The Dutch cooperative venture Feadship recently completed the first successful on-board sea trial of gas-to-liquids (GTL) diesel, finding that it has advantages as a partial solution to emissions. Sulphur emissions were reduced to zero, emissions of particulates (soot) and unburned hydrocarbons were reduced by 30%, while emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were cut by 10%.
Bearing in mind the new emissions controls mandated by the International Maritime Organisation, Feadship considers these benefits to be worth the 10% price premium that GTL diesel commands, and is now considering switching to GTL diesel for further sea trials.
Signal spotted by Franck Violette
Image caption: Can Feadship see beyond incremental solutions to clean fuel at scale?
Image credit: Frans Berkelaar / Flickr
