DNV approves Hycamite’s tech for onboard hydrogen production from LNG

Finnish cleantech company Hycamite has received approval in principle (AiP) from classification society DNV for the concept design of a carbon capture system that produces hydrogen from LNG onboard ships.

The approval covers a pre-combustion, solid-form carbon capture system that produces hydrogen from LNG onboard ships using Hycamite’s Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition (TCD) technology.

According to Hycamite, the technology offers a new approach to producing clean hydrogen by breaking down methane, the primary component of LNG, into hydrogen gas and solid carbon. Unlike conventional methods that emit CO2, Hycamite’s process uses heat and recyclable catalysts in an oxygen-free environment, resulting in zero CO2 emissions and generating valuable solid carbon byproducts such as graphite and carbon nanofibers.

The solution with methane-splitting technology could enable the use of hydrogen onboard larher LNG-powered deep-sea vessels, tackling the challenges of decarbonization in maritime transportation, the company said.

As explained, the onboard system allows vessels to convert LNG into hydrogen during operation, providing a clean fuel source for dual-fuel engines or fuel cells. Simultaneously, the solid carbon is captured and stored onboard, eliminating the need for liquid hydrogen infrastructure and significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. If biomethane is used as a fuel, the vessel’s operation is potentially carbon-negative.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward in sustainable shipping and low-carbon energy innovation,” says Laura Rahikka, CEO of Hycamite. “DNV’s Approval in Principle highlights the viability of our methane-splitting technology and its potential for maritime applications. By enabling onboard hydrogen production from LNG and capturing carbon in solid form, our solution offers a practical alternative to liquefied hydrogen while dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

“At DNV there is nothing that makes us more proud than helping to enable the deployment of truly novel technologies,” added Torill Grimstad Osberg, Senior Principal Expert in the Alternative fuels and piping systems section at DNV Maritime.

“This AiP is the first time we have recognized a pre-combustion carbon capture technology designed for shipboard hydrogen production, and we congratulate Hycamite on their innovative and forward-looking approach to tackling shipping’s decarbonization challenge. Because as the maritime industry works towards net zero, finding new fuel solutions that are efficient, scalable and green is vital. We look forward to building on this cooperation and are ready to put our expertise towards helping to safely realize the benefits of this innovative technology.”