Danish EPA Begins ECA Compliance Checks Using New Aerial Sniffer Tech

EPA says there is the prospect of phasing in drones as a supplement to helicopters in the future. Image Credit: EPA

The Danish EPA today said it has contracted Danish startup Explicit to monitor ships' sulfur emission levels using a "unique new sniffer technology"  to sample vessels' exhaust plumes when operating in and around the country's waters.

The programme is set to commence from this month.

"The objective is to detect and deter violations of the 0.10% ECA restriction on sulphur in the bunker fuel," the EPA said.

"The new Mini Sniffer System is capable of measuring both sulphur and NOX emissions from vessels to determine their compliance, and is small enough to be carried on a drone without compromising quality or reliability. Initially however, the technology will be deployed on a manned helicopter, but with the prospect of phasing in drones as a supplement in the future."

Explicit CEO Jon Knudsen explained that using rotary-based craft for making the measurements was a key element to the data collection process.

"The manned helicopter is an extremely efficient tool for this purpose, both because of the speed with which it can cover large areas and many ships, but also because of its maneuverability in the plume. This is key," he said.

"Our demonstrations have shown that the ability to navigate in the plume is absolutely critical to getting good airborne measurement results. You can achieve the same with rotary drones, but the manned helicopter currently has a much larger operational capacity."

Explicit says it has also developed a patented method known as "smart flight" and special software tools that, together with using rotary craft, results in something "very different from what has been attempted so far."

"Combined with our smart flight software we can guide the pilot on the real-time sensor feedback to optimize the position for sampling. This is important because plumes aren't clearly visible. Not even on infrared or in case of high emitting ships, so you need navigational support," said Knudsen.

The performance and uncertainties of the new system were also said to have been validated independently by FORCE Technology, the Danish Government Reference Lab for Air Emissions.

"We are very focused on quality and data integrity. If you can't rely on the data and system uncertainties, the measurements aren't worth much," said Knudsen.

"We also prefer to fly with a multiple sniffer unit setup where possible, to lower the uncertainty and build more supportive evidence."