Exhaust Scrubbers

[Mac Mackay]

Yes scrubbers could be fitted to steamers, since the purpose is to remove sulphur oxides generated in the fuel combustion process. It might be somewhat easier to add scrubbers because steam ships already have a boiler on board.
However it is a major investment which must be paid for out of revenues over a long period of time. There aren't many steamers left with a long enough projected lifespan to warrant the expense.
It would likely be a better paying proposition to install a new high perfomance diesel if the ship's hull will last another ten years or more. Fuel cost savings alone often justify such a conversion.

[Shipwatcher1]

We've seen several companies now installing scrubbers on their lake fleets ranging from the new Equinox boats to boats such as the Mesabi Miner and James Barker with their older engines.

I've been curious is the scrubber technology could be used for steam powered boats and have the same or similar results in terms of how much the emissions are cleaned up. Is that something that could be possible for steamers?