Feasibility of adopting reformed methanol–high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology for the propulsion of seagoing vessel
Date of Award
11-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Maritime Energy Management
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Nigeria
First Advisor
Alessandro Schönborn
Abstract
This study evaluates the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of an integrated methanol steam reformer and high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) technology as an alternative to conventional marine engines. The mixed-methodology of this research employs process modelling of methanol steam reforming (MSR), simulating the electrochemical performance of HT-PEMFC, lifecycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) under both market-driven and policy-driven scenarios. Expanding on past research, this study merges MSR and HT-PEMFC modelling with LCA and policy-sensitive TEA, evaluating the viability of sustainable (bio- and e-) methanol technologies. This study found that onboard methanol reforming generated significant hydrogen output with tolerable carbon monoxide levels, that is suitable for downstream fuel-cell operation. The integrated system demonstrates superior efficiency compared with conventional marine engines, which suffer performance losses. On the environmental aspect, the lifecycle assessment reveals that green methanol pathways offer the highest mitigation potential, reducing well-to-wake (WtW) GHG emissions by 96–129% relative to baseline fuels, as bio-methanol achieved net-negative emissions depending on feedstock origin. Inversely, grey and blue methanol pathways performed similarly to baselines fuels, though being cheaper than green methanol in the absence of substantial carbon penalties. The techno-economic analysis reveals that grey-methanol and conventional heavy fuel oil (HFO) propulsion technologies are the least costly in the baseline scenario, while sustainable methanol is constrained by capital intensity and elevated fuel prices. However, the introduction of market-based mechanisms considerably shifts competitiveness, improving the economic viability of sustainable alternatives. These results remain bounded by the simulation assumptions of this study, and evolving policy frameworks such as the IMO Net-Zero Framework, prone to refinement. Overall, this study concludes that the feasibility of the integrated system depends on concurrent advances of scaling sustainable methanol production, supportive regulatory frameworks and technological durability. This study contributes novel insights by synthesising technical, operational, environmental and economic dimensions of fuel cell propulsion technologies, thereby, offering actionable guidance for industry stakeholders, policymakers and future researchers.