The NAUTILUS project is devoted to developing and testing a novel energy system for large passenger ships based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) hybridized with a battery. SOFC systems have the potential to reduce emissions from seagoing vessels, aligning with the recently updated strategy of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding GHG reduction targets.
However, as SOFC technology is relatively new to marine applications, it remains unclear whether ship motions will affect the system's operation. In this research, a 1.5 kW SOFC module is operated on an inclination platform that simulates ship motions to evaluate the impact of both static and dynamic inclinations on the system's safety, operation, and lifetime. The test campaign includes static inclination tests, dynamic tests, degradation tests, and high acceleration tests.
During the tests, there were no power supply interruptions, and no gas leakages or safety hazards were detected. While the SOFC did not fail under any test conditions, dynamic inclinations resulted in forced oscillations in fuel regulation, which propagated through the system via different feedback loops in the control architecture, leading to significant deviations in operational parameters. Additionally, for motion periods ranging from 16 to 26 seconds, recurring fuel utilization exceedances led to a gradual reduction in power supply. Currently, several enhancements are recommended to improve SOFC design and marine fuel cell regulations, ensuring their safe operation on ships.
Read more details in the article in the Volume 585 of the Journal of Power Sources (November 2023), the article has open access.
The article was written by B.N. van Veldhuizen, E. Zera, L. van Biert, S. Modena, K. Visser and P.V. Aravind
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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 861647.
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NAUTILUS is a short for Nautical Integrated Hybrid Energy System for Long-haul Cruise Ships.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 861647.