NH3CRAFT
The study on the uses of ammonia (NH3)
| Business | Period | Project Coordinator | Funding Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine | June 2022 -May 2025 | Hydrus Engineering S.A. | Horizon Europe |
Challenge
At EU level, maritime transport is a substantial CO2 emitter, representing 3 to 4% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions.
The targets set out in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) initial strategy for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from international shipping (-40% CO2 in 2030; -70% CO2 and -50% GHG in 2050 compared to 2008 levels) are expected to be achieved by the combination of three key measures:
- alternative zero-carbon / renewable fuels
- energy efficiency
- systemic change in global trade dynamics.
Ammonia (NH3) is a promising alternative fuel according to the Fourth IMO GHG Study for the decarbonisation of the sector, however, presents challenges regarding storing. One ton of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil has 2.2 times more heat content than one ton of ammonia and this difference directly reflects on the increased volume needed on board for the storage of ammonia compared to fuel oil for an equivalent use. Therefore, it is essential to identify more efficient ammonia storage solutions on board vessels.
NH3CRAFT has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101056831 to develop a new design methodology that will offer the feasibility of about 1,000 m3 storage of ammonia in liquid form at a pressure of about 10 bar and to demonstrate it on a 31,000-deadweight ton multi-purpose vessel. In addition, the project aims to ensure the wider applicability and refinement of the developed methodology, with studying and documenting five different types of vessels and corresponding fuel-storage tanks concepts.
Approach
RINA will be deeply involved in the specification of the ammonia containment system demonstrator’s requirements. In addition, we will play a leading role by establishing the boundaries and data required for the desktop studies, including auxiliary systems where appropriate, bunkering arrangements, implementation requirements of project solutions on new-buildings and tank configurations (on-deck or hull-integrated storage).
We will also lead the concept design of the demonstrator.
Furthermore, we will contribute to the safety risk assessment of the demonstrator and will perform the preliminary risk assessment of the conceptual designs. This will be significant for the risk mitigation and verification of the detailed design.
More in general, we will overview and contribute to all the engineering design, manufacturing, and testing activities needed for regulatory compliance, both for the demonstrator and the auxiliary systems. We will also play a significant role in identifying possible regulatory barriers, updating existing class technical rules and developing new class technical rules, which could be further considered towards the development of pertinent statutory regulations at IMO level.
Finally, along with the technical contribution, we will also have a managerial role overlooking and monitoring the progress of a work package.
Conclusion
The main outcome of the project is the facilitation of the ammonia integration as a marine fuel by developing a safe, modular, scalable, and efficient storage system of ammonia on-board ships, as well as the development of digital tools to enable the safe implementation of an ammonia containment system onboard. End users will be benefited by the off-the-shelf reliable product and design solutions, which can be adopted to introduce ammonia as marine fuel for both new building constructions and retrofit projects, meeting different operational needs. In addition, the software will support the designers developing and evaluating possible alternative ammonia solutions.
Another outcome of NH3CRAFT is the documentation of the risk and safety assessment performed, which will be the basis to enhance the current pertinent technical rules as well as to provide safety guidelines for the use of ammonia onboard. These rules will set a new standard of certification of the proposed technologies.
Finally, the project contributes towards the reduction of the environmental footprint of the maritime transport sector, towards sustainable and competitive shipping, to meet the challenging CO2 emissions reduction targets, consistent with the Paris Agreement goals.
