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For container ships, engines that burn hydrogen derived ammonia, are more viable than electric to power these ships because of the long distances and the cubic
by narrator 3y ago
For container ships, engines that burn hydrogen derived ammonia, are more viable than electric to power these ships because of the long distances and the cubic area that ammonia storage would take to travel those distances is dramatically less than batteries. Man Energy Solutions is the farthest along with the engineering on these container ship engines and even has large scale commercial orders[1]. Ammonia has problems in that it is toxic and can produce NO2 if burned inefficiently. However, the relatively high energy density, ability to quickly refuel, and lack of need for pressurization is a huge benefit over electric.
[1]https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/shipping-company-eps-joins-with-man-to-lead-ammonia-engine-adoption https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/shipping-company-...
- iancmceachern 3y agoTotally. Another great option is hydrogen fuel cells. Check this out. The "Sea Change" ferry, hydrogen fuel cell powered. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/lcti-zero-emission-hydrogen-ferry-demonstration-project https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/lcti-zero-emission-hydrogen-ferry-dem... They take renewable hydro power from Hetch Heychy Reservoir, pipe it to the SF waterfront where they have already invested in a big electric backbone along the water to be able to power the cruise (and other) ships that dock there. Normally these large ships run their onboard engines/generators while docked because of the insane amount of power they draw. Not in SF, they're powered by clean hydro while docked there. They then have a floating fuel barge that is right where the ferry docks. That fuel barge takes that clean hydro power and disassociates sea water into hydrogen and oxygen. That hydrogen is then pumped onto the ferry and bam. End to end renewable giant boat. Based on the power and range needed, as you suggest, I think solutions like these are more suitable for this application
- adrianN 3y agoFuel cells have rather limited lifetimes afaik and ammonia is easier to store than hydrogen.
- narrator 3y agoFuel cells also need expensive catalyst materials. Ammonia engines just burn the ammonia and turn it into water and nitrogen.
- pjc50 3y agoHow's the NO2 emissions managed?
- iancmceachern 3y agoWhere do we get the ammonia?
- iancmceachern 3y agoBoth are true, but both are true for internal combustion engines too. We have platinum in the catalytic converters, and engines last the projected life of the vehicle. From what I've read, fuel cells are being designed for similar lifespans. As with many things, internal combustion engines included, we can choose how long they're designed to last, that's a design input. If they have limited lifetimes they're designed as such. If we want longer lifetimes, we just design them to achieve that.