新一代高温甲醇重整燃料电池正在进行全面测试，这是为了加速该技术作为船用辅助电源的商业化计划的一部分。在Alfa Laval测试和培训中心计划的一年测试期间，燃料电池系统的耐久性和寿命将成为重点，同时与DFDS、Maersk Drilling和Hafnia合作，开发燃料电池技术的操作和实施方面。
丹麦Alfa Laval测试中心
燃料电池系统是基于高温质子交换膜燃料电池(高温PEMFC)，根据其技术开发商——丹麦Blue World Technologies，该技术比其他类型的燃料电池具有更高的热循环容忍度。他们认为该技术非常适合发电机组所需的可变电力生产。该测试将寻求了解技术的寿命，需要与燃烧技术相媲美，才能在船上可行。他们将解决各种性能下降的根源，建立一个高效和经济的高温PEMFC解决方案。
Blue World Technologies首席商务官兼联合创始人MadsFriis Jensen表示:“基于汽车应用的可扩展性，我们相信高温甲醇重整燃料电池系统可以大幅降低海洋气候和环境影响。”“通过与海洋伙伴进一步发展我们的技术，同时提高我们的生产能力，我们可以提供一种绿色的、运行良好的、商业上可行的燃料电池解决方案。”
该燃料电池测试装置的功率为200KW，但根据Blue World的设计要求，完全开发的模块化设计应该可以逐步扩大到5MW的水平。该测试装置由丹麦EUDP(能源技术开发和示范项目)资助，将使用甲醇作为燃料，因为甲醇是一种现成的燃料来源，并且是最有前途的无化石燃料之一，已经在Alfa Laval测试和培训中心进行测试。此外，Blue World表示，高温PEMFC技术有望可能适用于液化天然气和氨等燃料。
三家船舶企业——DFDS、Maersk Drilling和Hafnia将为高温PEMFC系统的运营和商业实施提供必要支持。DFDS有从事其他燃料电池运营项目，Maersk Drilling有在特殊应用中使用辅助动力的经验，Hafnia则提供甲醇加注和操作方面的经验。
BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE 04-19-2021 05:38:10
Testing is beginning on a new generation of methanol-fueled high-temperature membrane full cell as part of a program to accelerate the commercialization of the technology as an auxiliary marine power source. During a year of planned testing at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre, the fuel cell system’s durability and lifetime will be in focus while working with DFDS, Maersk Drilling, and Hafnia to develop the operational and implementation aspects for the fuel cell technology.
The fuel cell system is based on high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) technology, which according to its developer Blue World Technologies of Denmark, has a higher tolerance for thermal cycling than other fuel cell types. They believe it is well suited to the variable power production needed from a genset. The test will seek to understand the lifespan of the technology that needs to be comparable to that of combustion technologies to be feasible on board. They will address various sources of performance degradation to establish a highly efficient and cost-effective HTPEM fuel cell solution.
“Building on the scalability of automotive applications, we are convinced that methanol fuel cell systems can drastically reduce maritime climate and environmental impact,” said Mads Friis Jensen, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder, Blue World Technologies. “By further developing our technology in partnership with marine colleagues, and by ramping up our production capacity at the same time, we can deliver a fuel cell solution that is green, operationally sound, and also commercially viable.”
The fuel cell test setup will have a power of 200 kW, but the fully developed and modular design should according to Blue World be possible to scale up incrementally to a level of 5 MW. The test installation, which is funded by the Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), will use methanol as fuel, as it is a readily available fuel source and one of the most promising fossil-free fuels already being used in testing at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre. The fuel cell system concept, however, Blue World says could possibly be adapted for fuels such as LNG and ammonia.
Three vessel owners, DFDS, Maersk Drilling, and Hafnia, will contribute insights regarding the operational and commercial implementation of the HTPEM fuel cell system. DFDS is also working on other fuel cell projects, while Maersk Drilling has experience using auxiliary power for special applications, and Hafnia provides experience in methanol bunkering and operations.
Alfa Laval views this project as another step alongside its efforts with solid oxide fuel cells and methanol combustion, will manage and coordinate the project in addition to supplying the innovation resources of the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre. Blue World Technologies is ramping up for the mass production needed to bring fuel cells into cost parity with combustion-based solutions.