The feasibility of utilizing hydrogen fuel cells in livestock ships to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
Global warming and air pollution are undoubtedly the major issues of our time. As livestock is considered the main source of protein and dairy products and one of the main food sources for humanity, in some regions of the world, livestock vessels serve as the main logistical means of transportation. Reducing emissions from vessels is vital to ensure animal welfare and livestock health. The vessel MV Ganado Express was chosen to evaluate the overall emissions resulting from the main engine during a 24-hour navigation period under full engine load. This study aims to develop an approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells as an alternative to the conventional fossil fuel-powered main engine. The study indicates that replacing the ship's conventional main engine with hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells can mitigate CO2 emissions by 10,200 kg, NOx by 1,637 kg, and SOX by 66 kg during a 24-hour sailing period under an engine load of 6,090 kW. During the same sailing conditions, the fuel consumption reduction when using hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells is 62% lower than the fuel consumption when using a conventional diesel engine.
