Two projects underway in South Korea are each seeking to
develop Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology to be used to replace the
current diesel generators used on large ships to supply electrical power. The
goal is to replace the generators that use traditional fuels to lower emissions
and also the projects believe they can also enhance the ship’s operations.
Both of the projects are focusing on tankers in their designs
as the proving ground for their designs. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine
Engineering Co. (DSME) is working with ABS on a joint development project
seeking to use SOFC technology to replace at least one of three diesel
generators typically onboard a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). At the same
time, Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
(KSOE), is working with DNV to design a pilot project for Aframax tankers.
“SOFC systems have significant potential for applications in
maritime transport and we are excited to be able to support this project, which
will advance the industry’s understanding of their possibilities,” said ABS
Darren Leskoski, Regional Vice President North Pacific of Business Development.
The current effort builds on a 2019 project in which ABS and
DSME revealed the high efficiency of a SOFC and gas turbine hybrid system due
to the re-use of hot exhaust off-gas. In this new project, DSME will conduct a
study exploring load requirements, emission control zone, stack
characterization, and system footprint prediction for a particular class of
VLCC as well as simulation of process flow and arrangement of the system on the
vessel and risk analysis. ABS will review the findings and evaluate safety
issues arising from the arrangement of the system for existing structures and
equipment of the vessel. The goal is to obtain ABS approval for the design.
“This JDP will contribute to gain knowledge on safe use and
accommodation of a fuel cell system with constraints of space on the
ocean-going vessels, benefitting maritime sectors seeking green technology for
electricity and propulsion,” said Il Guk Woo Vice president of Naval and Energy
System Research and Development Institute, DSME.
The Korea Shipbuilding project recently obtained approval in
principle (AIP) from DNV GL for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power generation
system for vessels. Their power generation system is designed to replace part
of a 3-megawatt (MW) power engine for Aframax oil carriers with solid oxide
fuel cells (SOFCs).
Their research showed that when the newly developed SOFC
generation system replaces the current internal combustion engine, it can boost
power generation efficiency by 43 percent. In addition, KSOE reports that it
can increased space utilization by about 12 percent through an integrated
design and onboard layout of the fuel cell power generation system.