Developing an Electrically Driven Hydrogen Blower for a Vehicular Fuel Cell Powerplant

An essential component in the fuel cell/electric powered Electrovan is its hydrogen blower, which circulates gas past the hydrogen electrode, transporting the water formed there to the condenser for removal from the system. The two stage, radial flow blower designed to meet these needs is a compact, quiet, electrically driven unit with minimal leakage rate, and which does not contaminate the fuel cells. Major areas receiving attention in its development were the high-speed shaft seal, turbomachinery, resonant vibration in the blower housing, and noise level in the vehicle installation. The blower has completed several hundred hours of satisfactory service.