Safetytech Accelerator trials methane abatement tech

Safetytech Accelerator, in collaboration with Chevron, Carnival Corporation, Shell and Seapeak, has successfully completed three technology feasibility studies as part of its flagship Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII). The results of these showed strong potential to cut fugitive methane emissions in the maritime industry.

MAMII is exploring options to advance these research projects to on-ship trials as soon as possible. The on-ship trials are to refine and scale the solutions.

MAMII was launched in September 2022 by Safetytech Accelerator, bringing together industry leaders, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to advance technologies for measuring and mitigating methane emissions in the maritime sector and promote the adoption of validated solutions. It currently has over twenty leading shipping and energy companies as Anchor Partners.

Fugitive methane emissions

While methane slip – unburnt methane released during the combustion process – remains the largest source of methane emissions on ships, emissions across the LNG supply chain, from loading to engine delivery, are also a concern.

These fugitive emissions are often unintended and short-lived, but identifying, quantifying, and mitigating them is essential to achieving industry-wide decarbonisation goals.

Xplorobot, Sorama and Framergy

Xplorobot, Sorama and Framergy were selected by MAMII to help address the vital need to detect, measure and capture fugitive methane emissions from LNG fuelled ships.

Each provider selected for the trials brings expertise in a different technology:

• Xplorobot: Provides a handheld device and AI-powered platform to detect and measure fugitive methane on ships using computer vision to pinpoint leak locations, overlay real-time emission rate data, and integrate seamlessly with existing systems for quick issue resolution without requiring specialised training.
• Sorama: Develops acoustic cameras that detect fugitive gas by visualising sound and vibration fields in 3D. Integrated AI and onboard software identify anomalies and classify sounds, enabling direct leak localisation without complex analysis.
• Framergy: Specialises in adsorbents and catalysts for methane emission management. Their product, AYRSORB F250GII, captures and stores fugitive methane by selectively filtering methane from the air, leveraging its ultra-high surface area and coordination chemistry.

Xplorobot reduces inspection time

Xplorobot conducted a detailed evaluation of their Methane Compliance Solution, focusing on its efficacy in detecting and quantifying methane emissions on LNG carriers and LNG-powered vessels. The study targeted emissions from the warm side of the gas fuel line and both planned and unplanned venting events.

Utilising comparable on-land data, this desktop analysis assessed how the technology would perform in maritime settings. The technology demonstrated accuracy levels of about thirty per cent for emissions over 500 grams per hour and about fifty per cent for emissions between 100 and 500 grams per hour, thanks to a refined neural network algorithm calibrated through controlled release experiments.

Xplorobot’s solution promises to reduce inspection time dramatically, with the ability to inspect fifty to 100 components in under an hour — sometimes as quickly as ten minutes. This efficiency, combined with automated digital emission tracking and compliance reporting, make the solution cost-effective. The next step is to deploy the kit in the field to further validate and optimise the technology for widespread adoption across the maritime industry.

Acoustic monitoring on LNG carriers

Sorama evaluated the technical and financial viability of deploying advanced acoustic monitoring technology on LNG carriers to detect and manage fugitive methane emissions. Their study highlights how the strategic use of fixed and handheld devices can help precisely locate and quantify methane slips, which are crucial to remediate for environmental compliance and reducing GHG emissions.

The report scopes a six-month pilot program involving four fixed cameras monitoring several areas of the ship’s trunk deck for gas domes and one handheld device to monitor areas on demand, such as the cargo compressor room. This technology not only promises environmental benefits, but is also a cost-effective solution for ship operators, with the potential to transform emission monitoring standards in the sector.

Metal-organic framework material

Framergy explored the potential deployment of their AYRSORB F250GII, a metal-organic framework material, on LNG carriers to mitigate fugitive methane emissions. This innovative material can store and purify methane at much lower pressures than conventional methods.

The study demonstrated that AYRSORB F250GII could significantly reduce methane emissions during planned and unplanned venting events, hence offering significant operational cost savings and potential revenue from the reuse or sale of captured methane.

Source: SWZ