SURVEY OF FUEL CELL DEVELOPMENTS WITH EMPHASIS ON MARITIME APPLICATIONS

A survey is made of the state-of-the-art of fuel cell development with the object of determining the potential of this device for commercial ship propulsion. General principles of fuel cell reactions are expounded and reasons are given for theoretically superior efficiencies of fuel cells over conventional heat engines. Operating characteristics of various fuel cells and current development activities are reviewed. Technical factors bearing on use of fuel cells for ship propulsion are examined and problem areas in research are outlined. Conclusions reached maintain that while the economics of fuel cells for ship propulsion cannot yet be fully determined, apparent operational advantages exist to warrant further development efforts. A number of recommendations for support in fuel cell research and development are presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number SIT-868.
• Corporate Authors:

  Stevens Institute of Technology

  711 Hudson Street
  Hoboken, NJ  United States  07030
• Authors:
  • Chen, SCY
  • MARKS, W
• Publication Date: 1961-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 28 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric batteries; Fuel cells; Heat exchangers; High speed rail; Propulsion
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced propulsion
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026407
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Contract Numbers: MA-1809
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 2 1973 12:00AM