PowerCell Sweden receives order from Chinese company for PowerCell S2 to be used as an EV range-extender
02 September 2016
PowerCell Sweden AB has received an order for the PowerCell S2 fuel cell stack from a Chinese company within the automotive industry. The PowerCell S2 will be used as a hydrogen-based range extender for electrified passenger cars.
The PowerCell S2 fuel cell stack is designed for efficient power generation in the range of 5 to 25 kW.
Once the car’s battery has been discharged to a predetermined level, the fuel cell automatically kicks in. The built-in fuel cell converts the on-board hydrogen to electric energy that is supplied to the battery so that the driver can continue his or her journey. The car is powered by the electric motor and the average power output is provided by the fuel cell to keep the battery charged. The battery contributes maximum power, such as when overtaking.
This Chinese FC-PHEV may be one of the best solution for clean running all purpose all weather vehicles. This vehicle will run on batteries ONLY for daily short runs and on batteries and clean running FC for longer runs.
Could be an ideal vehicle for electrified taxis, small school and city buses, light delivery trucks, vans and eventually larger trucks etc.
Posted by: HarveyD | 02 September 2016 at 08:42 AM
It looks as though this is not the PowerCell product which reforms diesel on board:
'A previous drawback from PEM fuel cells is that they were most suited for use with pure hydrogen gas, but were not suited to reformed gas. PowerCell is the only company in the world to have developed reforming technology with the capacity to produce hydrogen gas from commercially available diesel (but can also be adapted to such other hydrocarbon-based fuel as gasoline and biofuel) of such high quality that it can be used in a PEM fuel cell. PowerCell’s fuel cell system thus has the potential to contribute to the introduction of fuel cells on a larger scale for several new applications in most locations and markets, given that every country in the world has a system in place for distributing diesel. Based on its technology platform, PowerCell is developing highly competitive products. PowerCell is also developing fuel cell systems that run on pure hydrogen gas to offer cost-effective and entirely emission-free electrical generation for applications where hydrogen gas is available.'
http://www.powercell.se/technology_head/
That has to mean that there are plans to run out some level of hydrogen infrastructure in China, although perhaps they are relying on supplying from the depot, at least initially.
Posted by: Davemart | 02 September 2016 at 02:20 PM
According to Power Cell, their (1 to 25 KW) unit can work on H2 and/or on reformated gas, NG, biodiesel and standard diesel. Their new S3 model can produce 100 KW and is suited as a range extender for small trucks.
Posted by: HarveyD | 02 September 2016 at 03:13 PM
To gain a practical understanding of technology, hands on experience is a great teacher.
The S2 operates at "max 85oC", Needs a separate H2 'reformer' to produce pure H2 in order to run on hydrocarbon fuels
The reformers operate at higher temp ~160 - 600oC ?
You need a job for that amount of heat.
Good for cabin heat/ fast pizza delivery kitchens or melting snow but not for electrical energy production efficiency. Maybe a Heath Robinson Hybrid S(steam) engine HRHSV ?
From Powercell site.
"S2 main advantages:
- PEM technology, fast start up and shut down
- Available in power range 5 - 25 kW, modular in 5 kW steps
- Low pressure drop, simple selection of air supply components
- Fuel flexible, for use with pure Hydrogen or reformate gas
- Liquid cooled
- Rugged design; for use in automotive applications and stationary applications"
Posted by: Arnold | 03 September 2016 at 02:25 PM
A good fit for combined heat and power applications or lower purity H2. Price?
S2 is 'optimised' - with close to equivalent output for reformate H2 so NOT requiring '99.X % pure H2'
Their reformer runs >400oC.
Posted by: Arnold | 03 September 2016 at 05:11 PM
Regenerated turbines can have very high efficiency or free piston hydraulic pumps can, so the need for complicated hydrogen fuel-cells is low. Sodium-Nickel-Chloride or sodium sulphur batteries are fuel cells with self contained fuels and are more efficient and light weight than any compressed or liquid hydrogen technology. Meanwhile Artemis digital displacement is all that is necessary to reduce vehicle consumption by half or more with optimization and free piston engines such as INNAS NOAX or Bladon turbines or? ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 03 September 2016 at 08:20 PM
Arnold said:
'The reformers operate at higher temp ~160 - 600oC ?
You need a job for that amount of heat.
Good for cabin heat/ fast pizza delivery kitchens or melting snow but not for electrical energy production efficiency.'
I must remember never to take my ICE car out unless I fancy a pizza!
'The ignition system supplies the sparks to ignite the fuel mixture in the cylinders. By means of an ignition coil and contact breaker, it charges a 12-volt battery, which in the turn produces pulses of 20,000 volts. These go via a distributor to the spark plugs in the cylinders, where they create sparks. Ignition of the fuel in the cylinders produces temperatures of 700°C or more.'
https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engines
Is the high temperature an issue?
Yep.
Is it a show stopper?
It appears not.
Posted by: Davemart | 04 September 2016 at 12:43 AM
Reforming is endothermic, it requires heat for the reaction.
Posted by: SJC | 06 September 2016 at 10:51 AM