Fisherman, dont be an idiot, although it is already too late for that. Receiving payment for IB services in Dec 1998 and Feb 1999, is ancient history, and the entire world knows that. What do you think you are scooping the readers of this thread?
Meanwhile, recent history is a tremendous article on fuel cells in this months Boating Industry magazine.
boating-industry.com
Fuel cell boats: They?re
coming
By Liz Evans
WORLDWIDE
Oftentimes, new technology trickles down to the marine
marketplace from the auto industry. But that may not be the
case with low- to zero-emission fuel cell technology.
The auto industry recently turned to fuel cell-powered
engines, which produce electricity through a chemical
reaction involving hydrogen and oxygen, instead of
traditional battery-powered engines, as the technology of
the future to replace the internal combustion engine.
And the auto companies plan to move fast. Japan?s
Toyota Motor Corp., for example, hopes to bring a fuel
cell-powered electric automobile on to the market by
2003.
The auto companies also involved in the marine business,
such as Toyota and Honda, are focusing their fuel cell
development efforts on their core auto business. However,
instead of waiting for the technology to trickle down to the
marine sector, some small "boutique" research firms are
working on fuel cell applications specifically for the
commercial and recreational marine industries.
Alkaline versus PEM
There are two types of fuel cells currently being
researched for marine application.
Alkaline fuel cells, which helped American astronauts
reach the Moon 30 years ago, are one version.
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology,
currently the auto industry?s choice, also is being pursued
for marine applications.
One company involved in the effort to develop fuel cells for
marine applications is the UK?s Zemar Ltd., which is
focusing on alkaline fuel cell research.
Alkaline fuel cells were written off by many manufacturers
after being criticized by American space program
scientists years ago. However, Zemar executives believe
the company?s decision to continue working on alkaline
fuel cells eventually will pay off, says Stuart Laycock,
business development manager at Zemar, the marine
division of alkaline fuel cell producer ZeTec Power.
Even though the auto companies are looking to PEM fuel
cells, not alkaline fuel cells, Laycock believes alkaline fuel
cell manufacturers will benefit from the exposure the auto
companies are providing to the fuel cell concept.
Zemar is targeting the commercial side of the marine
industry first because it believes the commercial sector,
where profit margins are under intense pressure, will
accept alkaline fuel cell technology before the recreational
sector, Laycock says.
However, he predicts that stringent environmental
regulations or widespread media exposure eventually will
push fuel cell technology into the mainstream recreational
boating marketplace. And that time may not be so far into
the future. Laycock cites strict environmental regulations in
Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA and Ghent, Belgium as
evidence that tolerance for internal combustion engines
may be waning.
Operating cost is less
Zemar?s fuel cells currently cost about 15 percent more
than comparable diesel engines, but the operating cost of
fuel cells is much lower, according to Laycock. Fuel for
Zemar?s fuel cell costs only about one third as much as fuel
for a comparable diesel engine and maintenance costs
also are lower.
Consequently, the higher cost of an alkaline fuel cell should
be absorbed after five years of use, possibly less,
Laycock says.
ZeTec already has built a prototype taxi and van using its
alkaline fuel cell technology and the company is working
on a boat prototype to be completed by the end of this
year. The boat will be 7.6 metres long and trailerable, so it
can be pulled to various locations for tests and
demonstrations.
But even if the boating industry accepts fuel cell
technology, it could take more than 10 years to install the
infrastructure needed to support widespread usage,
according to Bob Young, manager of special markets at
Honda Marine.
The infrastructure needed for marine applications may
take less time to develop than that of automotive
applications, however, says Walker of DCHT. Fewer
fueling stations are needed for boats than for cars.
Infrastructure also may be less of an issue, at least for boat
operators, if America?s Powerball Technologies and other
companies like it are on track with new fuel concepts.
Powerball is developing a pellet-like fuel that can be
stored easily and forms hydrogen when mixed with water.
If the project is successful, the industry of the future may
see the reliance of boat operators on fuel dock locations
come to an end.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy has selected
low-power PEM fuel cell manufacturer DCH Technologies
(OTC: DCHT) to be part of a team of companies that will
explore the feasibility of marine application of fuel cells.
The study will not be restricted to PEM cells as one of its
goals will be to conclude which form of fuel cell technology
is most appropriate for the marine industry.
Ship manufacturers, boatbuilders, and engine and
propulsion system manufacturers are invited to participate,
according to David P. Haberman, vice president of
technology of California, USA-based DCHT.
"The marine engine market is multifaceted, and it is our
mission to ensure that fuel cells used with electric motors
become a competitive part of the maritime industry,"
Haberman says.
The initial phase of the study will be directed at
commercial shipping and military applications, but it will
lead to the exploration of other applications, such as
retrofitting ships, says David Walker, president of DCHT. If
the technology proves viable in commercial shipping, he
says it probably also will work in recreational applications.
Fuel cell-powered boats
The use of fuel cell technology might lead to changes in
boat design. Fuel cells themselves will not require special
hull designs, but the hydrogen fuel used by fuel cells is
lighter than gasoline or diesel fuel, which suggests that
hydrogen-powered boats could be designed in innovative
ways, according to Haberman and Walker.
Fuel cell development is a continuing process. Those
interested in following advancements in fuel cell
technology can watch for new developments and
demonstrations at the International Fuel Cell Conference
27-29 October 1999 at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA.
For related information, please visit
www.boating-industry.com and use the following
keywords in an article search: electric boats, low
emissions, engines.
?Liz Evans |
