CCS awards China’s 1st hydrogen fuel cell type approval

Wuhan-based PEM fuel cell supplier Troowin Power System Technology Co has won a type approval from China Classification Society (CCS) for its marine fuel cell product.

CCS said that this was China’s first certificate of type approval for a marine fuel cell, and that it follows more than a year of reviews and on-site tests.

The approval marks a major milestone in China’s pursuit of commercially viable alternative fuels and provides a new channel for the use of hydrogen fuel cells on ships, the classification society said.

Jia Siqing, General Manager of Industrial Products for CCS Wuhan branch, believes this is a significant moment for the Chinese maritime industry as it works towards a zero-carbon future in line with the country’s path toward carbon neutrality before 2060.

“CCS is working hard to develop the use of hydrogen fuel cells,” he said.

“Hydrogen is abundant and is an ideal candidate as a zero-emission fuel for combustion engines.”

CCS published its first guidelines on harnessing hydrogen as a commercial marine fuel in 2015 with the guidelines updated in 2017 and 2020.

The classification society’s research found a hydrogen-enabled ship could ultimately be as safe as one powered by conventional fuels such as diesel.

According to Jia, the next phase of hydrogen development will see CCS undertake a series of real time tests on a purpose-built bulk carrier of 2,100 dwt.

The ship is currently at the design stage but is expected to be powered by four 130kW hydrogen fuel cells.

Once completed, the ship will be trialed along the Pearl River in Guangdong province, where it will carry operational cargoes.

Reinforcing the data from these tests will be feedback from other sectors, such as the Chinese electric automotive sector.

Jia explained that a major challenge CCS is looking to tackle during the tests will be storing enough hydrogen to take a ship on a deep sea voyage. Namely, CCS is researching ways to store hydrogen in large quantities and combine it with other fuel sources to extend range.

“Since hydrogen is the lightest natural element, more space is needed to store it,” he said.

“We are looking at methods to create hydrogen at sea, such as the use of methanol or ammonia, which can be transported easily and cheaply. But the main focus of our work is carrying enough bulk hydrogen, for an entire voyage. We think liquid hydrogen would be a good contender for this. In the meantime high-pressure gas cylinders would be a reasonable solution.”

Meanwhile, Luo Xiaofeng, the Director of CSS Rules & Research Institute in Wuhan, said one of the prime objectives of the Pearl River tests would be to test safety procedures.

“CCS is working with other hydrogen-use sectors and universities to share the research notably the automotive industry. Breakthroughs elsewhere can help the marine industry,” he pointed out.

Luo noted that in the short-term, for deep sea voyages, low-carbon and hybrid systems are better forms of propulsion.

“We favour new hydrogen systems being installed on brand new ships rather than trying to retrofit the existing fleet,” he said.

“This is primarily for safety, as this can be optimised in the design.”

In addition to conducting research on various forms of marine hydrogen fuel storage technology, CCS has also carried out research on the application of hydrogen fuel on ships with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

The research included risk assessment, ventilation and fire-fighting. The studies evaluated the feasibility, reliability and safety of hydrogen fuelled ships and provided support for the development of technical regulations.

Furthermore, CCS has been authorized by the China Maritime Safety Administration to research and develop the first domestic technical regulations for ships using hydrogen fuel, which are set to be released at end of 2021.