Fuel cell powertrains

The first class is characterized by those metals and metal alloys (iron, titanium and nickel) which require only a small amount of heat to release hydrogen. This heat might be easily withdrawn by the process fluids of a fuel cell powertrain. On the other hand, some hydrogen can be released also at room temperature, but this problem could be overcome by preliminary tank pressurizing, followed by a gradual pressure diminution when hydrogen content within the hydride decreases. 

Fig. 8.14 (a) Straight fuel cell powertrain, (b) Hybrid electric power train with fuel cell and electric storage. 

Fig. 4.10 Different hybrid configurations of a fuel cell powertrain. (B/i

Each location where the vehicles are utilized, generates different requirements to the fuel cell powertrain. Particularly important is the ambient temperature variation. This defines for example on one hand the cold start capabihty and on the other the performance requirements to the cooling system. 

Within the production, the production steps, the process and the tooling need to be developed and sized for the expected volume. Especially the transformation from a small manufacturing process to high volume production is challenging the OEMs. Several studies showed the fundamental possibility to achieve competitive cost of fuel cell powertrain [6, 24]. 

Technical Implementation of a Fuel Cell Powertrain 4.4.1 Passenger Car Overview of System and Component... 

The air module, the hydrogen module and the fuel cell stack are generally defined as fuel cell system. The schematic representation of a fuel cell powertrain can be found in [25]. 

Vans or light duty transport vehicle are like busses an optimal application for fuel cell powertrain. The utilization profile of such vehicles for example for city delivery leads to an advantage in the infrastructure. The vehicles can be refueled in a central depot, so that only one local H2 station is required and not a wide spread infrastructure. 

In 2010 under the frame of the EU Project HyS YS a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been equipped and tested with a fuel-cell powertrain (see Fig. 4.15, [26]). The project submitted in 2005 by 25 partners had the objective to further develop fuelcell system powertrain and components as well as to intensify the cooperation between OEMs, suppliers and research institution in Europa. 

Figure 4.16 shows the installation of the underfloor fuel cell powertrain. 

The use of passenger car fuel cell system or the common uses of some sub-modules allow a significant cost reduction of the fuel cell powertrain for bus application. In several demonstration projects and in the small serial production busses, Daimler and Evobus have presented this application. 

Daimler started the first fleet with 60 Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-CELL, followed by Ford Motor Company, which released additional 30 Ford Focus on the street (Fig. 4.42). Both fuel cell powertrains were developed and buUt on the basis of the same stack and fuel cell system technology. From the operation of those vehicles important data was gained for further development of next generation fuel cell powertrains [48]. 

With the jubilee 5 years of hydrogen project at the airport of Munich MAN commercial vehicle group presented a newly developed low floor line bus with hybrid fuel cell powertrain. The electrical driving motor was supplied by 68 kW from a PEM fuel cell system and 100 kW from an energy storage [50]. 

By achieving these objectives it is possible, step by step, to substitute the conventional powertrain with an environmentally friendly emission free fuel cell powertrain. 

Design Criteria and Components for Fuel Cell Powertrains... 

Componentsof Fuel Cell Powertrains 11063 Table 35.3 Characteristics of cylindrical (BMW Hydrogen 7) and free-form LH2 tanks [10]. 

I 35 Design Criteria and Components for Fuel Cell Powertrains Table 35.5 Overview of types of fuel cells [12]. 

Components of Fuel Cell Powertrains 11065 Electric load... 

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