Ship Propulsion System with Onboard Hydrogen Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current propulsion systems for ships face challenges due to high fuel consumption, environmental impact, and uncertainty related to the availability and cost of green fuels, with hydrogen technology being unsuitable for long transports due to low energy density and infrastructure limitations.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system that uses onboard-produced hydrogen, integrated with LNG, through a methane steam reforming process, and combines it with hydrogen fuel cells or internal combustion engines, capturing and storing carbon dioxide for reduced emissions, and employing hybrid drive configurations for efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen is used as fuel for ships, then environmental friendliness is improved, but energy density is insufficient and storage infrastructure is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydrogen supply chain into on-board production (via steam methane reforming) and off-board utilization (capturing CO2 for later use). This allows the ship to generate its own hydrogen from LNG while separating the CO2 emission problem from the propulsion function, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and energy density by producing hydrogen on-demand rather than storing large quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CO2 capture and storage as an intermediary process. By capturing and storing the CO2 produced during hydrogen generation, the system enables clean hydrogen use on-board while managing the environmental impact separately. This intermediary solution allows the ship to benefit from hydrogen's clean combustion without being constrained by hydrogen's low energy density, as the CO2 management is handled as a distinct function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If green fuels are produced and used, then environmental impact is reduced, but availability is insufficient and cost is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling ships to produce their own hydrogen fuel on-board through steam methane reforming of LNG. This eliminates dependence on external green fuel supply chains, making fuel availability independent of current production limitations. The system uses the ship's existing LNG supply to generate hydrogen, ensuring fuel availability without requiring external green fuel infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fuel parameter from direct LNG combustion to hydrogen produced from LNG via steam methane reforming. This parameter change allows the system to use readily available LNG infrastructure while producing cleaner hydrogen fuel on-demand, bridging the gap between current fuel availability and future green fuel requirements without being constrained by current green fuel production limits.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional propulsion systems are used, then fuel availability is ensured, but fuel consumption is high and environmental impact is negative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the conventional thermal combustion mechanism with a two-stage process: steam methane reforming to produce hydrogen, followed by hydrogen combustion or fuel cell conversion. This mechanism substitution reduces fuel consumption by approximately 20% compared to direct LNG combustion while maintaining availability through the use of existing LNG infrastructure. The reforming process converts LNG to hydrogen more efficiently, and the subsequent hydrogen utilization provides cleaner, more efficient propulsion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly propulsion solution for ships, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption, while being suitable for transitional use and future compliance with environmental regulations.
Implementation Method 1
hot steam is mixed with the gas to be reformed, preferably natural gas or LNG, which contains methane as its main component, and reacted in the gas phase with the addition of energy at a catalyst. Ultimately, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are formed as reaction products
Implementation Method 2
the fuel hydrogen is converted with the atmospheric oxygen into water and electrical energy, i.e. bound chemical energy is converted into electrical energy with efficiencies of approx. 60%
Implementation Method 3
This is done with compressors that compress carbon dioxide below the temperature of 31°C (critical temperature) by compression and cooling to a colorless liquid
Implementation Method 4
CO2 can also be separated by the well-known process of cryogenic separation at very low temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a propulsion system for a ship comprising at least one combustion unit for a methane-containing fuel, at least one methane steam reformer, at least one hydrogen fuel cell and/or at least one combustion engine running on hydrogen, at least one device for separating formed carbon dioxide and at least one transmission unit for driving the ship's propeller.