RIX Industries has developed a mobile hydrogen generation system, the M2H2-Series scalable family of methanol-to-hydrogen power systems, bringing green power to shipboard and marine environments.

With the ability to generate hydrogen onboard and on demand, these systems offer users a safer and smaller shipboard volume requirement as compared to high-pressure compressed hydrogen solutions. The RIX M2H2-Series also eliminates the heavy and costly footprint of cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage. These power systems provide marine shipbuilders and operators a readily available path away from environmentally damaging diesel-based propulsion systems.

Available now, the M2H2-Series systems create an effective commercial path to clean, scalable hydrogen power for maritime applications. This system is a vital step in addressing the global challenge facing the shipping industry, now required to meet immediate reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eventual elimination of diesel power as mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations regulatory entity. The M2H2 systems, combined with fuel cells, produce power without any NOx, SOx, or particulate matter and net zero CO₂ emission with renewable methanol.

RIX M2H2-Series systems incorporate proven methanol fuel reforming technology to generate hydrogen. This technology is licensed from Element 1 (dba e1), developer of clean energy products, processes, and technologies, and is supported by RIX’s well-established manufacturing operations and integration services. As self-contained containerized power systems, the M2H2-Series blends methanol-to-hydrogen generation technology and PEM fuel cells to provide a high efficiency, minimal vibration/noise, and low emission solution for power critical applications including ship propulsion, auxiliary power systems, reefer container power, and cold ironing. 

The M2H2 power system also supports 30 kW to 120 kW fuel cell solutions, which can be combined to support MW applications as well. Deployment does not require major retrofit of ship infrastructure, and existing diesel tanks can instead be used to store liquid methanol at ambient conditions as a feedstock. This eliminates the complexities and concerns of onboard hydrogen management, such as storage at high pressures or cryogenic temperatures, which have long been a roadblock for marine industries.