ABS launched a guide providing recommendations and guidance to all interested parties about fuel cell systems in the marine and offshore industries for the design, evaluation, and construction of support systems for use of fuel cells on ships and may be applied to all types of vessels, as well as their benefits, such as increased efficiency, low to zero emissions and also reduced noise levels.
Namely, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through an electrochemical reaction of the fuel with oxygen or other oxidizing agent.
On the contrary to batteries, fuel cells need a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas a battery’s available chemical energy is fixed by the amount of chemicals in the battery.
Also, fuel cells are able to produce electricity in continuance as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied, and there are many types of fuel cell designs. Most consist of an anode, cathode and an electrolyte that allows positively charged hydrogen ions to move from the anode to the cathode side of the fuel cell. The main benefits are increased energy efficiency, low to zero emissions and reduced noise levels.
ABS suggests that fuel cells may play a crucial role in the future amid the increase of stricter air emissions legislation and other local air quality controls.
The requirements in this Guide have been developed considering the IMO Draft Interim Guideline to the IGF Code pertaining to fuel cells. It is recognized that when the Draft Interim Guidelines are finalized, the Guide will be updated
… ABS highlights.
- Concerning the types of fuel cell:
The main difference in fuel cell types is the electrolyte; Some fuel cells available today include Proton Exchange Membrane, Alkaline, Phosphoric Acid, Molten Carbonate and Solid Oxide fuel cells
- Risk assessment of the system:
The risk assessment is to identify and evaluate the hazards associated with each function of the fuel cell power system throughout its lifecycle.
- Fuel cell submissions:
Fuel cell physical environment and operating conditions including the following:
- Electrical power input, output;
- Fuel input: type, volume, rate, temperature, supply pressure;
- Water input, when required for the operation of the fuel cell power system: quantity, temperature, supply pressure;
- Vibration, shock and bump limits;
- Handling, transportation, and storage;
- System purging.
- Onboard documentation
According to ABS, a vessel should keep onboard drawings and data for reference by the operator for system operation and troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and safety, such as:
- Operations and Maintenance Manual for Fuel cell power system (fuel cell module, instrumentation, control and monitoring)
- Fuel cell power system Maintenance Schedule
- Fuel cell power system Functional Testing Schedule
- Safety Training for Fuel
- Possible safety critical scenarios including fire and explosion
- Drill and emergency exercises conduction (regular intervals)
See also:
World’s first river vessel running on hydrogen fuel cells
Fuel cell centre to be built in Denmark
Concluding, for more information on the Guide, you may click on the PDF herebelow
