NYK and Hitachi Zosen to develop N2O reactor for ammonia-powered ship

Development of N2O Removal Equipment for Ammonia-Fueled Carrier, Selected for The Green Innovation Fund project "Next Generation Ship Development"

Mar 8, 2024 - 15:06
NYK and Hitachi Zosen to develop N2O reactor for ammonia-powered ship

Hitachi Zosen Corporation. and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha has announced that the jointly proposed "Development of N2O Reactors for Ammonia-Fueled Carrier" has been selected by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as a "Next Generation Ship Development" which was additionally invited in November 2023 as a part of Green Innovation Fund Project (hereinafter "GI Fund Project").

The project aims to develop a catalytic removal system for nitrous oxide ('N2O') emitted when ammonia is used as fuel ('N2O Reactor'). N2O's global warming potential is about 300 times that of CO2, and it is essential to reduce N2O emissions in order to realize ammonia-fueled vessel carriers that are highly effective in reducing GHG emissions. By developing and disseminating N2O reactors, we are aiming for the early realization of Carbon Neutral in maritime transport.

In this business, Hitachi Zosen will develop catalysts and equipment to reduce N2O for marine 2-stroke engines and optimize equipment layout.

NYK will install N2O reactor developed by Hitachi Zosen on the ammonia-fueled carrier scheduled to be completed in November 2026, and will be in charge of safety and performance verification by demonstration navigation.

ClassNK, as a partner organization, will conduct safety verification of N2O reactors and basic research on the development of international guidelines.