Recently, Jiangnan Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), independently researched and developed China’s first new low-carbon emission 175,000 m3 LNG carrier program equipped with the Onboard Carbon Capture System (OCCS), has been awarded the Approval-in-Principle (AIP) certificate by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
The vessel is based on Jiangnan Shipbuilding’s self-developed 175,000 m3 Mark III Flex film type LNG carrier. The vessel is equipped with a carbon capture system based on chemical absorption and thermal desorption of organic amine solution, which is a mature technology in the industry. Meanwhile, two C-type medium-pressure liquid carbon dioxide storage tanks are arranged on both sides of the open deck in the cargo area, so that the liquid tanks are operated far away from the three-phase point of carbon dioxide, which essentially ensures the safety of the operation.
For the application of carbon capture system, Jiangnan Shipbuilding has carried out in-depth research on the system principle and process, arrangement scheme, energy consumption and economy calculation, C-type storage tank design, structure design, and system weight gain and floating balance, etc. Finally, a complete carbon capture system technical program has been formed.
It is worth mentioning that the vessel can further reduce carbon emissions by using only a green and energy-saving two-stroke main engine and a shaft generator, overriding the operation of the carbon capture system and air lubrication system. In addition, through the comprehensive optimization of the layout, it can ensured that the vessel can be equipped with carbon capture system without reducing the cargo loading capacity.
Configured with a carbon capture system, the ship can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 25%, totaling about 14,000 tons per year, equivalent to planting about 800,000 trees. Its EEDI value is more than 65% below the baseline and CII value is reduced by 21%. According to the EU ETS carbon tax forecast, the ship owner can take back the cost in 5 years, which is very attractive.
As a leader in OCCS technology application research at home and abroad, Jiangnan Shipbuilding has developed a solution for 175,000 m3 LNG carriers equipped with carbon capture system, which has been highly recognized by a famous international shipowner. At present, the program has completed the relevant technical preparations and is expected to be installed and applied on the sixth 175,000 m3 LNG carrier ordered by the shipowner.