At CleanTechnica, we often talk about electrifying smaller boats and ferries that travel short distances. But what about the huge cargo ships that cross oceans with all those containers? These ships can’t just swap diesel engines for electric ones because batteries don’t have the energy density needed to power them for thousands of miles. These ships produce a lot of emissions that are bad for the climate and human health. So, what can be done?
Seabound’s Innovative Solution
A climatetech startup named Seabound has developed a carbon capture technology specifically for large cargo ships to help reduce their emissions. Alisha Fredriksson, the co-founder and CEO of Seabound, explained the technology to CleanTechnica.
What is Seabound’s Carbon Capture Technology?
Seabound has created a compact carbon capture system for ships using calcium looping technology. Unlike previous attempts, which adapted land-based carbon capture systems for ships (an energy-intensive process), Seabound’s technology simplifies things. It captures CO2 on the ship, while the liquefaction and regeneration of CO2 happen on land. This reduces costs, energy requirements, and space needed on the ship.
How It Works
Seabound’s system is installed near a ship’s funnel, where it routes exhaust gas into the device. The CO2 in the exhaust reacts with small pebbles of calcium oxide to form calcium carbonate (limestone). This limestone is stored onboard and unloaded at ports. It can be sold as a building material or processed on land to separate the CO2 from the calcium carbonate. The pure CO2 can be used for new products or stored underground, and the calcium oxide can be reused on another ship.
Manufacturing and Installation
Seabound anticipates that their commercial systems will take 3-6 months to manufacture and 2-3 weeks to install.
Adaptability and Efficiency
This technology can be adapted for any cargo ship, either retrofitted onto existing ships or designed for new ones. To capture 95% of a ship’s CO2, the system needs enough calcium oxide based on the ship’s emissions.
What Happens to the Captured Carbon?
The calcium carbonate pebbles created can be used in two ways: sold as building material or processed to separate the CO2 and calcium carbonate. The CO2 can then be used to create new products or sequestered underground, and the calcium oxide can capture more CO2 on another ship.
Longevity and Availability
The carbon capture system can be used throughout the ship’s operational life, which is typically 20-30 years, requiring a continuous supply of quicklime pebbles. Seabound completed their first ship-based pilot last fall with Lomar Shipping, achieving a CO2 capture efficiency of 78% and sulfur capture efficiency of 90%. They plan to deliver their first commercial systems in 2025.
Why Capture Sulfur Emissions Too?
Seabound’s system also captures sulfur dioxide from the ship’s exhaust, reducing sulfur emissions by 90%. Sulfur dioxide harms health and the environment, especially in port cities, and is regulated internationally. This added capability makes Seabound’s technology even more beneficial.
Looking Forward
Seabound’s carbon capture system represents a significant step toward reducing emissions from large ships, addressing both climate change and health issues associated with maritime exhaust. With their innovative approach, Seabound is setting the stage for a cleaner future in maritime transport.
