Abstract
Looking at shipping sector 2050 targets, different low-carbon solutions must be tackled to reduce vessels emissions. In order to pave the ground to zero-emission solutions (e.g., H2 and fuel cells - FCs), some transition solutions must be identified. Natural gas (NG - also stored on board as Liquified, LNG) is gaining more and more interest. It is therefore important to target energy systems efficiency maximization and emissions minimization. To this end, the Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), powered by NG, and FCs, like Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), already largely investigated for terrestrial application, could be suitably integrated. SOFFHICE aims to investigate the retrofit of a short-distance ferry (operating in lakes or among Italian minor islands) with a high efficiency NG driven SOFC+ICE energy system for propulsion and hoteling. Integration goal will be dual: i) to operate ICE+SOFC jointly in open-sea navigation, maximising ICE efficiency and reducing emissions/fuel consumptions; ii) to operate SOFC mostly in port/coastal areas, reducing pollutants emissions (e.g., NOx, SOx, PM). SOFFHICE has 3 main objectives: 1) carry out a pre-feasibility study for a NG fuelled SOFC+ICE ferry; 2) model and study the interaction of the two technologies (from a thermodynamic/control point of view); 3) develop replication/scale up guidelines for optimal sizing of the two energy systems in order to ensure their proper behaviour also targeting different type/size of vessels (thus having different volume/space capabilities - lake/sea vessels). To achieve these main objectives the project has 6 technical goals: 1. Assess energy demand of a reference vessel for SOFFHICE integration (UNIGE) 2. Optimize SOFC-ICE size according to the typical vessel journey profile in order to minimize emissions (and check if proposed sizes are technically viable and feasible on board according to available volumes/weight) (POLITO-UNIGE-UNIBO) via the following approach: i) hotelling/manoeuvring full driven by SOFC; ii) propulsion via a high-efficient SOFC+ICE system; 3. Develop a dynamic model and control strategies for SOFC+ICE system (UNIGE); 4. Understand capability and limitations/constraints as well as performances and emissions profile of ICE operating with SOFC off-gases (UNIBO); 5. Evaluate SOFC+ICE integration from an environmental (POLITO) and techno-economic (UNIGE-POLITO) point of view, also foreseeing the use of alternative gases (e.g., H2, NH3, biogas) (POLITO-UNIBO); 6. Create a set of correlations/maps for SOFC-ICE optimal coupling for future applications (POLITO-UNIGE-UNIBO). POLITO, UNIGE, UNIBO joined forces gathering their know-how about advanced energy systems and FCs for terrestrial (POLITO) and maritime (UNIGE) applications and ICEs (UNIBO). The project will exploit synergies with relevant EU as well as the support of relevant Maritime/SOFC/ICE Italian stakeholders' engagement.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Stefania Falfari
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale
Coordinator:
Politecnico di TORINO(Italy)
Total Unibo Contribution: Euro (EUR) 75.216,00
Project Duration in months: 24
Start Date:
30/11/2023
End Date:
28/02/2026
