Development of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System for Methanol-Fueled HT-PEM Fuel Cells for Sustainable Maritime Applications

High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells are promising systems for sustainable maritime transportation and offer significant environmental and operational benefits by utilizing methanol as a clean fuel. While during steady-state operations HT-PEMs produce negligible amounts of pollutants, during transient operational phases, and in particular during start-up, these systems can lead to the formation of additional pollutants. This work reports preliminary results on the development of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) specifically designed for integration with HT-PEM systems. The EGCS utilizes a fixed-bed adsorption process, chosen for its adaptability to variable pollutant loads and effectiveness on low pollutant concentrations and is based on a literature study and a model. The unit is capable of operating on demand, with a backpressure below 2 mbar and a negligible fuel penalty. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach to emission mitigation and supports the broader transition towards sustainable and environmentally responsible maritime propulsion technologies.