Electrochemical processes and energy systems towards step-wise emission reduction of marine transport TRA 2024

Abstract

The consortium of the NAUTILUS project is developing a pilot marine genset, consisting of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) coupled with a battery and to be hybridized with the existing LNG fueled Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) gen-erators. The concept enables a step wise scale-up and integration through mild hybridization, balanced hybridization and full replacement of the ICEs. Laboratory proof of concept experiments of the genset in 30 kW scale have been completed and a 60 kW demonstrator is being developed which will be validated at DLR. The project is aiming a technology that has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40 % and particulate emissions by 99 % in a vessel meeting the targets of the IMO of 2030. For emission targets beyond 2030, the potential of NAUTILUS genset with synthetic fuels is evaluated. To enable such transition, the reformer unit is conceived to be separated from SOFC power blocks.