sulfur Oxides (SOx) – Definition and Pronunciation
What is SOx?
SOx, or sulfur oxides, are a group of gases that include sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3). These compounds are primarily produced from the burning of fossil fuels and can contribute to air pollution and acid rain.
Examples of SOx
On one hand using LNG as an alternative fuel will immediately reflect in lower emissions of SOx (by more than 95 %), NOx (to an extent directly related to the engine technology, that can go up to 70 % in lean gas burning engines) and Particulate Matter (also by more than 95 %).
From “LNG Bunkering Feasibility: An Analytical Framework”.
With the provisions of Regulation 13 and 14, with limitations to the emissions of NOx and SOx from ships, LNG represents an alternative fuel that allows ships to operate with significantly lower pollutant emissions (95 to 100 % reduction in SOx emissions and up to 90 % reduction in NOx, depending on engine technology). With the decision, at MEPC70, to reduce global sulphur cap to 0,50 %, by 2020 the urgency for compliance is further underlined.
From “LNG Regulatory Framework International and European Maritime Safety Overview”.
Ships may also meet the SOx emission requirements by using approved equivalent methods, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems or “scrubbers“, which “clean” the emissions before they are released into the atmosphere (must be approved by the ship’s Flag State Administration).
From “Low Sulfur Fuel Operational Challenges for Ships”.
Pronunciation of SOx
