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