NYK has carried out its first onboard measurement during a demonstration test of a methane oxidation catalyst system designed for
NYK has carried out its first onboard measurement during a demonstration test of a methane oxidation catalyst system designed for marine engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
As announced, the project is being developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co. (MHI-MME), Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. (MHIMSB), and DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG. CO., LTD. (IE). The system has been installed on the LNG bunkering vessel KEYS Azalea, which supplies LNG fuel to other LNG-powered ships.
In LNG marine engines, a phenomenon known as “methane slip” can occur when unburned methane escapes into the atmosphere. Since methane has a significantly higher global warming impact than carbon dioxide, reducing these emissions is a key challenge in maritime decarbonisation.
The catalyst system addresses this issue by oxidising methane found in exhaust gases from LNG-fuelled engines. As explained, the technology was developed by combining the expertise of all the partners, MHI-MME contributed catalyst design and manufacturing, MHIMSB provided shipbuilding expertise and IE focused on engine optimisation.
Earlier land-based tests showed the system could achieve at least a 70% methane oxidation rate. In the latest onboard trial, however, it recorded more than 90% methane oxidation as a standalone exhaust treatment system.
A full-scale prototype has now been installed on KEYS Azalea for a one-year trial.
The vessel will operate mainly in the Kyushu and Seto Inland Sea regions, where the system will be tested under real-world conditions to evaluate its practical performance.
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