Hazard Identification of Hydrogen-Based Alternative Fuels Onboard Ships

Hazard Identification of Hydrogen-Based Alternative Fuels Onboard Ships

Van Rheenen, E.S. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)
Scheffers, E.L. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)
Zwaginga, J.J. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)
Visser, K. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)

2023

It is essential to use alternative fuels if we are to reach the emission reduction targets set by the IMO. Hydrogen carriers are classified as zero-emission, while having a higher energy density (including packing factor) than pure hydrogen. They are often considered as safe alternative fuels. The exact definition of what safety entails is often lacking, both for hydrogen carriers as well as for ship safety. The aim of this study is to review the safety of hydrogen carriers from two perspectives, investigating potential connections between the chemical and maritime approaches to safety. This enables a reasoned consideration between safety aspects and other design drivers in ship design and operation. The hydrogen carriers AB, NaBH4, KBH4 and two LOHCs (NEC and DBT) are taken into consideration, together with a couple reference fuels (ammonia, methanol and MDO). After the evaluation of chemical properties related to safety and the scope of the current IMO safety framework, it can be concluded that safety remains a vague and non-explicit concept from both perspectives. Therefore, further research is required to prove the safe application of hydrogen carriers onboard ships.

safety
hydrogen carriers
Hazard identification
marine transportation
Marine engineering
Alternative Fuels
Methanol
Ammonia

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fc38c58e-2717-4a41-8564-0d7d0110c59a

https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416818

2071-1050

Sustainability, 15 (24)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2023 E.S. Van Rheenen, E.L. Scheffers, J.J. Zwaginga, K. Visser