Onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology can push the industry in a more sustainable direction. Installing carbon capture technology onboard maritime vessels can measurably lower carbon dioxide emissions throughout the shipping industry, says an article published on hanwha website.
- OCCS technology, with its ability to capture and store CO2 emissions onboard ships, represents a significant step toward reducing emissions in the maritime industry.
- It serves as a bridge toward achieving net-zero emissions by significantly curbing emissions while newer, greener technologies and fuels are under development.
- The most common method, amine-based CO2 capture, involves directing emitted exhaust or “flue gas” through a cooling tower to lower its temperature.
Need for Decarbonization in Maritime Shipping
Shipping is responsible for nearly 3% of global carbon emissions, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt measures to target net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
To achieve this goal, various strategies are being explored, from sustainable practices to the use of green fuels. However, many of these methods are still in the developmental phase, with widespread implementation expected in the future.
Introduction to Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS)
Onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology plays a role in pushing the shipping industry toward sustainability. It involves installing systems on maritime vessels to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions, offering the potential to reduce emissions significantly, specifically tank-to-wake emissions, which are produced when burning fuel in a vessel’s tank.
How OCCS Works?
Carbon Capture Process: The most common method, amine-based CO2 capture, involves directing emitted exhaust or “flue gas” through a cooling tower to lower its temperature. The gas is then moved to an absorber, where amines bind to the CO2, keeping it in the absorber.
The remaining carbon-free exhaust is released into the air, while the captured CO2 is converted into a fluid and can be stored for future use or further processing.
Integration on Ships: OCCS systems can be installed on ships through pre-combustion, where fuel is converted into a gas and CO2 is captured before combustion, or post-combustion, which captures CO2 from the exhaust using various methods.
Challenges And Progress in Sustainability
Challenges: Space constraints onboard vessels and infrastructure limitations are hurdles. Carbon conversion for utilization is also costly, limiting its industrial development.
Technological Progress: Companies like Hanwha Ocean are actively developing OCCS technology to retrofit vessels, aiming to make it more compact, energy-efficient, and suitable for maritime vessels. Hanwha Ocean’s system received Approval in Principle, confirming its viability and compliance with regulations.
The Role of OCCS in Maritime Decarbonization
OCCS serves as an intermediate solution toward decarbonization in the maritime industry while the development and adoption of lower-carbon fuels like ammonia and methanol are in progress.
It can significantly reduce emissions in the interim and play a crucial role in the journey toward complete decarbonization.
The Future Outlook
Companies like Hanwha Ocean are committed to advancing technologies like OCCS and exploring the potential of captured carbon for various applications, such as creating building materials and eco-friendly propulsion systems based on hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol.
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Source: hanwha
