Task 3.1, led by Metacon, aims to examine different ship energy system configurations, i.e. using directly NH3 as fuel to either ICEs or FCs or extracting H2 for use in ICEs or FCs. Regarding the latter, NH3 cracking system for H2 production has been developed by Metacon SA.
According to this concept, in the fuel processor hydrogen production takes place via the cracking of the ammonia while a small portion of the ammonia fuel is combusted catalytically to provide the necessary heat to the endothermic cracking reaction:
The ammonia is fed to the reactor inside which the ammonia is cracked, producing mainly hydrogen and nitrogen and traces of unreacted ammonia, as well. In the following step, the hydrogen rich mixture will be sent to the purification unit, in which traces of unreacted ammonia and nitrogen are adsorbed, so that its concentration is within acceptable levels. This will be performed via adsorption οn suitable adsorbents and hydrogen purity can exceed 99.99% vol. After purification to achieve high purity H2 is fed to a fuel cell, or alternatively it could be fed to an ICE.
