H2Ocean

DESIGN OF A HYDROGEN FUEL CELL

PROPELLED PASSENGER VESSEL

Graeme Comyn, Anna Bruns, Neil Dobie, Chris Mulder,

Donald MacNearney, Bryan Gene, and Jeffrey Degirmenci
Design Team
• Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. --------------- Naval Architect
• Canal Marine & Industrial Inc. ---------------- Electrical Integrator
• HTEC ------------------------------------------------ Hydrogen Consultant
• Ballard Power Inc. ------------------------------- Fuel Cell Supplier
• Lloyd’s Register ----------------------------------- Classification Society
• Fairweather Cruises ----------------------------- Cruise Charter Consultant
• Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association -- Advisor
• University of British Columbia ---------------- Advisor
H2FC Propulsion Battery
Banks
Starboard Hull

Hydrogen
Cylinders
Electric
250 kg @ 350 bar
Motor
FCwave fuel cells (200 kW each)
Thrusters

Electric
Motor

Port Hull
Fuel Cells
• Ballard Power FCwave
• Designed for marine applications
• DNV-GL compliant
• Gaseous fuel
• 875 kg
• 200 kW max. 40-160 kW optimal
• Hydrogen enclosure to contain leaks
Electrical System
Fuel Cells have 2 unique limitations:
• Minimum output load: 30 kW (55 kW)
• Maximum ramp rate for load changes: 40 A/s

Li-ion Batteries provide instantaneous load changes

Peak discharge: 4.4C for 10s
Peak charge : 2.0C for 10s
Sized to accommodate peak loads
Electrical System
Fuel Cell and Battery Power Output Battery Current during 186kW Step Load
during 186kW Propulsion Motor Step 3.5
Load
3
250

200 2.5

Battery Current (C)

150 2
Power (kW)

100 1.5

50 1

0 0.5
-0.1
0.4
0.9
1.4
1.9
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
4.9
5.4
5.9
6.4
6.9
7.4
7.9
8.4
8.9
9.4
9.9

-50 0
Time (s)

0.4
0.9
1.4
1.9
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
4.9
5.4
5.9
6.4
6.9
7.4
7.9
8.4
8.9
9.4
9.9
-0.1
Total System Load (kW) -0.5
Time (s)
Fuel Cell Load (kW)
Battery Power Contribution Required (kW) Battery Current (C)
Electrical System
Electrical System Response Battery Response during 186kW Step
during 186kW Propulsion Motor Step Un- Un-Load
Load 0.5
300
0
200

-0.1
0.4
0.9
1.4
1.9
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
4.9
5.4
5.9
6.4
6.9
7.4
7.9
8.4
8.9
9.4
9.9
Battery Current (C)
Power (kW)

100 -0.5

0 -1
0.4
0.9
1.4
1.9
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
4.9
5.4
5.9
6.4
6.9
7.4
7.9
8.4
8.9
9.4
9.9
-0.1

-100
-1.5
-200
Time (s) -2
Total System Load (kW)
Fuel Cell Load (kW) -2.5
Time (s)
Additional Power Contribution Required (kW)
Braking Resistor Power (kW) Battery Current (C)
Hydrogen Safety Philosophy
• Minimize potential for leaks
• Maintain ventilation in enclosed spaces
• Segregate hazardous zones
• Make use of gas detection and other sensors
Minimize Leak Potential
• Welded double-walled piping in enclosed spaces
• High probability leak sources (valves and pipe fittings) located on
open deck
• Anti-vibration compression fittings
Hydrogen Fuel System
• Storage:
• 8 cylinders, 32 kg H2 @ 250 bar each
• Supply:
• Pressure reduced to 4.5 bar for fuel cells
• Fuel Cell Room:
• Non-hazardous due to double-wall pipe and H2 enclosure
• Redundant ventilation in H2 enclosure and Fuel Cell Room
• Salt Filters:
• 20 μg/m3
• Fuel Cell Exhausts:
• De-ionized water 6 l/min
• Oxygen depleted process air (hazardous)
• H2 enclosure ventilation exhaust (hazardous)
Hazardous Zones
• H2 Piping (IEC 60079)

Location Pressure Zone Type Radius Source

Bunkering valves/fittings 450 bar 2 1.8 m IEC
Storage tank valves/fittings 250 bar 2 1.4 m IEC
Fuel Cell supply valves/fittings 4.5 bar 2 Negligible IEC
Fuel Cell exhausts Atm. 1 1.0 m NFPA2
Hazardous Zones
H2 Vent Stack
• 250 kg at 250 bar all released
• 216 g/s through DN50 vent
• Not sustained
• 7 m high, 1.0 m dia.
• No gas below
Vent Stack Heat Flux
Calculation for full blowdown of entire storage: 250 kg H2 @ 250 bar
API 521 (2014)
Heat release: 106 Watts and 9 m flame length
• 4.73 kW/m2 Safe for 2-3 minutes with long sleeves, pants, hard hat
• 2.9 kW/m2 30 seconds pain threshold, no PPE
• 1.58 kW/m2 Personnel with PPE can experience for extended
period of time, 65 seconds pain threshold without PPE
Vent Stack Heat Flux
• Peak release
Vent Stack Heat Flux
• After 30 s
Vent Stack Heat Flux
• After 2.5 min.
Vent Stack Heat Flux
• After 11.7 min.
Thank you
H2Ocean has received funding from:
• CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program
• National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)
• Transport Canada Clean Transportation System – Research and Development Program (CTS-RD)