The world's first power system for inland waterway vessels combining a hydrogen internal combustion engine with organic liquid hydrogen storage has completed its first-stage joint commissioning and testing, paving the way for the adoption of hydrogen in inland shipping.

The organic liquid hydrogen storage system uses an organic liquid carrier derived from coal chemical processes to "absorb" hydrogen through a catalytic reaction, forming "hydrogen oil" that can be safely stored and transported at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

This innovation addresses two long-standing bottlenecks that have hindered the wider use of hydrogen in shipping: storage safety and energy efficiency.

Yuan Yi, chief engineer at Huacanke Ship Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, the primary developer of the system, noted that the innovation also lies in its efficient approach to heat utilization.

"The biggest hurdle for hydrogen oil in shipping is that dehydrogenation typically requires a large amount of energy," Yuan explained. "Huacanke's solution requires only a temperature of about 200 C, and the exhaust gas from the hydrogen internal combustion engine can provide most of the heat needed to dehydrogenate the hydrogen oil."

With testing completed on the first 120-kilowatt hydrogen internal combustion engine range extender and a second, improved unit scheduled for delivery in June, Huacanke has completed the design of an 800-ton-class demonstration vessel. Construction of the vessel has begun, and it is expected to launch later this year.

According to Huacanke's calculations, the energy density of hydrogen oil storage is three times that of high-pressure hydrogen storage. While the 800-ton demonstration ship will also require some batteries, the quantity needed is less than one-tenth of that required for a fully electric vessel. Moreover, hydrogen oil is considered highly safe and could serve as a primary fuel for inland shipping.

Liu Wenbo, an official at the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, said the large-scale use of hydrogen could significantly reduce society's reliance on petroleum.

Wang Dafu, chairman of Huacanke, added that in Shanghai, setting up five refueling stations in the east, west, north, south, and center of the city would be sufficient to meet inland shipping demand.

Source: Shanghai Observer