Energy transformation transition is mandatory if mankind wants to limit global warming for the safety of our environment and own survival. Transportation represented 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2014, and almost all of its energy needs (95%) were satisfied by petroleum-based fuels. Hence, the transportation sector will experiment in the following years the switch to alternative energy sources.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) have irrupted in the market aiming to diminish the greenhouse gas emission as they only emit water and heat. Moreover, FCEVs are powered by the energy released by the reaction of two widely-abundant sources: hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). While much attention has been put on specific components of the FCEV, such as the catalytic fuel cell and the hydrogen supply and storage; the oxygen supply delivered by the compressor has not yet been optimized. Thus, air management for fuel cell systems remains a challenge: current compressors provide low mass O2 flow delivery, low efficiency, high weight, large size, low air quality feed due to greased ball bearings, and noise pollution.
Celeroton´s Turbo-FCell Compressor System is composed by a turbo compressor designed for FCEV and its own energy supply converter, with the following USPs:
1. Up to 20 times smaller and lighter than conventional compressors. This weight and size enable the fitting into the smallest powertrain, in contrast to any other solution in the market.
2. Rotational speed up 300 times faster than market compressors. This speed in combination with our proprietary speed control allows for highly dynamic control of both pressure and O2 mass flow delivered to the catalytic fuel cell.
3. Holds air bearing technology, without the need for lubricants in contrast to current compressors, that limits the lifetime of the fuel cell stack to as low as 20,000 km due to oil contamination. Our system guarantees pure air delivered to the fuel cell, ensuring a long lifetime of the fuel cell without maintenance, while noise and vibration levels are kept to a minimum.
The current Turb-FCell prototypes are functional and reliable but yet too expensive to meet market demand. In addition, the Turbo-FCell product needs to be tested under specific conditions that might occurs during driving and affect its performance. Hereby, the overall objectives of the project are to (1) reduce the cost of the manufacturing, and (2) to expand the current testing to comply with market demands.
The project could be concluded and the objectives could be achieved.
