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Design and testing of a fuel cell powertrain with energy constraints

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  • Wasselynck, Guillaume
  • Auvity, Bruno
  • Olivier, Jean-Christophe
  • Trichet, Didier
  • Josset, Christophe
  • Maindru, Philippe

Abstract

This paper reports a methodology to design a high efficiency fuel cell powertrain. The powertrain equips a prototype car that runs energy-efficient races where the objectives are to go the furthest with the lowest quantity of fuel (Shell Eco Marathon). In the design process, the starting point was the evaluation of the car's energy demand to run on a specified race track by developing a dynamic mechanical model of the car. A dedicated inertial test bench was constructed to reproduce the car's behavior in the laboratory. This was used to determine under which operating conditions an electric motor has to be powered to reach the highest efficiency. The introduction of ultracapacitors was envisaged and, based on efficiency arguments, a drive train arrangement was chosen composed solely of a 500 W PEFC stack, a DC/DC converter operated in a current regulation mode and an electric motor. Final tests of the powertrain revealed the most efficient operating conditions. The present work is the necessary first stage for both the design of the complete powertrain and its detailed energy analysis. It forms the basis for future improvements.

Suggested Citation

  • Wasselynck, Guillaume & Auvity, Bruno & Olivier, Jean-Christophe & Trichet, Didier & Josset, Christophe & Maindru, Philippe, 2012. "Design and testing of a fuel cell powertrain with energy constraints," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 414-424.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:38:y:2012:i:1:p:414-424
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.11.022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saxe, M. & Folkesson, A. & Alvfors, P., 2008. "Energy system analysis of the fuel cell buses operated in the project: Clean Urban Transport for Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 689-711.
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    4. Wagner, U. & Eckl, R. & Tzscheutschler, P., 2006. "Energetic life cycle assessment of fuel cell powertrain systems and alternative fuels in Germany," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 3062-3075.
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    1. Colmenar-Santos, Antonio & Alberdi-Jiménez, Lucía & Nasarre-Cortés, Lorenzo & Mora-Larramona, Joaquín, 2014. "Residual heat use generated by a 12 kW fuel cell in an electric vehicle heating system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 182-190.
    2. Tafaoli-Masoule, M. & Bahrami, A. & Elsayed, E.M., 2014. "Optimum design parameters and operating condition for maximum power of a direct methanol fuel cell using analytical model and genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 643-652.
    3. Sieben, J.M. & Morallón, E. & Cazorla-Amorós, D., 2013. "Flexible ruthenium oxide-activated carbon cloth composites prepared by simple electrodeposition methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 519-526.
    4. Anand Sagar & Sachin Chugh & Erik Kjeang, 2023. "Model-Driven Membrane Electrode Assembly Design for High-Performing Open-Cathode Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-23, November.
    5. Li, Dazi & Yu, Yadi & Jin, Qibing & Gao, Zhiqiang, 2014. "Maximum power efficiency operation and generalized predictive control of PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 210-217.
    6. Colmenar-Santos, Antonio & Borge-Diez, David & Ortega-Cabezas, Pedro Miguel & Míguez-Camiña, J.V., 2014. "Macro economic impact, reduction of fee deficit and profitability of a sustainable transport model based on electric mobility. Case study: City of León (Spain)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 303-318.

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