Experimental evaluation of a solid oxide fuel cell system exposed to inclinations and accelerations by ship motions

Journal article (2023)

Authors

B.N. van Veldhuizen Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
E. Zera SolydEra S.p.A.
L. van Biert Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
S. Modena SolydEra S.p.A.
K. Visser Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
P.V. Aravind Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Energy Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Ship Design, Production and Operations (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 B.N. van Veldhuizen, E. Zera, L. van Biert, S. Modena, K. Visser, P.V. Aravind
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233634
System testing Acceleration Solid oxide fuel cell Inclinations Sustainable shipping
More Info
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Ship Design, Production and Operations

Abstract

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems have the potential to reduce emissions from seagoing vessels. However, it is unknown whether ship motions influence the system's operation. In this research, a 1.5 kW SOFC module is operated on an inclination platform that emulates ship motions, to evaluate the influence of static and dynamic inclinations on the system's safety, operation, and lifetime. The test campaign consists of a static inclination test, a dynamic test, a degradation test, and a high acceleration test. There were no interruptions in the power supply during the different tests, and no detectable gas leakages or safety hazards. Although the SOFC does not fail in any test condition, dynamic inclinations result in forced oscillations in the fuel regulation, which propagate through the system by different feedback loops in the control architecture, leading to significant deviations in the operational parameters of the system. Additionally, for motion periods from 16 to 26 s, reoccurring exceedance of the fuel utilisation results in a gradual reduction of the power supply. Several enhancements are recommended to improve the design of SOFCs and marine fuel cell regulations to ensure their safe operation on ships.