Chapter 12 - Green Initiatives

Question 1

What are the alternative fuels

Answer 1

Refinery, Biofuel, Methanol, Hydrogen, Ammonia, LNG

Question 2

What are the technological projects

Answer 2

Scrubber, Electric, Wind Propulsion (Kite,Sail,Flettner Rotor,Ventifoil)

Question 3

What is Refinery

Answer 3

Refinery (Short-term solution)
Variety of bunker fuel oils by refinery

Sustainability Factor:
Refineries’ capability to meet surging demands for compliant fuels (reduce sulphur, not carbon)
Compatibility of blended fuels (might not be able to use)
Not net-zero carbon emission

Question 4

What is LNG

Answer 4

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
95% Methane, potentially reduce CO2 emission by 15-30% and PM by >90%

Sustainability Factor
Not net-zero carbon emission
Availability of bunkering infrastructure
High capital cost to build LNG-Fuelled Vessels

Question 5

What is Biofuel

Answer 5

Biofuel
Renewable energy derived from biomass (plants, animals and micro-organisms like waste) 15-20% reduction in CO2 emissions, no requirements for engine modification

Sustainability factor
Not net-zero carbon emissions
High Fuel cost
Controversy of using food crops as feedstocks

Question 6

What is Methanol

Answer 6

Methanol
Simple chemical alcohol, can be converted into biomethanol and e-methanol.

Sustainability Factor
High Fuel Cost
Availability of bunkering infrastructure
High capital cost of building methanol-fuelled vessels

Question 7

What is Ammonia

Answer 7

Ammonia
Easy to store in liquid form (33’c)

Sustainability Factor
High Fuel Cost
Safety concerns on human health as ammonia has toxic effects
High capital cost to build refuelling infrastructure and ammonia-fuelled vessels
Availability of bunkering infrastructure

Question 8

What is Hydrogen/Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Answer 8

Hydrogen/Hydrogen Fuel Cell
HF Cells recharge batteries while it powers engine, used by prime movers.

Sustainability Factor
High Fuel Cost
High capital cost to build refuelling infrastructure and hydrogen-fuelled vessels
Availiability of bunkering infrastructure
Safety concerns as it has a flammable nature
Difficult to store for long distance travel

Question 9

What is Scrubber

Answer 9

Scrubber
Exhaust gas cleaning system to remove SO2 from engine and exhaust, can meet sulphur emission limit

Sustainability Factor
Not net-zero carbon emission
Wastewater pumped back into ocean, causing environmental impacts

Question 10

What is battery powered

Answer 10

Electric/Battery Powered
Battery pack provide power to engine, can be recharged.

Sustainability Factor
Need big storage capacity for battery
High capital cost to build recharging infrastructure and battery-powered vessels
Availability of recharging infrastructure
Long Charging Time

Question 11

What is wind propulsion

Answer 11

Wind Propulsion
Use windpower to provide forward movement of vessels
Main 4: Ventifoils, Sail, Kite and Flettner Rotor

Sustainability Factor
Intermittency of wind
Still requires a backup engine that is powered by fuel
Use large space on deck, load lesser cargoes

Sail : aim to reduce 90% of CO2 emissions
Flettner Rotor: can save fuel consumption by 5-20%
Ventifoil: can save fuel consumption by 20% on a good day, avg 8-10%
Kite: aim to reduce 20% of CO2 emissions