L06 - Particulate Matter

Question 1

What are Particulate Matters?

Answer 1

Particulate matters refer to all solid particles suspended in air.

• PMs could be a mixture of organic and inorganic
  particles, such as dust, pollen, soot and smoke.

Question 2

Where are PMs mostly formed in shipping?

Answer 2

From diesel engines

Question 3

What are the characteristics of PMs?

Answer 3

PMs could be of different sizes:

– PM10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter

– PM2.5 is particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter.

• The smaller the PMs size, the more dangerous they are.

Question 4

How are PMs formed?

Answer 4

Particulate matters are formed due to incomplete combustion of heavier
fuels, more commonly in diesel fuels

Question 5

What influences to amount of PMs formed?

Answer 5

The higher the sulphur content, the higher the PMs.
Higher when heavy fuel is burnt

• It is generally difficult to measure or quantify.

Question 6

What are the impacts of PMs?

Answer 6

1. they cause cardiovascular problems
2. they affect the respiratory systems
3. Also, part of the smog formation pollutants.
4. PM eventually ends up on buildings, soil or water in the environment.

PM10 - can settle in the upper tracheo-branchial region of a person.
PM2.5 - fine particles that deposit in the deeper lung
PM0.1 - ultra fine particles that pass into the circulatory system

Question 7

What are the ways to reduce PM emissions?

Answer 7

1. LNG
2. Particulate Filter (trap)
3. Electrifying transport

Mechanism of PM Reduction:

1. Eliminating Combustion
2. Zero Tailpipe Emissions:

EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, including PM, since they rely on electric motors powered by batteries or fuel cells.

Impact:

By eliminating the combustion process, electrifying transport removes the direct source of PM emissions from vehicles.

While EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, it’s important to consider the PM emissions associated with electricity generation.
However, as the electricity grid becomes greener with more renewable energy sources, the overall PM emissions associated with EVs will continue to decrease.
Reduced Secondary PM Formation: Electrifying transport also reduces emissions of NOx and VOCs, which are precursors to secondary PM formation in the atmosphere.

Question 8

Which option is the best?

Answer 8

LNG:

Offers significant reductions in PM emissions for applications where LNG can replace conventional fuels, such as in marine transportation and heavy-duty vehicles.

LNG also provides reductions in other pollutants like SOx and NOx.

Particulate Filters:

Provide a highly effective solution for existing internal combustion engines by trapping and eliminating PM from the exhaust stream. They are essential for meeting current emission standards.

Electrifying Transport:

Offers the most comprehensive reduction in PM emissions by completely eliminating tailpipe emissions. This method has the potential for the greatest impact as the transportation sector transitions to zero-emission technologies.

Question 9

What does PM10 means?

Question 10

• Which of the following combustion systems produce more PM?
  – Marine diesel engines?
  – Marine boilers?
  – Marine gas turbines?
  – Marine dual fuel engines with LNG as main fuel?

Question 11

In marine diesel engines, name three methods for reducing the PM
formation.

Question 12

Name two negative impacts of PM

Question 13

Why PM2.5 is more dangerous than PM10?