Feasibility and Design Implications of Fuel Cell Power for Sealift Ships

Abstract

Fuel cell technologies provide clean and efficient power solutions for both stationary and mobile applications. For shipboard applications, most studies published so far have focused on ship service power or on propulsion power for small vessels with moderate power requirements. Using a military sealift vessel as the platform, this project aims at investigating the implications of implementing fuel cells as the primary power source on a large military cargo ship. A notional solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) module is proposed and the implications of the technology on fuel savings and machinery arrangements are analyzed. The study shows that, by using a hybrid SOFC-GT (gas turbine) system, high system efficiency can be achieved through combined power-heat-steam generation within the constraints of the given machinery space. The modular features of the fuel cell systems and electrical components are also exploited for flexible machinery arrangements. This paper documents the quantitative analysis of the fuel cell-powered sealift vessel, provides detailed space arrangement schematics for the proposed concept, and identifies the technology gaps and future development opportunities to pursue the next generation of clean and efficient military sealift vessels or commercial cargo ships.

Application analysis of a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine system for marine power plants

“…Cherednichenko and Serbin (2018) and Cherednichenko et al (2019) analysed the capabilities of thermo-chemical technologies for the conversion of different hydrocarbons on ships. As reported by Sun et al (2010), the SOFC-GT system for the Large Medium Speed Roll-on/Rolloff sealift ship has significant potential in reducing nitrogen oxides emission and fuel consumption. Four SOFC modules and one gas turbine generator with a special catalytic combustor were proposed to construct a hybrid SOFC-GT engine with 24 MW of total electrical power.…”

“…The main efforts in the field of marine engineering are currently aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of the production, transmission, and use of energy, which is possible only if innovations are based on fundamental science achievements, together with the creation and implementation of new, more reliable and durable materials, equipment and technologies. Fuel cells are one of the promising directions for solving problems of providing electric energy to consumers in various complex conditions (Sun et al 2010;Díaz-de-Baldasano et al 2014;Han et al 2015;Chen et al 2017Chen et al , 2018.…”

Optimisation-based control for electrified vehicles: challenges and opportunities

“…One can even envision different kinds of power plants, for example, fuel cells and gas turbines, on the same ship (Sun, Stebe, & Kennell, 2010). Integrating all the power sources and loads to form an efficient and reliable power network becomes the overarching task for electrified vehicle PMS/EMS.…”

Hydrogen Production Characteristic of Diesel Reforming under Ship SOFC-GT Operation Environment

“…It was also pointed out that diesel fuel reforming was the key to efficient operation of fuel cells in hybrid systems [8] . Sun [9] et al compared a diesel-fueled SOFC-GT hybrid system, a diesel engine, and a gas turbine using a military marine vessel as a platform. Studies had shown that the SOFC-GT hybrid system could save 20-50% of fuel and basically had no NOx emissions.…”