Written by
Nick Blenkey
H2SITE ammonia cracker was put in on OSV in a container that additionally housed a PEM gasoline cell. [Screengrab from YouTube video]
Bilbao, Spain, based mostly H2SITE experiences that ammonia cracking is gaining traction for onboard energy technology as a method of manufacturing hydrogen to be used in PEM gasoline cells. The corporate says that it has now efficiently validated the primary ammonia cracker to supply high-purity hydrogen for marine PEM gasoline cell use. In a pilot, an H2SITE built-in membrane reactor has been put in and operated on board Zumaia Offshore’s offshore provide vessel Bertha B, working within the Bay of Biscay.
Earlier than hydrogen is utilized in a gasoline cell, purification is critical, particularly if traces of ammonia are current.
H2SITE says its membrane reactors be sure that the entire ammonia is reworked, whereas delivering a excessive purity hydrogen to the gasoline cell in a single course of step.
The take a look at involving the Bertha B was carried out as a part of the EU-funded H2OCEAN mission and noticed the H2SITE cracker efficiently energy the ship’s auxiliary providers throughout navigation.
“Our revolutionary membrane reactor know-how not solely brings an enchancment in system effectivity but additionally reduces the footprint of the set up,” says Jose Medrano, technical director at H2SITE. “That is particularly essential in functions the place house is restricted, equivalent to onboard a vessel.”
“We’ve got centered our design efforts on minimizing the ammonia consumption, which shall be key for the dimensions as much as go well with greater energy output items,” he provides.
