A clean journey ahead

Shipping is responsible for around three percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. In the EU, the figure is around eleven percent in the maritime transport sector. Strict emission limits, such as those we are familiar with in the automotive sector, do not yet exist on the water. It is therefore not surprising that the measured pollutant levels in ports are significantly higher than those from road traffic. The spin-off REVYVE Technologies has developed an approach to address this problem: hydrogen engines for the maritime sector. The expert services provided by the founding duo David Gerber and David Leimann are designed to facilitate the transition from conventional hydrocarbon combustion to clean hydrogen. “With our expertise and our proprietary simulation chain, we can demonstrate a cost-effective and efficient conversion process. Our long-term vision is to develop our own hydrogen engine based on existing combustion engines,” co-founder Gerber describes their plan.

Always change the running system

Both studied at the KIT and worked in industry. They are very familiar with the automotive industry, engines and the underlying emission guidelines. The lack of regulations for the maritime sector and the possibility of adapting car engines to the boat sector were the incentive for the foundation: “Stricter emission limits for shipping are to be introduced towards 2030, which will affect not only boat owners but also port operators. The replacement of carbonaceous fuels with hydrogen is possible with little effort in existing engines. The good thing is that, especially in the medium power range between 100 and 1,000 kilowatts, engines from the automotive sector can also be used in the maritime sector,” explains co-founder Leimann. The aim of the two founders is to maintain existing systems, but to decarbonize them. The fact that the well-known quote “never change a running system” is outdated is not only evident in the permanent change processes in the context of digitalization, but also in the product-oriented case of REVYVE.

Revitalization of a mature basic technology

January 29, 1886 is considered the birth date of the automobile, when Carl Benz applied for a patent for his gas-powered vehicle. An invention that has been further developed into state-of-the-art engines in just under 140 years. “Developing your own engine doesn't make sense with such an established technology, especially since it can be used in the maritime sector without any problems,” continues Leimann. Instead, REVYVE is focusing on retrofitting existing engines. The prerequisites for this include, among other things, adapting the charging system, the fuel supply and the ignition system. In addition, changes must be made inside the engine for hydrogen to function properly. “In recent years, we have invested a lot of time in considering which parts need to be adapted and how, and which components we can use for this. We have looked very closely at the use of hydrogen in various applications, especially with regard to safety-related aspects such as flammability,” says Gerber, describing the process. With this knowledge, the founders have developed a comprehensive preliminary assessment of the engine conversion described, which they offer to their customers as a service. “However, our range of services also includes subsequent testing of the preliminary assessment on the engine test bench. We use a combustion engine converted to hydrogen for this and can identify further optimization potential through testing,” Gerber continues. The two founders plan to launch their first hydrogen engine on the market next year. “In the long term, we want to offer our customers a comprehensive range of services – from visualization to the test stand and the ready-to-install engine. We are currently selecting a base engine so that we can start the conversion in the near future. The certified components required for this are already available on the market,” adds Leimann.

Transshipment points in transition

The founders are already talking to potential customers about the step from the research stage to practical application. They are primarily targeting industrial applications, since not only is there a great need for action there, but the necessary infrastructure is also being planned. “Specifically, we are talking about future transshipment points for hydrogen, for example in the ports of Rotterdam or Hamburg. Due to the transportation of raw materials, there are already concrete plans for hydrogen hubs there, and with the approaching changes in legislation, there is also a need for action on decarbonization,” explains Leimann. Although the hydrogen engine is not yet on the market, its potential is obvious: every conventional combustion engine that is replaced by a hydrogen engine in the maritime sector is a gain for air cleanliness. Compared to its diesel or e-fuels competitors, it is also clean locally, as it does not release any carbon atoms. Hydrogen combustion produces minimal nitrogen oxide raw emissions as a by-product, which are already lower than the upcoming limits without exhaust aftertreatment. REVYVE is thus providing the impetus for climate-neutral mobility on the water – for a clean journey ahead.

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Images:

• Denys Yelmanov / iStock.com
• Amadeus Bramsiepe / KIT