Ekologistyka w transporcie wodnym

Eco-logistics is one of the important components of eco-development for the environmental protection system. Eco-logistics [1] covers ecological and logistical aspects to create a right system of manufacturing, storage and transport first of all. This work is involved in ecology of inland water transport, especially use of diesel engines as power plant of vessels. Scientists from the Division of Vehicles & Internal Combustion Engines at Wrocław University of Technology in Poland designed, manufactured and tested an emission reduction system for diesel engines used in inland water transport. Its called „combi-filter" and consists of a single diesel particle matter filter and one oxidising catalytic converter. To test a diesel engine SW400 type was taken, as an example of vessels power plant. The measurement methodology was covered by cycle E3 (IS08178). „Combi filter" has a high efficiency reducing smoke emission (S) from 0,577 (entry state) to 0,108 g/kWh at the end of exhaust pipe. It is less than the standard limits. Carbon monoxide emission (CO) is reduced from 10,6 to 0,111 g/kWh. The results are the reason to use this system in 2006 and beyond, when new emission regulations will be in force. Proposals give a decrease of nitric oxide from 25,2 g/kWh to 18,0 g/kWh, but it is still too much with comparison to emission standards. That problem (nitrogen oxides reduction) has to be considered in the near future. The tests also prove self-regeneration of filter. A disadvantage of using the filter system is an increase backpressure of exhaust gas, which causes a decrease of the air/fuel ratio. It causes increase in fuel consumption at all. This problem can be solved by increasing the size of the filter and/or designing a supercharging system that makes compensation in pressure drop. But (!) it calls more money, of course. Today's cost level of an emission reduction system is not too high but it depends on the price of catalytic compounds in the filter and ....fuel cost. The emission reduction systems, presented in this paper, need optimisation for each type of vessel. This project shows that ecology in inland water transport can be solved by using right emission reduction systems.