Process design and optimization of PEMFC-methanol engine hybrid propulsion system with life cycle assessment

Sang-Jin Lim and Yoon-Ho Lee

Energy, 2025, vol. 335, issue C

Abstract: With increasing environmental regulations from the International Maritime Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency, the transition to low carbon alternatives to fossil fuels has become a significant challenge for the maritime industry. Methanol has emerged as a promising low carbon fuel due to its liquid state at ambient conditions and compatibility with existing infrastructure. However, the carbon content of methanol raises concerns about its long-term carbon neutrality. In this study, we proposed a hybrid system by integrating a methanol fueled internal combustion engine with a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and a methanol recycling process including carbon capture and resynthesis. The entire system was modeled using Honeywell UniSim Design and evaluated under container ship conditions for a single voyage through a life cycle assessment. The simulation and LCA results showed that the hybrid configuration significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to a conventional methanol only engine. Under optimal operating conditions, the methanol conversion rate reached 60.17 %, enabling effective CO2 recycling. This study confirms the technical feasibility and environmental potential of methanol as a bridge fuel and provides a quantitative basis for decision making on sustainable marine fuel strategies in line with international regulatory targets.

Keywords: Maritime decarbonization; Methanol; Hybrid system; Fuel cell; Carbon capture; Life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:335:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225037454

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138103

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