Abstract
Batteries and hydrogen constitute two of the most promising solutions for decarbonising international shipping. This paper presents the comparison between a battery and a proton-exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cell version of a high-speed catamaran ferry with a main focus on safety. The systems required for each version are properly sized and fitted according to the applicable rules, and their impact on the overall design is discussed. Hazards for both designs were identified; frequency and consequence indexes for them were input qualitatively, following Novel Technology Qualification and SOLAS Alternative Designs and Arrangements, while certain risk control options were proposed in order to reduce the risks of the most concerned accidental events. The highest ranked risks were analysed by quantitative risk assessments in PyroSim software. The gas dispersion analysis performed for the hydrogen version indicated that it is crucial for the leakage in the fuel cell room to be stopped within 1 s after being detected to prevent the formation of explosive masses under full pipe rupture of 33 mm diameter, even with 120 air changes per hour. For the battery version, the smoke/fire simulation in the battery room indicated that the firefighting system could achieve a 30% reduction in fire duration, with firedoors closed and ventilation shut, compared to the scenario without a firefighting system.
Highlights
The results demonstrated a 40–45% reduction of annual global warming potential in Arctic regions when batteries and internal combustion engines (ICE) are combined
hazard identification (HAZID) results results is is the the leakage leakage in in the the fuel fuel cell cell room due to piping damage, which was analysed with a quantitative approach room due to piping damage, which was analysed with a quantitative approach in in this this section usingCFD
The battery fire heat released was provided by the manufacturer with a value of around 15,833 kJ/kWh obtained from a 14 min battery fire laboratory experiment; the determined HRR was about 24,503 kW/kWh [41]
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. PEM fuel cells receive hydrogen and air, and through electrochemical reactions, electricity and hot water are produced without any carbon emissions. The European Union H2020 Project-TrAM has investigated and developed battery-powered vessels using such a concept to implement the emission control strategy in short-sea shipping. Both emerging zero-emission technologies could be a potential solution for high-speed passenger ferries; the use of these novel propulsion methods and green technologies introduces new safety concerns and challenges in the design of ships, including weight limitations and internal arrangement restrictions.
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