Abstract
Implementing environmentally friendly fuels and high efficiency propulsion technologies to replace the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fueled by fossil fuels such as Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) on board ships represents an attractive solution for maritime power. In this context, fuel cells can play a crucial role, thanks to their high energy efficiency and ultra-low to zero criteria pollutant emissions and environmental impact. This paper performs the technical feasibility analysis for replacing the conventional diesel engine powertrain on board a commercial vessel with an innovative system consisting of ammonia-fuel-based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology. Taking into account the size of the diesel engines installed on board and the typical cruise performed by the commercial vessel, the ammonia consumption, as well as the optimal size of the innovative propulsion system have been assessed. In particular, the SOFC powertrain is sized at the same maximum power output as the main reference diesel engine. The mass and energy balances of the ammonia-based SOFC system have been performed in Aspen PlusTM environment. The gravimetric (kWh kg−1) and volumetric (kWh m−3) energy density features of the ammonia storage technology as well as the weight and volume of the proposed propulsion system are evaluated for verifying the compliance with the ship’s weight and space requirements. Results highlight that the proposed propulsion system involves an increase in weight both in the engine room and in the fuel room compared to the diesel engine and fuel. In particular, a cargo reduction of about 2.88% is necessary to fit the ammonia-based SOFC system compared to the space available in the reference diesel-fueled ship.
Highlights
In this regard, new energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells can represent the key element for the Maritime transport is one of the largest greenhouse gas decarbonization in the maritime sector [9,10,11,12]
Taking into account these data, for sizing the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system, we have assumed that the nominal power capacity of the SOFC powertrain matches the one of the reference main diesel engine (i.e., 8.3 MW)
The weight of the storage technology represents the critical issue since, even if the ammonia consumption is quite similar to the diesel one (264.2 tons vs 250 tons), the storage technology involves a weight increase of about 49% (494.2 tons vs 250 tons)
Summary
New energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells can represent the key element for the Maritime transport is one of the largest greenhouse gas decarbonization in the maritime sector [9,10,11,12]. Dall’Armi et al [16], proposed a process simulation study to analyze the peak shaving services that a hybrid PEMFC/Li-ion battery propulsion system can provide to a small RoRo vessel and to a passenger ferry They evaluated different compressed hydrogen storage solutions depending on the cruise duration. Results demonstrated that the integration of the SOFC with the propulsion system allowed to yield up to 53% CO2 reduction and 21% higher fuel utilization efficiency compared to conventional diesel-electric vessels According to this background, it is possible to perceive the great interest in developing fuel cell-based powertrain system on board ships, even if several issues, from technical and economic points of view, must be further analyzed in depth. The system design and the energy balance assessment are performed by using a simulation model developed in Aspen PlusTM environment
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