Norwegian tech startup to debut onboard ammonia-cracking system on ammonia-fuelled vessels

Technology company Pherousa Green Technologies (PGT) will launch its onboard ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking system on ammonia-fuelled dry bulk carriers.

PHOTO: Illustration of Pherousa Green Shipping's dry bulk carrier featuring onboard ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking system. Pherousa Green Technologies

PGT has developed a technology that uses ammonia to generate hydrogen onboard vessels.

The system converts liquid ammonia stored onboard into hydrogen by breaking it down into nitrogen and hydrogen molecules, through a process called "ammonia cracking". Ammonia cracking is typically done at temperatures of 850-950°C using a nickel catalyst.

PGT's sister company, Pherousa Green Shipping will install the technology on up to six dry bulkers, designed by Finnish ship designer Deltamarin. In addition to ammonia-powered internal combustion engines, these vessels will be equipped with PEM fuel cells powered by hydrogen generated from ammonia.

“By choosing hydrogen fuel cells as the propulsion system with an ammonia cracker, the shipowner can start with ammonia and switch to hydrogen at any time with minimum investment risk,” says PGT.

Ammonia cracking could become pivotal in shipping decarbonisation, says PGT Group chairman Hans Bredrup.

This is because hydrogen is the “only fuel that is truly zero emission,” but its storage poses the greatest challenge for deep-sea shipping. On the other hand, ammonia is the only readily accessible hydrogen carrier without carbon in its molecule, which makes it the "only truly zero-carbon hydrogen carrier,” Bredrup explains.

By Konica Bhatt

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