Source: HT
Subject: Economy
Context: India launched its first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger vessel into commercial service in Varanasi, marking a breakthrough in green inland water transport.
About India’s First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel:
- What it is?
- A 24-metre hydrogen fuel cell-powered AC catamaran crafted for zero-emission passenger movement, ensuring clean mobility on inland waterways.
- Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi — the vessel’s maiden commercial run began here along the Ganga.
- Developed by: Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), showcasing indigenous excellence in clean marine engineering.
- Key Features:
- Capacity: Carries 50 passengers comfortably with full air-conditioning for urban river mobility.
- Propulsion: Uses Low-Temperature PEM fuel cell technology enabling silent, vibration-free cruising.
- Emission: Emits only water, ensuring completely pollution-free navigation on the Ganga.
- Endurance: Can operate for around 8 hours on a single hydrogen refill, supporting daily commercial runs.
- Hybrid System: Integrates hydrogen fuel cells, batteries and solar panels to optimise efficiency.
- Speed: Cruises at ~6.5 knots, balancing energy efficiency with safe riverine operations.
- Hull Type: Catamaran design provides high stability, better deck space and superior seakeeping.
About Hydrogen Fuel Cell:
- What it is?
- An electrochemical device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, yielding only water and heat for clean, efficient power generation.
- How It Works?
- Hydrogen enters the anode, supplying the fuel for electrochemical splitting.
- A catalyst splits H₂ into protons (H⁺) and electrons (e⁻), initiating the energy conversion.
- Protons move through the PEM membrane to the cathode, maintaining the reaction flow.
- Electrons, unable to cross the membrane, travel via an external circuit to generate electricity.
- At the cathode, oxygen, protons and electrons combine to form water and release heat.
- Features:
- Produces zero emissions, releasing only water as the harmless byproduct.
- Offers higher efficiency than combustion engines by avoiding thermal losses.
- Provides quiet, vibration-free operation ideal for sensitive environments.
- Adaptable across mobility, stationary and portable clean-power applications.
- Applications:
- Used in transportation including cars, buses, trucks, ships, drones and forklifts.
- Deployed in stationary systems for buildings, data centres and remote-grid power.
- Used in portable supply systems for defence, small devices and emergency backup.
