Fuel cell vehicles

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

 Fuel cell vehicles
Operating Principles of Fuel Cells

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

- Load + Oxidant
Fuel Positive O2
ions
H2

H2O

Anode
Electrolyte Cathode
electrode
electrode
• A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical
energy
• The fuel and oxidants (oxygen or air) are continuously supplied to the two
electrodes of the cell 2

• The electrolyte conducts the ions from one electrode to the other
 Fuel cell vehicles
Operating Principles of Fuel Cells

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

- Load + Oxidant
Fuel Positive O2
ions
H2

H2O

Anode
Electrolyte Cathode
electrode
electrode
• The fuel is supplied to the anode, where electrons are released from the
fuel under catalyst
• The electrons, flow to the cathode electrode, where, in combination with
positive ions and oxygen, produce exhaust (H2O). 3
 Fuel cell vehicles
Current–voltage curves

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Vr reversible voltage
Vr
ΔV0 rest-voltage drop
ΔV0
Cell voltage (V)

(depends on the electrode

ΔVΩ
materials and electrolyte)

ΔVΩ ohmic voltage drop

ΔVa + ΔVc
ΔVa activation voltage drop
(part of the generated
energy is lost in pushing
the species to react)
Current density (A/cm2)
ΔVc concentration voltage
(Reduction of the
4
concentration of the
electrolyte near the electrode)
 Fuel cell vehicles
Efficiency and power of fuel cell

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Power density (W/cm2)
Efficiency
Efficiency (%)

Power density

Current density (A/cm2)

• Operating efficiency and power density along with the current

density in a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell 5
 Fuel cell vehicles

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• The fuel cell generates electric energy (doesn’t store) and
continues to do so as long as a fuel supply is maintained

• Compared with the battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs),

the fuel cell-powered vehicle has the advantages of a longer
driving range, without a long battery charging time

• Compared with the internal combustion engine (ICE)

vehicles, it has the advantages of
 high energy efficiency
 much lower emissions (no combustion).
6
 Fuel cell vehicles
Fuel Cell System System

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

H2

Air
Water Waster 7
heat
Fuel cell vehicles
Fuel Cell System

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

8 KW
module

8
Fuel cell vehicles
Fuel Cell System System

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

8 KW
module

9
Fuel cell vehicles

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Fuel Cell System System

10
 Fuel cell vehicles
Fuel Cell System Characteristics

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Net current density (A/cm2) 11
 Fuel cell vehicles
Fuel Cell Technologies

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• 6 major types of fuel cells depending on the type of their electrolyte

Cell system Temperature °C Electrolyte state

Proton exchange 60–100 Solid
Alkaline 100 Liquid
Phosphoric 60–200 Liquid
Molten carbonate 500–800 Liquid
Solid oxide 1000–1200 Solid
Direct methanol 100 Solid

12
 Fuel cell vehicles
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• Solid polymer membranes as the electrolyte
• The ions transported are hydrogen ions (H) or protons
• The polymer electrolyte membrane is coated with a carbon-supported
catalyst
Problems:
• Low reaction temperature (60–100 °C)
• Noble metals for catalysts
• Water management  Membrane too dry, not enough acid ions
to carry the protons
 Membrane too wet (flooded), the pores of
the diffusion layer will be blocked for the
gases

• The last major critical issue in PEM fuel cells is poisoning from CO 13
 Fuel cell vehicles
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Advantages
• Low-temperature operation
• Power density is the highest among all the available types of fuel
cells
• Solid electrolyte does not change, move, or vaporize from the cell

Disadvantages

• Expensive noble metal

• Expensive membrane

• Easily poisoned catalyst and membrane 14

 Fuel cell vehicles
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• Instead of using hydrogen, methanol can be directly used as the fuel for
a fuel cell

• Methanol is a liquid fuel that can be stored easily, distributed, and

marketed for vehicle application

• Operation temperature : 50 to 100°C.

15
• Low power density, slow power response, and low efficiency
than direct hydrogen fuel cell
 Fuel cell vehicles
Hydrogen Storage

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

Compressed Hydrogen

• At a pressure of 350 bar, the energy per liter of hydrogen is less than 1 kWh and
is equivalent to about 0.1 l of gasoline
16
• At 700 bar, the energy per liter of hydrogen is still less than 2.0 kWh and about
0.2 of equivalent liters of gasoline
 Fuel cell vehicles
Compressed Hydrogen

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• Containing a gas at several hundred atmospheres requires a very
strong tank.
• Materials : composite such as carbon fiber.
• Hazards: a compressed gas tank is a potential bomb in case of a
wreck
• Permeation of hydrogen

17
 Fuel cell vehicles
Cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• Another alternative solution to storing hydrogen on-board a vehicle is to
liquefy the gas at cryogenic temperatures (- 259.2°C).

• It requires a heavily insulated tank to minimize the heat transfer

from the ambient air to the cryogenic liquid and thus prevent it from boiling

• The tank insulation, strength, and safety devices also add significantly to
the weight and cost

18
 Fuel cell vehicles
Metal Hydrides

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

• Some metals are capable of combining with hydrogen to form stable
compounds that can later be decomposed under particular pressure and
temperature conditions.
• These metals may be iron, titanium, manganese, nickel, lithium, and some
alloys of these metals.
• The manufacturing of these hydrides and their recycling is also challenging.

• Carbon nanotubes would be a prospective method for hydrogen 19

storage systems, due to their potential high hydrogen absorbing
capability and light weight.
 Fuel cell vehicles
Hydrogen Storage

Vehicle Powertrain technologies

H2 gas

Liquid H2

Mg-H2

Mg2Ni-H4

FeTi-H2

LaNi5-H6
20

Current mass and volume to store 6 kg of Hydrogen

22 l of gasoline equivalent