T&R Bulletin R-55: An Evaluation of Fuel Cells for Commercial Ship Applications (2000)

This paper evaluates the potential of current fuel-cell technology to be used onboard commercial ships to generate electricity for hotel and/or propulsion loads. A discussion of the chemistry, thermodynamics, and operating parameters of fuel cells is followed by a synopsis of the particulars of each of the four types of fuel cells most likely to be used onboard ships: phosphoric-acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid-oxide fuel cells, and polymer-electrolyte fuel cells. These fuel cells are then evaluated for possible shipboard installations. A partially annotated bibliography of other fuel-cell works is included.