ABB与全球首艘甲醇制氢燃料电池拖船技术合作伙伴共建电气工程师们将迎来新时代
近期，ABB船舶与港口事业部、Maritime Partners LLC（MP）、Elliott Bay DesignGroup（EBDG）和e1 Marine签署了一个合作备忘录，旨在共同开发并在美国内河运营一款氢动力拖船。该项目中的“Hydrogen One”号拖船长27米，专为沿内河航道推运驳船而设计，将在从新奥尔良港起连绵14500英里的庞大航道网络沿密西西比河及其众多支流运营。
据悉，该拖船一次加注燃料后，可以以6英里/小时的航速运行约四天，550英里，其推进系统的输出功率高达2700 HP，其中1700 HP来自燃料电池，其余1000 HP由蓄电池提供。位于新奥尔良的Maritime Partners负责运营工作，该公司拥有近550艘拖船、驳船和其他船舶资产。
此次创新性的拖船配备了e1 Marine提供的制氢设备，可直接在船上将甲醇转化为氢，即先将甲醇-水混合物重整转化为燃料电池级高纯度氢，再将氢送入燃料电池用于发电。这种方式消除了直接加氢和储氢相关的复杂系统，与使用化石燃料电力的电解槽解决方案相比，这种方法不会排放颗粒物，并减少了80%的CO2排放量。如果甲醇由可再生能源生产，就可以实现能源链的碳中和。
目前，在许多码头都可以获取甲醇作为船用燃料，而且其输送方式与传统船用燃料类似，无需加压储存。为了响应环保倡议，对于传统拖轮及其他服务boat来说，由于主机和发电机始终持续运行，导致低效率、高油耗。而采用新的技术后，如今已经能够通过精准输出能量来提高效率。
ABB是各类ship and ship fuel integration power systems领域领先供应商，在该项目中，将提供全套power propulsion system包括electric motor, transformer, fuel cell & battery integration. 屡获殊荣的是ABB Onboard DC Grid? shipborne direct current electrical distribution system which can ensure that the fuel cell and battery output power to the vessel's various sub-systems at their best. The overall power configuration will be controlled by ABB Power and Energy Management System (PEMS?) which also helps to improve fault tolerance and reliability while ensuring maximum lifespan of batteries.
"作为leading supplier, lessor, and financier of tugboats, barges, and other working vessels," Maritime Partners Chief Operating Officer Austin Sperry said in a statement. "We see this groundbreaking project as a major opportunity for our company to support sustainable operations in countries such as the United States." With over 550 tugs under its management, it is clear that having a committed partner like Maritime Partners is an excellent start.
The hydrogen fuel cells convert chemical energy from hydrogen into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. This technology is recognized as one of the most promising solutions for supporting decarbonization efforts in the maritime industry aiming at reducing emissions by 30% by 2025.
"We can truly revolutionize efficiency and sustainability in the workboat sector with air-quality impacts on people," said David Lee of ABB Ship Systems Division Commercial Shipping business unit. "With this technology we can provide strong support to American shipyards state governments federal agencies helping them move towards sustainable operations."
Located in New Orleans renter Maritime Partners has been pioneering alternative fuels for workboats; Elliott Bay Design Group leads naval construction engineering companies; e1 Marine specializes in hydrogen production technologies
