NYK has recorded more than 90% methane oxidation in the first onboard measurement of a methane oxidation catalyst system for LNG-fueled marine engines aboard the LNG bunkering vessel KEYS Azalea, according to NYK.
The one-year demonstration trial is being carried out with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG.
The full-scale prototype has been installed on KEYS Azalea, which supplies LNG fuel to LNG-fueled ships. The vessel is owned by KEYS Bunkering West Japan and managed by Taiheiyo Enkai Kisen, an NYK Group company.
The system is designed to reduce methane slip, which occurs when methane in LNG fuel is not fully burned and escapes into the atmosphere.
It works by oxidizing methane in exhaust gas from LNG-fueled marine engines.
NYK said prior tests on land-based engines showed an initial methane oxidation rate of at least 70%. The latest onboard measurement achieved more than 90% methane oxidation as a standalone exhaust treatment unit.
The vessel operates mainly in the Kyushu and Seto Inland Sea regions, where the system is now being tested under actual operating conditions.
NYK is a Japanese shipping and logistics group with businesses across ocean transport, logistics and energy-related shipping.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment is a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company that designs and manufactures marine machinery and environmental systems.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company involved in ship design, engineering and maritime technology development.
DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG. is a Japanese manufacturer of marine and industrial engines.
