ClassNK has issued a Statement of Fact (SoF), verifying the positive effect of the methane slip reduction system jointly developed by Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Yanmar Power Technology.
The system consists of Exhaust Gas Recirculation followed by a Methane Oxidation Catalysis System, and reduces methane slip by placing a methane oxidation catalyst in the exhaust piping of an LNG-fuelled engine, which oxidises unburned methane gas. The system aims to cut emissions of unburned methane from LNG-fuelled vessels by more than 70%.
The system concept was designed by Hitachi Zosen and Yanmar as part of a project which was adopted by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under the Green Innovation Fund, and ClassNK issued approval in principle (AiP) for that conceptual design. Based on the test procedure submitted by Yanmar, ClassNK has issued a SoF upon confirming the methane slip reduction effect under LNG combustion conditions of marine dual-fuel engines equipped with a methane slip reduction system.
Starting around autumn 2024, a large coal carrier operated by MOL is planned to undergo trials in actual sea conditions, with ClassNK providing technical verification.
Image: AiP Handover Ceremony (source: ClassNK/JLA)
