Analysis of Replacement of Internal Combustion Engine with the Hydrogen Fuel Cell in Ship Powertrain

The article presents new propulsion concepts and related new energy sources of modern means of transportation. One of them is hydrogen fuel cells, widely regarded as one of the most promising and alternative solutions due mainly to their ecological nature. Also presented, the biggest problem associated with the development of fuel cells which is hydrogen. A huge energy input is used to produce it. In addition, the storage of hydrogen is highly problematic. With the introduction of increasingly stringent changes regarding toxic emissions into the atmosphere and the move toward emission-free transportation, the article examines the possibilities of converting a ship's reciprocating internal combustion engine propulsion system into an environmentally friendly one. In the rest of the article, legal aspects affecting the reduction of the environmental impact of exhaust emissions in the maritime industry are presented.Examples of fuel cell applications in current means of transportation are also discussed. In the main part of the article, the ship to be converted is presented, along with the planned voyage route. The main engine was converted to alternative electric motors, and a reduction gearbox in the main propulsion system was also selected. The power requirements for converting the ship's propulsion system were then determined. An inverter was selected to convert the generated direct current to alternating current and batteries to store the generated electricity. The final part of the article will analyse the feasibility of converting the propulsion of a Panamax-type bulk carrier with a piston internal combustion engine into an environmentally friendly propulsion system using a hydrogen fuel cell. The analysis will be carried out in terms of cost-effectiveness and technical feasibility. The article ended with conclusions.