Engineering:Fuel cell auxiliary power unit

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A fuel cell auxiliary power unit (FC-APU) is a fuel cell based auxiliary power unit on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.[1]

Market

In 2010 there were globally 3,100 fuel cell APU shipments.[2]

Trucks

Around 300,000 refrigerator trucks with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States, according to a 2013 estimate.[3] In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions [4] and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.[5]

In 2008, a DOE sponsored partnership between Delphi Electronics and Peterbilt demonstrated that a fuel cell could provide power to the electronics and air conditioning of a Peterbilt Model 386 under simulated "idling" conditions for 10 hours. This solid oxide fuel cell can directly accept diesel[6] using an integrated endothermic reformer.[7] Delphi has said the 5 kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012,[needs update] at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates.[5] In 2013, DOE announced a similar project giving grants to Nuvera and Plug Power Inc., though this project is based on hydrogen-powered fuel cells.[3]

Research

  • RDSO started a project to develop fuel cell assisted Auxiliary power units in diesel-electric locomotives of Indian Railways.[8]
  • PowerCell is testing an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity for trucks.[9]

See also

References

  1. fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications
  2. "Investment in fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications to reach $400 million by 2020, according to Pike research". http://fuelcellsworks.com/news/2011/11/29/investment-in-fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications-to-reach-400-million-by-2020-according-to-pike-research/. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Refrigerated trucks to keep their cool thanks to fuel cell technology
  4. Broderick, Christie-Joy; Timothy Lipman; Mohammad Farshchi; Nicholas Lutsey; Harry Dwyer; Daniel Sperling; William Gouse; Bruce Harris et al. (2002). "Evaluation of Fuel Cell auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks". Transportation Research Part D (Elsevier Sciences Ltd.): pp. 303–315. http://www.uctc.net/papers/587.pdf. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Weissler, Paul (2010-05-12). "Delphi truck fuel-cell APU to hit road in 2012". Vehicle Electrification. http://articles.sae.org/8222/. Retrieved 2011-09-27. "and Delphi says it will have a 5-kW APU on the market in 2012.". 
  6. Jacobs, Mike (2009-03-19). "Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Successfully Powers Truck Cab and Sleeper in DOE-Sponsored Test". NETL: News Release (National Energy Technology Laboratory). http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2009/09017-Fuel_Cell_Powers_Commercial_Trucks.html. 
  7. "XII.4 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Diesel Auxiliary Power Unit Demonstration". https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/docs/hydrogenprogramlibraries/pdfs/progress11/xii_4_rosenblatt_2011.pdf?sfvrsn=9309d48c_1. 
  8. Fuel cell assisted APU system for diesel-electric locomotives
  9. PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity