My presentation on fuel cell drive train

FUEL CELL DRIVETRAIN

KULDEEP LAWANIYAN482/09

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William Robert GroveWas doing electrolysisAnd in a way discovered fuel cell as reverse of it

What is a fuel cell ? How it works ? What are the functions of it ? How it can be used for driving

vehicle ? What are the basic components of

a FCV ? What are advantages of using it

over conventional IC engines ?

Introduction

Make use of Electrochemical processHydrogen + oxygen water +

electricity+ heat

Storage tank Air

Provide energy for systems as large as a utility power station and as small as a laptop

Fuel cell

Working of fuel cell• Proton exchange membrane. H2 2H+ + 2e-

(at anode) 2H+ + ½ O2 H2O + Heat

(at cathode)

[ Source: Fuel Cell Handbook (Fifth edition) ]

Fuel cell system

•Fuel cell stack• Fuel processors• Current invertors and conditioners• Heat recovery system

Types of fuel cell Polymer electrolyte membrane Direct methanol fuel cell Phosphoric acid fuel cell Alkaline fuel cell Molten acid fuel cell Solid oxide fuel cell

[ Source: Fuel Cell Handbook (Fifth edition)

Table showing different types of fuel cell

Fuel cell vehicle FCVs are the vehicle which run on the hydrogen rather than gasoline Emits no harmful gases It uses PEM fuel cell

[Source: www.futurecars.com ]

Concept of fuel cell vehicle Cells are grouped into stack. A hydrogen fuel cell automobile would have at least 45 cells in a stack. Hydrogen is stored and injected in either liquid or gas form. Output is only water or vapor

[ Source: Automotive fuel cell corporation ]

Working of fuel cell vehicle•Hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air are channeled through field flow plates on opposite sides of fuel cell.•At anode hydrogen splits into hydrogen ion (positive ion) and into electron (negative ion).•Electrons travel through an external circuit creating electric current.•At cathode water is formed.•This electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy with the help of electric motors.

Components of fuel cell FCV

[ Source: “ABCs of Automotive Fuel cells” Ron Sims

Hydrogen storage tank

[ Source: “Composite Comfortable Pressure Vessel” U. S. Patent No.5 ]

Carbon fiber composite tank Plastic liner Aluminum polar bosses Pressure around 10000 psi

Fuel cell stack

Fuel cell vehicle efficiency Fuel cell efficiency Eff. = Vactual /1.2 v

Electric work done = charge *voltage = -2FE Joules

Fuel cell system efficiencyAlso called Plant to wheel efficiency

[ Source: American national standards institute ]

Factors affecting fuel cell efficiency Temperature Pressure

Stoichiometric effect Humidity effect

[ Source: Module 4: Hydrogen fuel cell technology ]

Refueling of HFCV

[ Source: EV World, “Hydrogen Car Fire Surprise” ]

Hydrogen can be used as on board fuel A flexible connection between car and

dispenser Only few refueling stations over worldwide

Sources of hydrogen

Comparative analysis of FCVWell to wheel efficiency

FCV is 22 % efficient ICE is 15 % efficient

Advantages & disadvantages of FCVAdvantages

Efficiency is largely independent of load Less complicated then ICE vehicle Quitter operation No structural weaknesses Zero emission

Disadvantages High cost On board hydrogen storage Production of hydrogen at energy plants creates

much CO2

H2 is very flammable gas

PerformanceSafetyComfortFreeze startRange

ReliabilityLongevityPackage/weightCost

Status of fuel cell vehicle technology

Technological challenges Vehicle cost On board hydrogen storage Fuel cell durability & reliability Getting hydrogen to consumers Public acceptance

[ Source: Photo courtesy of HONDA ]

Prototype of FCV NECAN JEEP COMMANDER F-cell TH!NK HYDROGENI

[ Source: www.fuelcellpartnership.org ]

Conclusion