Interest in ammonia-powered gas cells for the maritime field is expanding, however stakeholders have actually been reluctant to devote to financial investments in massive systems. Now the ShipFC task, provided financing from EU’s Research and also Innovation program Horizon 2020 under its Fuel Cells and also Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), is intending to protect a location for ammonia in the future of deep-sea delivery.

The task will certainly furnish the overseas supply vessel Viking Energy, had and also run by Eidesvik and also on agreement to power significant Equinor, with a 2MW ammonia gas cell, permitting it to run for at the very least 3000 hrs each year on tidy gas. Following the conclusion of that stage, the task will certainly increase to certifying 20MW gas cell services for oceangoing vessels.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of ammonia fuel cells for ocean going vessels and long sea voyages,” claims Dr Michail Cheliotis, Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde, lead companion in the task. “Once the first phase of the project is completed, that’s when the fun starts.”

Image Credits: NCE Maritime Cleantech

Apples and also oranges

“The huge difference in scope makes ShipFC much more interesting than just a replication of Viking Energy,” claimsCheliotis “The similarities basically end with ammonia, because a 20MW power plant requires significantly different treatment.” That claimed, he ensures that scaling up the task is attended be well available, offered the anticipation of both gas cells and also ammonia as a power service provider.

The task will certainly think about 3 replicator vessel kinds, consisting of a mass vessel, an overseas building and construction vessel, and also a container ship. Cheliotis informs that the job will certainly entail close teamwork with replicator vessel proprietors and also a complete assessment of vessel needs.

An understood product

Technical and also financial expertise created in the Viking Energy pilot will certainly be integrated in a wider evaluation of ammonia in the maritime field and also contrast with various other different gas.

“Ammonia presents certain technical challenges, but even though it is corrosive, the safety trade-off between ammonia and hydrogen favors ammonia,” claimsCheliotis “It is less explosive, requires less complex storage and transport solutions, and it is a well-known commodity from industry. Based on this experience, the necessary safeguards can be built in.”

Image Credits: NCE Maritime Cleantech

Experience with gas fuels will certainly be a substantial foundation, he includes: “We have seen that liquid ammonia is similar to liquefied gas in the handling process. Industry has a high level of maturity and an excellent track record in handling LNG and LPG, and this experience is proof that it can be done safely.”

Considering all the actions

ShipFC will carefully take a look at the ammonia supply chain, Cheliotis records. “We will be looking at the entire life cycle of ammonia, from production to transport and bunkering. One of the ShipFC partners is a major supplier of ammonia, and we will be working together with them to address these issues.”

Ammonia for gas cells can be generated with an eco-friendly account, Cheliotis clarifies, offering ammonia a favorable general ecological impact: “Ammonia can easily be made from renewable resources, making it one of the fuels that will likely meet part of shipping’s future green energy demand.”

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Strathclyde will certainly likewise supply maritime safety and security evaluation for onboard services. “Part of our work will be to propose new safeguards and accommodations for marine installations of this size,” Cheliotis informs.

Ammonia + gas cells = effectiveness

The effectiveness of ammonia in gas cells is excellent, Cheliotis claims. “Successful cases have taken advantage of the most efficient fuel cells. We believe that we can hit the sweet spot of fuel cell technology with ammonia.”

Fuel cells have positive features in the arrangement of vessels also, he claims. “As they do not require the same dedicated space as large two- or four-stroke engines, fuel cells can be distributed in modules, saving space and exploiting otherwise unavailable options.”

The time is ripe

“People are ready to listen to arguments for fuel cells. The technology is becoming more common, and stories of success from other projects in road and rail are getting media attention,” Cheliotis observes. “Now we want to take advantage of fuel cell momentum and examine the use of ammonia in addition to hydrogen.”

Cheliotis sees the partnership in between hydrogen and also ammonia in gas cells as even more free than affordable: “This is simply because different solutions will be required to meet different challenges. The choice of solution will depend on a case-by-case evaluation,” he thinks.

Solving the ammonia– gas cell formula for deep-sea delivery is an action in the ideal instructions for guaranteeing development in the decarbonization procedure, Cheliotis wraps up.“We will need many solutions to meet diverse needs in the maritime industry, and fuel cells powered by ammonia can be among them.”