Daphne Technology, along with Maran Gas, part of the Angelicoussis Group, has completed a collaborative pilot project deploying the SlipPure Plasma-Catalytic Methane Slip Aftertreatment system on the LNG carrier Maran Gas Chios.
This endeavour underscores both companies' dedication to innovative methods for mitigating methane emissions from the shipping sector.
Methane slip challenge
Addressing the issue of methane slip, which involves the release of unburned methane from dual-fuel marine engines, is crucial for harnessing the capabilities of LNG as a low-emission marine fuel.
Daphne Technology's SlipPure system, specially crafted to reduce methane from exhaust gases, was installed on the vessel to assess its effectiveness in actual operating conditions.
Trial outcomes
The trial showed that Daphne Technology achieved methane slip reductions of up to 4 ± 2 g/kWh, proving the viability of plasma-catalytic abatement aboard an LNG vessel.
These findings represent a preliminary step in verifying the technology at sea and are critical for shaping the next stage of its development.
Pioneering initiative
The Angelicoussis Group has showcased its foresight by supporting the testing of first-generation technologies aimed at decarbonising maritime operations.
Facilitating the installation and functioning of a novel technology on a commercial vessel signifies a firm commitment to advancing industry-wide beneficial solutions.
Industry insights
He highlighted the essential nature of these insights for subsequent product development phases
Ivan Raleff, Managing Director of Daphne Technology in Switzerland, stated: "This was the first time SilpPure Plasma-Catalytic system has been deployed on a ship. It represented a bold step into uncharted territory, and the opportunity to conduct the trial has given us invaluable insights into how methane abatement systems behave in real-life maritime environments."
He highlighted the essential nature of these insights for subsequent product development phases, expressing gratitude to the Angelicoussis Group for facilitating this pioneering trial.
Technical challenges
Andreas Spertos, Technical Director at Maran Gas Maritime Inc., remarked: "Methane slip reduction is an inherent challenge for engines running on gas. When combined with the adversities of the marine environment, the challenge becomes exponentially more difficult."
He acknowledged the trial as a significant milestone for methane abatement technology, noting how the partnership with Daphne not only verified the potential of the technology but also identified areas for improvement.
Collaborative efforts
This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing methane emissions. Both entities emphasise the value of the knowledge gained, which will steer ongoing innovation and mitigate risks in future technology deployments.
Energy transition leadership
The project illustrates the critical role of early adopters in advancing the energy transition. By taking risks and offering platforms for testing emerging solutions, companies such as the Angelicoussis Group expedite the development of crucial emissions-reducing technologies in challenging sectors like shipping.
Future developments
The SlipPure Plasma-Catalytic system, developed alongside Daphne Technology's PureMetrics emissions monitoring platform, continues to progress with the objective of delivering scalable methane abatement solutions for both land-based and maritime applications.
Daphne Technology and Maran Gas, part of the Angelicoussis Group, announce the conclusion of their joint pilot project that marked the first deployment of SlipPure Plasma-Catalytic Methane Slip Aftertreatment system on board the commercial LNG carrier, the Maran Gas Chios.
The pilot reflects the commitment of both companies to explore innovative solutions for reducing methane emissions from shipping.
Methane slip, the unburned methane released from dual-fuel marine engines, remains a key challenge for LNG-fuelled vessels.
Full potential of LNG
Addressing this challenge is essential to unlock the full potential of LNG as a lower-emission marine fuel. Daphne Technology’s SlipPure system, designed to abate methane directly from exhaust gases, was retrofitted on board the vessel to test the feasibility of this approach under real operating conditions.
During the trial, Daphne Technology achieved reductions of up to 4 ± 2 g/kWh methane slip, demonstrating that plasma-catalytic-based abatement is possible on board an LNG carrier. These results represent a first step in validating the technology at sea and provide critical insights for the next phase of development.
By taking part in this pioneering initiative, the Angelicoussis Group has demonstrated its role as an early adopter willing to support the testing of first-generation technologies and decarbonise the maritime industry. Allowing the installation and operation of a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) technology on a vessel in commercial service required a clear commitment to advancing solutions that benefit the wider industry.
Bold step into uncharted territory
Ivan Raleff, Managing Director of Daphne Technology in Switzerland, said: "This was the first time SilpPure Plasma-Catalytic system has been deployed on a ship. It represented a bold step into uncharted territory, and the opportunity to conduct the trial has given us invaluable insights into how methane abatement systems behave in real-life maritime environments.”
“These learnings are fundamental to the next phase of product development, and we are deeply grateful to the Angelicoussis Group for their openness, trust and support in enabling this milestone pilot."
Methane slip reduction
Andreas Spertos, Technical Director at Maran Gas Maritime Inc., commented: “Methane slip reduction is an inherent challenge for engines running on gas. When combined with the adversities of the marine environment, the challenge becomes exponentially more difficult.”
“The successful demonstration onboard Maran Gas Chios is a landmark methane abatement technology trial. Together with Daphne, we successfully performed the test, verified the potentials, and identified improvements that will support the continuous development of this promising technology.”
Importance of partnership
The collaboration underlines the importance of partnership in tackling methane emissions. Both companies highlight the value of the insights generated, which will guide further innovation and help reduce risks for future deployments.
The pilot project also illustrates the broader role of early adopters in the energy transition. By taking on risk and providing operational platforms for emerging solutions, companies like the Angelicoussis Group accelerate the development of technologies that may become critical in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping.
The SlipPure Plasma - Catalytic system, in conjunction with Daphne Technology’s already commercialised PureMetrics emissions monitoring platform, continues to be developed with the aim of offering scalable methane abatement solutions for both land-based and marine applications.
