Publications tagged with Scrubber
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Publications tagged with "Scrubber"
- DetailsDi Bonito, L. P., Campanile, L., Iacono, M., & Di Natale, F. (2025). An eXplainable Artificial Intelligence framework to predict marine scrubbers performances [Article]. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111860
Abstract
This study presents an eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) framework to predict the performance of marine scrubbers used for sulfur dioxide (SO2) removal from marine diesel engine flue gases. Using an aggregated dataset from a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo ship equipped with an open-loop scrubber, combined with satellite data, the study constructs and evaluates multiple artificial intelligence models, including ensemble models, which were benchmarked against each other using standard regression metrics such as the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean squared error (MSE). Results achieve high accuracy R2>0.92 and offer insights for optimizing scrubber operations. Nevertheless, artificial intelligence models lack transparency. To overcome this problem, this research integrates post-hoc explainability techniques to elucidate the contributions of various features to model predictions, thereby enhancing interpretability and reliability. The integration of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Explain Like I’m 5 (ELI5) not only confirmed the consistency of feature importance rankings (e.g. seawater acidity level, SO2 inlet concentration, outlet temperature) but also aligned with the physical-chemical principles of SO2 absorption. Quantitative comparisons with theoretical expectations demonstrated the reliability of the XAI insights, enhancing both model transparency and interpretability. This can improve the current capability of designing scrubber units by defining more efficient and less expensive options for environmental regulation compliance. © 2025 The Authors - DetailsDi Bonito, L. P., Campanile, L., Napolitano, E., Iacono, M., Portolano, A., & Di Natale, F. (2023). Analysis of a marine scrubber operation with a combined analytical/AI-based method [Article]. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 195, 613–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2023.06.006
Abstract
This paper describes the performances of a marine SO2 absorption scrubber installed onboard a large Ro-Ro cargo ship. The study is based on the reconstruction of an extensive dataset from one-year continuous monitoring of the scrubber’s performances and operating conditions. The dataset has been interpreted with a conventional analytical, physical-mathematical, model for absorbers’ rating and its combination with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) one. First, the analytical model has been used to provide a deterministic mathematical framework for the interpretation and the prediction of the scrubber’s performances in terms of absorbed SO2 molar flow and SO2 concentration at the scrubber exit. Then, data mining and AI techniques have been applied to develop an Artificial Neural Network able to predict the error between the actual SO2 concentration at the scrubber exit and the corresponding analytical model predictions. The final result is a combined model providing superior robustness and accuracy in the prediction of the scrubber performance while preserving a rationale for process design and operation. This interesting outcome suggests that the development of combined, or hybrid, Analytical/AI models can be a reliable and cost-effective way to improve chemical engineers’ ability to design and control marine scrubbers, as well as other chemical equipment. © 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers