Yanmar trials real-world on-water hydrogen refuelling
Hydrogen fuel cells for boats take a step closer with a high-pressure refuelling trialJapanese marine engine maker Yanmar has taken another half-step towards releasing its first hydrogen fuel cell system for smaller boats after completing an on-water high-pressure refuelling trial.
One of the challenges of using hydrogen fuel is the very high pressures it needs to be stored at to remain in liquid form. Low-pressure refuelling means hydrogen tanks can only be half-filled, greatly reducing the vessel’s range.
However, Yanmar has worked with Toyota to develop a prototype high-pressure hose that can fill the tanks at 70MPa, keeping it in liquid form.
That means Yanmar’s test vessel can get three times the range out of a single refuel compared with the previous methods used to refuel.
Yanmar said the result of the Osaka, Japan-based trial refuel would contribute to the market deployment of hydrogen fuel cell systems, as well as future hydrogen refuelling stations optimised for boats.
Making water
Yanmar’s test boat uses a fuel cell that mixes hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen to create water and electricity.
The electricity is sent to a bank of batteries that in turn power a 400hp electric motor that drives the boat.
The Toyota-sourced fuel cell was originally developed for the Toyota Mirai passenger sedan, the first mass-production fuel cell vehicle in the world.
Toyota is also working on developing its own marine hydrogen fuel cell system, working with the team behind the Energy Observer, a boat that aims to circumnavigate the world using renewable energy.
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