Global consortium tests methanol-to-hydrogen power system

Powercell Group, e1Marine and RIX Industries tested a novel methanol-to-hydrogen propulsion system on a methanol-powered towboat in floor string tests.

PHOTO: Methanol-fuelled towboat M/V Hydrogen One used to test the integrated methanol-to-hydrogen propulsion. Powercell Group

String testing is the process of assembling all key components and testing them together, usually on the factory floor, before any shipbuilding begins.

Hydrogen technology providers, Sweden’s Powercell Group and US-based e1 Marine and RIX Industries, combined their respective proprietary technologies into a single unit to create a 200-kilowatt (kW) methanol-to-hydrogen propulsion system.

The unit was propelled by hydrogen-powered proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, rather than internal combustion engines. The power unit converted methanol stored onboard into hydrogen - which was then used to power the fuel cells.

PHOTO: 3D diagram of different units combined into an integrated model to create a methanol-to-hydrogen propulsion system on vessels. e1 Marine

The floor trials were conducted on ship leasing company Maritime Partners’ methanol-fuelled towboat M/V Hydrogen One, slated for launch next year.

This concept will greatly benefit hydrogen-powered vessels since methanol can be stored more easily than hydrogen, said Powercell, adding that the “first of its kind” system would be “suitable for tugboats, towboats, pushboats and superyachts.”

“The successful completion of these tests gives future ship owners, integrators and methanol suppliers the confidence they need in this powerful combination of technologies,” said Richard Berkling, chief executive of PowerCell Group.

“This test demonstrates that a methanol-to-hydrogen power chain is ready and waiting to deliver renewable power to a range of maritime applications,” e1Marine’s managing director Robert Schluter added.

By Konica Bhatt

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