US gas generator company Rix Industries has been awarded a significant contract by Maritime Partners, a privately held financing and leasing solutions for the US maritime industry.
The company’s fleet of over 1,600 vessels transports commodities including agricultural products, chemicals, aggregates, crude oil, and refined petroleum products. The order stipulates the purchase of 10 Rix methanol-to-hydrogen (M2H2) reformer systems for use on Hydrogen One, the world’s first methanol/hydrogen fuel cell-powered towboat.
By integrating technology licensed from Element 1 the Rix M2H2 systems produce hydrogen-on-demand, eliminating the complexities of on-board high-pressure gas or cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage. The RIX M2H2 Series systems generate high-purity (99.97%) hydrogen with zero NOx, SOx, or particulate matter, enabling decarbonisation efforts. The M2H2 systems are combined with PEM fuel cells to deliver primary power on the vessel.
Austin Sperry, President, Maritime Partners, said: “Sustainability in workboat operations, specifically the inland brown water sector, is a priority for the industry. By deploying Rix M2H2 reformers to power the fuel cells – on-demand, when needed – on our ground-breaking Hydrogen One vessel, Maritime Partners is sending a clear message that cleaner energy emissions can be achieved via convenient, manageable, and available hydrogen processes.”
Rix M2H2 systems are capable of supporting fuel cell solutions from 10kw to 140kw with a single reformer, can be aggregated to support MW applications, and are flexible for operations such as ship propulsion, auxiliary power systems, reefer container power, and cold ironing.
Bryan Reid, Chief Sales Officer, Rix Industries said: “The methanol-to-hydrogen process is changing the dynamics of vessel propulsion. On-board hydrogen generation is a reality, decoding the longstanding challenges of high-pressure storage and cryogenic temperature requirements. Maritime Partners recognises this breakthrough and, with our M2H2 Series reformers, will be primed to take full advantage of the wide availability of portside methanol – meeting not only Hydrogen One’s propulsion needs but also looming environmental mandates to offset dangerous emissions.”
