Scientists have built a diesel reformer for what they describe as the world’s largest reformer-fuel cell system, which can turn fuel into hydrogen-rich gas to generate 25 kilowatts (kW) of electricity for ships.
The technology was created by the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems (IMM) in Mainz, Germany. Funded by Germany’s Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM), it is part of the DIMARIT research project, which focuses on fuel cell power generation for maritime applications.
The system could allow ships to generate electricity without the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks. The team plans to exhibit the reformer at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg from October 20 to 22, 2026.
According to the team, the technology could also be useful for military operations because it produces less noise and heat. “The reformer converts the onboard fuel into a gas that, after further processing, supplies the fuel cell,” the researcher said.
A new way to power ships
Hydrogen fuel cellsgenerate electricity through an electrochemical reaction that combines hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. Unlike conventional engines, they generate electricity without burning fuel.
However, supplying them with hydrogen can be difficult, particularlyaboard shipswhere space is limited. What’s more, hydrogen requires dedicated storage tanks, which take up valuable space and add complexity to onboard power systems.
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The team’s reformer solves this problem byconverting dieselstored onboard into hydrogen-rich gas. The gas then undergoes further processing before it can be used by the fuel cell. As a result, the fuel cell can generate power without storing hydrogen separately.
During the project, the team examined how the different stages of the conversion process work together. The research also explored ways to manage the heat and ensure the system’s components work reliably under changing conditions.
Additionally, they are assessing the possibility of using synthetic diesel fuels in the reformer. This means the system could eventually run on both conventional diesel and suitable synthetic fuels.
Military applications
Fraunhofer IMM suggests the technology could have applications in the military sector, as military equipment often requires reliable electricity in locations where access to conventional power infrastructure is limited.
While traditional diesel generators produce considerable noise and heat, making military positions easier to detect, the newdiesel reformer-fuel cellsystem could offer a quieter alternative. That’s because it has fewer large moving parts, which could significantly reduce noise and heat emissions.
“Compared with engine-driven diesel generators, the system requires fewer large moving parts and can reduce acoustic and thermal signatures,” the research team elaborated in apress release. “Potential applications include supplying power to command and surveillance vehicles or field camps.”
Fuel availability and equipment weight are also key for military use. Since diesel is already widely used by the military, converting it into hydrogen-rich gas could offer several advantages. “In addition to fuel availability, low noise emissions, low heat output, and low weight are crucial there,” the team concluded.
At the expo, Fraunhofer IMM will present the technology alongside its methanol reformer, hydrogen production technologies using ammonia, as well as carbon dioxide methanation technology.
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Georgina JedikovskaBased in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.
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Scientists have built a diesel reformer for what they describe as the world’s largest reformer-fuel cell system, which can turn fuel into hydrogen-rich gas to generate 25 kilowatts (kW) of electricity for ships.
The technology was created by the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems (IMM) in Mainz, Germany. Funded by Germany’s Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM), it is part of the DIMARIT research project, which focuses on fuel cell power generation for maritime applications.
The system could allow ships to generate electricity without the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks. The team plans to exhibit the reformer at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg from October 20 to 22, 2026.
According to the team, the technology could also be useful for military operations because it produces less noise and heat. “The reformer converts the onboard fuel into a gas that, after further processing, supplies the fuel cell,” the researcher said.
A new way to power ships
Hydrogen fuel cellsgenerate electricity through an electrochemical reaction that combines hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. Unlike conventional engines, they generate electricity without burning fuel.
However, supplying them with hydrogen can be difficult, particularlyaboard shipswhere space is limited. What’s more, hydrogen requires dedicated storage tanks, which take up valuable space and add complexity to onboard power systems.
More from Energy
See AllEnergyScientists develop new catalyst for zinc-air batteries to run for over 300 hoursEnergyUS scientists grow better perovskite crystals, boost solar cell efficiency to 26%EnergyEnergy-importing countries record 3x faster clean energy generation than exportersEnergyWhy plugging ships into the grid can cost more than running onboard generatorsEnergy17-gigawatt Texas power project passes key hurdle for world’s largest private gridCredit:Fraunhofer IMM
The team’s reformer solves this problem byconverting dieselstored onboard into hydrogen-rich gas. The gas then undergoes further processing before it can be used by the fuel cell. As a result, the fuel cell can generate power without storing hydrogen separately.
During the project, the team examined how the different stages of the conversion process work together. The research also explored ways to manage the heat and ensure the system’s components work reliably under changing conditions.
Additionally, they are assessing the possibility of using synthetic diesel fuels in the reformer. This means the system could eventually run on both conventional diesel and suitable synthetic fuels.
Military applications
Fraunhofer IMM suggests the technology could have applications in the military sector, as military equipment often requires reliable electricity in locations where access to conventional power infrastructure is limited.
While traditional diesel generators produce considerable noise and heat, making military positions easier to detect, the newdiesel reformer-fuel cellsystem could offer a quieter alternative. That’s because it has fewer large moving parts, which could significantly reduce noise and heat emissions.
“Compared with engine-driven diesel generators, the system requires fewer large moving parts and can reduce acoustic and thermal signatures,” the research team elaborated in apress release. “Potential applications include supplying power to command and surveillance vehicles or field camps.”
Fuel availability and equipment weight are also key for military use. Since diesel is already widely used by the military, converting it into hydrogen-rich gas could offer several advantages. “In addition to fuel availability, low noise emissions, low heat output, and low weight are crucial there,” the team concluded.
At the expo, Fraunhofer IMM will present the technology alongside its methanol reformer, hydrogen production technologies using ammonia, as well as carbon dioxide methanation technology.
Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.
By subscribing, you agree to our
Terms of Useand
PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.
0
COMMENT
Subscribe to
Today!
Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.
Explore Now!By
Georgina JedikovskaBased in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.
- 1Video: Worm-like robot shifts its own weight to crawl over rocks, climb steps and swim
- 2Chinese EV giant's 31-joint humanoid robot could soon greet you at the car dealership
- 3US Coast Guard to add MQ-9B drones with 30-hour flight time to boost surveillance
- 4Why plugging ships into the grid can cost more than running onboard generators
- 5World's highest bridge at 2,050 feet turns advanced steel truss into extreme tourism hub
