{"id":152704,"date":"2024-10-25T07:23:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T05:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=152704"},"modified":"2024-10-22T16:59:53","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T14:59:53","slug":"regulatory-and-technological-advances-in-co2-shipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/regulatory-and-technological-advances-in-co2-shipping\/","title":{"rendered":"Regulatory and technological advances in CO2 shipping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

Onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) and CO2<\/sub> sequestration are major topics of 2024, with technological developments accelerating adoption across the maritime industry. At the same time, IMO is working to develop a regulatory framework in response to member requests.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"LPG
LPG carrier Clipper Eris, utilising scrubbers and a wet electrostatic precipitator, is the subject of a Norwegian initiative to demonstrate the potential of OCCS \u00a9 Solvang<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Several regulatory initiatives are being led by IMO\u2019s Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gases (ISWG-GHG) and other bodies. Norway has been a key player in these discussions, sharing insights into pilot projects and case studies that highlight the potential of onboard carbon capture systems. In a recent submission to IMO, Norway detailed an ongoing full-scale pilot project on the\u00a0Clipper Eris<\/em>, a 21,289-m3 LPG tanker built in 2019 and equipped with a carbon capture plant. The system, which uses scrubbers and a wet electrostatic precipitator, is designed to capture up to 70% of CO2<\/sub> emissions from the ship\u2019s exhaust gases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe goal is to demonstrate CO2<\/sub> can be captured from heavy fuel oil and stored aboard in deck tanks, and to gain experience on operational aspects of the process, energy consumption, and maintenance needs of the system,\u201d according to the Norwegian submission. If successful, this project could pave the way for broader adoption of OCCS, especially in sectors of the shipping industry that are harder to decarbonise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe technology is nearing commercial readiness\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

However, despite the promise of OCCS technologies, challenges remain. Both high capital expenditure and operational costs present economic barriers, a point noted in several submissions to IMO. \u201cThe low-cost CCS scenario performs well compared with other fuel strategies \u2026 if carbon capture technologies can reach low fuel penalties and a CCS industry is developed with offloading infrastructure,\u201d the Norwegian submission added. This underscores the need for a robust regulatory framework to reduce uncertainties and encourage shipping companies to invest in these technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experimental project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another key focus of IMO\u2019s work on CO2<\/sub> management is the sequestration of CO2<\/sub> in sub-seabed geological formations. Italy\u2019s submission to IMO described its first experimental project for CO2<\/sub> geological storage, which involves injecting CO2<\/sub> into a depleted gas field in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The project aims to store 50,000 tonnes of CO2<\/sub> over two years, a significant milestone in Italy\u2019s efforts to develop its regulatory framework for sub-seabed sequestration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"KNCC's
KNCC’s LCO2-EP Cargo Tanker, promises groundbreaking CO2 liquefaction and storage experiment \u00a9 KNCC<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Italian submission highlighted various technical aspects of the project, including static geological modelling, tsunami risk, and monitoring soil deformations. The submission also pointed out the need for clear regulatory guidance to manage impurities in CO2<\/sub> streams, such as water or sulphur dioxide, which can cause corrosion and complicate long-term storage. Similar concerns were echoed in other submissions, emphasising the importance of monitoring incidental substances in CO2<\/sub> streams to prevent environmental risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to sequestration, CO2<\/sub>\u2019s potential as a feedstock for synthetic fuels is gaining attention. China\u2019s proposal to IMO explored the possibility of crediting CO2<\/sub> emissions that are captured and reused in synthetic fuel production. The paper argued that \u201cemissions credits from industrial-captured CO2<\/sub> … could play a role in reducing the overall greenhouse gas footprint of shipping.\u201d This approach aligns with broader decarbonisation strategies that promote carbon-neutral fuels, which could become an important part of the maritime industry\u2019s future energy mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crucial step<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IMO is also revising the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), a crucial step in ensuring the safe transport of liquefied CO2<\/sub>. Current proposals include enhanced monitoring systems for CO2<\/sub> cargoes, focusing on thermodynamic properties, pressure control, and impurity management to mitigate risks such as solidification or structural damage during transport. As the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) noted: \u201cCO2<\/sub> is not assumed to be corrosive, but in the presence of impurities such as water and sulphur dioxide, it can form acid, which can cause corrosion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of CO2<\/sub> technologies in shipping is progressing rapidly, often outpacing the creation of regulations. For instance, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation (JX), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS (KNCC) recently completed a successful demonstration experiment to optimise CO2<\/sub> liquefaction and storage. The project utilised KNCC\u2019s proprietary technology, improving the efficiency and practicality of CO2<\/sub> transport and storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demonstration, conducted at KNCC\u2019s Test Rig facility in Norway, tested a CO2<\/sub> liquefaction process based on the isenthalpic expansion cooling method, which reduces the pressure of CO2<\/sub> to cool it and convert it from gas to liquid. The process uses elevated pressure (EP) technology, allowing CO2<\/sub> to be stored and transported at ambient temperatures, avoiding the need for extreme cooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easier to integrate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After liquefaction, the CO2<\/sub> was transferred to KNCC\u2019s LCO2<\/sub>-EP Cargo Tank for safe storage and transportation. According to the companies, this process is as efficient as, or even more efficient than, conventional methods, achieving up to a 20% reduction in energy consumption. The equipment used is also more compact and simpler than traditional systems, making it easier to integrate into modular or floating systems for industrial applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This experiment demonstrates that the technology is nearing commercial readiness, with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6. It holds promise for reducing the operational costs and space requirements of CO2<\/sub> liquefaction facilities. Traditional systems are often costly and require large amounts of energy and space, but this new approach offers a more flexible and scalable solution suitable for various industrial sites, including offshore environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

As Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers CEO, Oliver Hagen-Smith<\/strong>, explained: “This is a major breakthrough for the CCS landscape. The developed liquefaction method will be a game changer for the CCS industry as it enables seamless liquefaction of CO2<\/sub> in the export process. Minimising opex and the area required for liquefaction, but also in specific cases removing the need for onshore storage, is crucial in the development of CCS value chains.”<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) and CO2 sequestration are major topics of 2024, with technological developments accelerating adoption across the maritime industry. At the same time, IMO is working to develop a regulatory framework in response to member requests. Several regulatory initiatives are being led by IMO\u2019s Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gases (ISWG-GHG) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":152706,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"New CO2 liquefaction and storage methods improve efficiency, reducing costs and energy use for onboard carbon capture","footnotes":""},"categories":[5571],"tags":[10744,12296,10416,10743],"supplier":[7639,25041,25042],"class_list":["post-152704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-co2-based","tag-carboncapture","tag-ccs","tag-circulareconomy","tag-useco2","supplier-jx-nippon","supplier-knutsen-nyk-carbon-carriers","supplier-nippon-yusen-kabushiki-kaisha"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152704"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=152704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}