A group of leading companies from across the maritime
industry are developing a solution that they believe will make hydrogen a
viable option without the need for extensive infrastructure investments. They
are proposing making hydrogen from LNG aboard ships, which when combined with
carbon capture, would exceed the IMO 2050 target for a 70 percent reduction in
carbon intensity.
Wärtsilä, together with class society RINA, ABB, Helbio - a
subsidiary of Metacon AB, the Liberian Registry, and an energy major, have
joined forces in the effort to deliver a solution with hydrogen as fuel. They
believe that their concept offers the shipping industry a pathway to low-carbon
operations within a reasonable time frame.
The concept is based on combining LNG with steam to produce
hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen would be used in a mix with natural gas in
internal combustion engines or fuel cells, thus eliminating the need for
hydrogen to be stored onboard. The CO2 would be liquefied using the cryogenic
stream of LNG that would be used as fuel anyway, and later disposed of ashore
for carbon storage. Tankers, they noted, could also use the stored CO2 as inert
gas during discharge.
According to the companies, difficulties and cost
considerations regarding the production, distribution, and onboard storage of
hydrogen have so far limited the sector’s interest in the direct use of
hydrogen as a marine fuel. However, by producing hydrogen on board, and using
readily available LNG, the solution becomes far more viable and in a much
faster time than would otherwise be possible.
As they explain the concept, the necessary equipment can
easily be fitted on the deck of a commercial vessel. Only LNG bunkering will be
required and, by progressively increasing the production of hydrogen, the
consumption of fossil methane and associated methane slip will be reduced at
the same rate.
While the aim is to have a scalable and sustainable solution
that will exceed IMO targets, they also believe the concept will support the
marine sector’s gradual transition from LNG to hydrogen, without any major
adjustments to a vessel’s onboard technologies.
Wärtsilä and ABB will support the application of hydrogen in
powering internal combustion engines and fuel cells, while Helbio will provide
the technology and manufacturing of gas reformers. RINA and the Liberian
Registry will provide advice and guidance on the application of rules and
regulations for novel concept alternative designs, based on Hazid/Hazop
analyses, as well as specific rules for this kind of arrangement.