Lloyd’s Register approves H2SITE’s on-board ammonia cracking technology

Spanish hydrogen transport solutions provider H2SITE has received approval in principle (AiP) from the classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) for its AMMONIA to H2POWER technology for on-board ammonia cracking.

The technology is an onboard containerized solution that produces “fuel-cell-quality” hydrogen using ammonia, and according to LR, this hydrogen can be utilized by hydrogen fuel cells that can contribute to the vessels’ electrical power, or the hydrogen could be consumed directly in an internal combustion engine (ICE).

LR said: “This system is based on H2SITE’s hydrogen-selective membranes that overcome the thermodynamic limitations of the ammonia cracking reaction by recovering hydrogen continuously and resulting in virtually complete ammonia conversion and higher efficiencies at lower temperatures, reducing overall energy consumption and footprint.”

LR revealed that in awarding the AiP, the design and arrangement evaluation included an overall examination of fundamental aspects of the design and compliance with LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels.

Furthermore, a preliminary appraisal of rules was undertaken, followed by a risk assessment conducted to ensure that the risks arising from the use of ammonia and hydrogen are addressed according to LR’s ShipRight Procedure for Risk-Based Certification (RBC).

“We are proud to have achieved this milestone, as it validates the design and safety of our onboard ammonia cracking technology for decarbonizing maritime applications based on membrane reactors. Having commissioned our first cracker and fuel cell unit last year aboard the supply vessel Bertha B, we are currently scaling up the technology and designing MW-scale units,” Jose Medrano, Technical Director at H2SITE, stated.

Mark Darley, Chief Operations Officer at Lloyd’s Register, commented: “H2SITE’s AMMONIA to H2POWER technology represents an exciting opportunity for shipowners to convert ammonia, and other feedstocks such as methanol, to hydrogen onboard their vessels without using additional gas separation technology. We are pleased to award the AiP for this novel solution, and we remain dedicated to working with the maritime value chain to provide zero-emission power solutions that can contribute towards a greener, more sustainable future.”

To note, the AMMONIA to H2POWER systems are expected to serve a range of vessels, from offshore platforms to tankers and gas carriers. H2SITE operationally demonstrated the technology in November 2023 when the Zumaia Offshore’s Bertha B vessel carried it onboard.