e1 Marine and Current partner to find ways to make methanol reformers more efficient
US-based e1 Marine has been chosen by Current to build a methanol-to-hydrogen generator that can capture waste heat and CO2 from the exhaust stream created during the reforming process.
PHOTO: e1 Marine’s methanol-to-hydrogen generator. e1 Marine
A methanol reformer is a device used in fuel cell technology, which can produce pure hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide through a reaction of a methanol and water steam mixture.
The knowledge and experience gained from the process will be integrated into “existing plans to construct commercial vessels with methanol-to-hydrogen reformers.”
Hybrid vessels with reformers can, in turn, use the hydrogen to power fuel cells for generating electricity.
The technology is fit for smaller vessels like luxury boats or workboats, and can work with proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), according to the company.
Current will test the reformers with the Institutt for Energiteknikk (IFE) in Norway.
The generators “already enable vessel owners to meet the incoming carbon reduction regulations” but further study “can help customers get closer to zero carbon emissions,” e1 Marine’s managing director Robert Schluter.
By Tuhin Roy
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