Microwave catalyst system targets ammonia ship exhaust
In South Korea, EcoPro HN said on February 23 it successfully developed and demonstrated the country’s first megawatt class exhaust gas purification system for ammonia fueled ship engines, partnering with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and the Korean Register under a 2023 national greenhouse gas management R&D program.
The system uses microwave energy to directly heat the catalyst inside the aftertreatment unit, allowing precise control of activation temperature without heating the entire exhaust stream. By avoiding conventional burners and heaters, the design reduces auxiliary fuel demand and simplifies onboard equipment while maintaining exhaust treatment performance.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering initiated the project as the prospective customer, and the Korean Register verified durability and performance through extended testing at its Green Ship Equipment Testing and Certification Center.
Ammonia is being positioned as a next generation marine fuel, though exhaust from ammonia engines can still contain nitrogen oxides and unburned ammonia. The International Energy Agency has projected that ammonia could supply 44 percent of global marine fuel by 2050. EcoPro HN said it plans further validation in real operating environments and will expand the technology to other alternative fuel engine platforms as commercialization progresses.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
