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Maritime carbon capture & storage (CCS)

Developing a blueprint for capture of ship CO₂ emissions

Carbon capture & storage (CCS) – Multiscale modelling
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Maritime CO₂ emissions are currently
1000m tonnes of per year, about 3%
of total emissions

PSE is working with Det Norske Veritas SA (DNV) to develop blueprint designs for on-ship carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce maritime CO₂ emissions.

The project will use high-fidelity predictive modelling within a Model-Based Engineering framework to explore the viability of a number of capture technologies and derive a process and facilities design.

Background

Maritime CO₂ emissions are estimated at over 1000 million tonnes per year, around 3% of total anthopogenic carbon emissions. This figure is expected to increase by a factor of 3 by 2050.

The UK government has included maritime emissions in the reduction targets set by the Climate Change Bill, and the International Maritime Organisation is expected to drive a reduction in emissions from international shipping.

Because ship emissions are concentrated – unlike other forms of transport – there is potential to capture CO₂ at source. However this requires innovative technology.

Aims

The concept of maritime carbon capture is completely new in the field of maritime transportation, with no current end-to-end solution available.

The project aims to provide the European shipbuilding and relevant manufacturing industries with a sound basis for the development of market-ready CCS systems for ships, including development of a whole set of new maritime CCS design guidelines.

… a coherent and comprehensive future IMO regulatory framework on GHG Emissions from ships should be binding and equally applicable to all flag states in order to avoid evasion

IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)

Project

The project will develop a blueprint design for an on-board process for chemical capture and temporary storage of CO₂ for ships in transit until discharge into transmission and storage infrastructures at the next suitable port.

The project, led by PSE, is jointly financed by the two partners plus the UK’s Technology Strategy Board and the Norwegian Research Council under the Eurostars initiative. It will take into account the unique challenges posed by the maritime environment – constant movement, limited space and access to utilities, stringent safety requirements and the need for energy efficiency.

Designs for the capture process will consider a range of potential technologies for capturing carbon from the ship flue gases. Candidates are amine absorption, pressure-swing adsorption, heat-integrated distillation and membrane processes.

The most promising candidates from the initial screening will be taken to full blueprint design stage. In addition the project will consider design of on-board storage and transmission systems, and port discharge facilities.

With this project we intend to provide the European shipbuilding industries with a sound basis for the development of market-ready maritime CCS solutions.

Mark Matzopoulos, PSE COO

Partner contributions

PSE brings the gPROMS platform and model-based innovation (MBI) methodologies. The latter apply high-accuracy mathematical models to accelerate innovation, manage development risk and optimise process design and operation.

gPROMS underpins much current European R&D in CCS applications. Funding under the project will help PSE to extend its lead into the key new market area of maritime CCS.

DNV brings its extensive knowledge of shipbuilding to the project and to ensure that designs are achievable and adhere to standards. It will also be responsible for developing international standards and design guidelines for CCS for new builds as well as existing vessels, helping the company to develop a leading position in this area.

Prof. Costas Pantelides, Managing Director of PSE, says “This is a challenging design problem with tight constraints, and the application of MBI technology will be key to developing technically feasible and economically viable solutions.”

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