Market applications
Maritime
The methanol fuel cell technology provides a green alternative to the maritime sector addressing the worldwide focus on cutting down CO2 emission and reducing air pollution.
Enabling a green maritime sector
A methanol fuel cell system enables a truly green operation within the maritime sector providing net-zero carbon emission and zero particle outlet.
The methanol fuel cell is a flexible power solution that can be used for auxiliary power or propulsion depending on ship type and customer needs. Due to its flexible form, the system is adaptable in regards to space availability and placement on the ship.
The fuel cell technology is applicable for both smaller gensets as well as larger auxiliary power units in the megawatt range.
Accelerating the maritime market
Every year, the shipping sector is responsible for about three per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Blue World Technologies aims to accelerate the green transition of the maritime market by developing a fuel cell-based APU system that runs on methanol.
Blue World Technologies methanol fuel cell solution can deliver the electricity required on board, utilizing a simple and modular cabinet configuration which consists of 200 kilowatt cabinets that, when combined, can produce an energy load in the megawatt range.
This implies that the energy supply can be modified to meet the needs of customers. Blue World’s methanol fuel cell APU system will have an energy efficiency of 45 to 60 per cent to compensate for the green premium of e-fuels, such as methanol. This will reduce operating expenses and allow a more cost-effective use of e-fuels.
Modular configuration
A modular configuration consisting of 200 kilowatts cabinets that combined can provide an energy load in the megawatt range.
No gas clean-up
The fuel cells are based on high-temperature PEM technology (operating at 160-180°C) that has a high resistance to impurities which means that no gas purification is needed on the reformat gas.
waste heat utilisation
Unique for the HT PEM fuel cells is the potential for waste heat utilisation where part of the waste heat from the fuel cell is used to drive the process of reforming methanol and thereby optimising the total system efficiency. Furthermore, waste heat can also be used for additional energy recovery.
High efficiency
The fuel cell APU system will have a high electrical efficiency of 45 to 60%.
Net-zero operation
When powered by renewable methanol, the APU has a net-zero operation.
Zero harmful emissions
With no NOx, SOx, or particle emissions, the fuel cell APU does not cause any air pollution.
Fuel cells to make a difference for the maritime sector
With a cutting-edge technology platform based on high-temperature PEM technology, the Blue World Technologies methanol fuel cells provide a strong alternative to conventional gensets and auxiliary power units for marine usage.
Depending on ship type and available space, the fuel cell system can be in a cubic shape similar to a conventional motor block or in a flat pack configuration. Both can be stacked according to the required power output. Regardless of system size, the fuel cell system enables new opportunities for placement of the power unit onboard the ship ensuring optimal space utilisation.
The HT PEM methanol fuel cells are combined with methanol-reforming ensuring a simple system design with high energy conversion, efficiency, and system power density.
As the fuel cells have no moving parts, system maintenance is significantly reduced, and preventive maintenance is very low and limited to air filter change and basic inspections. The modularity of Blue World Technologies’ fuel cell system enables optimised redundancy while advanced monitoring ensures a predictive operation.
Benefits for the market
With a worldwide focus on finding alternative power solutions for the maritime industry the methanol fuel cell technology provides multiple benefits making the technology a strong candidate.
flexible form
As the methanol fuel cell system can be either a cubical or flatpack configuration, the system enables flexible installation providing an optimal usage of space. Onboard placement is also flexible depending on space availability and ship type.
High efficiency
Blue World Technologies' methanol fuel cell system provides a high energy conversion efficiency without pollutants. The high efficient operation is independent of if the ship is in sailing in areas with emission restrictions or at open sea.
Clean operation
The methanol fuel cell system eliminates all NOx, SOX, and particle emissions while providing a low overall well-to-wheel CO2 emission level. When the system is powered by renewable methanol it provides a net-zero carbon emission operation.
Recognised fuel
As methanol is a liquid fuel that enables simple handling, fuel bunkering, and storage in large volume, the fuel is already a recognised fuel type for maritime usage. As methanol can be produced by renewable sources it enables a climate-neutral operation.
Reduced maintenance
Significantly reduced maintenance due to no moving parts and preventive maintenance is limited to basic inspections and air filter change. The methanol fuel cell system provides advanced remote system monitoring enabling a reliable operation.
Sailing on methanol
Methanol is already an existing and widely recognised fuel within the maritime industry, and when running on methanol produced from renewable sources, the operation is CO2 neutral from a well-to-wheel perspective. Additionally, the methanol fuel cells eliminate NOx, SOx, and particle emissions ensuring an environmentally friendly operation.
As a liquid fuel at atmospheric pressure, methanol is a fuel that is simple to handle and can be stored in large volume. Compared to alternatives, such as batteries and hydrogen, methanol has the advantage of the fuel storage density being much higher. Methanol is already widely available in the majority of the largest ports around the world making methanol a strong candidate as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Want to know more?
Our team is ready to provide you with further information on the use of methanol fuel cell technology for different applications or within specific industries.
Working at Blue World you will make a difference – for the company, your colleagues, and for the world
The methanol fuel cells provide high energy-efficiency and long lasting durability
The methanol fuel cells act as a green alternative to a wide range of industries around the world