DNV approves Alfa Laval H2 carrier GCU

The AiP affirms the technical feasibility and safety mechanism of the GCU design and concept.

David Jung, business development manager, Alfa Laval said the approval was a significant achievement for the company. “It demonstrates that our concept has been assessed with respect to DNV’s classification rules and adheres to established technical and safety standards,” he said.

Boil-off gas (BOG) technology is essential for liquid hydrogen carriers as venting cargo is restricted. The GCU is needed to control tank pressure and temperature to safely combust hydrogen boil-off gas from a vessel’s storage tank.

Hydrogen presents a particular challenge owing to its incredibly low boiling point of -253°C. This leads to a higher boil-off rate during transport compared to other fuels such as LNG. Moreover its inherent priorities – light, highly flammable – mean prioritising safety is paramount.

“For the industry to confidently transport hydrogen, ensuring the safety and reliability of enabling technologies is paramount,” said Jung.

“Alfa Laval’s proven experience in gas combustion technology for LNG carriers positions us well for GCU technology once the hydrogen transportation market takes off.”

DNV’s AiP paves the way for the development of a GCU prototype that will undergo further testing and type approval to create an efficient system for managing BOG on liquid hydrogen carriers.