Browse Topic: Fuel cells
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates updates to the automotive testing standards, particularly for noise emission. This paper examines the vehicle-level noise emission testing of a Nikola Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck and the component-level noise emission testing needed to create a predictive simulation model using Wave6 software. The physical, component-level noise emission testing focused on individual cooling fans in a semi-anechoic chamber to assess their isolated noise contributions. With this data, an initial model was developed using spatial gradient statistical energy analysis, which successfully predicted pass-by noise levels based on varying fan locations and speeds. Real-world pass-by testing confirmed the model's accuracy across different cooling fan speeds. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, engineers aim to enhance the accuracy and reliability of pass-by noise predictions through cost-effective studies of architectural
The goal of the development of an electric aircraft engine is to create an aircraft system that achieves ultimate efficiency using hydrogen fuel instead of fossil fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on reducing weight as much as possible, and this paper describes the approach to such fuel cell-powered aircraft. The authors have adopted a superconducting coreless rotating electric machine with an integrated hydrogen tank and are pursuing a target of 70kg or less for the main components of a 2MW rotating electric machine. High-temperature superconducting cables have zero electrical resistance and can carry a very high current density, but the alternating current (AC) loss generated when used in AC has been an issue in their application to rotating electric machines. In 2023, The SCSC cable was developed to be a low-AC-loss, robust, and high current cable concept, in which copper-plated multifilament coated conductors are wound spirally on a core. In addition to using this
A Northwestern University-led team of researchers has developed a new fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes living in dirt. About the size of a standard paperback book, the completely soil-powered technology could fuel underground sensors used in precision agriculture and green infrastructure. This potentially could offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals that leach into the ground, are fraught with conflict-filled supply chains and contribute to the ever-growing problem of electronic waste.
In addition to electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cell systems are gaining attention as energy-efficient propulsion options. However, designing fuel cell vehicles presents unique challenges, particularly in terms of storage systems for heavy hydrogen tanks. These challenges impact factors such as NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) and safety performance. This study presents a topology optimization study for Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS) tank structure in Class 5 trucks, with a focus on enhancing the modal frequencies. The study considers a specific truck configuration with a HESS structure located behind the crew cab, consisting of two horizontally stacked hydrogen tanks and two tanks attached on both sides of the frame. The optimization process aimed to meet the modal targets of this hydrogen tank structure in the fore-aft (X) and lateral (Y) directions, while considering other load cases such as a simplified representation of GST (global static torsion), simplified
Decarbonizing regional and long-haul freight is challenging due to the limitations of battery-electric commercial vehicles and infrastructure constraints. Hydrogen fuel cell medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) offer a viable alternative, aligning with the decarbonization goals of the Department of Energy and commercial entities. Historically, alternative fuels like compressed natural gas and liquefied propane gas have faced slow adoption due to barriers like infrastructure availability. To avoid similar issues, effective planning and deploying zero-emission hydrogen fueling infrastructure is crucial. This research develops deployment plans for affordable, accessible, and sustainable hydrogen refueling stations, supporting stakeholders in the decarbonized commercial vehicle freight system. It aims to benefit underserved and rural energy-stressed communities by improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and enhancing energy resiliency. This research also provides a blueprint
The deployment of PEM fuel cell systems is becoming an increasingly pivotal aspect of the electrification of the transport sector, particularly in the context of heavy-duty vehicles. One of the principal constraints to market penetration is durability of the fuel cell which hardly meets the expected targets set by the vehicle manufacturers and regulatory bodies. Over the years, researchers and companies have faced the challenge of developing reliable diagnostic and condition monitoring tools to prevent early degradation and efficiency losses of fuel cell stack. The diagnostic tools for fuel cell rely usually on model-based, data driven and hybrid approaches. Most of these are mainly developed for stationary and offline applications, with a lack of suitable methods for real-time and vehicle applications. The work presented is divided into two parts: the first part explores the main degradation conditions for a PEMFC and characteristics, advantages, and application limits of the main
With the growing energy crisis, people urgently need green energy sources to replace fossil ones. As a zero-emission clean energy source, the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has received growing attention from researchers due to its broad practical application. However, the large-scale application of PEMFC is currently impeded by their unsatisfying power output and high cost. PEMFC is composed of multiple components, among which the catalyst layer significantly affects the output power and cost of PEMFC. Drastically reducing the amount of platinum in the catalyst layer can bring great benefits to PEMFC, yet causing the large voltage loss associated with enlarged local oxygen molecule transport. Cutting down the platinum content in the catalyst layer can yield substantial cost savings for PEMFC. Developing an efficient catalyst possessing enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance is conducive to the commercialization of low-Pt proton exchange membrane
Nikola announced on February 19 that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and had begun pursuing “value-maximizing sale transactions” for its operations. Also a maker of battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, the company began back in 2015 with an emphasis on hydrogen fuel cell technology for long-haul transport and began serial production of the Tre FCEV in 2023. The company also aspired to establish an extensive hydrogen fueling network through its HYLA brand. In its filing, Nikola stated that it intended to continue certain service and support operations for trucks currently in the field, including certain HYLA fueling operations, through the end of March 2025. The company would need one or more partners to support such activities beyond that point.
Since the 1860 Hippomobile, hydrogen has been a part of powered mobility. Today, most hydrogen storage applications use cylindrical tanks, but other solutions are available. At a recent Bosch-sponsored event, SAE Media noted Linamar's Flexform conformable storage, which the company says uses the same or less material for a given storage volume while delivering anywhere from 5-25% more volumetric efficiency than conventional cylindrical tanks within that volume. “We see space as a regular bounding box where all you're losing is this area around the corners, closer to five to 10% [loss]. Where Flexform really shines and where the value proposition really is, is irregular spaces, such as between frame rails,” said representatives from the Linamar engineering team.
From automakers to companies in the wider mobility industry, hydrogen power is seeing no shortage of investment and research even as some remain unconvinced of its future. Most outsiders to the transportation industry don't know much about rapid developments in hydrogen fuel-cell and hydrogen internal-combustion. There just aren't the large-scale commercial and public efforts to inform the public as exist for the battery-electric vehicle market. Still, 50% of people in a recent Department of Energy survey said they understood that hydrogen has a chance to be a clean alternative source of power for vehicles and even for homes. Spotlight or no, progress is being made. And though much of it is outside the United States, American cities and companies have absolutely not given up on the technology. SAE Media wanted to check in and note recent transportation developments that use the earth's most abundant element.
When NASA started investing in fuel cell technology in the 1960s, the rest of the world was still content to be powered by fossil fuels. The simple imperative that drove NASA to explore new ways to generate and store energy was the crushing cost of launching mass into space: somewhere on the order of $10,000 per pound.
Methanol, with its abundant production, mature synthesis process, well-established storage and transportation infrastructure, and no need to return the dehydrogenated product, is considered to be an ideal hydrogen carrier, is expected to play a great role in the energy transition of the transportation sector and the construction of a hydrogen transportation system. This paper focuses on the hydrogen energy supply system using methanol as a carrier, briefly introduces the basics of methanol production and transportation, and then focuses on the different routes of using methanol in hydrogen transportation infrastructure and vehicles from the perspectives of technology, economy, safety, and commercialization process. Finally, the impacts of the different routes of introducing methanol on hydrogen transportation are compared and analyzed, and the role of methanol in the energy supply of hydrogen transportation is elaborated.
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