Fuel cell and methanol reforming system for clean energy on board

The LIFE OCEAN project is the first project which aims to use a carbon-neutral fuel in a reformer to produce hydrogen to feed a PEM fuel cell for electric energy production on a Sanlorenzo yacht.

Relevance

The maritime sector represents about 13.5% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at EU level (Source: EEA, 2021). In order to foster the decarbonization of fuels in the maritime sector, the IMO fixed a target of 80% cut of GHG emissions up to 2050 and the manufacturing of zero-emission ships within 2100. The path towards decarbonization of fuels in the maritime sector will also lead to the reduction and/or abatement of pollutants like CO, NOX, SOX, PM, BC, HC that are emitted by fossil fuels combustion. The installation of a methanol reformer coupled to a PEM fuel cell could represent an interesting solution as auxiliary power unit of yachts and superyachts, to cover the hotel load but also to sustain slow speed cruising and maneuvering operations in ports.

Aim of the LIFE OCEAN (onboard clean energy and no-noise) project is to substitute the traditional diesel generators used to cover the hotel loads of a Sanlorenzo superyacht with a methanol-based fuel cell system. Along with air pollution mitigation, on board noise will be abated while underwater noise will be reduced thanks to the elimination of diesel generators. The solution adopted constitutes a zero-carbon technology for the maritime sector, adopting green methanol whose large capacity production is growing at both EU and extra-EU level.

Why using green methanol?

Instead of methanol the project will foster the adoption of green methanol (methanol produced by renewable sources, i.e. from agricultural and forestry residues, biogas, organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, synthesis of H2 produced from electrolytic processes and CO2 coming from carbon capture technologies).

Furthermore, methanol is easy to store and handle, it is biodegradable and does not contain sulphur. Furthermore, methanol is liquid at environmental temperature and pressure so that it presents a good energy density (around 22 MJ/kg) and does not need cryogenic tanks for its storage like LNG.

Methanol + Water

1. Step

First, the sustainable produced methanol needs to be mixed with water to enable the electrochemical reaction in the reformer. To safe space, weight and hence energy on the vessel it is our goal to find a solution to reuse the water produced in the fuel cell instead of installing a water tank. Resulting in an onboard water cycle and savings of this valuable resource.

Reformer

2. Step

The Methanol-Water-Mix is heated in the reformer. In the process called steam reforming, hydrogen is released.

Hydrogen

3. Step

The hydrogen can now be used in many ways. E.g., as an admixture to natural gas in steam turbines or as here in a PEM fuel cell.

Fuel Cell

4. Step

In the PEM fuel cell the hydrogen reacts highly efficient, silent and with little waste heat with air to purest water.

Electricity

5. Step

This produces electrical energy, which is used in this project to supply electricity to a superyacht.

Benefits

Reducing emissions of pollutants to air and improvement of air quality.

No noise on board and reduction of underwater noise.

Reduction of resources consumption, recovery of resources from waste after the disposal phase and use of resources with a circular economy approach.

Preservation of water quality and no discharge into seawater.

Impact

1 MWh/y

Energy savings

Reduction in primary energy use

0.1 t/y

SOx, NOx, PM, HC, CO

Reduction in use of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances

1 t CO2eq/y

GHG emissions

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

for the typical use profile of only one yacht per year

"With LIFE OCEAN we are setting an important milestone in decarbonizing marine industry, paving the way for this future technology to spread to other types of vessels."

Markus Wagner, Siemens Energy, Project Manager of LIFE OCEAN

Date

Activities

08/22

Project start

01/23

Participation at the boot Düsseldorf fair

01/24

Integration of the mFC system on board

07/25

Project end