TECO 2030 will supply hydrogen fuel cells for upcoming Pherousa vessels
The hydrogen fuel cells will provide primary propulsion for the vessels using hydrogen cracked from ammonia onboard the vessels, said TECO 2030.
PHOTO: OSM Thome and PGS’ ammonia and hydrogen-powered bulk carrier concept. Pherousa Green Shipping
Norwegian shipping companies OSM Thome and Pherousa Green Shipping (PGS) are building a series of six ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers.
The 63,000-dwt vessels have been designed by Finnish ship designer Deltamarin. The vessels will be based on an existing Deltamarin design that has been modified to “include the ammonia cracking technology” developed by Pherousa's technology transfer firm: Pherousa Green Technologies (PGT).
As per its concept, this vessel is intended to start sailing with ammonia propulsion and then switch to hydrogen power for a zero-emission voyage.
To achieve this, TECO 2030 will supply proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells powered by green hydrogen. Hydrogen will be produced onboard using PGT’s ammonia-cracking technology.
The ammonia-cracking system converts liquid ammonia stored onboard into hydrogen by breaking it down into nitrogen and hydrogen molecules, through a process called "ammonia cracking". Ammonia cracking is typically done at temperatures of 850-950°C using a nickel catalyst.
Moreover, hydrogen can also be stored and transported by ships using ammonia as a carrier, according to PGS. The technology could be a cost-effective method for transporting hydrogen since it will not require additional retrofitting for hydrogen storage.
“Bunkering ammonia and cracking to hydrogen on board the vessel will solve the present storage and infrastructure challenges of hydrogen as a marine fuel and thus paving the way for zero-emission deep-sea shipping,” said a joint statement by TECO 2030 and PGS.
The production of TECO's fuel cell system is expected to begin in Norway by the end of next year, with deliveries scheduled in 2026. In the meantime, the first vessel is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
By Konica Bhatt
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