HYTRAN: Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for road transport

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0084-2

Key words (English)

Fuel cell propulsion system; FC auxiliary power unit; in-vehicle implementation and validation

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 502577

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 1.6.2 Urspr. Progr. Sustainable surface transport

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Paul Scherrer Institut PSI
Forschungsbereich allgemeine Energie

Abstract (English)

Two innovative integrated Fuel Cell Systems for automotive application will be developed within specific Technological Platforms (TPs):
· TPI 'POWERTRAIN': development of a system for traction power by an 80 kW direct hydrogen PEM fuel cell system implemented on a passenger car.
· TP2 'APU': development of 10 kW Auxiliary Power Unit for both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, including microstructured diesel oil steam reformer, clean-up reactors, an innovative reformate hydrogen stack and balance of plant components.
These objectives will be reached via R&TD activities that will address the most critical technical bottlenecks which currently hamper wide market penetration of PEM fuel cell systems for road transport, while accounting some of the key market and policy drivers and barriers. Particularly, the following innovative components will be developed:
· A 80 kW direct hydrogen stack with strong weight and volume reduction, increased efficiency, durability and start- up time, with innovative MEAs embodying sealing layers (?-layers MEAs);
· A 10 kW reformate stack, including innovative electrocatalyst and MEA elements' tolerant to very high CO concentrations (up to 5000 ppm) and low-resisitivity '50 Ohm cm) bipolar plates;
· A highly efficient, clean and compact micro-structured diesel steam reformer and gas purification unit proving at least 2000 h durability;
· Variable displacement compressors with reduced noise level;
· Innovative humidification/dehumidification apparatus;
· Heat exchanger and radiator customised for the different applications;
· humidity and CO sensors tailored to automotive application.

Specific targets for both platforms will be achieved via a system approach leading to development and validation of the concepts (POWERTRAIN: in a passenger car; APU: dynamic test validation in bench) with high 'well-to-wheel' efficiency (low fuel consumption), easy and optimised packaging and on-board integration.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0084-2