Ballard tests liquid hydrogen-powered fuel cells for vessels
It says liquid hydrogen has distinct space, weight and range advantage over gaseous hydrogen, resulting in less impact on payload capacity for vessels.
PHOTO: A working diagram of liquid hydrogen fuel cells in ships. Ballard Power System
Canadian fuel cell supplier Ballard Power System and some industry partners have successfully completed a series of performance and functionality demonstrations of a 200-kW fuel cell module using liquid hydrogen.
Ballard’s 200-kW fuel cell uses liquid hydrogen stored onboard vessels as fuel. The fuel cells generate electricity that is used to charge onboard batteries and power the ship’s electric engine and onboard equipment.
A hydrogen fuel cell typically emits no emissions, other than oxygen and water.
The company claims the power output from the fuel cells can be customised according to customer requirements. The fuel cells are modular in design and require less space onboard, Ballard says.
The series of test runs were conducted at US-based industry machinery firm Chart Industries’ test facilities in New Prague and Minnesota.
These test runs are part of a Danish liquid hydrogen demonstration project that Ballard is part of. German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions’ subsidiary MAN Cryo is also a partner.
By Nithin Chandran
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