Innovative Waste Heat Valorisation Technologies for Zero-Carbon Ships - A Review

Abstract

The growing intensity of international commerce and the high share of total global greenhouse gas emissions by the maritime sector have motivated the implementation of regulations by the International Maritime Organisation to curtail large vessel emissions. Waste heat recovery is an effective way to improve ship energy efficiency, lower the temperature and amount of waste heat rejection to the environment, and therefore curb green-house gas emissions. In this article, existing and developmental on-board waste heat recovery technologies for maritime applications are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the integration and performance of these technologies within the broader on-board energy system. Performance indicators are drawn from existing systems, experimental prototypes, and simulations, to quantitatively compare the different technologies in terms of power capacity, efficiency / coefficient of performance, heat source temperatures and specific cost of installation.