Auxiliary power unit

In March 2013, Advanced Manufacturing Research Unit (AIST) in Japan announced the release of a portable SOFC that can operate on a range of liquid fuels. It is a microtubular SOFC technology the system can directiy use 

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The modular design of the HyPM fuel cells allows scaling for higher power requirements using a variety of configurations, such as series and parallel systems. Potential applications for the technology include vehicle propulsion, auxiliary power units (APU), stationary applications including backup and standby power units, combined heat and power units and portable power applications for the construction industry and the military. 

GM has provided the U.S. Army with a diesel hybrid military pickup truck equipped with a fuel cell auxiliary power unit that could become the... 

Freightliner and the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Vehicles Program are exploring using fuel cell auxiliary power units (APUs) in lieu of main engine idling in their vehicles. The truck auxiliary power application may offer a viable near-term market for small (1- 5-kW) fuel cells. 

In addition to high-profile fuel cell applications such as automotive propulsion and distributed power generation, the use of fuel cells as auxiliary power units (APUs) for vehicles has received considerable attention (see Figure 1-9). APU applications may be an attractive market because it offers a true mass-market opportunity that does not require the challenging performance and low cost required for propulsion systems for vehicles. In this section, a discussion of the technical performance requirements for such fuel cell APUs, as well as the current status of the technology and the implications for fuel cell system configuration and cost is given. 

Auxiliary power units are devices that can provide all or part of the non-propulsion power for vehicles. Such units are already in widespread use in a range of vehicle types and for a variety of applications, in which they provide a number of potential benefits (see Figure 1-10). Although each of these applications could provide attractive future markets for fuel cells, this section will focus on application to on-road vehicles (specifically trucks). 

Sgroi, M., Bollito, G., Saracco, G., Speeehia, S. 2005. BIOFEAT Biodiesel fuel processor for a vehiele fuel eell auxiliary power unit Study of the feed system. J Power Sources 149 8-14. 

Speeehia, S., Tillemans, F.W.A., van den Oosterkamp, PR, Saracco, G. 2005. BIOFEAT Conceptual design and selection of a biodiesel fuel processor for a vehicle fuel cell auxiliary power unit. J Power Sources 145 683-690. 

There is now a great interest in developing different kinds of fuel cells with several applications (in addition to the first and most developed application in space programs) depending on their nominal power stationary electric power plants (lOOkW-lOMW), power train sources (20-200kW) for the electrical vehicle (bus, truck and individual car), electricity and heat co-generation for buildings and houses (5-20 kW), auxiliary power units (1-100 kW) for different uses (automobiles, aircraft, space launchers, space stations, uninterruptible power supply, remote power, etc.) and portable electronic devices (1-100 W), for example, cell phones, computers, camcorders [2, 3]. 

The PEMFC is nowadays the most advanced low-temperature fuel cell technology [19, 20], because it can be used in several applications (space programs, electric vehicles, stationary power plants, auxiliary power units, portable electronics). The progress made in one application is greatly beneficial to the others. 

According to different applications (stationary power plants, power sources for electric vehicle, auxiliary power units, etc.), different specifications and system design are required. 

A conceptual design and selection of an ATR biodiesel processor for a vehicle fuel cell auxiliary power unit were reported by Specchia et al. [81]. Three processor options were compared for H2 production with respect to efficiency, complexity, compactness, safety, controllability and emissions. The ATR with both high-temperature shift (HTS) and low-temperature shift (LTS) reactors showed the most promising results. 

A compact design for a gasoline fuel processor for auxiliary power unit (APU) applications, including an autothermal reformer followed by WGS and selective oxidation stages, was reported by Severin et al. [83]. The overall fuel processor efficiency was about 77% with a start-up time of 30 min. 

Develop a fuel cell system for auxiliary power units (3-30 kW) with a specific power of 150 W/kg and a power density of 170 W/L by 2010. 

Design, construct and evaluate a compact integrated auxiliary power unit (APU) of - 5 kW, together with fuel reforming facilities 2003... 

Zitney, S., Prinkey, M., Shahnam, M. and Rogers, W. (2004) Coupled CFD and process simulation of a fuel cell auxiliary power unit, in Pproceedings of the Second International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Rochester, NY, June 14-16, pp. 339-345. 

Parts in Aircraft s auxiliary power unit Hybride ball bearing in the space shuttle... 

Aircraft engines Ceramic turbine nozzles in the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit Engine). Seals runners installed in different business jets such as Falcon, Citation and Learjet. Ceramic oil pump spacer enhance engine could start capability on APUs on Boeing 777 and 737 and all Airbuses. Cutter pins, which are used as a safety feature for air turbine starters. Ceramic wear indicator on Airbus APU starter brushes since 1997... 

The high reliability of Si3N4 ceramics is demonstrated by hybrid bearings in the main engine pump of the space shuttle [644] and different components in the aircraft s auxiliary power units [650, 651],... 

A further example would be the silent watch auxiliary power unit developed by Hydrogenics for the Canadian Coyote armoured vehicle. This proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell APU also uses hydrogen stored as a metal hydride. Hydrogen is produced using an on-board electrolyser powered during operation of the diesel engine. 

Given these requirements, hybrid and nonhybrid PEMFC systems are the leading contenders for automotive fuel cell power, with additional attention focusing on the direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) version of the technology and the possibility of using solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems as auxiliary power units for cars and trucks. 

Lutsey, Nic, C.J. Brodrick, D. Sperling, and H. Dwyer. 2003. Markets for Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units in Vehicles A Preliminary Assessment. Transportation Research Record, No. 1842, Washington, D.C. Transportation Research Board. 

Auxiliary Power Unit) - Propellant-powered device used to generate electric or fluid power. 

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