Pharos Marine Plans Dual Fuel Hydrogen-Diesel Super Yacht
22 December 2009
Superyachttimes.com. Egypt-based Pharos Marine unveiled plans for a 60-meter dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel electric superyacht, the Orcageno.
| The Orcageno. Click to enlarge. |
The propulsion system uses a generator driven by a hydrogen-diesel internal combustion engine which can be operated by either hydrogen or diesel oil to provide power for the Azipod units. At a speed of 10 knots, operating on hydrogen mode, the yacht has a range of more than 3,500 nautical miles. At speed of 18 knots it can reach more than 1,800 nautical miles. The forward slender spaces in the yacht are used efficiently for the storage of hydrogen tanks and tender boats.
Diesel capacity is 170,000 liters; liquid hydrogen fuel capacity is 220,000 liters.
The yacht is based around an advanced slender hull form with an axe bow, offering lower resistance due to low angle of entrance, excellent sea-keeping and a range of up to 13,000 nautical miles. The hull design is to have a minimal surface and hull wake, thus reducing its impact on sensitive marine life as well as shoreline erosion.
(A hat-tip to Andy!)
I smell green washing; using H2 in an ICE?
Posted by: ai_vin | 22 December 2009 at 05:49 AM
It does allow the thing to run clean while going around sensative areas.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 22 December 2009 at 12:20 PM
This is designed as a diesel electric superyacht; why not use the LH2 in the most efficient way - a fuel cell? The higher cost of a fuel cell would be nothing to someone who could buy a 60m superyacht. Even if he 'goes cheap' with a straight diesel drivetrain he could still go clean by burning biodiesel or Bio-DME. Both would be easier to find in ports around the world, and easier to store on board. LH2 boils off if left in the tank too long. Typically it will evaporate at a rate of 1% per day.
Posted by: ai_vin | 22 December 2009 at 01:28 PM
Well remember its just plans at this point and it is a superyacht. I think the reason they didnt go with fuel cells is the thing likely needs somewhere near 5 megawatts of power to run;/
Also remember as its storing a lake of h2 220000 liters wrth in likely superinsulated tanks it likely doesnt evap very fast.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 22 December 2009 at 05:08 PM
Possibly; however as I read the linked article I saw that the LH2 tanks would be placed in the bow, where the hull is it's most slender. That's bound to lead to increases in tank surface areas, which leads to less than optimal insulation.
Posted by: ai_vin | 22 December 2009 at 06:26 PM
OTOH even when docked a boat this size will be running a lot of auxiliary equipment; everything from the bilgepumps to the captain's weather sation, so the boil-off could be put to good use. Heck, just keeping the Jacuzzi warm might do it.
Posted by: ai_vin | 22 December 2009 at 06:36 PM
The best part of this is that these are just plans.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 22 December 2009 at 09:12 PM
And no probs if there aren't bowsers available as these craft are often used as fashion accesories so could mostly get by with a mild extension cord.
Posted by: arnold | 23 December 2009 at 12:40 PM
I want my next boat to be a hybrib too; http://www.ussubmarines.com/submarines/phoenix_1000.php3
http://www.ussubmarines.com/submarines/phoenix.pdf
Posted by: ai_vin | 24 December 2009 at 08:46 AM
Hell id be happy if I could afford the lifeboat this thing likely uses;/
If the rich wana play with h2 why not?
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 24 December 2009 at 10:11 AM