Direct Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Research Articles

Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles Using Supercapacitors–Device Characteristics, Control Strategies, and Simulation Results

AbstractThe fuel cell powered vehicle is one of the most attractive candidates for the future due to its high efficiency and capability to use hydrogen as the fuel. However, its relatively poor dynamic response, high cost and limited life time have impeded its widespread adoption. With the emergence of large supercapacitors (also know as ultracapacitors, UCs) with high power density and the shift to hybridisation in the vehicle technology, fuel cell/supercapacitor hybrid fuel cell vehicles are gaining more attention. Fuel cells in conjunction with supercapacitors can create high power with fast dynamic response, which makes it well suitable for automotive applications. Hybrid fuel cell vehicles with different powertrain configurations have been evaluated based on simulations performed at the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California‐Davis. The following powertrain configurations have been considered:(a)Direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) without energy storage(b)FCVs with supercapacitors directly connected in parallel with fuel cells(c)FCVs with supercapacitors coupled in parallel with fuel cells through a DC/DC converter(d)FCVs with fuel cells connected to supercapacitors via a DC/DC converter

Optimization of fuel cell system operating conditions for fuel cell vehicles

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology for use in fuel cell vehicles and other applications has been intensively developed in recent decades. Besides the fuel cell stack, air and fuel control and thermal and water management are major challenges in the development of the fuel cell for vehicle applications. The air supply system can have a major impact on overall system efficiency. In this paper a fuel cell system model for optimizing system operating conditions was developed which includes the transient dynamics of the air system with varying back pressure. Compared to the conventional fixed back pressure operation, the optimal operation discussed in this paper can achieve higher system efficiency over the full load range. Finally, the model is applied as part of a dynamic forward-looking vehicle model of a load-following direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to explore the energy economy optimization potential of fuel cell vehicles.

Energy utilization and efficiency analysis for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

This paper presents the results of an energy analysis for load-following versus battery-hybrid direct-hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The analysis utilizes dynamic fuel cell vehicle simulation tools previously presented [R.M. Moore, K.H. Hauer, J. Cunningham, S. Ramaswamy, A dynamic simulation tool for the battery-hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, Fuel Cells, submitted for publication; R.M. Moore, K.H. Hauer, D.J. Friedman, J.M. Cunningham, P. Badrinarayanan, S.X. Ramaswamy, A. Eggert, A dynamic simulation tool for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, J. Power Sources, 141 (2005) 272–285], and evaluates energy utilization and efficiency for standardized drive cycles used in the US, Europe and Japan.

On-Board Reforming Effects on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Vehicles

This paper incorporates a methanol reformer model with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system model for automotive applications. The reformer model and fuel cell system model have been integrated into a vehicle performance simulator that determines fuel economy and other performance features. Fuel cell vehicle fuel economy using on-board methanol reforming is compared with fuel economy using direct-hydrogen fueling. The overall performance using reforming is significantly less than in a direct-hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

An experimental study of controlling strategies and drive forces for hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles

With shrinking energy reserves and rising concerns for the environment, efficient and clean-burning fuel is needed. At this point, fuel cell vehicles promise to be far more efficient, clean and truly zero emission with the only by-product being pure water (Texas Tech University develops fuel cell powdered hybrid electric vehicle for future car challenge. Electrical engineering and mechanical engineering departments, Texas Tech University, 1998). Fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHVs) offer additional flexibility to enhance the fuel economy in comparison with direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles which cost a lot (Build your own electric vehicle. p. 162). FCHV mainly consists of fuel cell and battery power system which can assist and compensate for the total system power for the instance of low fuel cell power. To operate this system effectively, the controlling and optimizing the power proportion of the each power from fuel cell system and battery system must be primarily solved. In order to seek future vehicle power systems, the feature of hydrogen FCHV and its control are discussed in this paper.

Market penetration scenarios for fuel cell vehicles

Market penetration models are presented, illustrating that direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could eventually provide industry with substantial return on investment without government subsidy, while at the same time significantly reducing environmental degradation and oil imports. This market penetration model estimates the likely number of fuel cell vehicles that might be sold in the United States over the next three decades, based on the projected costs of these vehicles and the cost of hydrogen compared to other clean vehicles that might compete for the California zero emission vehicle market. Initial results are shown comparing the market penetration, societal benefit/cost ratios and return on investment estimates for direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles compared to fuel cell vehicles with onboard fuel processors including methanol steam reformers and gasoline partial oxidation systems.

Affordable hydrogen supply pathways for fuel cell vehicles

Fuel cell vehicles can be powered directly by hydrogen stored on the vehicle, or indirectly by extracting hydrogen from onboard liquid fuels such as methanol or gasoline. The direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is preferred, since it would be less complex, have better fuel economy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, greater oil import reductions and would lead to a sustainable transportation system once renewable energy was used to produce hydrogen. The two oft-cited concerns with direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are onboard hydrogen storage and the lack of hydrogen supply options. Directed Technologies, Inc., working with the Ford Motor Company under a Department of Energy cost shared contract to develop direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, has addressed both perceived roadblocks to direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We describe realistic, cost effective options for both onboard hydrogen storage and for economically viable hydrogen infrastructure development.