This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Final Report for the H2Fuel Bus
Technical Paper
1999-01-2906
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The H2Fuel Bus is the world's first hydrogen-fueled electric hybrid transit bus (see Figure1.). It was a project developed through a public/private partnership involving several leading technological and industrial organizations, with primary funding by the Department of Energy (DOE). The primary goals of the project were to gain valuable information on the technical readiness and economic viability of hydrogen fueled buses and to enhance the public awareness and acceptance of emerging hydrogen technologies. The bus completed its field-testing and was placed into public service on September 4, 1998 by Augusta Public Transit in Augusta, Georgia. The bus employs a hybrid Internal Combustion (IC) engine/generator and battery powered electric drive system, with onboard storage of hydrogen in metal hydride beds. The initial operating results demonstrated an overall energy efficiency (miles/BTU) twice the range of a similar diesel-fueled bus, while doubling the range of an all-electric vehicle by providing in-transit recharging of the batteries. Subsequent data showed that the power controller was not optimized for maximum battery life and, therefore, some efficiency was lost. Correction of that condition would provide a daily range of at least 120 miles in a hybrid hydrogen/electric-operating mode. The project developed reduced engine tail-pipe emissions, with NOx measured at less than 0.2 ppm. In addition todemonstrating the inherent safety of a solid-state hydrogen storage system, the project also addressed permit, liability, and safety issues, including a safety risk assessment of the metal hydride storage system. State-of-the-art technology in battery system management was likewise demonstrated.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | Operation of a Hydrogen-Powered Hybrid Electric Bus |
Ground Vehicle Standard | Standard for Fuel Systems in Fuel Cell and Other Hydrogen Vehicles |
Technical Paper | GE Electric Drivetrain Technologies for Lightweight Battery Dominant Hybrid Fuel Cell Bus |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Jacobs, W., Heung, L., Motyka, T., Summers, W. et al., "Final Report for the H2Fuel Bus," SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-2906, 1999, https://doi.org/10.4271/1999-01-2906.Also In
References
- “Performance Testing of a Hydrogen-Fueled Electric Hybrid City Transit Bus,” Jacobs W. D. Heung L. K. Motyka T. Summers W. A.
- Heung, L. K. 1988 “Heat Transfer and Kinetics of a Metal Hydride Reactor,” Metal-Hydrogen Systems II 1451 1461 Kirchheim R. Fromm E. Wiche E Stuttgart, Germany
- Heung, L. K. 1997 “On-board Hydrogen Storage System Using Metal Hydride,” HYPOTHESIS II Conference Grimstad - Norway August 18-22 1997
- “H2Fuel Bus Project Hazard Analysis-Rolling Operations (U),” Coutts D. A. Hovis G. L. Thomas J. K. Sarrack A. G. Wu T. T. Chattin J. C. Westinghouse Savannah River Company Aiken, SC July 1996
- “H2Fuel Bus Hazard Analysis-Operations, Maintenance and Storage (U),” Coutts D. A. Thomas J. K. Hovis G. L. Wu T. T. Westinghouse Savannah River Company Aiken, SC February 1997