Exhaust handling systems for marine vessels and related methods

Abstract

An embodiment of an exhaust handling system for a marine vessel includes a cap connected to a top end portion of an exhaust stack of the marine vessel to form an enclosure at least partially surrounding an outlet of an exhaust pipe extending through the exhaust stack. In addition, the exhaust handling system includes a collection pipe in fluid communication with the cap such that the collection pipe is to receive exhaust from the enclosure, and a coupling connected to the collection pipe that is to connect to an exhaust cleaning assembly. The exhaust cleaning system includes a tank to receive the exhaust. The cap at least partially defines a first flow path for the exhaust that extends from the enclosure to the atmosphere. The collection pipe at least partially defines a second flow path for the exhaust that extends from the enclosure to the coupling via the collection pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exhaust handling system for a marine vessel, the exhaust handling system comprising:
 a cap attached to an exhaust pipe of the marine vessel;   a collection pipe in fluid communication with the cap to receive exhaust from the exhaust pipe of the marine vessel, wherein the cap defines a first flow path for exhaust from the exhaust pipe to vent to an atmosphere and a second flow path for the exhaust from the exhaust pipe to the collection pipe; and   a valve positioned to control the flow of exhaust through the cap between the first flow path and the second flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling connected to the collection pipe for the exhaust to flow from the cap to the coupling via the collection pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a clean out port positioned along the collection pipe, wherein the clean out port provides access into the collection pipe separately from the coupling. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling is configured to connect to a tank for receiving and storing the exhaust. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust cleaning system connected to the collection pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the exhaust cleaning system includes a tank for storing the exhaust. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the exhaust cleaning system includes a reactor configured to treat or clean the exhaust during operation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the exhaust cleaning system is connected to the collection pipe via a coupling, wherein the exhaust cleaning system is positioned proximate a berth of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the exhaust cleaning system is positioned on another marine vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a vent wherein when the vent is open the exhaust flows through the cap to the atmosphere and when closed the exhaust flows to the collection pipe. 
     
     
         11 . An exhaust handling system for a marine vessel, the exhaust handling system comprising:
 an enclosure of an outlet of an exhaust pipe of the marine vessel for collecting exhaust emitted from the marine vessel;   a collection pipe in fluid communication with the enclosure to receive exhaust from the exhaust pipe of the marine vessel;   a valve positioned to selectively route the exhaust between the collection pipe and surrounding atmosphere; and   a coupling connected to the collection pipe for the exhaust to flow from the enclosure to the coupling via the collection pipe, wherein the coupling is configured to connect to an exhaust cleaning system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a clean out port positioned along the collection pipe, wherein the clean out port provides access into the collection pipe separately from the coupling. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the collection pipe is connected to a tank for receiving and storing the exhaust. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising the exhaust cleaning system, wherein the exhaust cleaning system includes a tank for storing the exhaust. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising the exhaust cleaning system, wherein the exhaust cleaning system includes a reactor configured to treat or clean the exhaust during operation. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising the exhaust cleaning system, wherein the exhaust cleaning system is positioned proximate a berth of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising the exhaust cleaning system and a pipeline, wherein the exhaust cleaning system is positioned remotely from a berth of the marine vessel, wherein the exhaust cleaning system is connected to the marine vessel at the berth via the pipeline. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising the exhaust cleaning system, wherein the exhaust cleaning system is positioned on another marine vessel. 
     
     
         19 . An exhaust handling system for a marine vessel, the exhaust handling system comprising:
 a conduit for connecting to a coupling of the marine vessel, wherein the conduit receives exhaust emitted by the marine vessel;   an exhaust cleaning system in fluid communication with the conduit, the exhaust cleaning system including:
 a reactor configured to treat or clean the exhaust during operation; and 
 a tank for storing the exhaust. 
   
     
     
         20 . The exhaust handling system of  claim 19 , further comprising a pipeline connecting the exhaust cleaning system to the conduit positioned at a berth for the marine vessel, wherein the berth is positioned remotely from the exhaust cleaning system.