Vahterus solutions for alternative fuels

Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to increase year by year despite a wider consciousness about the effects related to climate change and pollution. International shipping is playing a vital role and is responsible for close to 3% of global CO2 emissions. During the year 2023 International Maritime Organization (IMO) made further changes to speed up the pathway for emission reduction. Now the ambitious target is to be net zero (GHG emissions) by 2050. IMO is not the only party setting these additional rules to mitigate the emissions, there is also a national and continent wide approach i.e. FuelEU maritime coming into force at the start of 2025 in the EU, afterwards CO2 equivalent tons will have an assigned monetary value.

For the owners and operators, their vision about the future is cloudy - there is a lot of uncertainties to cope with regarding the new and upcoming regulations. One thing is that there is not a clear single fuel or technology to tackle the emission reductions. However, there are multiple possible solutions centered around a handful of alternative fuels that could provide a path forward. The future will show which ones will be more feasible than others.

To help shipbuilders and owners meet these new standards, Vahterus has been providing heat exchanger units for LNG Evaporation, Gas condensing and subcooling, BOG system units, and even gas carrier VOC system units in the hundreds. Approximately half of all oceangoing LNG or DualFuel vessels currently in service, have a Vahterus heat exchanger installed.

Scale is no issue; Vahterus has provided heat exchangers from small harbour tugboats to massive freight vessels along with some of the world's largest cruise vessels, and LNG terminals. With a round plate and a welded construction, the Vahterus original Plate & Shell type heat exchanger is well suited for cryogenic applications. The small footprint of the Vahterus PSHE helps optimize the layout on board a vessel where space is always at a premium.

To read more about Vahterus solutions in LNG applications, please download our Hot & Cold Magazine below.

Whether the future fuel of the seas will be methanol or ammonia, Vahterus is well suited to answer the challenge. Methanol systems with Vahterus units included are already operational and constantly increasing in number. Meanwhile, our 30 year history of working within industrial refrigeration gives us unique advantages and understanding regarding ammonia systems. Our plate pack is fully enclosed within a pressure-bearing shell that helps isolate the system from any leaks to the environment. This crucial consideration for safety is why Vahterus units have been acting as ammonia vaporizers and condensers in refrigeration systems for several decades. This strength has led to our installation base of safety-critical locations such as hospitals and mass-event venues.

See below an example construction of a Vahterus unit.

How to use the 3D Model

See the Heat Exchanger in 3D
Click and drag with your mouse, or move with your finger on mobile.

Open the Heat Exchanger for more details
Click or tap on the end plate to open and close the Heat Exchanger.

Learn more about the Heat Exchanger key features
Click the dots (numbers) on the Heat Exchanger to learn more about the key features.

Interested in embarking on a revolutionary journey together with us? We have a history of long-lasting partnerships with industry leaders who trust both our products' and peoples' excellence and innovation. If there is anything you would like to discuss with us please get in touch and we will be happy to collaborate.